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Watts he thinking?
An already good week for Port Adelaide seemed set to become a great one when it was reported late on Friday afternoon Melbourne forward Jack Watts had decided to move to Alberton.
Earlier on Friday, Port had signed in-demand Geelong free agent Steven Motlop to a four-year deal worth about $2 million, having secured former Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff on Tuesday, also on a four-year deal.
However, both Watts' manager, Paul Connors, and Port were adamant late on Friday that Watts had yet to nominate the Power as his preferred new club ahead of rival suitor Geelong.
Connors said the former No.1 draft pick was getting out of Melbourne over the weekend to clear his head before making a decision.
So it appears Port will have to wait until next week before learning whether Watts will become its third big-name signing of the player exchange period.
Cats' compo sliding doors
The Power won't know whether Motlop is officially their player either until Geelong advises whether it will match their offer for the restricted free agent.
Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said on Friday afternoon the Cats were still considering their position, but it's expected they will let Motlop leave and take a compensation pick.
Port's offer is expected to earn Geelong a second-round compensation selection, at No.35 overall, but that pick could have been far juicier if Motlop had accepted a more lucrative offer from Adelaide.
The Crows reportedly dangled a deal worth at least $600,000 a season in front of Motlop, one that would likely have earned Geelong an end-of-first-round compensation pick, at No.19 overall.
That pick could have made the Cats' bid for Watts easier.
Wells said on Wednesday the club wouldn't entertain the Demons' request for their first pick in this year's draft, No.21.
Getting pick No.19 would have significantly bolstered the Cats' draft hand and their options to satisfy the Demons. But if they maintain their stance that pick No.21 is untouchable, Port is better placed to snare the Demon, with pick Nos.30 and 33 compared to the Cats' Nos.34 and 35.
Steven Motlop seems just days away from joining Paddy Ryder at Port Adelaide. Picture: AFL Photos
Tigers hold their ground with prime pair
Richmond will keep an open mind on involving its two first-round picks – No.15 and No.17 – in pick swaps but says taking them into next month's NAB AFL Draft is the most likely scenario.
After an active 2016 Trade Period that netted eventual premiership players Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy and Toby Nankervis, the Tigers have been quiet since trading opened on Monday.
Clubs – including Essendon – have made inquiries about snaring one of Richmond's first-round selections for two later picks, but list manager Dan Richardson said they were yet to be tempted.
"We're comfortable with that position, but you should never have a closed mind to anything in footy," Richardson told AFL.com.au.
"We'll have an open mind if clubs are keen to talk to us about those picks.
"But that said, we're comfortable if we end up retaining them, which is the more likely scenario."
Why do clubs think Richmond's picks are gettable?
Father-son prospect Patrick Naish is the reason clubs are approaching the Tigers.
Essendon's offer of picks No.24 and No.29 in exchange for Richmond's No.15 would have left the Tigers with more points to pay for Naish and given the Bombers a suitable pick to land Jake Stringer.
But knowing when a rival bid will come for the father-son prospect is the critical element.
By rejecting Essendon's offer, it can be assumed Richmond is not certain a bid will come for Naish before its two picks and it will be able to pay for him with later selections.
Richardson kept his cards close to his chest on Naish, the son of Chris Naish, who played 143 games for Richmond between 1990-97 before adding 18 games for Port Adelaide.
"We'll have out own rating of the draft and the draft order. Where we think Patrick sits, we won't disclose where that is."
Highly-rated youngster Patrick Naish is attracting interest from a number of clubs. Picture: AFL Photos
Dockers, Giants edge closer
Talks between Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney continued over Nathan Wilson on Friday without a breakthrough, but a deal appears imminent.
After asking for a selection between 15-20 in exchange for the skillful half-back, the Giants' position appears to have softened and a future second-round pick is likely to form the centerpiece of a deal.
GWS has been keen to have another selection thrown in on top of that, while the Dockers' position was that a later pick should be coming back their way, given the strength of the 2018 Draft pool.
While an agreement is unlikely to be reached over the weekend, it is expected the clubs will reconvene early next week to finalise a trade.
Dons, Dogs seeking Stringer third party
Essendon and the Western Bulldogs are reaching out to other clubs for help as they look to finalise a deal to send Jake Stringer to Tullamarine.
Now the Bombers no longer have the No.11 pick the Dogs coveted, it seems both clubs have conceded they need to bring in a third party to get a deal done.
They tried, first, with Richmond, with Essendon unsuccessfully offering pick Nos.24 and 29 for the Tigers' pick No.15.
The Bulldogs then tried to bring Fremantle into the deal. Under their proposal, they would have accepted Nos.24 and 29 from Essendon for Stringer, and then passed on No.24 and their first-round pick, No.9, in exchange for Freo's pick No.5.
The Dockers also said no, so it's back to the drawing board for the Dons and Dogs.
Pick No.19 on the table for Charlie
The Brisbane Lions have put the ball back in Adelaide's court by offering pick No.19 for Charlie Cameron.
A deal in the second week of the Trade Period is starting to look possible, despite the Crows' initial hardline stance.
Since Monday, when list manager Justin Reid said Cameron was a "contracted and required player", dialogue between the clubs has remained open.
It is not clear if the Crows have made a counter-offer at this stage but it is likely they will come for the Lions' pick No.12.
"Brisbane have offered up pick No.19 at this stage, so they're working through it with Adelaide," Cameron's manager Andrew McDougall told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Friday.
"Brisbane have shown strong interest, that's been indicated, and they've had discussions with Adelaide."
By keeping the Cameron conversation open with the Lions – and even floating possible interest from WA clubs – the Crows appear to have kept their mind open to a trade.
What you also need to know
- Sydney rookie Sam Murray is expected to make his way to Collingwood early next week in a deal that will involve late picks. It's understood an agreement is all but signed off between the clubs.
Uncontracted Geelong midfielder Darcy Lang looks set to stay in Victoria despite interest from Gold Coast. North Melbourne and Carlton continue to circle the 21-year-old, but might not make official plays until late in the Trade Period.
Essendon and the Suns are close to agreeing on a deal to send Adam Saad to Tullamarine in exchange for a future second-round pick. The Bombers hold their own 2018 second-round pick and Greater Western Sydney's as well.
North Melbourne football chief Cameron Joyce ruled out making a play for Brisbane Lions key forward Josh Schache, telling NAB AFL Trade Radio the Roos were focused on bolstering their midfield.
Six free agents are left standing ahead of Sunday's 5pm deadline for offers. They are Daniel Menzel (Geelong), Nick Suban (Fremantle), Ben Howlett (Essendon), Simon White (Carlton), Ben Sinclair (Collingwood) and Claye Beams (Brisbane Lions).
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