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TRADES to see Dion Prestia become a Tiger and Jaeger O'Meara a Hawk are a long way off being completed, says Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft.
It had been mooted that Richmond would send draft pick No.6 to the Suns for Prestia, 23, who has announced he wants to play with the Tigers next season.
However, Ashcroft told NAB Trade Radio that Richmond had not yet offered its first-round selection.
"It's very complex. Also throw Jaeger in the mix. Both clubs, Hawthorn and Richmond, have approached our players. The way we see it, we'll leave the ball in their court to come back with what they think is going to be a fair trade to get a deal done," Ashcroft said.
"We're nowhere near the end point in both of those regards. We've had discussions and we'll continue to have discussions."
He said Richmond had to sort through its new staff set-up, with Neil Balme having been appointed the club's new football manager last month.
"They're still working through a lot of their internal football operations. Balmey's only new to the role," Ashcroft said.
O'Meara, 22, has not played a senior game since 2014 after struggling with persistent knee injuries but returned late in 2016 for three NEAFL matches, before minor surgery wiped him out for the rest of the season.
Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane has said that if an acceptable trade was not offered, the club would be willing to let O'Meara walk through to the pre-season draft and Ashcroft said the Suns were holding firm on that stance.
"There's always that chance. Our chairman's stated that publicly. We're all waiting to see what they (Hawthorn) come up with," Ashcroft said.
Port Adelaide's Hamish Hartlett, 26, is also a trade target, but the Suns haven't spoken to him yet. The Power vice-captain is contracted until the end of 2021.
"He fits the job description. Over the next week or so, we'll no doubt have conversations with his manager," Ashcroft said.
The Suns are also in the hunt for Brisbane Lions midfielder Pearce Hanley. The Irishman, 27, is contracted until the end of 2019 but could move to Queensland's younger club.
Ashcroft confirmed the Suns had spoken to Hanley, but said they had not offered a deal.
"(We want) midfielders who can come in and have an instant impact at our footy club and Pearce fits that job description," Ashcroft said.
"We're still working through all the details.
"The next couple of weeks, once we finish all of our due diligence, we'll be in a better position to confirm trades."
Ashcroft denied having offered Western Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong a three-year contract.
"We have had discussions with Lin Jong and his manager. Respectfully, we've left it at that point until he's finished off his season with the Western Bulldogs," he said.
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Fremantle's Michael Barlow is another on the Suns' radar, although at 28, his age may be an issue.
"He fits the job description of a mature-age midfielder. More work needs to be done on him around where he might fit within our side, and whether he's the age demographic we're after," Ashcroft said.
Collingwood big man Jarrod Witts has also spoken to the Suns. The 24-year-old played only two senior games this year, with Brodie Grundy shouldering duties as the Pies' primary ruckman.
"We've had conversations with he and his manager. Come Monday, it would be nice to try and confirm some deals," Ashcroft said.
Ashcroft said it was unlikely that the Suns would pursue a trade to acquire the No.1 draft pick from Essendon. Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro said on Thursday four clubs had made enquiries about the pick.
"All the intel that we've been gathering is the … top 10-15 players are very even. If you can get a couple of picks inside the top 15, I think you're going to be in a very good position," Ashcroft said.
Gold Coast currently hold picks No.4 and 8 in November's national draft.
