A Melbourne premiership star is weighing up a trade request that could see him join Essendon.
Plus Sydney set to make a move while Brodie Grundy could cop a pay cut.
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LATEST TRADING DAY PODCAST – Monday Oct 3 trade wrap
DONS’ SECRET CHAT WITH DEES STAR
Essendon has held talks with Melbourne midfielder James Harmes, with the premiership player weighing up a trade request, reports Seven’s Mitch Cleary.
The 26-year-old has two years left on his contract at the Demons but could consider a move for more time in the midfield.
From the Bombers’ perspective, their interest will ramp up if they miss out on Gold Coast’s Jack Bowes, who comes with Pick 7 attached to him due to the Suns’ wish to dump his salary.
Harmes would add a hard-nosed element to an Essendon midfield that has been below-par in recent times. The Bombers ranked 17th for clearances and contested possessions in 2022.
“Melbourne midfielder James Harmes is a man in demand, and has held a conversation with Essendon as he ponders whether to ask for a trade,” Cleary reported on Monday evening.
“The 26-year-old still has two years on his Demons deal, so they would need to tick off a move, but his midfield minutes have dried up with Angus Brayshaw’s move into the engine room.
“Essendon is chasing Gold Coast’s Jack Bowes, and will ramp up the Harmes hunt if they miss out on Bowes.”
What does Taranto mean for Tigers? | 02:37
SWANS’ LATEST BARGAIN PICK-UP
Sydney is set to land Essendon’s Aaron Francis in another attempt at a bargain reclamation project in defence.
Following the success of signing ex-St Kilda No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin and turning him into a star defender, the Swans are expected to make a trade for 2015 No.6 draft pick Francis.
He has struggled to cement his spot in the Bombers line-up ever since joining the club, playing 54 games across seven seasons.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reported on Fox Footy’s Trading Day that Francis, 25, is expected to get to the Swans for the low price of a fourth or fifth-round draft pick.
With Dane Rampe closer to the end of his career than the start, and questions over defensive depth players Colin O’Riordan (retired) and Lewis Melican (being shopped), Francis would help fortify the Swans’ back six.
Jason Horne-Francis requests trade | 00:48
GRUNDY TO COP PAY CUT
Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy is willing to accept a pay cut as part of his move to Melbourne during the trade period, reports The Age.
The report stated Grundy’s seven-year deal currently averages between $920,000 and $950,000 a season, and the Magpies are willing to pay $300,000 of that to get him off their books.
But the dual All-Australian is willing to accept “a small reduction, probably annually” which could see the Demons paying less than $600,000 a year for his services.
The report also stated Collingwood wants a top-25 pick in return for Grundy.
That could come in the form of a future second-round pick tied to North Melbourne, which Fremantle is likely to receive for Griffin Logue, then on-trading it to Melbourne in the Luke Jackson deal.
The Jackson trade will need to happen before Grundy can be dealt, because the former will give the Demons the picks they need to land Grundy.
