AFL trade news: Suns believe Daniel Rioli wants to move, Suns’ asking price for Lukosius

The Suns are confident Daniel Rioli will want to make the move up north, but what will the price be? Plus, how much do Gold Coast really want to keep Jack Lukosius?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 03: Daniel Rioli of the Tigers looks dejected after the round 21 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium, on August 03, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Gold Coast believes Daniel Rioli wants to make a fresh start of his career at the Suns, happy to allow relative Maurice Rioli to continue his career at Punt Road and up for a fresh challenge after nine seasons.

Rioli is contracted until 2027 at Richmond and the Suns have had no preliminary discussions with the Tigers over a trade but are hopeful Adem Yze will eventually be open minded.

Rioli and Nick Vlastuin are likely to compete for the Jack Dyer Medal this year, with the Tigers likely to be able to secure two late first-round picks from the Suns if they come to the party.

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Rioli proposed to partner Paris Lawrence during this year’s off-season bye but she could continue her DJing career in Brisbane and Gold Coast if they relocated.

Relative Maurice just signed a two-year deal so is now established at Punt Road with a strong future ahead of him.

Rioli could be one of a number of premiership Tigers to depart. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

But it remains possible the Tigers might simply refuse to trade Daniel Rioli given he is contracted even though the incentive of two first-round picks for a player who will be 28 in April will be tempting.

It comes with Adelaide interested in home grown forward Jack Lukosius but with the Suns likely to ask for a first-round pick in exchange if he does decide to head to the Crows.

The Suns have made clear they are keen to keep Lukosius despite him finishing the season in the VFL but it seems clear their public stance is not replicated by a hands-off message behind the scenes.

Lukosius kicked 39 goals last year and 21 from 20 games this year despite playing some of that time in defence and his elite ball use would help out a side with Darcy Fogarty, Riley Thilthorpe and likely Taylor Walker in his final season.

He met Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks on the Gold Coast earlier this month, with Nicks coaching for his future next season after a sub-par season compared to the club’s expectations.

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has made clear his anger at the club’s underperforming season so trading Lukosius might help shake up the list even though the 24-year-old is extremely close with stars including Ben King and Matt Rowell.

Jack Lukosius will be a name to watch during trade period. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Adelaide has pick four and will likely take to the national draft, while Scott Welsh’s son Tyler is emerging as a quality key forward who they will take as a father-son.

Adelaide made clear earlier this year its current and future first-rounders are on the table for elite talent, so the Suns might request their future first rounder.

That remains to be seen given Adelaide would suggest it is helping Gold Coast’s salary cap given Lukosius is in the second year of a four-year deal worth at least $650,000 a season.

Adelaide is likely to secure Melbourne’s hard-running half forward Alex Neal-Bullen so conceivably could add the premiership Demon, swingman Lukosius, an elite midfielder at pick 4 and get a full year out of key forward Thilthorpe.

DEES HIT BACK AS RIVALS UP ANTE IN PURSUIT OF STAR FORWARD

Melbourne has been assured by Kysaiah Pickett’s management that he is content at the Demons despite continual approaches from clubs across the country.

Pickett signed a new deal last April until 2027 and while he has spent time in Adelaide and West Australia growing up he does not consider either of them his home town.

Clubs including Port Adelaide have recently again upped the ante as they attempt to bring him back to the state where he lived with his uncle, Power legend Byron Pickett, for a time as he approached draft age.

But his manager Peter Rohde confirmed on Tuesday he had spoken with Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson as recently as Tuesday morning to assure him there was nothing to the speculation.

Kysaiah Pickett is not going anywhere according to the Dees. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Pickett loves the city of Darwin and its tropical weather as an escape from the bitter cold of Melbourne’s winters.

But unless the AFL fast-tracks a 20th team into the Northern Territory before he retires, he will remain with Melbourne for the foreseeable future.

All Melbourne players have been disappointed with their response to a pair of straight-sets finals departures, flat they could not put together a deep finals run.

But as the Demons prepare to take on Collingwood in their round 24 clash on Friday night, his focus is on fulfilling his contract.

Ironically Pickett has just been spruiking the city in a fashion shoot for the City of Melbourne for splashed across his Instagram pages.

He and partner Ardu welcomed their first child in April this year, with Pickett enjoying a solid but not brilliant season with 34 goals after 40, 41 and 37 majors in his past three seasons for the Demons.

Originally published as AFL trade news: Suns believe Daniel Rioli wants to move, Suns’ asking price for Lukosius