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Tough sell for new coach Dew
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew will be competing with a lucrative offer from Adelaide and significant groundwork from Port Adelaide when he attempts to convince Steven Motlop that the Suns are the club for him this week.
Dew is set to meet with Motlop in the coming days, a week after the restricted free agent and manager Alex McDonald were given a tour of the club's $22 million training facility in Carrara.
The Suns coach will be coming from the back of the pack after Motlop met with the two Adelaide clubs over the weekend, with both under the impression that he is keen on a move to South Australia.
The Crows have reportedly offered more than $600,000 a season to Motlop, while the Power are a long way down the path in establishing that they are the right fit for the half-forward.
Is anyone else in the race? Geelong has not closed the door on Motlop, making its offer clear to the half-forward and his management. It is understood West Coast is not expecting Motlop to seek a trade west. So that makes four clubs.
Who is best positioned? The Adelaide clubs are in the box seat. As AFL.com.au reported on Friday, Port has put in the most groundwork but Adelaide is now believed to be offering more money. Will it be a decision about money or where Motlop feels he will best fit?
Motlop's manager Alex McDonald told SEN his client would be close to making a decision by the middle to end of next week, then lodging his free agency request with the AFL.
Stuart Dew faces a big task to lure Steven Motlop north. Picture: AFL Photos
Hogan reassures Dees after Fyfe catch-up
Jesse Hogan has told Melbourne he does not want to be traded, despite speculation ramping up that Fremantle was preparing to make a bid for the powerful 22-year-old.
The Demons are expected to again knock down speculation that the key forward could be traded when they meet with clubs at Etihad Stadium on Monday.
Hogan met with Freo skipper Nat Fyfe and the pair's manager, Jason Dover, in Perth this week, but sources insisted on Sunday that it was a social catch-up.
What is Hogan's position? The key forward is understood to have reiterated to Melbourne as recently as this week that he does not want to be traded. He is contracted to the end of 2019.
What has Melbourne said? "At no stage have we spoken about Jesse Hogan being a trade option at any point to any club, or even internally … he's committed to our club," football manager Josh Mahoney told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday.
Could things change? We await Melbourne's public position on Monday morning, but things can always change in the Trade Period. Fremantle holds pick No.5 in the NAB AFL Draft, which would be a starting point if it is to twist the Demons' arm. It would also need to convince Hogan to join a club early in a four-year rebuild, given he has assured Melbourne he wants to stay.
Melbourne's other business: The big one is securing Jake Lever from Adelaide and no progress appeared to be made over the weekend in what shapes as a tricky deal. Harley Balic has passed his medicals and will cross from Fremantle, with the Dockers hoping to secure a selection in the 30s or 40s.
Jesse Hogan has told Melbourne he wants to remain a Demon. Picture: AFL Photos
Decision time for Stringer and Watts
Jake Stringer is likely to settle on a preferred club early in the first week of the NAB AFL Trade Period, but as of Sunday afternoon there were still details to be ticked off.
The Western Bulldogs forward has been weighing up the merits of moving to Essendon or Geelong and has been leaning towards a move to Tullamarine to play under John Worsfold.
The Bulldogs are positioning themselves to get the best possible compensation. The club has insisted it will not be "giving away" the contracted forward and will be looking for an early to middle first-round selection in the NAB AFL Draft. The Bombers hold pick No.11.
Jack Watts was also yet to communicate a decision on his future to interested clubs over the weekend.
The Melbourne forward was told by his manager Paul Connors to consider his position on a move interstate over the weekend. "That's what he's got to grapple with over the next few days. He doesn't have three weeks to think about this, he's got the weekend," Connors said on NAB AFL Trade Radio.
Port Adelaide has made Watts a priority since meeting with the mobile forward, who was initially disappointed when encouraged to explore his trade options by coach Simon Goodwin.
Want more trade news?
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