Orazio Fantasia has signed a new manager and he is based in Adelaide, fuelling speculation he will request an SA trade
Orazio Fantasia is expected to now ask for a trade to a South Australian AFL club in the coming days after choosing one of the biggest Adelaide-based player managers as his new representative.
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Orazio Fantasia is expected to ask for a trade to a South Australian AFL club in the coming days after choosing one of the biggest Adelaide-based player managers as his new representative.
The future of the 24-year-old Essendon forward has been one of the main storylines in this year’s AFL off-season, amid speculation he will seek to return to SA.
Fantasia parted with manager Anthony McConville last month.
It was confirmed on Tuesday he has now signed with TLA’s Michael Doughty, who is based in Adelaide.
The Advertiser tried to contact Doughty, who manages the majority of TLA’s Adelaide-based players including Taylor Walker, Brodie Smith, Bryce Gibbs, Tom Rockliff, Hamish Hartlett and Darcy Fogarty to name a few.
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But sources in Adelaide football circles are now viewing the decision by Fantasia to sign with Doughty — who played 231 games for the Crows — as the precursor for the livewire forward asking Essendon for a trade to SA.
This could happen now within days, with Fantasia on Tuesday undergoing minor surgery on his knee.
Port Adelaide are considered to be the favourites to secure Fantasia, and The Advertiser understands the view at Alberton is that it will now depend on convincing Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro to part with a player he said on Monday the Bombers wanted to keep.
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“Orazio hasn’t expressed any interest in leaving the club,” he said on Monday.
“We think Orazio will be at Essendon next year.”
Port Adelaide’s general manager of football Chris Davies has said his club was waiting on Fantasia to get a new manager and outline his intentions to find out whether they can pursue him.
The Crows have downplayed any move for Fantasia if he requests to return to SA, with list manager Justin Reid saying they are planning on targeting the draft.
Fantasia has strong relationships at Port, with co-captain Tom Jonas and assistant coach Nathan Bassett while club champion Travis Boak said he would be a fantastic addition at Alberton.
Dougal Howard may be a circuit-breaker in any Port deal for Fantasia with Essendon unlikely to accept just a draft pick.