Essendon set to trade pick No.11 as it attempts to secure Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad
ESSENDON is set to part with its first-round selection, currently No.11 overall, during the trade period but whether that pick is given to the Bulldogs for Jake Stringer remains to be seen.
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ESSENDON on Monday conceded it had to sacrifice its No.11 draft pick to pull off the club’s stunning trade trifecta.
But that pick is no guarantee to land at the Western Bulldogs with the Jake Stringer deal still a long way off.
It is believed the Bombers have urged Stringer, 23, to boost his fitness levels over summer because they want to deploy him for large stints in the midfield next season.
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But the 2015 All-Australian faces an anxious wait with trade talks set to continue into next week as the clubs debate his value.
Coach Luke Beveridge’s men on Monday told the Bombers they want pick 11 as a minimum return or they will keep Stringer to his contract next season.
Gold Coast could throw a spanner in the works by claiming pick 11 from the Dons in exchange for speedster Adam Saad and No.19.
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd on Monday said the Dons could then on-trade the No.19 pick for Stringer.
But that proposal would be rejected by the Dogs, who are adamant on claiming an earlier selection for their three-time leading goalkicker and premiership star.
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Bombers football boss Rob Kerr said the club had devised a strategy to secure Stringer, Saad and Devon Smith while keeping homesick South Australian Aaron Francis, who is contracted until 2019.
“(But) the reality is pick 11 probably has to be involved somewhere along the line,” Kerr said on Monday.
“We’ve had a chat to the Bulldogs, I think there’s a little bit of work to do there. But we’re keen to try and get a deal done over the course of the next 10 days, so we’ll keep at it.”
In a boost for the Dogs, on Monday Fremantle high-flyer Hayden Crozier nominated Whitten Oval as his preferred destination.
But the future of ruckman Tom Campbell is unclear. The hardened big man is exploring his options following the arrival of versatile tall and free agent Jackson Trengove.
The Dogs missed out on Port Adelaide speedster Jarman Impey, who is set to be traded to Hawthorn in exchange for a draft pick.
The Hawks’ first selection is No.32.
Kerr said his club held “really fruitful” discussions with Greater Western Sydney as they look to add goalkicker Smith.
Essendon could land the injury-hit forward with a second-round pick and holds No.28 in this year’s draft.
There was minimal interest in Francis from the Crows and Port Adelaide on Monday.
Kerr said the Bombers had done their homework on Stringer amid explosive allegations in the Herald Sun about his personal life.
“Obviously you do your due diligence and we’ve spoken to Jake a number of times,” he said.
“We’re confident Jake can be a very good player for Essendon and we believe our culture is a strong culture and the senior players have bought into it, so it would be a good move for Jake and for Essendon.”
Originally published as Essendon set to trade pick No.11 as it attempts to secure Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad
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