Live chat with Gary Buckenara as he analyses the lists of AFL’s 18 clubs

ESSENDON can play hard ball with Gold Coast over Jaeger O’Meara, Tom Mitchell is a perfect fit for Hawthorn and the Tigers need a ruckman. Replay former Hawks recruiter Gary Buckenara’s live chat.

Jaeger O'Meara could be at Essendon next year. Picture: Mike Batterham

ESSENDON can play hard ball with Gold Coast over star midfielder Jaeger O’Meara, list expert Gary Buckenara says.

The Bombers hold the ace hand in trade negotiations with pick one in the draft and the first pick in the pre-season draft.

REPLAY GARY BUCKEANARA’S FULL Q&A BELOW

Buckenara, a former Hawthorn recruiter who helped build the list vying for a fourth-straight premiership, says after years of pain the Bombers are finally in the box seat.

“The Bombers could get the best of both worlds by getting the best kid in the national draft and O’Meara as the first pick in the pre-season draft,” he said in a live Q&A with SuperFooty readers.

Jaeger O'Meara has requested a trade from Gold Coast but if yet to announced his club of choice. Picture: Adam Head

Gold Coast has demanded a star player in a trade and says if it isn’t satisfied with the deal it will let O’Meara walk for nothing. But with the Bombers waiting in the pre-season draft, Buckenara says that’s not a smart strategy.

“Obviously, Gold Coast will be aware that could be the scenario and they should be mindful of doing the very best that they can for their club, and to see O’Meara depart for no compensation is not doing the right thing by the club,” he said.

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“Essendon hold the whip hand in this particular instance and it is unfortunate that the Suns find themselves with one of their better players out of contract and possibly wanting to go to the club that has the first picks in the drafts.

“If you’re an Essendon supporter, you will want your club to play a strong hand given the turmoil over the last few years. At last, something to smile about for Bombers supporters.”

During a 60-minute Q&A session Buckenara answered questions on a number of clubs, saying Tom Mitchell is a perfect fit for Hawthorn and Richmond urgently needs another ruckman — but it’s buyer beware for any club sniffing around Fremantle’s Zac Clarke.

LIVE TRADES CHAT
List management guru Gary Buckenara is in the building. Got a trade qn? >> https://t.co/mX7biynowV pic.twitter.com/MJLiM3a8xw

— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) September 2, 2016

And if you’re looking to package up a bunch of fringe players to lure a superstar, Buckenara has some bad news.

“Most clubs have enough C-grade type players. It’s the A and B that makes the difference,” he said.

“A and B-grade players are very hard to find/develop, whereas C-grade players are a dime a dozen.”

Replay the full Q&A below.

Buckenara has written exclusive list analysis articles on Richmond and Carlton and will address every club before the trade period begins.

Buckenara says the Tigers don’t have enough A or B-grade talent and should be targeting a Collingwood player in the trade period but it’s not Travis Cloke.

At the Blues, he says the club is on the right track under Brendon Bolton and list boss Steven Silvagni but says Carlton need axed North Melbourne champion Boomer Harvey.