Melbourne look set to be one of the suitors for Greater Western Sydney’s coveted pick at the start of round two after drafting a second key forward in as many years.
The Demons aggressively tried but failed to move up the AFL draft order, including offering three first-round selections for Essendon’s picks four and 22 at the time.
But national recruiting manager Jason Taylor, one of the key architects of Melbourne’s drought-busting 2021 premiership, has foreshadowed a move for the GWS pick.
Brayden George is someone the Demons could be interested in.Credit:AFL Photos
Exciting forward Brayden George – who suffered an ACL rupture in August – the draft’s best ruckman Harry Barnett and medium-sized defender Jakob Ryan are potential targets for the Demons.
“We’ll certainly have a conversation with (the Giants),” Taylor told reporters.
“We’ve been having a conversation ongoing with them about that, but whether what’s transpired tonight has an effect on what happens with that, who knows?
“But, like Adrian (Caruso, GWS recruiting manager) said, he’ll let the dust settle, then tomorrow’s a new day, and we’ll go again.
“We’ve got a few scenarios that may play out, and we’re happy to sit with any of them, to be honest.”
Taylor stopped short of revealing who Melbourne were interested in but said a “young ruck” was one direction they could go, after selecting Matt Jefferson to potentially pair with Jacob Van Rooyen as future twin towers in attack.
Deven Robertson.Credit:AFL Photos
The last such trade at this stage of the draft was three years ago, when Brisbane gave up No.23 and a future second-round pick for Port Adelaide’s 22 and a future fourth-rounder.
The Lions did so to move up and draft midfielder Deven Robertson after he slid down the order.
Caruso referenced that history when suggesting them gaining a future second-round selection in a trade that would see them drop back only slightly loomed as the likeliest scenario.
“Those sorts of deals are regularly offered up, and really that first pick on night two – that’s been more of what’s happened – slide back for a future second – than a flat-out future first,” he said.
“Now, if someone comes with a future first, we’ll listen, but there are a few different scenarios there that we would consider. We also could just keep the pick and pick a player.”
Hawthorn were the only club who were able to trade into the first round, striking a deal with Sydney for pick 18 while handing over No.27 and future second- and third-round selections.
The Giants will have noted the hefty sum the Swans secured in that deal when weighing up offers on Tuesday beforef the draft’s resumption.
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