AFL trade period day four: Adam Saad deal hits stalemate plus latest news

Adam Saad's requested move to Essendon has hit a stalemate as the Bombers reject multiple Carlton offers for the rebounding defender. Plus the latest on Josh Dunkley, Orazio Fantasia and Jack Higgins.

Adam Saad is growing more resolute by the day he will never return to Essendon as the Bombers and Carlton haggle over a fair price to get a deal done for the running half back.

Carlton is unwilling to hand over its No.8 pick as the only part of a trade, but has thrown up a range of possibilities to satisfy Essendon.

The Blues would ideally part with pick 8 and their 2021 third-round pick, but accept Essendon’s future second-round pick in return. The Herald Sun understands Carlton would alternatively hand over its future first round selection, or split its No.8 pick and hand the Dons a mid-teens selection in this draft.

Essendon is only prepared to accept pick 8 and hand the Blues back a late selection in the 60s or 70s, or broker a deal that involves it taking Carlton’s future first-round pick.

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell contacted Saad recently and made clear he was keen for him to reconsider his request to leave. But Saad is growing increasingly impatient about the stalemate, having given the Dons ample opportunities to re-sign him during the season.

He is also less than impressed about the leaks regarding him being unprepared to play lockdown defence at Essendon. He was inundated with text messages from senior teammates who told him they had no issues with his playing style.

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Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro has multiple deals that are all interlinked at the moment as he tries to land Jye Caldwell, Peter Wright and Josh Dunkley. But he remains confident he will be able to orchestrate most of those deals, with the Dogs' asking price of two first-round picks for Dunkley the biggest worry.

If Dodoro accepted pick 8 with the 2021 pick swap for Saad  he could go on with the business of nailing the Dunkley deal, potentially splitting that selection for two later picks he could use.

Adam Saad is in limbo after requesting a trade to Carlton.

Port Adelaide continues to play hard ball with the Bombers over the Orazio Fantasia trade, willing to hand over pick 29 but not a first-round selection. The Power made clear to Fantasia and his management when they entertained a trade they would use their second-round pick, but nothing more for the talented half forward.

Essendon is asking for a first-round pick or a pick no worse than 20, but the Power are prepared to walk away if the Dons request becomes too outrageous. They are now trying to find a future second pick for Fantasia.

The Power needs to retain points for top-12 selection Lachie Jones, and also have father son Jase Burgoyne, son of Peter, in next year’s national draft.

They are also increasingly confident they can secure Aliir Aliir from Sydney, having offered a four-year deal for a player who wants to return to his rebounding role.

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Originally published as AFL trade period day four: Adam Saad deal hits stalemate plus latest news