A six-club “super mega deal” was in the works to set the final days of the trade period alight, but fell over at a key hurdle – which could yet be solved.
Seven initially reported the existence of the so-called “super mega deal” late last week while AFL Media reported much more detail on Sunday evening.
Brisbane, GWS, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, West Coast and by extension Hawthorn would have been involved.
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But it fell apart when the Power were told they could not trade their future first and second-round picks away due to rules around teams needing to keep a certain number of future selections.
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The deal would have seen the following moves:
BRISBANE
Out: Pick 36
In: Jack Gunston, pick 43
GWS GIANTS
Out: Picks 3 and 12
In: Pick 1
HAWTHORN
Out: Jack Gunston
In: Pick 40
NORTH MELBOURNE
Out: Jason Horne-Francis, pick 1, Freo’s future third-round pick
In: Picks 2, 3, 33, 53, Port’s future first-round pick
PORT ADELAIDE
Out: Picks 8, 33, 43 and 53, future first-round and second-round picks
In: Jason Horne-Francis, Junior Rioli, pick 36
WEST COAST
Out: Junior Rioli, picks 2 and 40
In: Picks 8 and 12, Port’s future second-round pick, Freo’s future third-round pick
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Elements of the deal could still take place and if the Power trade in a future first or second-round pick, could even be completed as above, since they would then not be breaking AFL trade rules.
GWS is keen on pick 1 to land key forward prospect Aaron Cadman with North Melbourne interested in him, but also in players other than Cadman and Will Ashcroft (who’ll get a bid at the top of the order, to be matched by Brisbane).
In effect they would be willing to give up Cadman for two shots at the rest of the draft pool.
