Port Adelaide confirms Orazio Fantasia move, Essendon compensation for Joe Daniher
Wantaway Bombers star Orazio Fantasia has decided on his preferred destination, reportedly changing his mind in recent weeks.
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Bombers star Orazio Fantasia has told Port Adelaide he wants to join the club for the 2021 season.
Fantasia informed the Bombers earlier this month he wants out as the club endured a messy exodus of stars following a disappointing 2020 campaign.
The 25-year-old had earlier this year informed Essendon he was considering a move to South Australia.
The details of the move are now being confirmed with Port Adelaide head of football Chris Davies confirming the Power are Fantasia’s preferred destination.
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“He’s told us Port Adelaide is his club of choice and he wants to leave Essendon,” Davies told AFL Trade Radio.
“I know he is a contracted player but he’s had that discussion with Essendon.”
Fantasia also spoke to Port Adelaide ahead of the Trade Period last year, but eventually settled on remaining with the Bombers for 2020.
Fantasia was earlier this month linked with the Crows with reports claiming Adelaide had emerged as the front-runners for his signature.
The Crows, however, suggested something was amiss earlier this week when a club official revealed the club hadn’t spoken to Fantasia for weeks.
The Power must now work out a trade with the Bombers, with Fantasia remaining contracted through to the end of the 2021 season.
BOMBERS’ BIG WIN ON DANIHER MOVE
Essendon has been left gutted by the departure of star forward Joe Daniher — but the club has a smile back on its face following reports the AFL will hand over a first round draft pick as free agency compensation.
The revelation, reported by The Herald Sun, will see the Bombers receive pick No. 7 at this year’s draft if the club allows Daniher to move to the Lions as a restricted free agent and does not attempt to match the Brisbane offer.
The deal has reportedly been triggered by the Lions’ hefty contract offer for the star forward, reported to be worth in excess of $700,000 per season across the length of his long-term deal.
It leaves Daniher just days away from officially becoming a Lion when free agency opens up on Friday.
It would leave Essendon with picks No. 6 and No. 7 at this year’s draft.
CROWS THREATEN TO SPOIL CROUCH MOVE
Adelaide has confirmed the club will likely match St Kilda’s offer to star midfielder Brad Crouch if the free agency compensation doesn’t match their assessment of his value.
Crouch last week announced the Saints were his preferred destination.
The Saints had worked their way to the front of the queue after Geelong pulled out of the race following star forward Jeremy Cameron’s announcement he wants to join the Cats.
Crouch reportedly flirted with leaving the Crows at the end of 2019 with reports of a big-money contract offer, but no deal could be done with the under-contract star.
According to reports, the Crows have been hopeful of ending up with the No. 2 pick at this year’s draft as free agency compensation.
But the club is still waiting for a verdict from the AFL and its mysterious free agency compensation formula.
Crows football manager Adam Kelly told AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday the club will even look to match the Saints offer if the compensation offer is for a pick at the end of the first round of the draft.
“We’re obviously hopeful that the compensation will be resulting in pick two,” he said.
“It’s only really under those circumstances that we will not consider matching and looking to force a trade or retain Brad’s services.
“It could push out to the mid-20s once all the Next Generation Academy picks come through, so we don’t see that as adequate compensation for a player of Brad’s calibre.”
Originally published as Port Adelaide confirms Orazio Fantasia move, Essendon compensation for Joe Daniher