By Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan
Carlton midfielder Paddy Dow has formally requested a trade to St Kilda after six seasons and 73 games at the Blues ahead of Monday’s start of trade period.
The 23-year-old, who was drafted to Carlton with pick No.3 by current Saints list boss Stephen Silvagni in 2017, fought his way back into the midfield this season after outstanding VFL form but could not hold his spot for the Blues’ three finals.
Paddy Dow (left) and Zac Fisher (right) are both expected to change clubs during the trade period. Credit: Getty Images
The Saints had their eye on Dow from midway through the season and despite some late interest from Sydney he told the Blues of his decision ahead of the club’s best and fairest count on Sunday night as he seeks more opportunity.
A source with knowledge of Dow’s decision, who was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed he wanted to join the Saints, who are likely to lose Jade Gresham to Essendon as a restricted free agent.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein will officially become a Bomber on Monday in one of the first orders of business to begin trade period after 315 games with the Kangaroos. In the past 13 years the durable 35-year-old has not played fewer than 19 games in a season other than the shortened 2020 season, when he played all 17.
The veteran has declared his intent to get to Essendon and that free agency move will be formalised as the regular player trade window opens with Goldstein’s unrestricted free agency status meaning the Kangaroos can’t match a rival bid. The Kangaroos are expected to trade in Carlton’s Zac Fisher and Sydney’s Dylan Stephens.
The Bombers will also begin further talks with Port Adelaide after Brandon Zerk-Thatcher requested a trade home to Adelaide for family reasons. The Bombers have some interest in Port midfielder Xavier Duursma and may try to include him in any deal for Zerk-Thatcher if they decide to make him an offer. Port Adelaide are also looking to trade in Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea and the Western Bulldogs’ Jordon Sweet.
The Taylor Adams request for a trade to Sydney means the Swans will become one of the key players of the week as they trade heavily for mature talent as they plunge on still being in the premiership window.
Sydney will seek a deal for Adams, most likely a future draft pick, and for Adams’ former Collingwood teammate Brodie Grundy. The Grundy deal is likely to be for a relatively modest draft pick given the Swans are likely to take over most, if not all, of Grundy’s remaining contract with Melbourne that runs out at the end of 2027.
Todd Goldstein (right) and Nick Bryan will be teammates at Essendon next season.Credit: Getty Images
The Swans have also offered Dockers defender Joel Hamling a two-year deal with the Bulldogs 2016 premiership defender to join his fourth club as a free agent.
Melbourne meanwhile will speak with Adelaide over forward Shane McAdam who has asked for a trade to the Demons. Melbourne has already ruled out involving utility Harrison Petty, who is originally from South Australia, in any of those trade talks.
The Demons have already lost James Jordon to Sydney as an unrestricted free agent and received pick 39 in compensation. That level of compensation, along with the end-of-second-round pick (selection 40) for GWS ruckman Matt Flynn who has moved to West Coast on a three-year deal, has surprised clubs.
This year presents as a unique window for high free agency compensation as players are being offered contracts for next year and beyond based on the 10 per cent salary cap increase under the new collective bargaining agreement (salaries go up 37 per cent during the life of the new CBA), but the new higher salary cap for 2024 is not factored into the AFL calculation for the free agency compensation as it was signed so late.
The compensation North Melbourne receive for Ben McKay is expected to be a talking point.Credit: AFL Photos
This may impact on the compensation North Melbourne receive for losing Ben McKay to Essendon and Adelaide receive for losing Tom Doedee to the Brisbane Lions. The Kangaroos are prepared to match McKay’s deal if they do not receive first-round compensation, which equates to pick three, for losing him. Both McKay and Doedee, who is recovering from a knee reconstruction, are restricted free agents, meaning clubs can match bids in an attempt to force a trade.
Gold Coast will meet with Hawthorn over a trade for contracted key forward and second ruck Mabior Chol, who has two more years to run on his contract but has been squeezed out of the senior team. The Hawks have offered him a four-year, $2 million contract, according to an industry source familiar with his contract but not authorised to speak publicly.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn will talk with Richmond about a deal for out-of-contract fringe forward Jacob Koschitzke, who has asked to be traded to the Tigers.
Trade period ends on Wednesday, October 18.
LIKELY FREE AGENCY MOVES
Todd Goldstein – North Melbourne to Essendon
Ben McKay – North Melbourne to Essendon
Tom Doedee – Adelaide to Brisbane Lions
POTENTIAL TRADES
Brodie Grundy – Melbourne to Sydney
Mabior Chol – Gold Coast to Hawthorn
Shane McAdam – Adelaide to Melbourne
Esava Ratugolea – Geelong to Port Adelaide
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher – Essendon to Port Adelaide
Jordon Sweet – Western Bulldogs to Port Adelaide
Liam Henry – Fremantle to St Kilda
Paddy Dow – Carlton to St Kilda
Dylan Stephens – Sydney to North Melbourne
Zac Fisher – Carlton to North Melbourne
Nick Coffield – St Kilda to Western Bulldogs
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