Ralphy’s trade wrap: Ben McKay tours Hawthorn, Power circle Ivan Soldo
With an offer of up to six years on the table, Essendon is the favourite to land free agent Ben McKay – but will his tour of a Victorian rival’s headquarters change things?
Hawthorn made a strong pitch to North Melbourne free agent Ben McKay at their Waverley Park headquarters on Saturday as the key back closes in on a decision on his future.
Essendon are seen as the favourites for McKay but all three suitors — the Dons, Hawthorn and Sydney — have put in financial offers which would secure first-round compensation for North Melbourne.
The Roos will secure picks two and three, with clubs now believing they could secure a mid-first round pick from the AFL at pick 11 — after the non-finalists — to help preserve the draft order which will be impacted by academy and free agency picks.
They could then decide to select Tasmanian mid Ryley Sanders with an early selection without the league having to break its own rules to link him to the Roos.
Essendon is reported to have offered McKay a pitch which was as long as six years with indications he might also have a seven-year offer from a rival club.
Port’s premiership ruckman play
Port Adelaide is likely to pursue another ruckman to help support new acquisition Jordon Sweet, with clubs believing they are keen on Richmond’s Ivan Soldo.
Sweet has been offered a three-year deal by the Power, but free agent Scott Lycett could depart and there is uncertainty about backups Brynn Teakle and Sam Hayes.
The Power will already have to find draft picks to secure trades for Sweet, Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
But with Sweet having played 11 games across his entire career the Power cannot go into next year with Sweet as their No. 1 ruckman.
Soldo rebuffed the Dogs two years ago to sign a three-year deal to 2024 but would be the clear No. 1 ruck at the Power.
As part of the ruck merry-go-round, Kieren Briggs’ emergence as a star means Giants free agent Matt Flynn could depart for West Coast.
Giants ruck Flynn has extremely strong interest from the Eagles who would like to team him up with fellow ruckman Bailey Williams.
The retirement of Nic Naitanui means West Coast are keen to bolster their ruck department but they are determined not to hand over early draft picks.
Flynn, 26, ranked elite for hit-outs to advantage and averaged 88 ranking points in eight games before Briggs took his spot and completely dominated the ruck position.
Will Dunkley deal hurt Dogs’ trade bid?
The Western Bulldogs will step up their chase for a back-up ruckman as they assess Brisbane forward Kai Lohmann’s willingness to return to Victoria after only two seasons at the Lions.
Lohmann’s season is over after breaking his collarbone in the VFL with the No. 20 draft pick from the 2021 draft still considering his future.
The Dogs would be interested in him joining them although their fractious trade negotiations with Brisbane over Josh Dunkley might prove a complicating factor.
Tim English will again lead the ruck next year with Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb as back-up so the Dogs are still considering whether they need a fourth ruck given Darcy has proved injury-prone.
The Dogs might be prepared to offer picks 10, 17 and a future first-rounder to secure the No. 4 overall selection from Gold Coast.
They are in the box seat, with GWS having cooled on a bid to get up the order to pick 4 given their own first-rounder has now blown out to at least 14.
Melbourne free agent set to explore his options
The Demons were on Monday counting the cost of their latest straight-sets exit, with Brodie Grundy completing his exit interview ahead of a certain trade.
Melbourne’s unrestricted free agent James Jordon seems destined to explore his free agency options, having secured that status when delisted and relisted in 2020.
St Kilda is one likely suitor, with Gold Coast not expected to pursue him despite recent reports given its midfield depth.
If Jordon did find his way to the Saints it would diminish any free agency compensation if Jade Gresham departed on a significant deal, with Essendon a strong suitor.
The Demons are also open to James Harmes exploring a new home.
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