The South Australian players Adelaide and Port Adelaide could make plays for at the end of this season

All 18 teams are in Adelaide for Gather Round. Could it be an opportunity for the Crows and Power to get in the ear of some South Australian talent and lure them back home?

South Australia trade week targets

Two potential targets are off the table but there are other South Australians Adelaide and Port Adelaide could be prepared to have a crack at come the end of the season.

The Crows had expressed interest in luring Melbourne midfielder Tom Sparrow back to SA, but a new contract for the 23-year-old to remain the Demons was announced last month.

North Melbourne have also moved quickly in 2024 to re-sign midfielder Tom Powell after his fast start to the season.

While they are off the table there are other Croweaters who could improve both the Crows and Power’s lists.

Could one of these South Australians be returning home come the end of the year to bolster your club’s list?

Harrison Petty (Melbourne)

Age: 24 Games: 64 Contract status: Contracted until 2025

Adelaide went hard at Petty, with a five-year deal that was worth around $4 million, last year. This was shut down by the Demons but the Crows are set to come again and potentially even harder at the end of 2024. While he has played forward for the Demons the Crows believe the Wudinna product is the answer to their issues when it comes to key defenders.

Adelaide is expected to come again hard for Petty. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Will Hayward (Sydney)

Age: 25 Games: 141 Contract status: Contracted until 2024

Hayward has become a mainstay of the Sydney side over the past seven years, and became a leadership group member in 2023. But the Swans could have a salary cap issue with Errol Gulden and Logan McDonald out of contract, and are set to re-sign James Rowbottom. This could allow rival clubs to pounce on the medium forward who is a restricted free agent. Consistently underrated in terms of attention, Hayward is a player clubs would love to have given his ability to play selfless roles and still contribute. After they addressed their key defender and ruck issues, one of the next areas that Power could look at will be their medium forward ranks. Hayward would fit like a glove at Alberton.

Hayward is a restricted free agent. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Harry Barnett (West Coast)

Age: 20 Games: 2 Contract status: Contracted until 2024

When North Melbourne selected Taylor Goad with the 20th pick of the 2023 draft you could see the disappointment on the faces of those in Adelaide’s room. With No. 1 ruckman Reilly O’Brien and understudy Kieran Strachan both 28, the Crows need a young ruckman on their list. They showed interest in Barnett in his draft and after missing out on one young SA big man could the Crows target another?

The Crows showed interest in Barnett in his draft year. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda)

Age: 19 Games: 27 Contract status: Contracted until 2024

An unlikely one given the future star is the chief re-signing focus at the Saints, but he is the only player from the top 12 in the 2022 Draft to not have penned a new contract with their club. The Saints have kept talks open with the exciting forward/midfield and are confident of keeping him in Victoria. But there will still be hopes from fans of the Crows and Power about a shock move until he re-signs with the Saints. Before he was drafted Phillipou was impressed by one of the SA clubs hinting they would look to trade up to select him on the night.

Phillipou is still unsigned. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Corey Durdin (Carlton)

Age: 21 Games: 36 Contract status: Contracted until 2024

Injuries hurt Durdin in 2023, only managing the 11 games. But he has shown a bit as a small forward for the Blues, ranking No. 1 for them in 2022 for goal assists. They are unheralded but small forwards are extremely important in modern footy.

Durdin is back in the Carlton team. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Originally published as The South Australian players Adelaide and Port Adelaide could make plays for at the end of this season