By Marc McGowan
Two clubs are at the centre of what is shaping as an intriguing trade period and are set to play a major role in the fortunes of a series of Melbourne rivals.
Four Victorian clubs – St Kilda, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne – plus West Coast are trying to prise breakout midfielder James Peatling from GWS, while Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies conceded on Thursday the Magpies now led the race for Harry Perryman.
Man in demand: Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston.Credit: AFL Photos
Another GWS player, Isaac Cumming, has already announced he will exercise his unrestricted free agency rights to sign with Adelaide, while first-round pick Conor Stone, Xavier O’Halloran and little-known swingman Wade Derksen are also on rivals’ radars.
The Power are annual movers and shakers in the player movement period, and contracted back-to-back All-Australian Dan Houston’s wish to return to Melbourne is the biggest potential deal this year.
Carlton and North Melbourne lead a long list of Houston suitors, which might again include the Demons, but need to convince the star defender they can stump up enough to get a deal done. Houston, who is contracted through to the 2028 season, says he is willing to stay at Alberton if a trade can’t be arranged.
At least one first-round pick will be required, and Port would prefer that to be in this year’s strong and deep draft, although the Blues and Roos want to use their top selections, which are at 11 and two, respectively.
Gold Coast’s top selection – No.12 – is in play, and a potential key to unlocking the Houston trade, given the Suns will trade it, as they will match a bid on academy prospect Leo Lombard, who is projected to be taken just before or around that.
Brisbane will also move their top pick, which is No.18, because they will match bids on father-son gun Levi Ashcroft and academy prospect Sam Marshall.
Port have already secured Sun Jack Lukosius’ trade commitment, will offload Ivan Soldo – likely to St Kilda – and are trying to pinch Joe Richards from Collingwood.
They also have a young forward in Ollie Lord who has Melbourne clubs interested, too, but Charlie Dixon’s retirement and Todd Marshall’s concussion issues mean they are reluctant to let him go.
Harry Perryman wants more midfield time.Credit: Getty Images
Perryman wants more midfield time, which is unlikely to occur at the Giants, and his free agency offers are audacious enough for him to almost certainly depart.
Peatling, who burst to life late in the season as a midfielder, looms as a different story. GWS added a third year to their offer ahead of their heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Brisbane before Peatling and his agent, Winston Rous, met with Melbourne suitors in the past week.
There is more confidence at the Giants of him staying than Perryman, whose decision appears intrinsically linked to Stone’s future.
Stone was the No.15 pick out of the Oakleigh Chargers four years ago, but has only 13 games to his name and never more than five in one season.
However, Cumming’s departure, which will likely be followed by Perryman, presents a big opportunity for Stone, who performed strongly at both ends of the ground in the VFL, but looms as a half-back/winger-type in 2025.
Derksen, who has not played a senior game since being a mid-season draft selection two years ago, has requested a trade, but is contracted until the end of 2025. Melbourne, who need key position help at both ends, are the most interested in him.
O’Halloran, who has caught the Bulldogs’ eye, also has a year left on his contract, meaning the Giants do not have to — and so far, are unwilling to — trade either him or Derksen.
Nick Haynes, an All-Australian four years ago and now in the twilight of his career, will exercise his unrestricted free agency rights to sign with Carlton.
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