AFL Daily: Carlton's long pursuit of Dylan Shiel could be about to pay off

DYLAN Shiel has been given the all clear to talk to rival clubs by GWS  as the midfielder moves closer to the Giants' exit door. Plus, what is Jesse Hogan worth at the trade table and Hawthorn axes a No.2 draft pick. FOOTY NEWS RE-CAP

Dylan Shiel in action for GWS.

DYLAN Shiel will meet with Victorian clubs in the coming days as the midfielder moves closer towards the exit door at Greater Western Sydney.

Shiel is contracted for 2019, but has warmed to a move back to Melbourne as Carlton, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Essendon continue to circle.

The explosive onballer didn’t use last week’s exit meeting to ask for a trade, instead preferring to test the water over the next week.

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The Giants are aware of Shiel’s movements, but conscious they need to take steps to ease their salary cap squeeze.

"Those couple of boys are out there gathering information and will be catching up with some clubs, as we work through some things that we need to (work through)," Giants list manager Jason McCartney said.

"But while those conversations are happening with other clubs, we're also in constant communication with those players and their managers about what 2019 looks like at the Giants.

Dylan Shiel in action for GWS.

"We've had a number of good chats with our players this year and they continued when we wrapped up our exit interviews last week.

"There's a bit to work through and it's always an interesting time (of the year)."

Shiel will also be among a handful of Giants eligible for free agency at the end of next year if he doesn’t sign a new contract before the 2019 season begins.

The Blues have pick one and the money to satisfy GWS in a trade, but whether they can convince Shiel to join a rebuilding club could be a hard sell.

But Carlton is aware it can’t endure another two-win season and is poised to snare Mitch McGovern from Adelaide and, potentially,Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo.

Hawthorn is working hard behind the scenes to secure wantaway Port Adelaide forward Chad Wingard on what is believed to be a four-year deal.

The Hawks would appear highly unlikely to land Shiel in the same exchange period with pick 15 their best offering as things stand.

The Bombers, who hold appeal for contracted Gold Coast player Jack Martin, could facilitate a deal if Shiel nominates them.

Shiel’s teammate Rory Lobb has held meetings with West Coast, with the Giants forward-ruck spotted on Tuesday talking to Eagles officials and injured superstar Nic Naitanui.

Jeremy Finlayson has also been told by GWS that he can explore his options, while Will Setterfield could also be on the move this off-season.

Originally published as AFL Daily: Carlton's long pursuit of Dylan Shiel could be about to pay off

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