Curnow to tour Swans HQ as clock ticks on AFL trades
Roger Vaughan and Anna Harrington |
While Charlie Curnow visits Sydney, finding a Swan to leave the city is proving difficult.
Curnow’s fate was among several big AFL trades that showed no public sign of progress on Monday, two days out from Wednesday’s 7.30pm deadline.
The Carlton key forward, Essendon captain Zach Merrett, Melbourne premiership midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, and North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin are all yet to learn where they will play next season.
As of Monday afternoon there was no word out of Essendon about Merrett, who is yet to officially ask for a trade to Hawthorn.
Curnow is in Sydney and will tour the Swans’ facilities soon as he explores his options.
Geelong offered three first-round draft picks last week, but the Blues summarily rejected that pitch.
While the Swans have a better first-round pick at No.11 this season – Geelong’s top selection is at 19 – a player will need to be part of the offer to attract interest from the Blues.
As it stands Carlton will not let Curnow go. Essendon have the same stance with Merrett.
That means Sydney, Geelong and Hawthorn will most likely need to be creative and involve other clubs if they are to pull off their big-name trades.
James Rowbottom, Will Hayward and Ollie Florent have been Sydney players mooted as part of a Curnow trade, but for now, no Swans are putting their hands up to join Carlton.
There was some trade action on Monday, with Richmond key defender Tylar Young joining West Coast for pick No.38.
Young will reunite with Eagles coach and former Tigers assistant Andrew McQualter.
Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie joined Port Adelaide for pick No.103 – a sixth-round selection. The draft pick will not be used, but the move frees up a list spot and room in the Dockers’ salary cap.
Other trades yet to be confirmed include Geelong’s pursuit of St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall.
Petracca wants to join Gold Coast, with the Suns adamant Bailey Humphrey isn’t going anywhere as part of that deal, while Oliver will join GWS.
Adelaide and Brisbane are still jostling over the value of two-time premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan appears likely to leave the Western Bulldogs for Gold Coast, while Collingwood hold interest in Simpkin.
Meanwhile, dual Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft has signed a four-year contract extension with Brisbane, tying him to the club until the end of 2030.
Ashcroft missed the 2023 grand final after a strong start to his debut season but has bounced back to be an integral member of the Lions’ midfield in back-to-back premierships.
“I am obviously stoked to sign on and play at this great club, and I am super excited for what’s to come in the future,” the 21-year-old said in a club statement.
“We have a club of great people, so it made my decision really easy.”
AAP
