AFL trade: Port Adelaide and Essendon meet over Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Xavier Duursma deal

Despite Essendon being prepared to keep Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, the young defender has made clear there’s no way he’ll be a Bomber next year as the Power juggle a quartet of trade options.

Essendon and Port Adelaide have finally met for meaningful discussions over their deal involving Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Xavier Duursma as the Dons defender made clear he would not return to the Bombers.

The Power still has as many as four deals to close in the final days of trade period, as Richmond’s Ivan Soldo requests a trade but the Tigers hold firm on the contracted ruckman.

Geelong is still steadfast that it needs more than pick 25 for intercept defender Esava Ratugolea, while the Power should be able to satisfy the Western Bulldogs with a later pick for ruckman Jordon Sweet.

But after a week of little to no talks on a deal for Zerk-Thatcher, Dons list manager Adrian Dodoro and Power list boss Jason Cripps met on Monday to outline their demands.

The Herald Sun revealed on Sunday Essendon was prepared to try to keep full back Zerk-Thatcher and was keen for a straight swap with Power wingman Duursma.

But Zerk-Thatcher’s camp has made clear to Essendon that is not an option given he is uncontracted.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is adamant he won’t stay at Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

He would be prepared to put himself in the pre-season draft and try to navigate a rocky path to the Power, as complicated as that would be given their high ladder finish.

He would need to put a price on his head to dissuade rival clubs from taking him.

Port Adelaide and Essendon had both been adamant their player was the more highly valued element of the trade, with the Power still keen for the Dons to hand over a later pick as well as Zerk-Thatcher.

But Port Adelaide does have some leverage because Duursma is contracted for next season.

It means there is still a possibility, however remote, that he would stay at the Power next year and Ken Hinkley would find a way to secure Zerk-Thatcher through the pre-season draft.

If the Dons were eventually prepared to hand over a late future pick as well as Zerk-Thatcher, it would give the Power another selection to help add to their trade package for Ratugolea.

At this stage they are not prepared to consider handing over a later pick but the fact both parties have outlined their demands is a step forward.

Xavier Duursma is no certainty to get to the Bombers. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Richmond’s Soldo battled plantar fascia issues early in the season but after a trio of VFL games mid-year he played seven late-season games in the senior side.

Most of those were alongside co-captain Toby Nankervis, with Richmond stressing to Soldo he has a long-term future at the club despite his demand to get to the Power.

Port Adelaide has picks 25, 41 and 49, and has its own second-round pick and the Fremantle second-round pick next year.

So the Power could offer a 2024 second-rounder for Soldo but at this stage Richmond is adamant it will keep him, even if he departs as an unrestricted free agent next year.

Originally published as AFL trade: Port Adelaide and Essendon meet over Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Xavier Duursma deal