Why GWS will feel more comfortable if Sydney trades pick 5 for Joe Daniher
GWS made a bold move to secure pick 6 on draft night from St Kilda, but the Giants’ carefully crafted plans could come unstuck if Sydney’s bid for Joe Daniher falls over. Here’s why.
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The Joe Daniher stalemate is heightening the nerves at Greater Western Sydney after it executed a bold trade to secure the No.6 draft pick from St Kilda last week.
The Giants swapped picks 12 and 18 for picks six and 59 to boost their chances of drafting a top prospect before a bid comes for academy star Tom Green.
But both Adelaide (pick 4) and Sydney (pick 5) have Green ranked extremely high on their talent boards and could scupper the Giants’ plans on draft night.
If either of those clubs launched a bid then GWS would be unable to secure a pair of prized prospects.
The Giants would have to either match the bid and secure Green, losing their No.6 selection, or pass on Green and take a different player at No.6.
But if the Daniher deal goes through — and the Swans trade out pick No.5 — the Giants would feel more comfortable about Green getting past their No.6 pick.
Securing Green after drafting a player at No.6 — delivering the Grand Finalist two of the best kids in the country — would make the Giants’ trade with St Kilda last week look like genius.
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The Herald Sun understands that, outside of GWS, the Swans and Crows are the only clubs to visit Green’s family home in Canberra, and both walked away super impressed.
The Swans view Green as a possible successor to midfield warrior Josh Kennedy while the Crows have a reputation of holding clubs to account on draft night.
Last year Adelaide made several clubs sweat before placing a bid on North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas at pick 8.
The Crows then selected clever Tasmanian Chayce Jones at pick 9 after forcing the Kangaroos to pay a high price for their academy prospect.
The Giants could look to trade pick 6 to move even further up the draft order to ensure they can secure Green and another gun draft prospect.
Green is the grandson of Richmond legend Michael Green, who played in four Tiger premierships and made the club’s team of the century.
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Green, 18, averaged 33 disposals and 159 SuperCoach points in four NAB League matches this season and has three younger brothers, who also qualify for the GWS academy because they live in Canberra.
Josh Green, who is in next year’s draft, played in the AFL’s All Stars match at the MCG on Grand Final day.