Greene one of three GWS stars in shock trade reports

Toby Greene has reportedly been left “frustrated” as the Giants desperately try to fix their bloated salary cap.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Lachie Whitfield of the Giants during the round 23 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Fremantle Dockers at Manuka Oval on August 20, 2022 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

A Giants superstar is among three of the club’s big names linked to potential trade exits.

Follow along below for all the latest from Day 4 of the AFL’s trade period.

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6AM - Greene one of three GWS stars in shock trade reports

GWS superstar Toby Greene and teammates Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes have all been linked in surprising trade reports with a week to go in the exchange period.

Seven claimed a handful of rival clubs believed Greene had been left “frustrated” by the exits, looming or confirmed, of midfield mates Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto to Richmond.

Toby Greene of the Giants grimaces after a tackle during the round eight AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Geelong Cats at Manuka Oval.

“Toby Greene’s name came up today, the star Giant. I think several clubs are of the view he’s a bit frustrated that Hopper and Taranto have both gone, or will go, to the Tigers,” Tom Browne said.

However Browne immediately followed that up with: “I've checked with sources directly aligned to Greene tonight, there’s no prospect of a trade, there’s no prospect of a trade for Greene this period.

“He’s got four years to run on a deal worth north of a million dollars a year, he’s also the Giants' coveted co-captain.”

Meanwhile AFL Media reported the Giants are “open to conversations” on letting Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes leave the club.

The moves would be part of their ongoing attempts to clear their salary cap issues, which have been brought about by the huge deals for players like Green, Whitfield and Haynes, and the yearly introduction of highly-drafted prospects who need to be paid well once off their rookie contracts.

Whitfield is signed until the end of 2027 and Haynes is contracted for another two years on a backended deal.

It was reported earlier this year Greene, Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly “take up the best part” of $4 million of the Giants’ $13.5 million salary cap, while Haynes and a re-signed Hopper and Taranto would’ve taken that seven-player total to around $6.5 million.

SEN’s Sam Edmund reported on Wednesday on Trade Radio “in an ideal world, I think GWS would like to move Nick Haynes on as part of their reset”.

Lachie Whitfield tackled by Western Bulldogs Josh Schache during the Round 14 AFL match between the GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs.

6:10PM: Two late deals done on Day 3

A pair of trades were confirmed just after 6pm on Wednesday as day three wrapped up, both seeing Gold Coast add fresh faces.

The first saw Brisbane send Tom Berry, pick 46 and its future second-round pick to their in-state rivals, in exchange for picks 25, 36 and 56.

The deal gives the Lions more crucial points to bid for Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher on the draft night, while Berry gets a fresh start at the Suns.

The second saw St Kilda defender Ben Long and the club’s future fourth-round pick head up to Gold Coast in exchange for pick 32.

3PM: Jack Bowes picks Cats

Jack Bowes has nominated Geelong as his preferred destination, which means the Cats are also set to land pick No.7 from Gold Coast.

Bowes has two years to run on a lucrative, backended deal at the Suns, but is being traded by the club in order to clear salary cap space.

Foxfooty.com.au has confirmed Bowes has nominated the Cats, who if successful in the trade will land their highest draft pick since selecting Joel Selwood in 2006.

Jack Bowes of the Suns during the AFL Marsh Community Series pre-season match between the Adelaide Crows and the Gold Coast Suns.

2PM: Lions to boost bid for Dunkley

Greater Western Sydney has made a pick swap with Brisbane that could help the Lions land Josh Dunkley.

The Lions have sent pick No.15 to the Giants in exchange for pick No.21 and a future second-round selection.

Both picks could play a part in a deal for Dunkley, who the Dogs have driven a hard bargain on so far, asking for two first-round picks.

It also helps the Lions in terms of trading future picks, given league rules prevent clubs from trading both a future first and second-round selection unless they bring an extra one in.

Originally published as Greene one of three GWS stars in shock trade reports