Swans’ move for star rejected as trade deadline nears
Anna Harrington |
Sydney’s play for Charlie Curnow has hit a snag on the final day of the AFL trade period, with Carlton officially rejecting the Swans’ first offer for their star forward.
The Swans’ Curnow chase and Hawthorn’s audacious attempt to snag Essendon captain Zach Merrett will go down to the wire in a blockbuster final day of AFL trades.
The pair headline a series of big names whose futures will be decided by Wednesday’s 7:30pm AEDT deadline.
Christian Petracca (Gold Coast), Clayton Oliver (GWS), Rowan Marshall (Geelong), Callum Ah Chee (Adelaide) and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Gold Coast) are all still awaiting moves to their clubs of choice.
Dual Coleman medallist Curnow wants to head to Geelong or Sydney, with a move north looking more likely after he toured the Swans’ facilities on Monday.
Carlton have indicated only a “Godfather deal” would shift their position on Curnow, contracted until the end of 2029.
The Swans proposed sending draft pick No.11, a first-round selection next year and players Ollie Florent and Will Hayward to Carlton for Curnow and pick No.22 – which was knocked back by the Blues on Wednesday morning.
Geelong’s offer last week of first-round selections in the next three drafts for Curnow was swiftly rejected.
The Bombers knocked back Hawthorn’s first bid for Merrett, who blindsided his club a month ago when news broke he had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, on Tuesday night.
Essendon have maintained they will not entertain a trade for Merrett, who is signed until the end of 2027 but is desperate to leave for Hawthorn as he chases team success.
Hawthorn made their first offer for Merrett on Tuesday, putting up their first-round draft pick this year (currently pick No.9), their first-round selection next year, plus a second-round pick this year or next.
Hawks youngster Henry Hustwaite, who played four senior games this season, was also part of the emailed proposal, which Hawthorn gave Essendon a 7pm deadline to respond to.
“Our position has not changed,” an Essendon spokesman said, before the Bombers formally knocked back the offer after the Hawks’ deadline had well and truly passed.
The Hawks could explore trade options for their top draft pick, while defender Changkuoth Jiath is set to join Melbourne.
Gold Coast’s deal for Petracca looks certain to hinge on the Suns’ picks No.7 and No.8, with the Demons star contracted until the end of 2029.
GWS want to send a third-round draft pick Melbourne’s way for Oliver, whose current deal runs until 2030, while the Demons are set to handle a large chunk of his bumper salary.
The Giants re-signed defender Leek Aleer on a two-year deal after St Kilda backflipped on their plans to trade for him.
St Kilda are adamant they won’t deal Marshall to the Cats, believing he can play alongside recruit Tom De Koning.
Brisbane and Adelaide have been unable to agree on a price for two-time premiership utility Ah Chee, with the Lions keen on Adelaide’s first round pick (No.16) or a future first-round pick.
The Bulldogs snapped up Connor Budarick from the Suns on Tuesday and are expected to send Ugle-Hagan north on Wednesday.
AAP
