Essendon’s reported asking price of a first-round pick for Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has come under fire by the footy world.
The Herald Sun reports Essendon has set the high price on the 25-year old defender, who handed in his trade request to return to his native South Australian after playing 51 AFL games to date including 22 under Brad Scott this season.
Complicating matters is that the Power have the worst draft hand of any club, with their first selection No. 38, which is set to get moved back multiple spots, while the club is also looking to bring in Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea and Western Bulldogs’ Jordon Sweet.
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Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Cornes was left stunned by the Bombers’ demands for Zerk-Thatcher in long-time list boss Adrian Dordoro’s last exchange period in the role before he takes a step back.
“Of all the dumb things I’ve heard in the last couple of days … Essendon wanting a first-round pick for Zerk-Thatcher,” the Port Adelaide 300-gamer said.
“’Adrian Dodoro is going to make a splash in his last trade period and wants a first-round pick for Zerk-Thatcher’ – he’s not worth a fifth-round pick!”
Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson concurred, suggesting Zerk-Thatcher was worth a pick in the 40s.
“If he wants that, that’s great, but he’s not going to get that in reality,” Johnson observed. “In all seriousness, I think it’s an end of second, early third round pick.”
It comes after ex-Demons skipper Garry Lyon was also left stunned by the price, telling Fox Footy’s On The Couch: “Did he change his name to Brandon Zerk-Fletcher? Turn it up!”
The trade period opens next Monday.
