AFL Trade Period 2022: Follow the latest updates from deadline day
Talks started on a bombshell three-way trade that shook up the trade period only 30 minutes before the deadline. Here’s how it happened – and the frantic final day played out.
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Collingwood has fixed its two biggest headaches in preparation for next season’s premiership tilt after landing star onballer Tom Mitchell and correcting its salary cap.
The Magpies admitted they had to address their clearance problems after struggling in that area all season, but are confident Mitchell, Taylor Adams, Jordan De Goey, Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury will form a potent combination next season.
In a frantic final 10 minutes of the trade period, Collingwood dodged the prospect of losing young forward Ollie Henry for nothing in the pre-season draft when it secured a three-way trade with Hawthorn to send Henry to Geelong.
SCROLL DOWN TO RECAP A CRAZY FINAL DAY OF TRADES
It saw Collingwood snare pick 25 and Mitchell – the hard-nut onballer its engine room needed – Geelong snag Henry, and Hawthorn land young Cats’ onballer Cooper Stephens along with picks 41 and 50.
Remarkably, Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said the clubs only started talking about the three-way trade at 7pm and finalised it with minutes remaining before the 7.30pm deadline.
The move rounded out a stunning trade period for the Cats, who claimed Tanner Bruhn (GWS), Henry (Collingwood), Jack Bowes (Gold Coast) plus pick 7.
Geelong also kept big man Esava Ratugolea to his contract despite a wish to head to Port Adelaide.
The deal brought significant relief for Collingwood and Geelong as it ended a tense standoff which could have left Henry facing an anxious wait to get to Geelong and hoping he slides past 17 other clubs in the draft.
The Cats are open to playing Henry in defence and on the wing next season to help maximise his athletic abilities alongside his brother Jack.
Brisbane secured a deal for gun midfielder Josh Dunkley which the Dogs admit will force some of its ball-hunting midfielders to adjust their defensive focus without him.
The Bulldogs received pick 21 plus a future first, second and fourth-rounder in exchange for Dunkley and a future third and fourth-rounder headed to the Lions.
Collingwood footy boss Wright said the club was thrilled to end up with three draft picks inside 30 and land one of the biggest ball magnets in the game.
Collingwood is also back in a position to head hunt top-line talent such as a star key forward next season after correcting their bloated cap with the move to offload ruckman Brodie Grundy.
“He (Mitchell) is a proven centre bounce player, first possession player,” Wright said.
“That was an area that we struggled a little bit in terms of clearances from our perspective, so we think he will certainly add something there.”
Wright said Mitchell and Adams were “different players” who could operate alongside each other as Mitchell was “a little bit more smart and clever with his hands” whereas Adams was “more bull-at-a-gate”.
The Magpies said they were “relay disappointed” to lose Henry, who wanted to join his brother Jack at Geelong after 25 games and 28 goals in two years at Geelong.
Cats list boss Andrew Mackie said he thought the Henry deal would fall over on Tuesday before it was revived with the three-way arrangement involving Stephens.
Mackie said he had a “tough conversation” with Henry’s parents on Tuesday about the prospect of the preseason draft, but was ecstatic to add him to Chris Scott’s arsenal next season and replenish an aging list.
“We are really happy with the guys we were able to bring in this trade period and Stephen Wells is licking his lips at pick seven,” Mackie said.
“We are not going to pigeon-hole Ollie about a position. We are going to be open-minded whether he can play in the back half or on a wing and up the ground.
“And see what he can do with some running and jumping ability.
“Tanner and Ollie come in as 20-year-olds, come in as third-year players, something we are excited about.”
7.30PM: LAST SECOND DEALS
Jaeger O’Meara has become a Docker and Rory Lobb is a Bulldog after deals were lodged just before the deadline.
Lobb was swapped for pick 30 and a future second-rounder.
Jaeger O’Meara was traded for ruckman Lloyd Meek and a future second-rounder.
7.24PM: OLLIE HENRY DEAL DONE, MITCHELL A PIE
Geelong and Collingwood have come to an agreement on a trade for Ollie Henry just minutes before the deadline.
Hawthorn became involved in the deal which also makes Tom Mitchell a Magpie and Cooper Stephens a Hawk.
It’s all happening!
Hawthorn gets: Stephens, 41 and 50
— Marc McGowan 🗣âœï¸ðŸ‘¨ðŸ»â€ðŸ’»ðŸ“° (@ByMarcMcGowan) October 12, 2022
Collingwood gets: Mitchell, 25
Geelong gets: Henry
7.16PM: DUNKLEY DEAL DONE
After days of tense negotations Josh Dunkley has been traded to the Brisbane Lions.
The Dogs have sent Dunkley and two future third-rounders to Brisbane and received pick 21, a future first rounder, future second-rounder and future fourth.
6.47PM: DOG SHOCK: LACHIE HUNTER TRADED
Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter has joined Melbourne in a late trade twist on deadline day.
Hunter found his way to the Demons in exchange for a future third-round pick after indicating he was keen for a “fresh change” and speaking with Melbourne.
He still had two years to run on his current contract at Whitten Oval, with the Bulldogs expected to pay part of his salary.
The move had been kept quiet despite some interest between the two clubs to get the deal done over recent weeks.
Hunter took two months of personal leave in the middle of this season, playing just five senior games after round 5.
However, he won the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest in 2018 and is still just 27 years old.
“Lachie had two years remaining on his contract at the Bulldogs, but expressed his desire to seek a fresh start, if it could be facilitated,” Bulldogs list manager Sam Power said.
“We agreed that this was the best approach for both parties, and we were willing to work with the Demons to allow Lachie to have that opportunity.
“Lachie is a premiership player, life member and has a close family connection with the Bulldogs so will always be welcomed back. We thank him for his contribution to the club over a 10-year period and we wish him the best for the remainder of his career.”
The Dogs are still negotiating with Brisbane over Josh Dunkley to try to reach a deal before the 7.30pm deadline.
North Melbourne offered a second and third-round pick for Hunter Clark. The Saints wanted No.2 or 3 to be included (with a slide). No deal. Clark stays a Saint.
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 12, 2022
6.30PM: ONE HOUR TO GO!
6.01PM: WILL RATUGOLEA GET TO THE POWER?
Port Adelaide says it is looking “less likely” that it will secure Geelong big man Esava Ratugolea as the trade period deadline draws closer.
The Power have put pick 33 on the table for the contracted Ratugolea, but the Cats have so far shown little interest in accepting that offer.
Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies said the club had very little “wiggle room” to improve that deal, with its next draft pick currently being pick 60.
“It hasn’t really progressed,” Davies said.
“We’ve put what we have to Geelong and they’ve got a little bit of time to work out whether they want it or not.
“We don’t have too much else. I hope pick 33’s enough.
“There is a little bit of wiggle room, I imagine. But 33’s the thing that’s on the table at the moment.”
5.29PM: WHY SAINTS DECIDED AGAINST GRUNDY PLAY
St Kilda considered making a play for traded Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy before deciding to install Rowan Marshall as the club’s No.1 ruck for the foreseeable future.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder has retired and the Saints decided they would prefer to lock in a partnership between Ryder and key forward Max King instead of bringing in the dual All-Australian.
They were unapologetic about their quiet trade period, adamant they wouldn’t go “throwing draft picks (and) money out just to finish sixth”.
They signed lockdown defender Zaine Cordy (Western Bulldogs) as a free agent, who could free up Callum Wilkie to play on a third tall forward and take more intercept marks.
Cordy will also help shelter the Saints’ baby key defenders before they are ready for the rigours of regular AFL football.
List boss James Gallagher said supporters, who would have to be in their late 50s to have seen the club’s only premiership in 1966, wouldn’t mind waiting another 12 months to ensure the Saints spiked sharply.
“There’s a real sense of urgency at our footy club to get better and go up the ladder. But we’re not trying to go up the ladder to finish sixth,” Gallagher said.
“We want to be a team that plays at the real pointy end of the year. If that takes a year longer, that’s OK.
“Our supporters are unbelievably patient. They’re passionate, they are loyal and they are patient.”
Gallagher said most of the club’s improvement in 2023 would come from their nucleus who missed large chunks of the year through injury.
Top-10 picks Jack Billings and Hunter Clark played just eight games while captain Jack Steele missed a month mid-season.
“All I know is we’ve got a number of good players that we didn’t get a lot out of in 2022 primarily through injury that are going to come back into our side in 2023,” Gallagher said.
“So there’s a lot of growth there. We played some pretty good footy in the first half of the year. We played some pretty ordinary footy in the second half of the year.
“We’re not miles off.”
The Saints had a red-hot crack at free agent Jordan De Goey, but after missing out Gallagher said: “We’re not just going to throw money at getting other players in or another player that becomes available. We’ve got to be really strategic about that”.
Gallagher said picks in the top 25-30 – and the first six – were being tightly held, but he was content with the draft hand and backed recruiter Chris Toce to nail the talent call.
The Saints hold picks 9, 28, 32 and 47.
“We might have a pick inside 10 and then a couple of picks in the second round, which based on what I’ve seen of this year’s draft, that’s a pretty good hand,” he said.
4.57PM: LIONS UP DUNKLEY OFFER
Western Bulldogs have asked Brisbane Lions to throw in their future second-round selection in the latest trade demand for gun midfielder Josh Dunkley.
News Corp can reveal the Bulldogs want pick 21 and a future first and second-round selection from the Lions for Dunkley.
The Lions have offered their No.21 draft selection and their future first-rounder without asking for a selection in return.
The Lions have two extra future second-round selections from Geelong and GWS following earlier deals, but would prefer not to part with them for Dunkley.
Brisbane had offered 21 and a future first-round pick in exchange for Dunkley and No. 39 from the Dogs on Tuesday.
The two clubs remain locked in strong discussions about his future, with Dunkley’s manager Liam Pickering adamant the Dogs won’t release him to the draft for nothing.
4.13PM: LACHIE HUNTER COULD MAKE LATE MOVE
Lachie Hunter could make a late switch from the Western Bulldogs with the wingman keen for a new home.
Melbourne has pursued the Dogs midfielder this trade period, and has cleared some salary cap obligations after moving on Sam Weideman in a trade to Essendon.
Hunter is known to want to move but he has a $600,000 contract for the next two seasons with the Bulldogs.
He and coach Luke Beveridge have had an up-and-down relationship at times, and he is keen to be at a different club.
Hunter’s manager Paul Connors told SEN Radio on Wednesday there was a “50-50 chance” he could move.
“Lachie and I have actually been having some good dialogue this week, he’s spoken to the club, feels like a fresh change might be good for him,” he said..
“It is late, but I would be suggesting he’s a 50-50 chance to move.
“We’ve kept it quiet, we think that there’s a little bit of interest for both parties.
“Sometimes there’s a win-win for player and club, and I think the player and club would think a fresh start for Lachie would be wonderful.
“I’ve got one club in particular (who is interested). They have got a few things to still tick off, and the Western Bulldogs are as busy as anyone today”.
3.45PM: SHOCK TRADE: SCHACHE A DEMON
Paperwork has been lodged to trade Josh Schache from the Western Bulldogs to Melbourne for a future fourth-round pick.
Schache, originally pick 2 in the 2015 draft, played 27 games at Brisbane from 2016-17 and 45 games at the Bulldogs from 2018-22.
4.20PM: ‘KIDS WON’T MOVE’: WHY GIANTS NEEDED PICK 1
Greater Western Sydney has laid bare the extraordinary go-home factor in AFL football as it revealed some high draft pick point-blank refuse to be drafted to non-Victorian teams.
A crop of elite picks in the top handful of selections in November’s national draft are unwilling to be traded away from Victoria or have expressed enough reservations to have GWS nervous.
It is why the Giants have traded up to the No.1 overall pick and are set to take Vic Country player Aaron Cadman, who is not seen as a flight risk.
GWS football boss Jason McCartney said on Wednesday of the available players: “There’s some we can’t pick”.
The club’s recruiting boss Adrian Caruso admitted the club had players blatantly state they would not play at a side not in Victoria.
It is a form of draft tampering but the league has not stepped in when the likes of Essendon’s Archie Perkins and Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith made clear they wanted to be drafted by Victorian sides.
“That is up to the league to identify whether or not they see it as an issue. From our point of view it makes it challenging to have early picks and you feel there are players in your top end who are not as open to moving,” Caruso said.
“We have had a scenario in the last four or five years where there are one or two guys who you have some concerns over. Some will actually go out and say it to you or their manager will say it to you that they don’t want to move. Others are more subtle and you have to work out whether they would be the right fit.
“This year it does feel there are a few more towards the top who you would have concern over. And it’s probably the reason we have traded up.”
Jason Horne-Francis left North Melbourne for his home state of South Australia after only a year and GWS drafted Tanner Bruhn who seemed open to playing interstate and then saw him move back to Geelong.
Said GWS football boss McCartney: “The draft board for us and maybe some other interstate clubs, it’s not the same draft board (as the Victorian clubs). And that’s ok, that’s the reality. We’re not complaining about it. So we do have to look at things a little bit differently.
“Everyone can throw up the players and we love all the players that have been talked about but there’s some we can’t pick. That’s the reality.”
3.30PM: DONE DEAL: WEIDEMAN A BOMBER
Sam Weideman is now a Bomber after joining the arch-rival of his late grandfather and Collingwood premiership captain, Murray, with the key forward determined to take the opportunity to revive his career with both hands.
An arrangement was struck between Melbourne, Essendon and Sydney before the 3pm embargo on trade deadline day, with the Bombers securing Weideman, picks 54 and 72 from the Demons in exchange for pick 37.
The Bombers earlier traded Aaron Francis and pick 42 to the Swans for a future fourth rounder and pick 37.
Weideman met with new Essendon coach Brad Scott and toured the club’s facilities on Monday after talks ramped up between the Bombers and Melbourne over the weekend.
Resigned to seeing out the final year of his contract with the Demons in 2023, it all changed when Weideman received a phone call from his manager on Sunday after hopping off the plane following a weekend in Adelaide with some of his then-Melbourne teammates.
Three days after that surprise call, the 25-year-old has traded the red and blue for the red sash, where he will partner Crichton medallist Peter Wright and Harry Jones in the Bombers’ attacking arc and provide ruck support for Sam Draper.
The trade move capped a rollercoaster year for the key forward, who is getting married in December and bought a new house earlier this year.
“I was away in Adelaide with a few of the Melbourne boys, and it surprising getting off the plane and getting a call from my manager that Melbourne and Essendon had been in really serious talks about me,” Weideman told the Herald Sun.
“It did all happened pretty quick. Last week it was a pretty slow week to be honest, I didn’t think much would happen and then as Essendon started to gain a little bit of interest it really picked up – especially over the weekend. It seemed like Melbourne and Essendon progressed talks pretty quickly and then by Sunday it was all a really high chance of happening so… I’m very excited about the move.
“It was a bit of a surprise but it’s a good surprise as well, this is the time to really take this opportunity and see what can happen.”
A popular teammate at Melbourne, Weideman conceded it was tough saying goodbye to the club that he “loves” and his former teammates who he has formed strong friendships in his seven years at the Demons.
But the 195cm forward, who has played 59 senior games and kicked 62 goals, is excited by the prospect of greater opportunity at the Bombers, who he believes has an “extremely talented” list.
“It is always difficult to say goodbye to someone you love and I do love the Melbourne Footy Club. Seven years there and really great memories there,” he said.
“I’ve got a lot of close mates at Melbourne and I’ve had the opportunity to make some calls about (the trade). And they were all so supportive I think, they really respected my decision and they want the best for me as a person. So I’m incredibly grateful and I really value the relationships I made at Melbourne and I’m sure they’ll definitely continue.
“But I’m really excited with Essendon. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for me – they’re such a great club with such a proud history. I think their list, it’s quite young, but it is extremely talented and they’ve got a massive upside, which I’m really excited about.
“I played a fair bit of ruck in the VFL finals series (for Casey) which held me in good stead and really gave me a lot of confidence to play that ruck role, so I think to further develop my game as a forward and play in the ruck is really exciting and something I’m eager to get started with.”
With the trade secured, Weideman’s attention is now on the next big life event: tying the knot with high school sweetheart, Jamie.
“A lot has happened in my life this year and it’s been tough to get my head around it all and sort of calm myself down a bit. It’s been a massive learning year, personally, and on the other side of this I think it’s all going to be worth it and I’m really excited about what’s to come,” he said.
“Getting married is obviously really exciting and I can’t wait for that, and obviously joining one footy club and leaving another – it’s a big step – but something I’m really excited about.”
3.12PM: JAEGER O’MEARA MAKES HIS CHOICE
Hawthorn midfielder Jaeger O’Meara has chosen Fremantle as his club of choice in a move that will help secure Rory Lobb’s trade to the Western Bulldogs.
O’Meara is in West Australia on a fact-finding mission, and after a medical on Tuesday night at the Dockers has told the Hawks he wants to play for Justin Longmuir’s team.
GWS would have needed to have Hawthorn pay some of his salary to be able to fit him in the cap, and had pitched a role with leadership and some midfield time.
O’Meara and his partner are both from West Australia and are keen to return.
The Herald Sun understands the Lobb trade depends upon the Dockers securing O’Meara.
If they lose out on O’Meara they will still consider trying to retain Lobb despite offers from the Dogs including pick 30 and next year’s second-rounder.
The Dockers still believe there are ways to secure Gold Coast wingman Jeremy Sharp without having to obtain the Dogs’ future second-rounder in the deal.
They are trying to come up with ways to separate the Sharp deal from the Dunkley and Lobb deals as a fall-back in case those deals all fall over.
Ideally, the Dockers would secure another future second-round selection for the Sharp deal, but there is still a level of confidence he will find his way to Fremantle.
GWS list boss Jason McCartney said earlier on Wednesday the Giants hoped to find out about O’Meara soon.
“He is in Perth now. We are just waiting to see what his decision is today. We will speak to him today. Hopefully in the next hour or two we’ll know,” he told Trade Radio.
“If he was to come to our club he would play a really important role in developing (our young) players into good AFL players with good AFL training standards. We are not just looking to bolster our midfield, we have some really good depth in there already.”
3.05PM: TRADES ARE LIVE, FIRST DEAL DONE
Under AFL rules clubs couldn’t complete deals before 3pm AEDT on deadline day, but the doors are now open and the rush is on to tonight’s 7.30pm deadline.
The first trade of the day is Aaron Francis, who moves from Essendon to Sydney.
The Swans get Francis for a future fourth-round draft pick, with a swap of later selections.
“Aaron is a player we identified as a priority to bring in during the trade period. We believe he has the talent and attributes to improve our team and provides added flexibility in our key position roles’” Swans footy manager Charlie Gardiner said.
“We’re really pleased to have Aaron joining us, and we’re hopeful that we can maximise his talents in Sydney.”
Francis, who was recruited by the Bombers with pick 6 in the 2015 draft, said he was excited to start a new chapter of his career.
“This gives me a great opportunity to play my best football. Sydney is a club with an excellent culture and great leadership and it’s probably the best environment for me to find my potential.
“Hopefully I can provide some support in defence, and the coaching staff are really keen for me to realise my potential.
“To the Essendon playing group, I want to say thank you to all of them. They have been a huge layer of support for me since arriving at the club, and I wish them all the best,” Francis said.
FAVOURITE FOR JAEGER O’MEARA EMERGES
Greater Western Sydney accepts Jaeger O’Meara is more likely to choose Fremantle as his club of choice as Rory Lobb’s potential trade hangs on the Dockers securing the Hawthorn midfielder.
O’Meara is in West Australia on a fact-finding mission, having decided to leave Hawthorn but still tossing up whether to move to GWS or Fremantle.
GWS would need to have Hawthorn pay some of his salary to be able to fit him in the cap, and has pitched a role with leadership and some midfield time.
O’Meara and his partner are both from West Australia and the Giants believe the Dockers are firm favourites to lure his services.
But the Herald Sun understands the Lobb trade depends upon the Dockers securing O’Meara.
If they lose out on O’Meara they will still consider trying to retain Lobb despite offers from the Dogs including pick 30 and next year’s second-rounder.
The Dockers still believe there are ways to secure Gold Coast wingman Jeremy Sharp without having to secure the Dogs’ future second-rounder in the deal.
They are trying to come up with ways to separate the Sharp deal from the Dunkley and Lobb deals as a fallback in case those deals all fall over.
Ideally the Dockers would secure another future second-round selection for the Sharp deal but there is still a level of confidence he will find his way to Fremantle.
GWS list boss Jason McCartney said the Giants hoped to find out about O’Meara soon.
“He is in Perth now. We are just waiting to see what his decision is today. We will speak to him today. Hopefully in the next hour or two we’ll know,” he told Trade Radio.
“If he was to come to our club he would play a really important role in developing (our young) players into good AFL players with good AFL training standards. We are not just looking to bolster our midfield, we have some really good depth in there already.”
WEIDEMAN, FRANCIS MOVES WILL GET DONE
A three-way trade that will deliver Sam Weideman to Essendon and Aaron Francis to Sydney will happen on Wednesday despite haggling over Sydney’s potential return to the Demons.
Weideman has now made clear he does want to play at Essendon after meeting with Brad Scott on Monday, aware he would have been kept at the Demons as only insurance next year.
Francis was originally headed to Sydney for a future third-rounder but now the Swans are dealing with the Demons on the potential pick they would hand on.
Weideman is a more valuable commodity than Francis given his exposed form but the Demons are being reasonable in their trade demands given their desire to find him a new home where he can thrive.
Sydney has picks 37 and 75 at the back-end of this year’s draft and next year’s haul but the clubs are working through a series of minor pick swaps to equalise the deal.
Weideman’s manager Ben Williams told SEN Radio on Wednesday the deal would be done by the 7.30pm trade deadline.
“There’s a lot of goodwill between the clubs. Originally it was only a conversation between Essendon and Melbourne, but Sydney are potentially involved in this one now,” he said.
“I’ve had conversations with all three clubs last night and they were all speaking fairly positively but there’s a little more that has to give today for that to happen I think.”
“The Swans) are trying to get Aaron Francis out of Essendon,” he added.
“Sometimes, as you know, it can’t be just a straight two-way deal, you need a third party to give a bit and take a bit to make everyone happy.”
HENRY’S DRAFT THREAT, DUNKLEY PROGRESS
Collingwood forward Ollie Henry has told the Magpies he does not want to play for the club next season as Brisbane prepares to secure Western Bulldog Josh Dunkley with a compromise.
The two players loom as the two toughest deals ahead of Wednesday night’s trade deadline but Brisbane made significant ground telling the Bulldogs it would trade its pick 21 and future first-round selection for Dunkley and pick 39.
The peace deal is expected to help finalise Dunkley’s move north as the Bulldogs may need 21 to secure Rory Lobb’s move from Fremantle.
The Cats are adamant they will only offer pick 25 for Henry – which has been rejected by Collingwood, leaving the two clubs at loggerheads ahead of a tense final day of trade talks.
Henry battled homesickness this year, struggled to settle into Melbourne life and on Tuesday informed the club he did not want to re-sign a one-year deal at Collingwood, which on Tuesday traded out superstar ruckman Brodie Grundy to Melbourne for pick 27.
Grundy on Tuesday said he wanted to be a “Pie for life” after re-signing in 2020, but admitted “after recent conversations with the club, this dream could no longer be a reality”.
Melbourne is confident Grundy can give its star-studded midfield an armchair ride in 2023 with Collingwood set to pay six figures of Grundy’s $950,000-a-year salary.
Pick 27 (via Melbourne) is likely to be traded from Collingwood to Hawthorn for onballer Tom Mitchell, pending last-minute negotiations on Wednesday.
If a deal for Henry is not struck by the trade deadline, the goal kicker could enter the pre-season draft in a move which could leave the Magpies with nothing for the second year-forward who was originally taken pick 17.
Geelong traded pick 18 for Tanner Bruhn (originally pick 12) from Greater Western Sydney and last year off-loaded Jordan Clark (originally pick 15) to Fremantle for pick 22, and believe the shuffling back of picks for Henry is fair in the circumstances.
If Henry entered the pre-season draft, rival clubs were adamant on Tuesday they would be reluctant to take him because of the homesickness problems he experienced living only one hour’s drive away from family in Geelong.
Interstate clubs said Henry was a no-go zone, and was set on ending up in Geelong to join his brother Jack.
Geelong on Tuesday said it did not want to trade big man Esava Ratugolea to Port Adelaide which could give them pick 33 to on-trade to Collingwood on top of pick 25.
The impasse comes as Brisbane told Western Bulldogs it would be prepared to find middle ground to avoid the Dogs losing Dunkley for nothing in the pre-season draft.
News Corp can reveal Brisbane said it would be happy to give the Bulldogs picks 21 and a future first-round selection for Dunkley in exchange for only one second-round pick (39) back from the Dogs.
Brisbane initially said it wanted two second-round selections (30 and 39) back from the Dogs for 15 (before it was traded) and a future first-round choice.
But the Lions have attempted to find middle-ground in a deal for Dunkley who is set to earn about $650,000 a year on his modest new contract at the Lions.
Brisbane believe the offer of 21 and a future first-round pick for the out-of-contract Dunkley is fair considering it gave up pick six and 19 for Brownlow Medalist Lachie Neale.
The Lions have also received pick swap offers for its pick 21 which could see Brisbane shuffle back in the draft order if the Bulldogs do not accept 21.’
Essendon does not want to get involved in the Dunkley deal and any pre-season move despite having interest in the clearance winner two years ago.
The Bombers are expected to baulk at the prospect of snaring Dunkley as it does not want the distraction and mess of having a player on their list against his wishes for only one season under new coach Brad Scott.
Originally published as AFL Trade Period 2022: Follow the latest updates from deadline day
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