AFL Trade news: GWS star Adam Tomlinson exercises free agency

After eight years and following on from Grand Final heartbreak, one GWS star has notified the club of his desire to test out the market.

Adam Tomlinson has exercised his free agency rights.

AFL free agency has officially opened with the trade period to kick off on Monday, but the news has been coming in thick and fast with the latest surrounding a GWS star.

Adam Tomlinson was an original member of the Giants squad, starting his career back in 2012. But after eight years with the expansion side, he’s opted to exercise his free agency rights.

Adam Tomlinson is officially leaving GWS.

The Giants have just confirmed he'll be exercising his free agency rights.

— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) October 4, 2019

“I’ve loved my time at the Giants and I’d like to thank the club for the opportunities they’ve given me. Being a part of the club from day one is something I’m extremely proud of and no doubt I’ll look back on this period of my career fondly in the years to come,” Tomlinson said.

It’s been reported Tomlinson will join the Demons on a deal worth $500,000 per season for four years. The move is set to gather more momentum after the Giants’ best and fairest award on Friday night.

Former St Kilda gun Leigh Montagna however doesn’t believe the Demons should be going after Tomlinson.

“That’s a strange one for me,” Montagna told Fox Footy’s Trading Day.

“I don’t think he’s an elite wingman. If you look at his numbers this year, he played almost a full season on the wing at the GWS Giants — who are a great offensive team — and he only averaged 17 disposals.

“He’s not an elite kick, he’s not an elite ball-winner — I’m not sure what they’re going to get out of Tomlinson.”

Cleary: "We think the Giants will receive a second round compensation pick for Tomlinson, but bringing in Jacobs potentially cancels that out or weakens it."

Should the Giants aim to do a trade for Jacobs instead so they keep their full Tomlinson compo?#AFLTrade

— Telstra AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 4, 2019

PIES SMALL FORWARD DRAWING INTEREST

Jamie Elliott is a free agent and has drawn heavy interest from the Melbourne football club with Hawthorn also in the mix, but another team has emerged.

After finishing the 2019 season second on the ladder, the Brisbane Lions have been reported as having interest in the star small forward.

“The Brisbane footy club are the smokies in this one. They’ve been working behind the scenes on Jamie Elliott,” said Mitch Cleary on AFL Trade Radio.

“They’re red-hot on pursuing the free agent. The Lions are trying to add firepower to their front half.

“As it has been put to me, they are well into the race for Elliott.”

BREAKING from @cleary_mitch:

"The Lions are red-hot on securing Jamie Elliott as a free agent.

"They're the smokeys in this one, they've been working behind the scenes"#AFLTrade

— Telstra AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 4, 2019

PAPLEY UNHAPPY IN SYDNEY

After a blistering season in 2019, Sydney’s Tom Papley is reportedly desperate to get out and make a return to Victoria.

Despite being contracted with the Swans through to 2023, Papley’s name has been floated around and heavily linked with a move to Carlton, he’s keen for a fresh start.

“Tom Papley was so unhappy at Sydney last year that he questioned whether he wanted to continue playing the game,” Sam Edmund told SEN Breakfast.

“His desperation to force a move to a Melbourne based club is underpinned by a desire to get out of Australia’s biggest city and there’s a family concern there as well.

“He wants to get closer to his family who are in Bunyip. He’s really close to his younger brother, his girlfriend lives in Melbourne as well.

“Carlton is seen to be the opportunistic swoopers because Tom doesn’t really care who he plays for.

“He just wants to get back to Melbourne.”