Moneyball AFL trade news: What’s pick 1 worth? Hawks target forwards, Port gun attracting interest

One of the leading suitors for free agent Ben McKay has gone cold on the North Melbourne defender, leaving his future beyond 2023 in jeopardy. Plus, latest trade gossip from around the AFL.

Carlton has gone cold on North Melbourne free agent Ben McKay as it attempts to sign Tom De Koning through to free agency.

The Blues love the intercept power of McKay but believe Lewis Young has great promise and like many clubs are worried about the durability of the Roos free agent.

De Koning will play VFL this week as he comes back from a concussion but will need to dislodge Marc Pittonet as a ruckman or Jack Silvagni as a third forward to get back into the team.

Both Pittonet and De Koning are managed by Connors Sports - and are out of contract - which could have created difficulties.

But Pittonet is about to ramp up contract talks being worked on only by Paul Connors while De Koning’s talks are being handled by partner Robbie D’Orazio.

The Blues pitch to De Koning will be that a two-year deal of around $600,000 would get him through to free agency, where he could then command a bigger contract.

VIC CLUBS HAVE EYES ON PORT YOUNG GUN

Port Adelaide playmaker Miles Bergman has attracted rival interest as he weighs up a contract extension with the Power.

The 189cm athletic defender is on the radar of several Victorian clubs after an encouraging start to the season averaging 16 disposals across eight games.

It looms as an important year for the Sandringham product who was affected by shoulder problems and illness in his second season which limited him to only 10 games.

But the 21-year-old has become a regular under Ken Hinkley this year providing some power and flexibility across half back.

Miles Bergman is impressing for the Power. Picture: Getty Images

The man taken with pick 14 in the 2019 national draft is in no rush to make a decision on his future as the Power prepare to make a key decision on the future of Hinkley in the back end of the year.

Bergman is expected to attract offers from several Victorian clubs if he has not made a commitment by the end of the season.

Power would likely ask for a first-round draft pick in any deal for Bergman, although the club is adamant it wants to keep the playmaker.

Port is likely to feature prominently in the exchange period as it hunts another prime key defender such as free agent Ben McKay or Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea.

CLARK ON TRACK TO STAY A SAINT

A remarkable turnaround in fortunes in the first two months of 2023 has put St Kilda’s Hunter Clark on track to win a new deal in the coming months to stay at Moorabbin.

While any commitment would likely still be some time off, Clark is thriving on the challenges being set for him from new coach Ross Lyon and midfield coach Lenny Hayes after a frustrating past few seasons.

It is understood he would be keen to stay, despite almost joining the Kangaroos last summer.

It was only North Melbourne’s inability to give up a quality pick for Clark last trade period that kept him in a Saints jumper.

Hunter Clark looks likely to be re-signed if he keeps his form up. Picture: Getty Images

A deal between the two clubs could not be reached and he was left to see out the final year of his current deal with St Kilda.

But the versatile 24-year-old - who was pick 7 in the 2017 draft - has played eight games in a row this season, the first time he has done that since 2021.

This was always going to be a crucial season for Clark, as he sought to get some continuity in his football after playing only 13 games in 2021 and eight last season due to injuries including a broken jaw, an AC joint issue and a facial fracture.

Clark has averaged 22.9 disposals per game this season, which includes 9.5 contested possessions, 3.6 stoppages and 3.5 tackles.

HUGE PRICE CLUBS WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REID

Clubs offering three first-round picks for the certain No.1 pick Harley Reid will have to up their offer according to AFL recruiters.

Melbourne is one club that attempted to get up in the draft order with a massive pick haul last year and is expected to again try to secure the No.1 overall pick.

But a more realistic offer to secure Reid would be three top 10 picks, which would be a bigger trade package than the Blues gave up for Chris Judd.

While the Demons have Fremantle’s first-round pick (currently pick 7) their first-round pick is at 17 and their future first-rounder would be tipped to land somewhere in the late teens too.

Harley Reid is expected to go at pick 1. Picture: Getty Images

Clubs offering up three first-rounders for the No.1 pick that secured Jason Horne-Francis asked for picks back including the Roos’ second-rounder that fell at 19.

Reid is considered such a certain star, helped by strong performances in the VFL for Carlton in recent weeks, that any deal would need to be seen as a massive win by the club giving away the No.1 overall pick.

Hawthorn is the current wooden spooner with one win and a percentage of 61.6, with West Coast in 17th win a solitary win and a percentage of 63.3.

Carlton gave up Josh Kennedy (a former pick 4), pick 3 and 20 for Judd and pick 46 (Dennis Armfield).

CAT UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

Brandan Parfitt has rival suitors who would aggressively chase the clearance specialist if he continued to be starved of midfield opportunities.

But Parfitt is determined to win back his spot in the Geelong side and could get his chance as early as this week given Patrick Dangerfield’s hamstring injury.

Parfitt came into the Geelong side as the sub for the grand final when the Cats decided against risking Max Holmes and kicked a late goal.

Since then he had played only 58 minutes in round 1 and 53 minutes against West Coast in round 5.

Parfitt kicking a goal after coming on as the sub in the grand final. Picture: David Caird

He showed in his second season he could play as a goal-a-game half forward and then became a stoppage expert playing 23 games in 2021 and 17 in 2020.

But with the Cats recruiting midfielders Jhye Clark, Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes and giving Holmes more chances as an inside mid it remains to be seen whether the Cats can squeeze him into their first-choice team.

He won 21 possessions in only a half in the VFL on Sunday with the Cats restricting his minutes given Dangerfield’s injury the previous day.

The Cats have been thrilled with his determination to work on his game rather than drop his bottom lip at his lack of chances.

Contracted to the end of next year, the 25-year-old will not consider rival offers but if his opportunities do not improve across the year that situation might change.

Chad Wingard has struggled to stay on the park in his time at Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Images

HAWK TALK

Hawthorn will look to make improvements in its forward half when it approaches this year’s trade and draft period.

The Hawks have focused on the midfield in recent years but are expected to look to players to add to their attacking setup at season’s end.

The club remains open to a new deal on veteran forward Chad Wingard, but there are no guarantees he will stay at Waverley.

A decision on his future is expected late in the year, pending an assessment of his injury issues.

The club is keen to keep veteran defender Jarman Impey.

Impey, 27, and Wingard, 29, are out of contract this year.

Originally published as Moneyball AFL trade news: What’s pick 1 worth? Hawks target forwards, Port gun attracting interest