RYAN Burton has emerged as the key trade chip that could send Chad Wingard to Hawthorn.
Port Adelaide confirmed on Thursday evening that after weeks of speculation Wingard had finally requested a trade, with football boss Chris Davies stressing: "Unless Port Adelaide is suitably compensated, a trade will not happen."
The Hawks firmed as Wingard's likely new home on Thursday afternoon after their main rivals for the 25-year-old's signature, the Western Bulldogs, fell out of the race.
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Hawthorn did not appear well placed to satisfy Port in a trade for the dual All Australian given its first pick in this year's NAB AFL Draft doesn't fall until No.15.
However, it's understood Port inquired about Burton's availability and the Hawks are prepared to include the key defender in the deal.
It's uncertain what else Hawthorn will include in the trade, but Burton's inclusion is a sign of how keen the Hawks are to finalise a trade before next Wednesday's trade deadline.
The 195cm defender is one of Hawthorn's most exciting young players and looked like being a key part of their backline over the next decade.
Burton, 21, was recruited from SANFL club North Adelaide with pick No.19 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, while his girlfriend lives in South Australia.
The 2017 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee is on holiday overseas but will consider his future over the next few days.
Burton re-signed with the Hawks in July last year until the end of 2020.
Ryan Burton has starred at times in his three seasons at Hawthorn. Picture: AFL Photos
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has long been a fan of Wingard's, having coached him during the 2014 International Rules and has kept contact in years since.
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Despite enjoying a year where he finished sixth in the club's best and fairest, Wingard was challenged to improve during his exit meeting at season's end.
Set to become a free agent at the end of next season, Wingard had been canvassing interest from rival club's with the Power's blessing.
Any deal for Wingard during this year's NAB AFL Trade Period would surpass what the Power would receive as compensation if he was to walk as a free agent next year.
He met with Dogs coach Luke Beveridge for dinner in recent weeks, having sat down with the Hawks shortly after the Power's season ended.
While former Port Adelaide teammate, now Bulldogs big man, Jackson Trengove had been central to the Dogs' pitch for his services, Wingard could reunite with Jarman Impey at the Hawks.
Neale deal holding up other big names
Fremantle's hardline stance on wantaway midfielder Lachie Neale is holding up the potential moves of Jesse Hogan and Steven May.
Neale has requested a trade to Brisbane and the Lions are prepared to include their prized first-round pick, No.5 overall, in the deal.
That pick appears – at the very least – an extremely strong starting point for a trade, especially given the elite top-end talent on offer in this year's NAB AFL Draft.
But the Dockers initially insisted Brisbane throw in another first-round pick, a price the Lions, whose second selection this year does not fall until No.32, believed exorbitant.
New Fremantle football chief Peter Bell has since moved to try to convince Neale to stay and, at least for now, the Dockers are resisting any further talks on a trade.
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Fremantle's position is no doubt based on Neale's outstanding record over the past three seasons, when he has won two club best and fairest awards (2016, 2018) and finished runner-up the other year.
The 25-year-old is also contracted for 2019 and rival clubs generally have to pay a premium to acquire such players early, although the Lions could look to snare Neale as a free agent at the end of next season.
Neale is not the only player hoping the impasse can be resolved soon.
Although Hogan has yet to officially request a trade it's understood he wants to join Fremantle, but as the Dockers try to construct a deal for him their prospective trade partner, Melbourne, has its eyes firmly on the Lions' pick No.5.
As does Gold Coast, which would be looking to acquire it in an on-trade from Melbourne for May.
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Like Hogan, May is unlikely to request a trade until he's confident a deal can be done to send him to the Demons.
That won't happen until the Dockers give some ground in the Neale negotiations.
Is a Beams return Pie in the sky?
On Thursday morning, AFL.com.au's Damian Barrett reported former Brisbane captain Dayne Beams wanted to return to Collingwood despite being contracted with the Lions for the next two years.
It was stunning news following Beams' emotional speech at the Lions' best and fairest count last month when he reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
However, Beams is far from a certainty to make his way back to the Holden Centre this year.
COMMENT Why the Pies don't need Beams
For starters, the 2010 premiership player is yet to request a trade.
Even if he does, the Lions would understandably want to exact a high price after giving up picks No.5, No.25 and Jack Crisp four years ago for Beams.
Given the Magpies' first pick in this year's draft does not fall until No.18, it's hard to see how they'll convince Brisbane to part with Beams two years early.
They have until 8.30pm next Wednesday to do so.
In other news:
- Melbourne forward Dean Kent's move to St Kilda on a three-year deal is set to be formalised on Friday morning. Given the Saints don't hold a third-round pick, they are expected to use their fourth-round selection (currently No.65) as part of the transaction.
- Western Bulldogs premiership ruckman Jordan Roughead remains a possibility to return to Whitten Oval ahead of Friday's free agency deadline. After West Coast cooled its interest in the 27-year-old following its acquisition of former Saint Tom Hickey on Wednesday, Roughead could be forced into a trade early next week should he find a new suitor away from the Dogs.
- Carlton's future second-round pick will form part of its negotiation to land Greater Western Sydney midfielder Will Setterfield. Without a pick between No.1 and No.43 this year, the Blues are expected to turn to next year's selection in order to deliver a deal that pleases the Giants.
- As Collingwood's Tom Langdon continues to weigh up his future, his decision is holding up the Swans' progress in offloading Dan Hannebery to the Saints. Should the Swans get the tick of approval from the Magpie defender, it could impact what the Swans need from the Saints to get the Hannebery deal over the line.
