Brisbane Lions puts top-order draft pick on table for contracted Adelaide Crows speedster Charlie Cameron
BRISBANE is prepared to hand over a top-20 draft pick for contracted Adelaide Crows speedster Charlie Cameron.
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ADELAIDE can enter next month’s AFL national draft with three top-20 picks by releasing contracted speedster Charlie Cameron to Brisbane.
Cameron’s management team has confirmed the Lions have put a top-order draft pick — No. 19 call — on the table to satisfy Cameron’s wish to be reunited with his family in Queensland.
And player agent Andrew McDougall has reaffirmed Cameron will not stay at Adelaide beyond his contract for next season — leaving the Crows to consider the risk of being left empty handed if it does not deal out the 23-year-old midfielder-forward in this AFL trade period.
Brisbane has draft picks Nos. 1, 12 (originally from Port Adelaide), 18 (as compensation for releasing free-agent midfielder Tom Rockliff to the Power) and 19.
Adelaide currently has 10 (from the trade of Jake Lever to Melbourne) and 16. But the Crows would be keen to add a swap of next year’s first-round draft picks into the deal to enhance the Crows recruiting strategy for SA-based talent next season.
And Adelaide’s want for major compensation for releasing Cameron is increased by Geelong free-agent midfielder-forward Steven Motlop on Friday choosing Port Adelaide - rather than the Crows - as his preferred club. Motlop would have been a perfect replacement for Cameron.
McDougall told AFL trade radio that Brisbane’s offer of an early draft pick is a “strong” return for Cameron who was a rookie choice by Adelaide in 2014.
McDougall reiterated Cameron has “compassionate reasons” for wanting to move to the Lions.
“He’s really struggled living in Adelaide this year; he’s got his heart set on moving back to Queensland (where Cameron’s mother is to take up a job soon),” McDougall said.
“They’ve (Brisbane) put a first-round offer. We think it’s strong for a former rookie.”
Cameron’s manager Colin Young has dismissed Adelaide’s attempt to increase Cameron’s value in the market by claiming the WA-based club, West Coast and Fremantle, are keen on the West Australian.
Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said on radio FIVEaa on Thursday: “Brisbane have had some dialogue with ourselves and he’s obviously got his mum and dad and brother living in Perth, so there’s certainly been some strong interest from other clubs as well.
“He has requested (a trade to Brisbane) and he has some family and he went to boarding school in Brisbane. He’s got some strong connections in Perth as well.
“The quality player Charlie is, those clubs would be seeking ourselves out and having a conversation as well.”
But Young says the WA-based clubs have not moved on Cameron understanding he wants a trade to Brisbane.
“Charlie, Charlie’s family and his management company were all in agreeance that the Brisbane Lions were the best place for Charlie, both on and off the field,” Young told the AFL website.
“At no stage have Fremantle discussed Charlie Cameron.
“West Coast discussed Charlie Cameron in March.”
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au