Dogs, Swans fight for Justin Sherman

SYDNEY has moved to trump the Bulldogs' plan to secure Lion Justin Sherman by offering an earlier draft pick for the explosive midfielder.

SYDNEY has moved to trump the Bulldogs' plan to secure Lion Justin Sherman by offering an earlier draft pick for the explosive midfielder.

Sherman has nominated Whitten Oval as his preferred destination in trade week, and the Dogs plan to secure him with the draft pick they get as compensation for losing Jarrod Harbrow to the Gold Coast - which will be between 29 and 34.

The Swans today offered their No.21 selection to the Lions in a bid to land Sherman.

"We've spoken to Brisbane and obviously we've got a lower draft pick (than the Bulldogs)," Sydney coach John Longmire told the AFL website.

"We really rate Justin. We understand that his first preference is to get to Melbourne, but we still think there's a bit of water to go under the bridge yet."

Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said he wasn't surprised other clubs had made a pitch for Sherman and he was confident the Dogs would get their man.

The Dogs and Swans this morning completed the first deal of trade week, swapping Andrejs Everitt and Patrick Veszpremi.

The Dogs have also discussed Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin as a possible target.

But the Dogs have only preliminary interest in the big Blues forward, one of a burgeoning number of Irishmen making their mark in the AFL. Any deal would come close to the deadline on Monday - and a lot would have to fall into place for it to happen.

The Dogs' chances of luring Carlton's Andrew Walker appear to have slipped, with Adelaide better placed.

Bulldog Josh Hill attracted only light interest from other clubs despite his obvious talents and there is a still chance back-up ruckman Will Minson may cross clubs, with interest from a handful of suitors.

Another Dog, defender Stephen Tiller, also has been discussed at the trade table.

The Dogs on Tuesday secured Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore under the father-son rule.

Port Adelaide made a bid for Wallis, forcing the Dogs to use their first pick (No. 18) on the son of club legend Steve.

Sydney then bid for Liberatore, son of Tony, ensuring the Dogs had to give up their second pick (No. 40).

The midfielders were widely viewed as top-15 picks.