Port Adelaide trade with Fremantle gives it two top-10 draft picks
PORT Adelaide is suddenly right in the hunt to secure one of the standout three South Australians in this year’s AFL national draft after trading for selection six from Fremantle.
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PORT Adelaide is suddenly right in the hunt to secure one of the standout three South Australians in this year’s AFL national draft.
The Power has positioned itself for a strong crack at speed machine Izak Rankine or athletic utility Connor Rozee after trading for selection six from Fremantle.
Port has swapped picks 11, 23, 30 and 49 for the Dockers’ No. 6 selection and a third-round pick next year.
The Power still has selection 10, giving it two top-10 picks in a draft dominated by high-end SA talent.
It grabbed pick 11 by trading Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard to North Melbourne.
Thursday's deal with Fremantle helps both clubs.
It allows Port to get its teeth deeper into next month’s draft, with one of either Rankine or Rozee — depending on what Gold Coast does with selections two and three — a strong chance to still be available at pick six.
Woodville-West Torrens key forward Jack Lukosius is expected to be taken by the Suns at No. 2.
The Dockers struck a trade with the Power to get more draft picks as they try to work deals for Melbourne key forward Jesse Hogan and Fremantle ruckman/forward Rory Lobb.
Port list manager Jason Cripps said the trade strengthens the club’s draft position.
“Our objective was to improve our position in this draft, in particular the top end as we believe it to be the strongest group seen for many years,” he said.
“The picks that we used to assist in improving our position will be diluted with the number of
Father/Son, NGA and Northern Academy players that are expected to be selected by the clubs that they are aligned to.
“A lot of planning, discussion and strategy goes into how we approach each trade period to ultimately achieve our objectives and secure talented players that improve our list.
“This trade gives us another top 10 pick, the highest since we selected Ollie Wines (No. 7) in the 2012 draft, allowing us to bring in two high quality players.
“We also have an eye to the future and receiving a future third round pick gives us further flexibility for potential deals both this year and into the future.”
Port could get another top seven selection if it trades dual All-Australian Chad Wingard to the Western Bulldogs.
andrew.capel@news.com.au