THREE clubs eye ruck with star poised to join Freo; Port adds fringe Cat to wishlist: Trade Whispers

With Melbourne young star Luke Jackson poised to join Fremantle, a Dockers ruckman has attracted interest from a rival trio — including Jackson’s Demons.

Plus Port Adelaide has added another player to its wishlist.

Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

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THREE CLUBS EYE RUCK AS JACKSON FIRMS FOR FREO

A trio of clubs are circling fringe Dockers ruck Lloyd Meek, reports AFL Media, with Fremantle still the likely landing spot for Luke Jackson next season.

Despite speculation the narrative around Jackson’s future had swung and he was now more likely to stay at the Demons, Footy Classified host Sam McClure declared Jackson “will end up at Fremantle”.

“He’s basically committed to them on a long-term deal, which I believe to be seven years,” McClure told Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“There have been people at Melbourne, even this week, that think he could change his mind. But I’d be ready to take that to the bank that he’ll be a Fremantle player by the end of the trade period.”

With Jackson heavily linked to a move home to WA and Sean Darcy becoming the Dockers’ No. 1 ruck over recent seasons, Meek has attracted interest from several rival clubs.

AFL Media reported the Demons, Eagles and Giants had all shown interest in Meek, who’s contracted to Fremantle until at least the end of the 2023 season.

The report indicated the Dockers, who are set to lose Rory Lobb to the Western Bulldogs, remain keen to retain Meek, despite the prospect of landing Jackson.

Meek, who was selected by the Dockers with Pick 69 in the 2017 draft, has managed just 15 AFL games for Fremantle. He faced the Giants in Round 23 but was dropped to the WAFL where he dominated last weekend, booting three goals from 22 disposals, six marks and 29 hit-outs for Peel Thunder.

PORT ADDS FRINGE CAT TO TRADE WISHLIST

Port Adelaide has added another player to its trade wishlist with fringe Cat Francis Evans on the South Australian club’s radar, reports The Advertiser.

The Power have made approaches to Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley and Eagles forward Junior Rioli, who are both now weighing up their respective options.

But the Power are also reportedly circling Evans, who’s played just seven AFL games since joining the stacked Geelong list.

The Advertiser reported Port was keen to add small forwards to its list following the retirements of Robbie Gray and Steven Motlop.

And, according to Champion Data, the Power were ranked 17th for goals from small forwards this year.

Evans in 2019 soared into draft calculations after booting 21 goals in five VAFA matches for Brunswick. He then linked up with the Calder Cannons and played one-and-a-half games, before picking up a heel injury that required season-ending surgery.

But that was enough of a sample size for Stephen Wells and the Cats to take an interest in Evans, who was taken by Geelong with Pick 41.