AFL trade news: Jordon Sweet, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher request trades to Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide looms as the busiest club in this year’s trade period after a third tall requested a trade to the Power. See all the details.

Port Adelaide is set for another hectic exchange period after convincing two out-of-contract South Australians to seek moves to Alberton.

Essendon defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet both requested trades to the Power on Wednesday.

Sturt product Zerk-Thatcher, 25, turned down a multi-year offer from the Bombers and interest from other teams, including the Crows.

North Adelaide premiership player Sweet, 25, had a deal on the table from the Bulldogs and was linked to West Coast.

Zerk-Thatcher and Sweet join Geelong interceptor Esava Ratugolea this past week in wanting to join Port.

A year after finalising complicated deals to secure North Melbourne’s Jason Horne-Francis and West Coast’s Willie Rioli, the Power will enter next month’s trade period without a pick until No.37 so will likely have to part with its 2024 first-rounder to obtain the trio.

Zerk-Thatcher’s manager Tom McConville, of Mac’s Sports, told this masthead the chance to be close to family played a key role in his player’s decision.

Zerk-Thatcher is a South Australian who was recruited from SANFL club Sturt. Picture: Michael Klein.

The 195cm, 91kg backman featured in a career-high 22 AFL games for Essendon during a breakout 2023 campaign, taking his career tally to 51.

“There was a go-home factor,” McConville said of Zerk-Thatcher, who was the 66th pick in the 2017 draft.

“He’s got family in Adelaide.

“He hasn’t really been in a position during his career where he had options, he’s been on the one-year deal train a bit.

“After a breakout year, the opportunity arose to have his livelihood back in his home state and be back around family.”

Port’s key defensive stocks are something of an achilles heel amid a lack of height and with captain Tom Jonas retiring.

Trent McKenzie, 31, and Tom Clurey, 29, are also coming towards the end of their careers.

Adelaide inquired about Zerk-Thatcher, seeking to bolster a backline missing Nick Murray and Tom Doedee – if he re-signs – for much of next season due to serious knee injuries.

But the Power had more interest.

“They really value what Zerk brings and really see him complementing their side tremendously,” McConville said.

Jordon Sweet has requested a trade to Port Adelaide. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sweet, who stands 206cm and 106kg, is seeking more AFL opportunities after playing 11 games in five seasons at the Dogs, including none this year.

In July, this masthead reported that the 2018 rookie draftee was on the radar of the Power, where his Roosters premiership coach, Josh Carr, was now mentoring the midfield.

Port had shown interest in Melbourne’s Brodie Grundy, but reportedly dropped out of the race in recent days and the South Australian ruckman was now expected to join Sydney.

Sweet averaged 11.8 hit-outs to advantage, five clearances, 5.3 tackles, 13.8 disposals and 120 ranking points in 19 VFL games this season.

The Power has been eyeing another ruckman in what is the final year of Scott Lycett, Sam Hayes and Brynn Teakle’s contracts.