Adelaide Crows to put ‘unbeatable’ offer to Geelong free-agent Steven Motlop on Monday
ADELAIDE is poised to win the free-agent race for Geelong forward-midfielder Steven Motlop with a super offer on Monday
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FREE AGENT Steven Motlop on Monday will be left to choose between a super offer of more than $600,000-a-season at Adelaide - or less money but stronger off-field links at Port Adelaide.
Motlop will return from Darwin on Monday to meet Crows officials as the AFL trade period formally opens at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
Motlop, 26, was courted by the Power on Friday when the hot race for the midfielder-forward was reduced to four clubs - Crows, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Geelong. It could effectively become just one - Adelaide - today when the Power and Cats reject being part of a bidding war.
Motlop is a restricted free agent, allowing Geelong to have the final say. But with the Crows offering more than $600,000-a-year, the Cats will let Motlop take up his free-agency rights.
Adelaide is determined to secure the 135-game, 175-goal Motlop to cover the impending loss of contracted speedster Charlie Cameron - and to save face amid the increasing questions on why the Crows are regularly losing valued players.
Adelaide has Cameron and uncontracted defender Jake Lever seeking exits from West Lakes. Cameron, who is on contract for next season, and Lever want trades to Brisbane and Melbourne respectively.
Adelaide’s asking price for Lever is two first-round draft picks while the Demons are prepared to offer a first and a second-round call. Lever’s management team has reaffirmed to the Crows that a trade to another Victorian-based club - such as the eager Collingwood - will not be tolerated.
Both the Crows and Power will be busy in this trade period that ends at 1.30pm on Thursday week.
Adelaide wants Motlop, will lose Lever and Cameron and intends to follow up its long-held interest in contracted Essendon defender Aaron Francis, who is seeking a go-home trade to SA.
Essendon’s long list of prospective trade deals - Devon Smith, Jake Stringer and Adam Saad - could work in Adelaide’s favour as the Bombers seek draft picks to close negotiations. The Bombers’ reputation for being slow dealers could hold up the Francis trade.
Adelaide will inevitably ask again for contracted Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs - and again learn the Blues will not release the 28-year-old South Australian unless the Crows offer a super trade. He still has two years to serve on his five-year contract.
Port Adelaide has Brisbane free-agent midfielder Tom Rockliff ready to sign a contract.
The Power already has conceded free-agent utility Jackson Trengove to the Western Bulldogs.
There are four Port Adelaide players who will draw attention at Monday’s trade talks.
Contracted forward Jarman Impey has Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs offering him a go-home move to Victoria.
Midfielder Brendon Ah Chee, who won the SANFL Magpies best-and-fairest title, is increasingly likely to join West Coast where he had a medical last week.
Contracted ruckman Matthew Lobbe, who earned life membership at the Power this year, has Queensland clubs Brisbane and Gold Coast offering the prospect of more game time while Port Adelaide’s ruck unit is commanded by All-Australian and club champion Patrick Ryder.
Specialist forward Aaron Young has Gold Coast to consider while being without contract and facing less game time at the Power.
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au
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