The Age
Hawks look to move on Hill as Bulldogs call the shots in trade week
Michael Gleeson and Emma Quayle
UNCERTAINTY over the future of enigmatic forward Carl Peterson and a decision to cut goalsneak Rhan Hooper after just one season has increased Hawthorn's push for out-of-favour Western Bulldog Josh Hill, as AFL trade week opened yesterday.
The Bulldogs shape as a central player in the draft, with talks involving a trade of the contracted Andrejs Everitt for Sydney forward Patrick Veszpremi and a late draft pick. Veszpremi is also under contract but is keen to return to Melbourne after a fruitless third year with the Swans.
The Dogs are also the frontrunner to recruit Justin Sherman from the Brisbane Lions, in exchange for the compensation pick they received for Jarrod Harbrow's move to the Gold Coast.
Magpie denials as smears emerge
Paul Millar and Reid Sexton
TWO Collingwood players questioned over a sexual assault are claiming innocence, while an expert in the off-field behaviour of sportsmen has warned that alleged victims should be prepared for a smear campaign.
Police continued to interview witnesses over the alleged rape of a 20-year-old woman at a South Melbourne home in the early hours of Sunday morning and will speak to several more in coming days.
The AFL players' union said the Collingwood footballers at the centre of the allegations had denied any wrongdoing and should not be prejudged.
afl.com.au
Crows and Dogs express interest in Walker
Adam McNicol
CARLTON utility Andrew Walker remains set to leave the Blues, with a number of clubs attempting to trade for him.
In recent weeks, Walker has been strongly linked with both Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.
"Andrew's in a unique situation because he's contracted," Walker's manager Tom Petroro told Trade Week Radio on afl.com.au. "I guess the club holds the cards a little bit. They need to get what they want out of a deal.
"In saying that, we've got a number of clubs interested in Andrew and I'm confident we'll get something done by 2pm on Monday [the trade week deadline].
The Herald Sun
Greater Western Sydney eyes Dane Swan with $1m lure
Michael Warner
GREATER Western Sydney has its sights on Collingwood premiership hero Dane Swan.
The league's 18th team could offer the superstar midfielder more than $1 million a season as it seeks to emulate the stunning poaching feats of Gold Coast.
Swan, 26, comes out of contract at the end of next year.
He is managed by the same man who helped steer Gary Ablett to the Suns - IMG's Liam Pickering.
Like the Gold Coast, GWS will be armed with an additional $1 million in its salary cap when it debuts in season 2012. Coach Kevin Sheedy said yesterday his fledgling club made no apologies for hunting the best players.
The Australian
Coaches on move for trade week
Greg Denham
MOST of the action on the first official day of AFL player exchanges was off the field, with assistant coaches on the move.
Before the seven-day trading period got under way with clubs meeting at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium, the Western Bulldogs and West Coast added three teenage father-son choices to their systems.
The Bulldogs secured Mitch Wallis, the son of Steve Wallis, and Tom Liberatore, the son of Tony Liberatore, with their first and second national draft choices. The Bulldogs were forced to use their first two picks, which currently sit at 22 and 40, after Port Adelaide and Sydney put bids in for the players.
West Coast's first father-son selection was used for Jacob Brennan, son of dual premiership full-back Michael Brennan.
