Suns open to trading picks 7 and 8 for Christian Petracca as more details on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s contract revealed
Two prized top-10 draft selections could land Christian Petracca at Gold Coast, while more details on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s new contract can be revealed.
Melbourne could end up reaping Gold Coast’s No.7 and 8 draft picks for Christian Petracca this season but first will have to concede star half forward Bailey Humphrey is off limits.
Gold Coast and Melbourne are yet to have detailed talks about a trade for Petracca but it would now be a shock if he did not play for the Suns.
The Suns secured pick 7 by trading Sam Flanders to St Kilda and are open to moving on pick 8 as the club amasses points for academy picks Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson.
Gold Coast has been steadfast that top 10 pick Humphrey is not up for trade despite meeting Demons coach Steven King.
So if the Demons want to bolster their draft hand — they currently do not have a first-round pick — they could take the Suns early selections and then hand back enough points to help Damien Hardwick’s side.
Melbourne has picks 24, 28 and 42 and could trade some of them back to the Suns, which currently have a draft haul of 7, 8, 15, 18, 29, 36, 52, 70 and 74.
Western Bulldogs forward Ugle-Hagan has passed a Thursday medical on the Gold Coast and is on track to play for the Suns next year.
But it is understood his base wage on a two-year deal at the Suns would be as little as $200,000 a season before incentives.
This year he could have secured as much as $850,000 a year on a contract that expired next season.
He would also have a breach clause in his contract that would allow the Suns to move on from him if he was found guilty of serious misconduct.
That contract would have to be worked through with the AFL, which is keen for Ugle-Hagan to remain in football.
The Dogs said on Thursday they were yet to get a trade request from Gold Coast.
But if the Suns secure board approval and the AFL’s permission there is nothing standing in the way of Ugle-Hagan securing a fresh start.
He would get to the Suns for a late pick or even as part of a trade for half back Connor Budarick, who is expected to move from Gold Coast to the Bulldogs.
Originally published as Suns open to trading picks 7 and 8 for Christian Petracca as more details on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s contract revealed
‘I want to be there to see that’: Butters on bigger Port picture
