Fremantle gains second top-10 selection in swap with Melbourne to secure Liam Henry cheaply

Fremantle has engineered a pick swap with Melbourne to gain a second top-10 pick. What does it mean for how the early picks will play out? PICKS 1-14 PREDICTED

Max Gawn could have a young ruck partner after the draft, while Stephen Silvagni has a big decision to make on his last first round pick at Carlton.

Melbourne is seriously considering a double-play with its pair of top-10 picks that would deliver versatile ruckman Luke Jackson and two other high draft choices.

The Demons hold picks 3 and 10 and are eyeing Jackson with their first pick, believing the former Australian basketballer can shine in a tandem act with All-Australian Max Gawn, who turns 28 next month.

The Herald Sun reported on Wednesday Melbourne would trade pick 8, which eventuated on Thursday.

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The Demons are also looking to trade their No. 10 choice for two picks, which could come in the teens and early 20s.

Melbourne moved back two spots in the draft on Thursday in a swap which involved Fremantle.

The deal effectively guaranteed the Dockers will snare small forward Liam Henry, who they had feared would be subject to a bid from Carlton.

Geelong, which holds picks 14, 17 and 24, Port Adelaide, which holds picks 12, 16 and 18, and Gold Coast, which holds picks 15 and 20, are the leading contenders to trade for Melbourne’s pick 10.

Hawthorn has emerged as a potential buyer after securing a second-round pick in next year’s draft, enabling it to swap its own future first-round pick for another early choice next week.

That would enable Melbourne to snap up a small forward, such as Cody Weightman, in the teens to help replace Jeff Garlett after it missed out on free agent Jamie Elliott.

Jackson would be the first ruckman taken with a top-five pick since West Coast secured Nic Naitanui at No. 2 in 2008.

Small forward Cody Weightman celebrates a goal for Vic Country.

Versatile ruckman Luke Jackson is in Melbourne’s sights with pick 3.

It is a bold move from the Dees, but Jackson – who has been likened to Collingwood superstar Brodie Grundy for his ability to hunt at ground level – soared up draft boards late in the year.

The Demons are unlikely to bid on GWS academy star Tom Green before drafting Jackson, because the Giants would pounce on Jackson at No. 4 instead of matching the bid.

The Giants are light-on for ruck stocks with veterans Sam Jacobs, 31, and Shane Mumford, 33, set to lead the division in 2020.

Clubs are this week holding their final recruiting meetings and determining their talent orders ahead of next Wednesday and Thursday’s national draft.

The Giants are poised to choose between halfbacks Hayden Young and Lachie Ash at pick No.4.

While Young has been highly touted all year for his elite kicking skills, Ash’s line-breaking speed has won comparisons to Essendon jet Adam Saad.

Sydney is desperate to bolster its onball brigade and is eyeing dynamic Sam Flanders as it plans for life after Josh Kennedy.

The Swans will bid their No. 5 selection on Green and, when the Giants match that bid, are then expected to welcome Flanders at No.6.

Adelaide traded back from No. 4 to No. 6, which will become No. 7 after Green joins GWS, knowing it could still secure Sandringham Dragons key defender Fischer McAsey.

That would spoil the party for Geelong, Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs, who are all keen on the Aaron Naughton clone.

Sam Flanders is expected to be selected in the top-10.

GWS will land two young guns including Tom Green after its pick swap with Adelaide.

At pick No. 8 Fremantle could turn to gun small forward Caleb Serong or halfbacks Ash or Young, depending on who GWS overlooks.

Melbourne’s second top-10 pick is likely to find a new home before departing Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni uses his final first-round selection. The Blues are expected to part with Silvagni after next week’s drafts.

South Australian midfielder Dylan Stephens, ACL victim Brodie Kemp, Serong and Ash are all on Silvagni’s radar, while Young would a great result if he slipped.

The Blues had been seriously considering for Fremantle academy prospect and lethal small forward Liam Henry.

Carlton, which missed out on securing Tom Papley in the trade period with this pick, is a big fan of Henry’s tricks and goal nous.

Hawthorn, which currently holds pick No. 11, has been linked to Kemp and could also make a left-field play for 195cm intercepting defender Josh Worrell.

Originally published as Fremantle gains second top-10 selection in swap with Melbourne to secure Liam Henry cheaply