AFL Daily: North Melbourne ruckman Braydon Preuss eyeing trade to Melbourne
NORTH Melbourne big man Braydon Preuss is understood to have asked for a trade after failing to add to his tally of eight AFL games in 2017, while Bulldogs defender Marcus Adams is also weighing up his future.
MELBOURNE’S search for a Max Gawn understudy is set to zero in on Braydon Preuss.
It is understood the North Melbourne big man has asked for a trade after failing to add to his tally of eight AFL games in 2017.
Preuss is believed to be keen on the Demons, even though he would be behind dual All-Australian and the game’s No. 1 ruckman in Gawn.
While the Kangaroos will entertain a trade, they are also happy retain Preuss if a deal cannot be struck.
Preuss, 23, is contracted at Arden St until 2020 and has been groomed to take over from the rejuvenated Todd Goldstein, 30, who is contracted for 2019.
The Demons’ current first draft selection No. 32, although that is likely to be bumped back by free agency compensation selections and possibly priority picks.
The Demons boast a settled list with a back-up ruckman one of the few areas they will target this off-season.
They are expected to re-sign defender Oscar McDonald at the end of the season but could part with popular onballer Dom Tyson.
Western Bulldogs defender Marcus Adams is weighing up his future and could ask for a fresh start.
Adams, 25, has endured three frustrating seasons where he has managed just 27 games because of injuries.
The Dogs regard Adams as a required player with the clean-marking defender a key to the club’s backline.
The West Australian considered a move home in 2016 before deciding to stay at Whitten Oval, where he is contracted until 2020.
While Adams is not homesick and believed to be open to a move anywhere, if a suitable deal cannot be brokered he is also open to remaining at the Bulldogs.
Adams’ girlfriend is from Brighton and he is happy to remain in Melbourne.
The Dogs have recently locked away Tory Dickson, Lin Jong, Toby McLean, Dale Morris and Fergus Greene to new deals.
The Herald Sun revealed in June that the Dogs were also chasing Tiger Sam Lloyd, who is likely to leave Punt Rd along with Anthony Miles and speedster Connor Menadue.
West Australian Reece Conca also remains out of contract.
Gold Coast appears certain to snap up Miles, 26, and Bulldog Mitch Honeychurch, 23 in trade period.
Miles attracted interest from about five clubs but is set for the Suns.
Miles (one game in 2018) and Honeychurch (13) have been unable to cement positions at their clubs but should arrive from the past two premiership clubs with good training habits.
Brisbane could throw Nathan Freeman a lifeline with the delisted Saint sharing links with Lions midfield coach Dale Tapping.
Tapping coached Freeman at TAC Cup club Sandringham Dragons and the pair also spent time at Collingwood together.
North Melbourne and Port Adelaide are close to agreeing on a deal to send Jared Polec to Arden St.
The Kangas want to send pick No. 11 to Port for Polec and a second-round selection.
But the Power wants to instead send a third-round selection back to the Roos.
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Originally published as AFL Daily: North Melbourne ruckman Braydon Preuss eyeing trade to Melbourne