AFL trade period: Caleb Daniel weighs up future, Sydney out of race for Jake Stringer

North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs will likely enter trade period without Caleb Daniel declaring whether he wants to be traded to Arden St. JAY CLARK has the latest.

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 25: Caleb Daniel of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match between the Western Bulldogs and the GWS GIANTS at Mars Stadium on August 25, 2024 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs’ premiership defender Caleb Daniel will weigh up whether to depart the kennel over the weekend.

The premiership playmaker and best-and-fairest winner is considering a lucrative offer from North Melbourne to sharpen up the Kangaroos’ ball use off half back in 2025.

But Daniel has strong ties to the kennel and could yet remain in red, white blue despite a cloud over his spot in the senior side.

Daniel, 28, was dropped to the VFL team early this season and used as a sub before a strong finish to the year.

While there are no guarantees on his spot for next season, Daniel may yet back himself in to be part of the club’s attempted rise into the top-four next season.

He remains one of the best ball users in the game and would provide a huge boost to North Melbourne if the Roos’ poaching raid was successful.

Daniel is contracted and the Dogs would demand a second-round pick for him if he elected to join the Kangaroos.

But his strong friendships with teammates at the kennel including Tom Liberatore may prove to be the decisive factor in his decision to stay.

A call is expected in the early part of next week after going home to South Australia for a holiday with friends and family.

Caleb Daniel is yet to decide whether to join North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

North Melbourne wants to surge up the ladder under Alastair Clarkson in his third year in charge next season.

The Roos will land Jack Darling, from West Coast, and Sydney Swans’ veteran Luke Parker to bolster the side next year.

The Kangaroos are not interested in Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver, but are keen on Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston.

The Dogs are expected to meet with the Cats on Monday for the official start of the AFL exchange period about Bailey Smith.

Geelong is expected to offer its top pick, which has slid back to pick number 17, for Smith, but the Dogs want more for the star ballwinner.

It means the deal is likely to drag on into the second week of the trade period.

STRINGER IN LIMBO AS KEY SUITOR RULES OUT MOVE

— Tim Michell

Jake Stringer’s trade options have narrowed again after Sydney ruled itself out of a play for the enigmatic Essendon forward.

The 30-year-old, who kicked 42 goals in 2024, has been assessing the market after only being offered a one-year extension by the Bombers.

The Swans had been touted as one of the leading suitors for Stringer despite reports he wanted to stay in Victoria.

But Sydney chief executive Tom Harley said on Thursday the club would not be pursuing Essendon’s three-time leading goalkicker to bolster its attack.

“No, it won’t be Jake Stringer,” Harley said on SEN.

“Our focus has clearly been on retention of the players that we’ve had out of contract going into the start of the year and I think we have done an extraordinary job to secure that.

“We will look at ways to get better, clearly, through the trade and free agency period, but I wouldn’t have thought that would be one of them.”

Stringer was this week linked with cross-town rival GWS Giants.

Sydney has ruled out a trade move for Jake Stringer. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Harley defended the Swans’ tall trio — Joel Amartey, Hayden McLean and Logan McDonald — after they were held goalless during the club’s Grand Final loss to Brisbane.

“Going into the Grand Final we were the No. 1 scoring team in the competition,” Harley said.

“That’s not just down to the six forwards or the three (tall) forwards — we clearly have a powerful midfield that can hit the scoreboard.”

Jake Stringer. Goodness.#AFLDonsCrowspic.twitter.com/Mjyxf2xQHO

— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 9, 2023

Harley said Sydney understood why Luke Parker had asked for a trade to North Melbourne after being offered a three-year deal.

“Luke is a champion of our footy club and I can’t understate that. His relationship with John (Longmire) is extraordinary,” he said.

“But this can happen. We saw it with Luke Hodge at Hawthorn. We saw it with Jordan Lewis at Hawthorn (when he went) to Melbourne.

“Hodge to Brisbane, Mitchell to West Coast. As Luke even said to me, ‘these things will probably happen more and more’.

“We need to make it work for us, but we’re certainly understanding of Luke’s position.”

He said discussions with superstar midfielder Chad Warner about a deal beyond 2025 had taken place and the West Australian product was “absolutely invested in our footy club”.

Originally published as AFL trade period: Caleb Daniel weighs up future, Sydney out of race for Jake Stringer