Could Hawthorn be the team that manages to pry pick one away from West Coast?
Eagles chairman Paul Fitzpatrick appeared to suggest the club would be willing to part with their prized pick – saying they wanted “elite youngsters” with the first selection.
“We will again go to the draft where we currently hold the first selection and we will look to bring in some elite youngsters with that and other selections,” he said.
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“The for sale sign is up on pick one,” AFL 360’s Mark Robinson said having heard those Fitzpatrick comments.
“There’ll be a lot of clubs lining up.”
Triple M’s Jay Clark said while there’s plenty of noise about the likes of North Melbourne and Melbourne (who have Fremantle’s first rounder for the Luke Jackson trade) wanting to orchestrate a trade, don’t sleep on Hawthorn.
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“I haven’t put a line through that (Hawthorn coming hard for pick one),” he said.
“We’ve been talking a lot about North Melbourne swapping with West Coast for pick one or Melbourne swapping for pick one – I don’t think you can rule that plot out for the Hawks.
“They’ve got pick three. Is it (West Australian duo) Tyler Brockman or Denver Grainger-Barras that they can package up as a bit of bundle? Maybe a future pick as well – just to dangle the carrot a bit in front of West Coast.
“North Melbourne will have a strong say … (but Hawthorn) is something that has been flying under the radar in trade discussions.
“Sam Mitchell is in a hurry to climb that ladder.”
Prized draftee Harley Reid is widely tipped to be taken at number one, with rumours still floating that he wants to stay in Victoria.
While talented key position prospect Daniel Curtin looming large in WA, the Eagles are set to pounce on him – and shouldn’t need the first pick for that.
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Former Eagle Scott Cummings previously said the club “need more than one player” to turn around their on-field woes.
The Eagles split their second pick in last year’s draft as part of the four-club Jason Horne-Francis trade, and secured WA youngsters Reuben Ginbey and Elijah Hewett in the first round.
PORT BIG MAN URGED TO RETHINK ‘SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED’ DEAL
Port Adelaide have an embarrassment of tall riches on their list, but as news emerged of coach Ken Hinkley and stars Zak Butters and Connor Rozee meeting with Demon Brodie Grundy, it’s left questions over Scott Lycett’s future.
Lycett arrived at the Power in 2019, after claiming a premiership with West Coast.
But injuries have restricted his influence, and he’s managed just 16 games in the past two seasons.
With Grundy reportedly in the club’s sights with promises of the number one ruck role – something he hasn’t enjoyed at Melbourne due to Max Gawn’s presence – Lycett could struggle for game time in 2024.
And according to South Australian journalist Michelangelo Rucci, the club have come at Lycett with a “significantly reduced” offer to remain.
“Scott Lycett’s offer from Port Adelaide is one you cannot sign,” Rucci said on SEN SA.
“You wouldn’t sign it, I wouldn’t sign it and Scott certainly shouldn’t sign it.
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“Let’s read the tea leaves here – so Port’s heavily into Brodie Grundy. They’re not going to keep Grundy, Lycett and every other ruckman they have on that list with (Dante) Visentini, (Sam) Hayes and (Brynn) Teakle.
“So someone has to squeeze out.”
Rucci said Geelong has expressed interest in Lycett, and it could help in a deal for Esava Ratugolea.
He also said the Power should also consider Fremantle’s Sean Darcy instead of Grundy.
“Lycett wants to go find more than a one-year deal. Geelong could probably put two on the table,” he said.
“He clearly isn’t going to accept that offer at Port Adelaide.
“If Brodie Grundy comes in, he (Lycett) becomes excess to needs.”
AFL great Dermott Brereton said clubs like Melbourne and Port Adelaide needed to consider a pay limit for back up rucks.
“I think your backup situation runs out at about $450 (thousand) wage,” he said.
Visentini remains contracted to the end of 2025, while Brynn Teakle, Sam Hayes and Scott Lycett are all out of contract this year.
Only Lycett remains an unrestricted free agent in that trio.
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