‘That is a lie’: AFL trade news drops as Jackson, Grundy moves swirl

The biggest deal of the AFL Trade period has taken a dramatic turn with one club refusing to play ball as a “lie” gets called out.

Brodie Grundy, Luke Jackson and Aaron Francis.

The biggest deal of the 2022 AFL Trade Period has taken a dramatic turn with Melbourne re-opening the door for the West Coast Eagles to snatch Luke Jackson.

Fremantle has been in the box seat to win Jackson’s signature this trade period, but the Demons are refusing to play ball.

Fremantle has reportedly prepared a monster, long term contract offer but the move has been clouded by the Demons’ reportedly demanding more than two first round selections (including at least one pick inside the top 10) to let him leave.

Watch every match of the AFLW Season LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Demons dug their heels in further on Tuesday with the club re-iterating a deal with West Coast is very much being discussed.

Channel 7’s Ryan Daniels reported on Monday night the Dockers will offer their first round selections for the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

However, Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said on AFL Trade Radio the club wants more than that with the Dockers’ top selection in the 2022 draft being Pick 13.

He said the club met with the Eagles on Tuesday to discuss a trade for Jackson.

“We will be doing a deal with whoever gives us the best offer. That will include both clubs in WA. Whoever offers us the best deal is where Luke will end up,” Lamb said.

Brodie Grundy, Luke Jackson and Aaron Francis.

Lamb has been at the centre of some of the biggest trade stories swirling across the game this week and he said on Tuesday Brodie Grundy is certain to join the club next season.

Grundy was last week reported to have been unhappy about Collingwood’s request for him to look for a new club. Grundy still has five years remaining on a monster $7 million deal which he put pen to paper to in 2020.

Widespread reports claim Collingwood will be forced to pay a significant percentage of Grundy’s wages across the course of the deal. He is also reported to have agreed to a pay cut to make the deal happen smoothly.

Lamb said he has an “understanding” with Collingwood recruitment boss Graham Wright where the club will work together to make the deal happen.

Demons official responds to ‘lie’ claim

Lamb has also come under fire from footy pundit Kane Cornes, who accused the club of lying about the future of Demons star Kysaiah Pickett.

The Demons on Monday denied Pickett wants to leave the club, despite swirling rumours Port Adelaide was interested.

Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb responded on Monday, saying: “Any talk about Kozzie leaving is absolutely ludicrous. We love Kozzie, Kozzie loves us, there’s been no discussion about that (trade).”

However, Cornes said Pickett has been saying something else.

“That’s a lie,” the former Port Adelaide star said on AFL Trade Radio.

“Kozzie Pickett has perhaps been telling Melbourne that he loves Melbourne, but he’s been telling a lot of other people that he’s pretty keen to get his way out of Melbourne.

“Clubs certainly in South Australia believes that Kozzie Pickett is gettable. It won’t be this trade period but certainly this time next year, the talk around Kozzie Pickett will ramp up.

“So perhaps he’s naive in that or perhaps he’s spinning his way out of it, but there’s certainly some uncertainty about Kozzie Pickett’s future at Melbourne with where he sees his long-term future.

“So I’m going to call that one out.”

‘You’re kidding?’: Bombers star’s huge comeback news

Essendon cult hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is reportedly considering a comeback with Fremantle.

The revelation headlines a huge series of trade news updates that have emerged on Tuesday.

Bombers legend Matthew Lloyd on Tuesday morning told AFL Trade Radio the small forward is considering moving to Western Australia to return to football — just four months after he announced his immediate retirement in the middle of the 2022 season.

Lloyd said Essendon is hoping to have McDonald-Tipungwuti return to the club, but Fremantle is expected to win the battle for his signature.

“A bit of news, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was in the room despite retiring earlier in the year and he is contemplating a return back to football to play AFL next year,” Lloyd told AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.

“Essendon are very keen for him to re-join Essendon, but leading the race to have Anthony next year is the Fremantle Dockers.

“Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is considering a move to Western Australia to play for Fremantle if he does decide he’s going to put the work in and play AFL football again.

“Both the Bombers would like him to play and Fremantle leading the race currently.

“I think for Anthony, his lifestyle and everything, he’s had a fair bit going on. I think it’s the environment he needs and if he feels it’s best to leave Victoria, well, I’d be comfortable with that.”

Tex Wanganeen and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti. Photo by Michael Klein.

His retirement at the age of 29 shocked the football world in May — and the news of his comeback was just as shocking for footy pundit Kane Cornes, who responded to Lloyd’s report by saying: “You’re kidding?”

Bomber star makes official request to leave

Essendon defender Aaron Francis has submitted a request to be traded following reports the Swans are ready to make a trade for the former No. 5 draft pick.

According to AFL journalist Mitch Cleary, Francis’ move to Sydney will likely see the Swans hand over a third round draft pick.

First official deals drop

The first deal of the 2022 AFL Trade Period on Monday saw Bobby Hill leaving the Giants for Collingwood.

The clubs agreed to let Hill leave in exchange for a future second round draft pick.

Hill is one of many star players Collingwood is chasing with the club also linked to Tom Mitchell, Brayden Fiorini, Sam Hayes and Dan McStay.

More moves dropped on Monday afternoon with Tim Taranto joining Richmond on a long-term deal from the GWS Giants. The Giants will receive picks 12 and 19 in return.

Unrestricted Melbourne defender Jayden Hunt is officially going West to join the Eagles with the Demons set to receive pick 52 in return.

Earlier, Carlton on Monday announced star forward Harry McKay has agreed to a seven-year extension.

North Melbourne will fight Port Adelaide on Horne-Francis trade

The biggest story has been North Melbourne young gun Jason Horne-Francis’s bombshell request to move to Port Adelaide.

The Kangaroos on Monday updated their stance on the No. 1 draft pick’s request to leave the club after just 12 months.

North Melbourne list manager Brady Rawlings said on Monday the club would demand Port Adelaide’s top pick (No. 8) at this year’s draft and the club’s future first round pick if it was to agree to let Horne-Francis move. He said the club may even want more than that.

The trade action was running hot on Monday.

“It was disappointing when the request came through,” Rawlings said.

“We have invested a lot in this player, pick one last year. We knocked back a lot of currency to take him with pick one. We hoped he would serve out his career at North Melbourne.”

Leading footy journalist Damian Barrett reported on AFL Trade Radio on Monday afternoon Kangaroos officials believe the timing of the request is partly motivated by the uncertainty surrounding coach Alastair Clarkson’s future.

There is plenty more drama playing out.

Here are all the biggest trade dramas playing out

— Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell's potential move to Collingwood remains in limbo. Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie said on Monday: “Tom is a contracted player at this point in time and that is where it sits at this time. There has been some interest from Collingwood”.

— Fremantle has dug its heels in further about refusing to let Rory Lobb leave the club. The ruckman’s trade request was rejected by Fremantle having reportedly asked for a trade to the Western Bulldogs.

Fremantle recruitment boss David Walls said on AFL Trade Radio: “We’ve got every intention of keeping Rory… our position hasn’t changed. He’s contracted, guys that are 207cms, kick two goals a game and go into the ruck are that rare. We’ve got a young tall forward line so he’s crucial to us. I don’t see a way in which we’re trading Rory.”

— Suns star Izak Rankine’s move to the Crows took another step forward with Channel 7’s Theo Doropoulos reporting Gold Coast list boss Craig Cameron met with Adelaide recruitment boss Justin Reid surrounding a trade which would see the Crows trade the No. 5 overall draft pick for the talented forward.

— Gold Coast star Jack Bowes is being heavily chased by a number of Victorian clubs. The former top-10 draft pick, who is contracted for two more seasons, is looking for a new club after being given permission by the Suns to explore his options elsewhere. The Suns have put Bowes and the club’s No. 7 draft pick in the shopping window as part of the team’s salary cap space dump. Geelong is reported to be the front-runner, while Hawthorn, Essendon and St Kilda have previously been linked. Those teams would be required to offer a draft pick in exchange for taking on the reported $1.6 million left on Bowes’ contract in exchange for the prized No. 7 pick.

Chris Fagan with Daniel McStay. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

— With the Brodie Grundy and Luke Jackson dominoes set to fall, Collingwood is set to pick up Brisbane Lions star Dan McStay, who officially told the club last week he wants to leave.

McStay, 27, has been linked for several months with a move to the Magpies, who have reportedly offered him a five-year deal worth $650,000 per season.

— Sharp shooter Jack Gunston has officially told Hawthorn he expects to move to Brisbane through free agency. According to reports, Hawthorn had offered Gunston a two-year extension, but he rejected it in order to link up with Brisbane.

— Josh Dunkley’s move to the Lions is far from finished. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge on Wednesday night said the Lions will have to “pony up” in any trade deal. Dunkley has officially requested to be traded to the Lions. The Bulldogs have previously demanded two first-round draft picks in exchange for letting Dunkley walk out the door. The Lions will reportedly need two first round picks to snap up talents Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher at the 2022 national draft — and do not appear to have the ammunition required to satisfy the Bulldogs as things stand.