AFL ruling means Sun going down on Crows’ trade options to get Lukosius, Rankine
ADELAIDE’S hopes of trading for star SA young guns Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine have been dealt a major blow with the AFL’s decision not to hand priority picks to Gold Coast and Carlton.
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ADELAIDE’S hopes of trading for star South Australian young guns Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine have been dealt a major blow.
The AFL’s decision to give embattled Gold Coast access to three state league players who have previously nominated for the draft or been delisted has made the Crows chances of moving up in this year’s national draft to get picks two or three from the Suns much more difficult.
With Carlton expected to select Victorian midfielder Sam Walsh at pick one unless it can orchestrate a trade for GWS star Dylan Shiel, Adelaide had hoped to wheel and deal — by offering draft picks and an experienced player — with Golf Coast to grab pick two or three.
This would allow it to draft one of the SA teenage sensations it covets.
But it is understood the Suns — having been given the option of taking three mature-age players, which could include Sturt's Shane McAdam, dual Norwood Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg and West Adelaide utility Chris Burgess — are now focused on keeping their top two picks to draft young talent.
Gold Coast, which also has been given access to two extra rookie selections, currently has selection two but will also get pick three for losing free agent Tom Lynch to Richmond.
“The Suns’ draft concessions are not a good result for Adelaide in terms of wanting to grab one of Gold Coast’s top picks,’’ an AFL industry insider told The Advertiser.
“The Suns want to balance their list and by getting these draft allowances they can now get some good mature-age talent in while also targeting the best young players in the country at the draft.’’
While a lot can change with some major trades mooted next month, early mock drafts have Walsh going to the Blues at pick one and Lukosius and Rankine to Gold Coast at two and three.
North Adelaide premiership player Connor Rozee, one of Lukosius’s best friends, is rising up draft boards after a standout SANFL finals campaign.
But most clubs have him behind Rankine in the draft pecking order.
The Crows, who currently own draft selections seven, 15 and 19, have made no secret of their desire to get their hands on key forward Lukosius or speed machine Rankine, both 18, but will not divulge their draft plans.
However Suns recruiting manager Kall Burns may have given an insight into his club’s draft strategy when he told the AFL website: “We believe there is a great deal of variety up the top end of the draft.
“There is probably not as many mids as we’ve seen in previous years so you can take the opportunity maybe there around the variety of talls and smalls.
“Players that can come in and play dual roles at AFL clubs we believe is where it (the recruiting landscape) sort of sits.’’
Burns said the fact that Lukosius and Rankine had already played good senior football worked in their favour while they also have the versatility the Suns want.
andrew.capel@news.com.au