AFL Trade news: Hawthorn not interested in off-contract Magpie Jamie Elliott, Grant Birchall eyes move to Brisbane
Hawthorn list boss Graham Wright says rumours of the Hawks' interest in Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott were news to him as a four-time premiership star looks to follow in Luke Hodge's footsteps to Brisbane.
Sam Edmund and Tim Michell
2 min read
October 4, 2019 - 5:56PM
Hawthorn has removed itself from the race to get Jamie Elliott.
Hawthorn says it won’t be recruiting Jamie Elliott as the Collingwood forward wrestles with where to play next year.
Hawthorn has removed itself from the race to get Jamie Elliott.
Elliott had talks with the Pies on Thursday and was also spotted at a South Melbourne cafe in conversation with Pies president Eddie McGuire.
The Pies are eager to keep the goalkicker, but they face a tricky scenario satisfying his contract needs while also needing to stash the cash for the likes of Brodie Grundy and Jordan De Goey, who will command lucrative extensions.
Hawthorn will, however, bring in GWS forward Jon Patton and Melbourne defender Sam Frost, while ruckman Marc Pittonet is set to accept a new deal and Isaac Smith will almost certainly stay in brown and gold.
Grant Birchall remains a chance to move to the Brisbane Lions having been given approval by the Hawks to explore his options.
Grant Birchall could make a move to Brisbane.
The Lions are wrestling with whether to add another elder statesman after Luke Hodge retired, conscious of the need to develop youth given they’re poised to bring in Adelaide’s Cam Ellis-Yolmen after the addition of mature-age types like Marcus Adams, Lincoln McCarthy and Jarryd Lyons in recent seasons.
Birchall met with Brisbane coach Chris Fagan last month, with Wright admitting the difficulty in phasing out the four-time premiership defender, along with three-time premiership forward Paul Puopolo.
“You have to have change, it’s part of the game and it’s unfortunate because we’re dealing with people’s livelihoods,” Wright said.
“We understand it; we know it and it’s one of the uncomfortable parts of the job.
“They’re highly decorated players at our club. One is a four-time premiership player and the other a three-time premiership player, so it’s not easy.”
Updates
– Ryan Reynolds
Geelong young gun Charlie Constable has put to bed speculation that he might look to leave the club, confirming he wants to be a Cat in 2020.
The ball-winning midfielder had been linked with a move away from GMHBA Stadium this trade period after struggling to secure senior game time despite sensational VFL form statistically.
Constable played seven AFL games this year, averaging 21 touches. He averaged 26 touches and five tackles in his 12 VFL games.
The first paperwork of this year's exchange period has arrived at the AFL's desk.
Gold Coast has made an offer to restricted free agent Brandon Ellis.
The Tigers now have three days to decide whether to match the Suns' offer for the uncontracted premiership wingman.
We don't expect that to happen, given the Suns are believed to be offering Ellis a contract worth about $3 million.
The Suns issued a brief statement that reads: "The club has worked closely with Ellis and his management to showcase the opportunity for him at the Gold Coast Suns. Once a decision has been made this will be communicated."
Paperwork lodged for Ellis move
Al Paton
The first paperwork of this year's exchange period has arrived at the AFL's desk.
Gold Coast has made an offer to restricted free agent Brandon Ellis.
The Tigers now have three days to decide whether to match the Suns' offer for the uncontracted premiership wingman.
We don't expect that to happen, given the Suns are believed to be offering Ellis a contract worth about $3 million.
The Suns issued a brief statement that reads: "The club has worked closely with Ellis and his management to showcase the opportunity for him at the Gold Coast Suns. Once a decision has been made this will be communicated."
Unlucky Cat ends trade speculation
Chris Vernuccio
– Ryan Reynolds
Geelong young gun Charlie Constable has put to bed speculation that he might look to leave the club, confirming he wants to be a Cat in 2020.
The ball-winning midfielder had been linked with a move away from GMHBA Stadium this trade period after struggling to secure senior game time despite sensational VFL form statistically.
Constable played seven AFL games this year, averaging 21 touches. He averaged 26 touches and five tackles in his 12 VFL games.
Rose was the No.37 pick in the 2014 draft but managed just 14 games, while injuries denied Tucker a chance to push for a senior debut after he was recruited in the 2018 rookie draft.
"We'd like to thank both James and Durak for their contributions to the Swans," Sydney football manager Charlie Gardiner told the club's website.
"James was a great character to have around the club and showed great perseverance during his time in Sydney.
"Durak has been a popular and hard-working member of our group but due to a number of injury setbacks was unable get his body ready for the rigours of AFL football.
"We wish both James and Durak all the best for their future endeavours."
The worst Power trade deals
Chris Vernuccio
The Phantom
The history of Port Adelaide’s trading in 1996, ahead of its inaugural season in the AFL, is muddied. On record, Scott Cummings made his way to Alberton for picks No. 2 and 28.
But, in reality, there were a number of compensation picks — and uncontracted players — which changed hands in a number of complicated deals.
While, overall, they seemed to have learned their lesson along the way and have come out winners more often than not, the Power have had a number of howlers at the trade table. Here are the top five.
As well having interest in Jamie Elliott, Melbourne is keen to sign versatile GWS tall Adam Tomlinson.
Both are unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team they choose after the AFL’s free agency window opened on Friday.
Hard-running Fremantle winger Ed Langdon is also in Melbourne’s sights, but he isn’t a free agent and will need to find his way to the Demons via the trade period that starts on Monday.
Tomlinson has officially informed the Giants he will explore his free agency rights, while Elliott is mulling a three-year deal dangled by the Demons in a bid to lure the talented but injury-prone forward.
– AAP
Geelong list boss Stephen Wells has confirmed he has spoken to Jack Steven and St Kilda about a trade, but there was “a lot of work to be done there”.
“I think everyone is aware of how Jack’s year went this year.
“When trade period opens next week if St Kilda are interested in letting Jack go, it would only be if we could come to a suitable arrangement.
“We are a long way off getting that deal done because St Kilda have got a player (who has) a contract there. Really, it’s up to them how they deal with the Jack Steven one.
“We have met St Kilda a couple of times. But not anywhere near to the point where we are likely to do a deal soon.
“We’re nowhere near doing a deal with St Kilda.
The Cats’ star recruiter said he wasn’t chasing a ruckman from another club.
“There’s been a bit too much negative talk about our ruckmen. Rhys Stanley actually had his best year ever with Geelong and we are looking for him to continue to improve next year.
“Esava Ratugolea, along with whoever else are our other ruckmen on our list, we think they will go all right,” he said.
– Ryan Reynolds of the Geelong Advertiser reports …
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood is confident the Cats will be able to bounce back from the imminent departure of star Tim Kelly.
Kelly is expected to return home to Western Australia for family reasons this trade period, telling the Cats he wants to play for West Coast in 2020.
Last night the 25-year-old finished runner-up in Geelong’s best and fairest count for the second time in as many years.
His departure will leave a big hole in the Cats’ engine room, but Selwood was certain Geelong would be able find the soldiers capable of replacing the silky midfielder.
“It is what it is. We’ve planned for it for a little bit of the year — whether it be the case that he stays or leaves,” Selwood said.
“(It’s) disappointing, obviously, because he’s such a quality player. But I also understand what’s going to play out and we’ll be ready for whatever is next.
“We’ve had some good players leave the club before and we’ve backed up and done OK.”
– Ryan Reynolds of the Geelong Advertiser reports …
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood is confident the Cats will be able to bounce back from the imminent departure of star Tim Kelly.
Kelly is expected to return home to Western Australia for family reasons this trade period, telling the Cats he wants to play for West Coast in 2020.
Last night the 25-year-old finished runner-up in Geelong’s best and fairest count for the second time in as many years.
His departure will leave a big hole in the Cats’ engine room, but Selwood was certain Geelong would be able find the soldiers capable of replacing the silky midfielder.
“It is what it is. We’ve planned for it for a little bit of the year — whether it be the case that he stays or leaves,” Selwood said.
“(It’s) disappointing, obviously, because he’s such a quality player. But I also understand what’s going to play out and we’ll be ready for whatever is next.
“We’ve had some good players leave the club before and we’ve backed up and done OK.”
It’s a strange statement to attach to the co-captain of a bottom-four club, but Oscar Allen needs the struggling Eagles more than they need him, writes ELIZA REILLY.
He has been touted as a breakout contender for Port Adelaide and is unsigned beyond this year. But for now this Power youngster’s focus is on playing regularly, not a new deal.
