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Port speculates to accumulate in draft Power play

UPDATED: Port Adelaide has belatedly entered the fray in the AFL’s Trade period, in a somewhat unorthodox manner – trading away a future first round draft pick to help facilitate the move of disgruntled Brisbane Lion Pearce Hanley to the Gold Coast.

Oct 18, 2016, updated Oct 18, 2016
Pearce Hanley will be kicking on with the Suns next season, after a swap of draft picks by Port helped facilitate a trade. Photo: Ben Macmahon / AAP

Pearce Hanley will be kicking on with the Suns next season, after a swap of draft picks by Port helped facilitate a trade. Photo: Ben Macmahon / AAP

The Power, which has found scant interest in the contracted players it has placed on the trade table this year, will receive the compensation pick (nominally pick 19) granted to the struggling Lions by the AFL, as well as a second round pick (number 30) from the Suns, while giving up its first round selection for next year.

It will help bring young talent into the fold this year, with three picks inside the top 30, but could backfire spectacularly if Port slides in 2017 – as some pundits believe they will.

Hanley will join the Suns, who also receive Port’s pick number 67, while the Lions receive Gold Coast’s pick 22 and the Power’s first-round pick next year.

Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps told the club’s website they believed “the upcoming draft is very strong and has good depth”.

“As we’ve traded in players over the past five years to fill specific positional gaps, we believe this is the draft to add some talent for the future,” he said.

“We were able to achieve our objective of three picks inside 30.”

Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft told the Suns website they had prioritized adding ready-made players to the list, with young stars Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia heading for the exit.

“We are rapt an elite player of Pearce’s calibre has expressed a desire to join the Gold Coast Suns,” Ashcroft said.

“Our priority during the exchange period has been to add mature-aged talent that could make an immediate impact at our football club, and Pearce certainly fits that criteria.”

Meanwhile, Hawthorn premiership star Jordan Lewis has been granted his wish to depart to Melbourne, joining the Demons on a three-year deal.

Days after confirming the shock trade of fellow veteran Sam Mitchell to West Coast, Hawthorn announced they would deal Lewis along with pick No.57 and 68 for Melbourne’s pick No.48 and 66.

Lewis said his decision to seek a trade to Melbourne came after a “really honest” chat with coach Alistair Clarkson about his future.

“We spoke about what my future could look like beyond my current contract and following that catch-up I sat down and looked at my options,” he said.

“I looked at every club in the competition and after going through every list, Melbourne was the one that stood out – if I wasn’t going to be at Hawthorn. It was clear to me that I wanted to play for the Melbourne football club.

“I believe in what the club is building. There is some outstanding young talent at the club and that is an area I can certainly play a role in – mentoring and developing those players both in an on-field and off-field sense.”

Lewis said the decision was solidified after meeting with new Demons coach and onetime Crows skipper Simon Goodwin and list manager Todd Viney, a former assistant coach at Hawthorn.

The Hawks will now line up next year without their reigning best and fairest and runner-up in Mitchell and Lewis respectively.

“It is disappointing to lose Jordan, however we felt it was the right decision for all parties to facilitate his request for a trade to Melbourne … with Jordan and Sam moving on it opens up opportunities for our young midfielders to step up and further their development,” Hawks list manager Graham Wright said.

Jordan Lewis looks set to join former teammate Sam Mitchell (left) in flying the Hawks' nest. Photo: Julian Smith / AAP

Jordan Lewis has joined former teammate Sam Mitchell (left) in flying the Hawks’ nest. Photo: Julian Smith / AAP

 

The Hawks are still thrashing out a proposed deal for Gold Coast youngster Jaeger O’Meara while fellow Sun Dion Prestia is still trying to get to Richmond.

Bryce Gibbs remains intent on a move from Carlton to home town team Adelaide, with the two clubs said to be slowly progressing in negotiations.

Travis Cloke’s move from Collingwood to the Western Bulldogs is also yet to be finalised.

Young Giants Caleb Marchbank, James Stewart and Will Hoskin-Elliott are also waiting to see if moves back to their native Victoria materialise.

Geelong continue to struggle to find a way to land trade targets Brett Deledio and Zach Tuohy.

The Cats aren’t keen to force players out to work trades with Richmond and Carlton respectively and the only player they listened to offers for, Steve Motlop, looks set to remain at the club.

List manager Stephen Wells admitted there had been little interest in the mercurial midfielder after the club made it known they would listen to trade offers following his inconsistent 2016 campaign.

The Tigers quickly rebuffed Motlop’s inclusion in a potential trade for Deledio and he looks likely to remain a Geelong player.

Motlop’s departure would have also given the Cats room to move as they try to land Tuohy.

At his best, Motlop is a damaging line breaker and teammate Tom Hawkins believes he is committed to returning to the club in peak fitness after the harsh reality check.

“I would say he’s had some pretty honest conversations,” Hawkins told AFL Trade Radio.

“I know from speaking to him over the break he’s certainly been training and he’s looking forward to playing next year.

“I think he’s learned a lot about himself this year. I love playing with him … the year wasn’t a disaster for him by any means.

“I’m very happy that he’s staying.”

The free agency period closed on Sunday evening with only four players – Daniel Wells, Ty Vickery, Chris Mayne and Nathan Brown – moving clubs, and uncontracted Crow Ricky Henderson left in limbo.

In other player news yesterday:

* Sydney tall Xavier Richards requested a trade after 12 games in four seasons with the Swans.

* Collingwood didn’t match a free agency offer from St Kilda to Nathan Brown – the Pies received no compensation pick from the AFL.

* Richmond youngster Ben Lennon is struggling to find an AFL club willing to give him the fresh start he craves.

-with AAP

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