Adelaide to weigh up every option in bid to land prized local talent in 2018 national draft

ADELAIDE is desperate to get its hands on the cream of South Australia’s talent at this year’s draft. And the Crows have signalled they’ll try to do so however they can — and that might mean some big wins for Victorian clubs.

Jack Lukosius at the U18 AFL Championships. Pic: Getty Images

A TRIO of Melbourne clubs could cash in on Adelaide’s intent to make an assault on the South Australian riches in November’s national draft.

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid told the Herald Sun the Crows could use future picks two years into the future to scatter-bomb the early picks.

A quartet of young Adelaide stars are among the top 15 picks, with the Crows desperate to secure many of them given their issue with want-away Victorians.

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It is understood the Crows are progressing well in negotiations with Paul Seedsman on a new multi-year deal, having secured star free agent Rory Sloane on a five-year deal this week.

Adelaide already has picks seven, 14 (the Jake Lever deal) and 19 (the Bryce Gibbs deal) to start its assault on those kids.

SA U18 stars Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine. Pic: Tait Schmaal

Key tall Jack Lukosius and energetic small Izak Rankine are No. 1 contenders, with Connor Rozee and Jackson Hately also in top 15 consideration.

Adelaide’s key executives, including chief executive Andrew Fagan, have confirmed the club is desperate to secure Lukosius.

Carlton, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda all have leverage with likely early picks that could see them helping Adelaide.

Blues coach Brendon Bolton again confirmed the club’s willingness to bring in senior players, potentially by trading pick one.

The Blues could trade for senior players or secure multiple top-10 picks by handing over the No. 1 pick to allow the Crows their choice of the draft.

Reid said the Crows were open to all options given their stated ambition to recruit local players.

“You have to weigh up every option,” he said.

“Live trading will likely come into play, so we are still working out the mechanics of that as well.

“There could be three years worth of picks, so not only what you hold this year but 2019 and 2020 picks as well, so there is a lot to take into consideration.

“In the past you crossed your fingers and hoped a player dropped (to your position in the draft order).

Brendon Bolton wants ready-made players. Pic: AAP

Paul Seedsman looks set to sign a new deal. Pic: Michael Klein

“This year you might be able to trade up or trade down, so it will depend on your strategy going into the night.”

AFL clubs believe this year’s AFL draft will likely return to Melbourne for the first time since 2009.

It will follow a trading period likely to be as short as eight days, finishing at night instead of midafternoon given the huge focus on the AFL’s annual meat market.

What will add an intriguing edge is the capacity of clubs to swap picks and drafted players on the night.

The AFL’s competition committee is yet to lock in the rules around live trading for the 2019 national draft.

If Adelaide had the eighth pick and a player it wanted remained on the draft board, it could immediately trade up and secure that player.

What remains to be seen is whether a club will be able to watch another club select a player, then immediately attempt to secure that player in a trade of picks.

Said Bolton of the Blues intentions: “We have said all along, we will go three years to the draft and then be open-minded on trading and free agency,” he said.

“We are open minded (about pick one). But we are fully aware that between the age profile of 21 or 22 and 27, we need to build some depth in that space, so it will be a consideration.”

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