Karl Amon is unlikely to be with Port Adelaide in 2023.
The 26-year-old is expected to return to Victoria when his Power contract expires at the conclusion of the current season.
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey suggests it is inevitable that Amon will leave Alberton this trade period, with Hawthorn the front-runner for his signature.
“I think it is (inevitable he leaves),” Twomey said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“I think everyone has been pretty mature about that one and have been clear from the outset that it’s heading that way.
“Obviously Victorian suitors have been all over Karl as a free agent throughout this year.
“The most interesting part now is one, where he goes, and Hawthorn has been right in that race throughout the season. That looks like a possible destination, definitely.
“The second part of it is the compensation pick that comes back Port Adelaide’s way and what that might be.”
Twomey speculated about what the Power can expect in return for Amon.
He added: “Is it an end of first round? Is it an early second? Could it be any higher than that?
“I think the deal is going to be pretty good where he lands. I’m really fascinated to see where that one pops up.
“But I think for Port Adelaide fans, it will be the last few weeks we see Karl Amon at the club.”
Specifically speaking about the compensation, Twomey gave some insight into the factors at play when coming up with the reimbursement for a club.
“There’s age factor, there’s money factor, there’s tenure, it’s how long it is - there’s a whole mix of numbers that goes into the pot and spits out the picks,” Twomey said further.
“It will be pretty close but I’m not sure if it will tick over to that first-round pick. It’s going to be really close if that was the number.
“Joe Daniher was a first-round pick for the Bombers a couple of years ago and that was a three-year deal at about $750-800k. That’s the highest echelon and there’s been examples of where it’s been a bit lower than that.
“Brandon Ellis went to the Gold Coast on a five-year deal of $600k and they got a second-round pick, so there is some variance there.”
Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch may also be on the move.
The 27-year-old is contracted with the Crows until the end of 2023, but it appears as though he is surplus to requirements at West Lakes.
Twomey wonders where Crouch could end up, suggesting there may be more interest in the 2017 All-Australian and Malcolm Blight Medallist this year than there was in 2021.
“I don’t know where that club is at the moment,” he said.
“He’s definitely open to a move and last year definitely was looking around to see what options there were for him, and none were really forthcoming.
“He signed a pretty decent and fair deal for two years at the Crows, but now a year after that, I think clubs are seeing more evidence to suggest that you can go and grab Crouch this time around.
“Last time there were so many injury concerns about his body, he hadn’t played much with that groin injury throughout 2021.
“The market for inside midfielders is an interesting one because clubs only need one or two in their team and then they’re happy.
“There might be a situation deeper into the trade period where clubs are looking and think he can do the job for them over the next couple of years.”
And what is Crouch worth on the open market?
“I would say somewhere around a third-round pick would probably be the mark, second or third,” he said.
“He hasn’t been playing, he’s been dropped a number of times and the Crows have prioritised some of their younger midfielders.
“He’s an All-Australian, a best and fairest winner, has never been unable to knock up finding the ball, but when you’re not playing a player in your side in the first place, and he’s in and out of the side, it cheapens the value as well.”
Crouch has played 11 AFL games under Matthew Nicks this season and has spent several weeks playing in the SANFL this year.
He was most recently dropped from the senior side prior to last weekend’s loss to Collingwood.