AFL trade period: Adelaide and Port Adelaide news, trades

Port Adelaide has secured Jeremy Finlayson from GWS. Find out how the deal got done and where the forward fits in the Power’s plans.

Port Adelaide has secured Jeremy Finlayson from GWS for a future third-round pick.

Finlayson approached the Power about a potential move in the off-season with him and his partner, who is from South Australia, having their first child and wanting to be closer to her family.

The 25-year-old joins the Power on a three-year deal after the two clubs agreed on a deal on Wednesday.

Finlayson played 66 AFL games for the Giants and kicked 90 goals, including 44 in 2019 when the Giants made the grand final.

Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said at 196cm the Power saw Finlayson as someone who could also be a valuable second ruck option for the Power.

Jeremy Finlayson is set to join Port Adelaide. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Jeremy has impressed us during his time at the Giants as a dangerous tall forward due to his athleticism and ability to impact the scoreboard,” Cripps said.

“He was very influential as a forward for GWS in their grand final year and we believe he offers us great flexibility as a tall forward, second ruck option.

“Jeremy turns 26 in February which adds balance to our list profile.

“We look forward to welcoming Jeremy and his family to the club and I know he is excited to join his new teammates for pre-season training later next month.”

Finlayson was drafted at pick 85 in the 2014 draft as a Giants academy product from Culcairn in southern NSW.

PORT DEFENDER MAKES CALL ON TRADE INTEREST

Contracted Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey is set to back himself in to reclaim his senior spot and not request a trade to a rival club.

Clurey, who has another two seasons to run on a heavily back-ended deal, played only two games after Round 9 this year after undergoing surgery for a broken jaw sustained against the Western Bulldogs.

Trent McKenzie replaced the 27-year-old the following week and maintained his place in the team, joining captain Tom Jonas and All-Australian Aliir Aliir as the Power’s first-choice tall backmen.

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Three clubs – North Melbourne, St Kilda and Carlton – are believed to have shown preliminary interest in Clurey without seriously advancing discussions yet.

The Kangaroos’ inquiry followed veteran Robbie Tarrant’s shock defection to Richmond, while the Blues have settled on Western Bulldog Lewis Young to shore up their key defensive stocks.

Young, who has struggled for senior opportunities at the Bulldogs and was even used as a makeshift ruckmen in the finals, has requested a trade to Carlton.

Tom Clurey is staying put. Picture: Michael Klein

Saints veterans Jake Carlisle and James Frawley retired at season’s end, after Dylan Roberton ended his AFL career in March for health reasons.

But any potential suitors have baulked at the amount of money left on Clurey’s contract, on top of most clubs having limited spots left on their playing list.

Port Adelaide also told him he was a required player in his exit meeting, in the days following its preliminary final loss to the Bulldogs.

At 193cm, Clurey can lock down on an opponent but also averaged 2.5 intercept marks in his 11 matches this year, which took his career tally to 110.

POWER STAR LINKED TO WA SWITCH

A desire for more midfield time could lead to Sam Powell-Pepper seeking a fresh opportunity away from Port Adelaide.

Powell-Pepper is contracted for two more years at Alberton but the 23-year-old could explore his options if he feels like midfield minutes at the Power are again going to be limited in 2022.

It is believed West Coast has expressed interest in Powell-Pepper, who was recruited from East Perth.

The tough onballer and his partner are expecting a child in April next year.

Powell-Pepper’s partner Brya posted the news on Instagram last Friday, saying they “are so excited to meet you little one”.

Powell-Pepper was the medical sub for the Power in the finals series, after he was dropped for the last two games of the home and away season.

Sam Powell-Pepper could be heading back to Western Australia.

After shining in his first year after being drafted in 2016 had two up and down years before shining in a hybrid forward-midfield role in 2020.

But it is understood that Powell-Pepper wants to be a midfielder at this point in his career.

And while Port Adelaide are happy to keep him, the Power could be happy to part with Powell-Pepper if they get an adequate return.

He took leave from the club on the eve of the 2021 season, to focus on his well being after he missed a mandatory rehab training session and club officials were left knocking on his door trying to track him down.

Powell-Pepper ended up taking four weeks away from the club and last month he told The Advertiser they were vital.

“I took a step away and just completely worked on myself … I’ve definitely come a long way and I’m better for it, having that break,” he said.

The Power have identified midfield depth as an area of improvement after going down to the Western Bulldogs in the preliminary final.

But unless the right player comes along in this year’s trade period, it is understood the Power feel this is very unlikely, then the belief at Alberton is that this will come from younger players such as Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma and even Miles Bergman stepping up.

The Advertiser understands that some of those players have even been locked in to spend pre-season with the midfield group as the Power looks within for improvement.

Originally published as AFL trade period: Adelaide and Port Adelaide news, trades