AFL draft news: West Coast set to trade 2024 first-round pick to land Daniel Curtin
West Coast is poised to strike first in a draft night trade extravaganza - that could land them the state’s best local product. See the clubs involved and the full details.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
West Coast is poised to strike the first live trade of draft night in a move that would deliver the Eagles a Harley Reid-Daniel Curtin dream quinella.
The Eagles have spent weeks fielding offers for their No.1 pick and rights to Reid, but instead of trading it out they are suddenly expected to not only secure Reid but also bring in Curtin with a second selection inside the top 10.
That would deliver the wooden-spooner the best player in the draft in Reid and also the best local player in Curtin.
But it is expected to come at a significant price, with West Coast having to trade out its future first-round pick to secure Curtin on Monday night.
Remarkably, Curtin could slide past Hawthorn (No.4) and Melbourne (No.6).
That would leave Curtin available for Greater Western Sydney at No.7, and that is where the Eagles are expected to make their move.
Should the Eagles offer up their future first-round pick for No.7 it would be a dilemma for the Giants, but ultimately an offer that rivals expect would be impossible to knock back.
The Giants would still hold a first-round pick (No.16) and trading for the Eagles’ future first could potentially deliver them the No.1 pick in next year’s draft.
They are not desperate for a key defender like Curtin, given they already have a brilliant backline led by All-Australian Sam Taylor.
Should the embattled Eagles again finish last next season it would mean that they have effectively traded away the No.1 pick in the 2024 draft for Curtin.
But GWS Giants would also consider whether the Eagles could bounce up the ladder next season with a fitter list and 12 games at Perth Stadium.
Curtin, a 197cm left-footer, is also highly-rated by the Hawks, who need key defenders, and the Demons, who are starting to plan for life after Steven May.
But recruiting sources believe the Hawks have zeroed in on Cyril Rioli-like small forward Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson for their selection.
That would see Watson partner premiership Pie Jack Ginnivan in the Hawks’ forward line for the next decade.
Rivals suspect the Hawks would be nervous using their early pick on Curtin three years after taking another West Australian defender in Denver Grainger-Barrass with a prized pick with limited success so far.
The Demons have been dazzled by draft bolter Caleb Windsor, a blistering outside midfielder who kicks goals and would immediately help polish the club’s forward connection issues.
The Demons know they would have to pounce on Windsor at No.6 because GWS would otherwise secure him at pick seven.
Geelong like Nate Caddy at pick eight and Essendon is keen on defender Connor O’Sullivan at nine.
More Coverage
Originally published as AFL draft news: West Coast set to trade 2024 first-round pick to land Daniel Curtin
Tiger delight as North pays heavy price for final draft night pick
On a night where little caused a surprise, North Melbourne waited until the last moment to pull a stunner, paying a significant price and taking an even more significant risk.
‘Absolute blunder’: Essendon’s ‘staggering’ draft move smashed
The Bombers had a relatively quiet trade period by their standards, with their focus on Isaac Kako. Now after securing the small forward, their method has been whacked by a draft expert.