The AFL Finals series has only two games remaining as the trade period looms on the horizon.
With less than a month until it gets underway, SEN’s Chief Sports Reporter Sam Edmund broke down the most compelling trade storylines that are currently dominating AFL headlines.
Edmund also named Rory Lobb’s response to Fremantle denying his trade request and the potential flurry of activity up at Gold Coast as potentially significant storylines for October.
See Edmund’s breakdown below:
Luke Jackson (Melbourne)
“Luke Jackson, who this week confirmed the worst kept secret in the game that he wants to return home to WA,” Edmund told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“West Coast are saying they won’t trade pick two, they’ve also got (pick) 20, Fremantle have pick 13 and bugger all else as things stand.
“There’s every expectation that he gets to the Dockers, and as West Coast have said, they need to actually sit down with Jackson first, to see whether he actually wants to come to them.
“The fact they (West Coast) are not willing to part with pick two, as list manager Rohan O’Brien said, I’m not sure what else gets it done, perhaps there’s a split of two, if Jackson was willing to play for the Eagles, I don’t expect it would get to that.
“I think the footy world would be absolutely shocked if he nominated West Coast, we’re convinced he is going to join Fremantle.”
Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs)
“Now that Brisbane is out of the (finals) equation all the hurdles that could be in front of this decision have now been removed.
“An announcement is due early next week here, so the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide, Brisbane all in the mix, he’s not a free agent, he needs to be traded for.
“He’s never been one to rush a decision either, so his situation is absolutely fascinating as it all unfolds.
“Extrapolate it out, there’s a bit happening at the Dogs in terms of potential departures as well. That’s headlined by Josh Dunkley but also Hayden Crozier, (who is) contracted but looking around for other opportunities and if there is one, he’ll be off. Josh Schache, no deal for him, (he has) been kicking bags in the VFL. Zaine Cordy does have an offer but hasn’t signed it so perhaps he’s off as well. Jason Johannisen is now more likely to stay given the Suns have moved on to Ben Long who has requested a trade up there.”
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
“Jack Gunston will next week make a call, and like Dunkley has heavy interest from Brisbane. He’s a free agent and would be a very nice replacement for Dan McStay who is of course joining Collingwood.
“He bounced back from that back problem, 32 (goals) 24 (behinds) from 16 games this year.
“It’s a 50/50 call (if he will stay)…he has had the offer from Hawthorn for some time but he’s held off on signing that and we know that Brisbane have tabled an indicative offer for him.
“At the moment he just has a choice to make, he requested some more time for next week, so that’s one that he has been sitting on, Brisbane or staying put at Hawthorn.”
Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
“Kozzie Pickett, the Port (Adelaide) interest is real and strong, but it might also need to be long.
“Kozzie told the Demons at his exit interview that he’s excited about spending 2023 at the club, but that is the final year of his contract, now he has held off on signing an extension, Melbourne would love to get him to do that, he hasn’t done that.
“Maybe a watch for next year, we know Port are bringing in Junior Rioli and perhaps the second-round compensation pick they get for Karl Amon makes that happen.”