Melbourne and Fremantle are playing hardball in pursuits for Brodie Grundy and Luke Jackson respectively.
The Dockers are looking to land Jackson after the Demons ruck-forward requested a trade back to West Australia, while Grundy is slated to move to Melbourne and partner Max Gawn after Jackson’s exit.
While Melbourne is attempting to drive a hard bargain for Jackson, Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph told Fox Footy’s Trading Day that Fremantle wasn’t budging on its end.
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“Melbourne wants two top 10 picks or a top seven pick and future first rounder,” he explained.
“Fremantle tonight is absolutely resolute, ‘we’re giving you pick 13 and a future first rounder, that is all you’re getting. You’re not getting a better deal, no one else is going to give two first-rounders for nothing (picks-wise) back.’
“If the Dockers traded (Rory) Lobb to he Bulldogs for pick No.31, Melbourne would just put their hand out for that one.
“Right now they’re not relenting, they won’t do a Lobb deal until they get Luke Jackson done.”
Fremantle has thus far publicly ruled out trading Lobb, insisting the ruck-forward is a required player and will see out the final year of his contract in 2023.
Still, he remains a viable chance to get to the Dogs by the end of the trade period.
Jackson’s exit will set the stage for Grundy’s arrival from Collingwood, which is looking to offload much of his considerable salary over the remaining five years of his deal with the club.
With Jackson and Grundy’s futures linked, Ralph said the Dees were dealing with the Pies in the same hard-nosed manner the Dockers were engaging with the Dees.
“Melbourne will try to trade for Grundy. Collingwood wanted a pick between 20 and 25 to get Grundy done,” he said.
“Melbourne had picks 33, 43, 53, you bundle them up, that’s the value of pick No.14. They want 27 for him.
“Collingwood is saying ‘what is happening here?’ Melbourne is saying ‘27 is the deal, you take it or you leave it.’ Collingwood’s angry, Melbourne’s resolute.”
