West Coast Eagles gun ‘wants out’ as move to rising AFL rival looms

One of West Coast’s premiership stars is poised to request a trade as he’s keen to sign a long-term deal at a Victorian contender.

Tom Barrass and Jack Lukosius.

West Coast’s star defender Tom Barrass appears poised to request a trade to Hawthorn as he’s “eager to accept” a long-term deal at at the Hawks.

Nine’s Paddy Sweeney reports Barrass, who considered a move to Sydney last year and also held talks with the Western Bulldogs this year, wants to sign a five-year contract at the Hawks.

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The 2022 Eagles best and fairest winner is contracted until the end of 2027 meaning he would need to be traded.

According to Sweeney’s report, “the Eagles are expected to ask for hefty compensation should a deal be struck, such as multiple first-round selections”.

Due to the Hawks’ rise into the top eight, their first draft pick is currently No.11.

It is their only pick inside the top 20, meaning they would need to get creative to satisfy West Coast in a deal.

Barrass, who turns 29 in October, has been one of the Eagles’ best players for many years but he has never played more than 19 games in a season due to injuries.

A five-year deal would thus take the oft-hurt key defender into his age 33 season.

The Hawks are also said to be leading the race for St Kilda key defender and free agent Josh Battle. They would not need to trade for the Saint.

Tom Barrass and Jack Lukosius.

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Adelaide is poised to launch another bid for a South Australian Sun, with the Crows keen to reunite Jack Lukosius with the likes of Izak Rankine at West Lakes.

Lukosius, who went with the No.2 pick in the 2018 draft ahead of Rankine - who has since been traded to Adelaide - appears to have fallen out of favour at Gold Coast.

He was dropped for Round 22’s win over Essendon and given the weekend off, with the tall expected to return for Round 23’s clash with Melbourne.

But the 195cm 24-year-old, who is contracted until the end of 2026, has made his intentions clear by meeting with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks.

The Advertiser reports Nicks met with Lukosius on the Gold Coast last week, attempting to convince him to request a trade west.

With the Suns potentially looking to add Richmond’s Daniel Rioli this trade period, offloading Lukosius could help balance their books and give them more draft capital - though they already have plenty of the latter.

Originally published as West Coast Eagles gun ‘wants out’ as move to rising AFL rival looms