AFL Trade Period: Stay up to date with the latest news as it happens

The Giants are set to lose a host of key players, but not all the trade traffic will be one-way as a Demon declares he wants to join GWS. TRADE LATEST

Oliver Henry. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne’s offer of a three-year deal and improved opportunities for livewire forward Toby Bedford has been rebuffed as the Demons confirmed he has asked for a trade to Greater Western Sydney.

The Giants have hit back after the trade requests of a quartet of players including Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, with the Halls Creek product determined to slot into an exciting GWS forward line.

Next year Toby Greene will start the season in GWS colours after missing the first five rounds of 2022 with suspension, while Brent Daniels will return from a lisfranc injury that wiped out his year.

Only Greene (37 goals), Jesse Hogan (35) and Harry Himmelberg (22) kicked more than 20 goals for GWS this year, with Bobby Hill’s move to Collingwood another setback.

But Bedford’s acquisition on a deal that will match the Demons’ offer will give him a chance to shine after 16 games in 2022 including 10 as the sub, eight of which he did not see game time in.

Demons list boss Tim Lamb confirmed the club would work on a trade for Bedford as Melbourne also braces for Jayden Hunt to accept a three-year free agency offer from West Coast.

“While we are disappointed that we will be losing Toby, we understand and respect his decision to pursue further opportunities,” Lamb said.

“We will now work with the GWS Giants to facilitate a suitable trade.

“We thank Toby for his contribution and commitment to the club over a number of years.”

Toby Bedford is looking for more opportunities at the Giants. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Demons believe Bailie Laurie is ready to make the move to regular AFL player after an impressive VFL year in Casey’s flag-winning campaign, averaging 82 ranking points, 16 possessions, 1.2 goals and 3.7 tackles.

Bedford was one of the players Simon Goodwin had earmarked for a significant role at the Demons next year.

“We have got some guys in our VFL side which has lost one game for the year who can propel us. We think they have worked to get their games in good shape. They will bring a different energy to the team and there will be some competitiveness for spots,” he said.

Tiger decides against interstate move

– Jay Clark

Richmond hard-nut Jack Graham will stay with the Tigers after knocking back interest from Port Adelaide.

News Corp has confirmed Graham, who toured Port Adelaide’s facilities this week, has told Richmond officials he is locked in at Punt Road for next season.

Graham is expected to trigger a clause in his contract that will take him through to the end of 2024 when he will qualify for free agency.

It is a coup for Richmond as Graham is a key cog in their midfield plans for next season alongside the arrivals of GWS stars Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto.

Port Adelaide will press ahead with plans to lure Junior Rioli from West Coast and are also eyeing Geelong backup big man Esava Ratugolea.

Jack Graham has told Richmond he will be in yellow and black in 2023. Photo by Michael Klein

How premier can exploit ‘salary dump’ trade system

Collingwood forward Ollie Henry wants to make the move to Geelong if the two clubs can agree on a suitable trade.

After two years with the Magpies, the exciting goal kicker is keen to join his brother Jack at Geelong next season in a massive boost to the Cats’ forward stocks.

But the trade negotiations will be challenging as Collingwood has made clear it would prefer to keep Henry, and will almost certainly seek a first-round draft pick in exchange for him.

Talks on a deal are expected to ramp up following Collingwood’s best and fairest on Friday night after some preliminary discussions between the two clubs and Henry’s manager, Anthony McConville, in recent weeks.

Ollie Henry wishes to join his brother at the Cats. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Collingwood will play hard ball with the Cats when the trade period opens on Monday believing Henry has enormous talent and huge upside, only one year after the two clubs struck a deal for Nathan Kreuger.

Henry, 20, was taken with pick 17 two years ago (courtesy of the Adam Treloar trade) and has booted 28 goals in 25 games.

The 186cm forward was likened to Geelong great Steve Johnson for his natural forward craft in his draft year.

Next year, Henry would have to fit in alongside superstar forwards Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins, adding another talented aerial weapon to the reigning premier’s potent forward setup.

The Cats want to go back-to-back next year under Chris Scott and loom as one of the most active players in this year’s trade period despite missing out on GWS hard nut Jacob Hopper.

Geelong has picks 18 and 37 in this year’s draft and is also eyeing GWS Giants’ second-year midfielder Tanner Bruhn.

But the Cats could also snare pick seven from Gold Coast along with midfielder-defender Jack Bowes which would significantly bolster the Cats’ draft hand.

The extra first-round draft pick would give the club its highest pick in the draft since 2006 (Joel Selwood) or allow Geelong to split it for multiple selections later in the draft order.

If pick seven was split, Geelong could use the other choices in deals for Bruhn and Henry, while ex-Essendon speedster Conor McKenna could come for nothing in the supplemental selection period.

Henry has made clear he wants to continue his AFL career closer to family in Geelong after going to school and playing footy at St Joseph’s and Geelong Falcons.

Henry played his last game in Round 17 when he had 5 disposals in the thrilling comeback win over North Melbourne. He was sub in Rounds 18 and 23.

Collingwood has been trying to re-sign Henry on a modest contract extension this year, but did not want to overpay for Henry as it manages a tight salary cap and several other big moves in the trade period.

There were also questions about whether Henry’s role would be limited next season at Collingwood by the pending arrival of Daniel McStay (Brisbane) and Bobby Hill (GWS).

McStay plays a similar role as Henry and will be a main marking target in Collingwood’s forward line next season.

Hill is more of an attacking speedster and is highly-rated for his cleanness at ground level and polished delivery in the forward half.