News 2016 Trade News Compendium

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Brisbane Lions are ‘open to anything’ in trade period with Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley on trade table

BRISBANE has refused to guarantee the futures of senior duo Tom Rockliff and Pearce Hanley, with the club’s head of football David Noble saying the Lions are “open to anything” this trade period.

Rockliff, captain of the club for the last two seasons, appears unlikely to remain at the Gabba following criticism regarding his leadership throughout the year.

Meanwhile, Hanley is attracting interest from local rivals Gold Coast, with Brisbane keen to take advantage of the situation and boost its draft stocks under new coach Chris Fagan.

“It’s fair to say we want to maximise this year’s draft, so picks are really important to us,” Noble said.

“We want to bulk that up with our academy going forward because the next two years are really important to us from a talent perspective, but that said nothing is off the table and we’re open to anything.”

Rockliff will meet face-to-face with Fagan for the first time on Wednesday, with the Lions likely to gather an indication of where his future lies following that discussion.

Noble said it’s unlikely a decision will be made on the 26-year-old’s future prior to that meeting taking place.

“I think it’s probably right that Chris meets with the captain, so that will be the first port of call,” he said.

“He’ll then discuss that and we’ll move forward from there.”

Noble also revealed Brisbane is open to trading Pick 2, suggesting a couple of clubs have inquired about the selection.

“We know Gold Coast and GWS have got some interest in shifting up, so that will be an interesting position to see how that unfolds,” he said.

 

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Trade Sentral: Day One

Melbourne Football Manager Josh Mahoney says discussions with Essendon are progressing well regarding the trade of Michael Hibberd, with the main sticking point being which year the pick will take place.

He also discussed the future of Lynden Dunn, amid interest from Brisbane.

“We’re still working through whether it will be this year or a future pick,” Mahoney said.

“I think as both the clubs go home and have a look about what they’ve spoken about today we’ll reassess it in the next few days.

“We had discussions with the Lions, I think they’ve got a few defenders they are looking at, at the moment and Lynden is one of those.

“But we haven’t made any further progress today.”

 

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Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff could be traded to Collingwood

COLLINGWOOD is considering a play for Tom Rockliff but the captain’s future at Brisbane will not be decided until he meets new coach Chris Fagan for the first time tomorrow.

The advice Fagan and Noble have received about Rockliff from long-time Lions people is that both the player and club would benefit from a fresh start.

However, Fagan has insisted he wanted to meet the 2015 All Australian in person.

Rockliff’s troubled tenure in Brisbane looked certain to enter a ninth year after Adelaide were the only club to express even a minor interest when it became known his future at the Lions was in doubt.

The Crows’ interest appears to have cooled with Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs’ opening day bombshell that he wanted to return to South Australia.

Carlton intend to play hardball with the former club champion who is contracted for a further three-years but Adelaide are determined to bring him to West Lakes and are ready to make a deal.

But the Pies have emerged as a genuine suitor for Rockliff.

New Collingwood head of football Graeme Allan, who recruited Rockliff to the Lions in the 2009 pre-season draft, has made contact with his manager Tom Petroro to gauge his interest in leaving Brisbane.

The Lions are aware of Collingwood’s inquiries and have stated they are open to anything this trade period.

Any potential Rockliff deal would not affect Pearce Hanley’s mooted move to the Gold Coast.

The Suns hope to offer the draft pick they receive from Hawthorn for Jaeger O’Meara, believed to be No.14, to Brisbane.

The trade period opened without any deals being completed by the Suns or Lions.

Brisbane are interested in Magpie Jack Frost and have also put their top draft pick, No.2, on the table for a seasoned player and another first-round draft pick.

 

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Manager's 'inkling' Hanley may leave Lions

PEARCE Hanley looks likely to leave the Brisbane Lions.

The Irishman is contracted until the end of 2019, but the 27-year-old could be on the way out, his manager says.

Hanley has been linked with a move to Gold Coast.

Speaking to SEN on Monday, Paul Connors said Hanley could stay at the Lions but expects he may be traded.

"He's really wrestled with the fact of staying or leaving. Brisbane is really keen to get early draft picks into the door, because they don't have a lot of first-round picks," Connors said.

"Pearce is contracted, he's happy to stay, the club's happy for him to stay, but we are entering into a new world and if the deal's right for both parties, (the player will) go.

"I have an inkling that might happen."

 

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Rous on Darcy Gardiner: Brisbane are really keen on retaining his services. Looks like a chance to happen. Other clubs monitoring that space

 

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Trade wrap: Giants target pick No.2

And it's understood GWS is still exploring whether it can put together a deal to convince the Brisbane Lions to hand over pick No.2 in this year's NAB AFL Draft.

In addition to increasing the Giants' chances of landing their preferred player at the draft – Andrew McGrath and Hugh McCluggage are high on their radar – this would also mean only Essendon could bid on their highly rated academy player Will Setterfield before their first pick.

If the Bombers didn't bid for Setterfield, the Giants could then take him with picks after No.2.

The Giants already hold picks No.3, No.15 and No.16 but are well placed to acquire another first-round pick from Carlton for key defender Caleb Marchbank.

The Blues have pick No.5 but could get pick No.13, among other things, from Adelaide if the Crows convince them to part with contracted midfield star Bryce Gibbs.

GWS could then package pick No.3 with one or more of these picks in an offer for pick No.2.

Gold Coast remains interested in Brisbane Lions defender Pearce Hanley, but is unlikely to trade pick No.8 for him. The Suns could, however, offer the Lions pick No.14 if they acquire that from Hawthorn in an O'Meara trade.

 

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AFL trades 2016: Blues target Charlie Cameron for Bryce Gibbs trade

The future of Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff remains uncertain. The prolific midfielder must meet with new coach Chris Fagan before a final decision on him is made, but it is expected he will be leaving the Lions.

Collingwood has had some interest in Rockliff, while the Blues could look at him if Gibbs were to leave and they wanted midfield support. That remains a moot point at this stage.

 

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What can Collingwood offer Brisbane for Tom Rockliff?

Rockliff’s future with the Lions is still up in the air but the picture will become a lot clearer tomorrow when the captain meets with new coach Chris Fagan.

Despite Rockliff’s strained relationship with the club it was expected he would remain a Lion, until Collingwood’s interest in him emerged yesterday.

But the question is what the Magpies have to offer the Lions to secure Rockliff, given they have already parted with their first-round pick in this year’s draft for Adam Treloar.

Collingwood cannot trade a future first-round pick this year because it gave up two first-round picks in the Treloar deal last year.

Under AFL trade rules, clubs must have two first-round picks in a four-year period. They can trade their way back into the first round.

Complicating matters for the Pies is they need their picks 26 and 44 to secure highly-rated father-son prospects Josh Daicos and Callum Brown, and they’re also trying to strike a deal for Greater Western Sydney’s Will Hoskin-Elliott.

Brisbane could demand a first-round pick for Rockliff, which Champion Data believes is a fair deal.

But with Collingwood the only club interested in Rockliff, its best hope of obtaining the 2015 All-Australian is if Brisbane agrees a fresh start is in the best interests of both club and player and is open to a lesser, but suitable, offer from the Pies.

One scenario could see Magpies ruckman Jarrod Witts head to Gold Coast in exchange for a second-round pick, with that pick on-traded to the Lions along with defender Jack Frost.

Frost has accepted a three-year deal from the Lions and now must wait for a trade to be done.

 

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Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff is ‘highly unlikely’ to be traded to Collingwood

COLLINGWOOD recruiting boss Derek Hine says it is highly unlikely Tom Rockliff will be at the Pies next year.

The Brisbane captain had been linked to Collingwood earlier this week with his time at the Lions seemingly over.

However, after signing midfielder Daniel Wells, Hine believes adding Rockliff was a longshot.

“Tom, he has been in our discussions but it highly unlikely we will go down that road at this point in time,” Hine said on SEN radio.

“There are numerous players that come up in discussions. Again, Tom is just one of about another half a dozen that have come up through those discussions.”

 

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Hammo:

The Hanley to Gold Coast deal just got more complicated. Sydney and Hawks to swap pick 14 for Tom Mitchell. It's the pick Brisbane wanted

 

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Williams (@PI_SportMedia) on Frost move to Brisbane: There's goodwill in that deal, I hope to see it happen soon

 

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Tradesentral latest on Rockliff, Hanley & O’Meara

Brisbane is patiently waiting for Gold Coast to accept an offer from Hawthorn for Jaeger O'Meara so they can then hand over out of sorts Pearce Hanley for that first-round pick.

However, that trade between the Suns and Hawks is not guaranteed to eventuate given the former has made it clear they will not accept anything less than what they believe is fair for the midfielder.

Once a deal is struck the pick recieved by the Suns for O'Meara can then be used to deal for Hanley who has revealed he is unhappy playing at the Lions.

“The Suns would be reluctant to give up pick 8 for Hanley, as much as Brisbane would like to have that pick for him,” said Greg Davis from the Courier-Mail.

“It makes things difficult for the deal to get done with the Suns for Jaeger, there’s been a bit of talk today that he just ends up in the pre-season draft and going to Essendon.

“Brisbane still want something pretty decent for Hanley – he had a shocking year by his standards there’s no doubt.

“At his best at a new club he might flourish Pearce, because as Schwabby said last week he’s suffering from a bit of loser fatigue with Brisbane going through an extended run.”

Davis believes that Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff is unlikely to find another club to play for next season despite a number of off-field issues arising in recent times.

“Collingwood is no longer interested in Rockliff,” added Davis.

“He’s in a pretty precarious situation given he’s got one year to run (on his contract) and reportedly been shopped around to other clubs and no one has bitten.

“Which means his market value has taken a significant hit given he’s an All-Australian and club captain but no one is keen.

“I reckon at this stage Tom Rockliff stays at Brisbane for 2017 and plays somewhere else in 2018.”

 

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Trade wrap: Pressure on the Hawks to seal O'Meara deal

The Hawks have made little progress in their talks with Gold Coast on O'Meara and losing pick No.14 to the Swans won't help their cause.

The Suns were eyeing that pick as part of an O'Meara deal, thinking it could help them trade for Brisbane Lions defender Pearce Hanley.

Gold Coast already holds pick No.8 but is not prepared to offer that to the Lions, while it is unlikely the Lions would consider their next selection, No.19, for Hanley.

Brisbane Lions skipper Tom Rockliff met new senior coach Chris Fagan and football manager David Noble in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The contracted Rockliff flew back to Brisbane with plenty to consider, as the Lions remain open to offers for the 26-year-old midfielder who has won two club best and fairest awards.

There has not been a lot of interest in Rockliff from other clubs so far this NAB AFL Trade Period, with Collingwood ruling itself out as a potential new home on Wednesday morning.

Adelaide, the club that has been linked most strongly with the Lions captain, also appears to have its hands full attempting to trade with Carlton for Bryce Gibbs.

The Lions will aim to secure Collingwood defender Jack Frost, who has played 54 games with the Magpies, with a selection late in the third round.

 

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AFL Trades 2016: Josh Caddy happy at Geelong, but would consider move to Richmond

Brisbane remain open to trading pick 2 for multiple picks in the top 10.

 

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Swap-fest sees Giants land No.2 draft pick

GREATER Western Sydney will take selection No.2 to the NAB AFL Draft after exchanging picks 3 and 16 to the Brisbane Lions for the prized pick and a bunch of later selections.

The Lions handed over picks No.2, 31, 51 and 60 in exchange for pick No.3 and No.16 in the NAB AFL Draft.

The Giants have been keen to push as near to the top of the draft as possible to increase the likelihood of securing a player before having to use points to secure their two Academy graduates Will Setterfield and Harry Perryman.

The Lions now have three selections in the first 19 picks and will potentially secure a first-round pick from Gold Coast for Pearce Hanley as it looks to start anew under Chris Fagan.

The Giants may use selection No.2 on running defender Andy McGrath if he remains available after Essendon has used its No.1 draft pick.

Picks 31, 51 and 60 are also worth 1011 points collectively for the Giants as they look to secure their Academy graduates.

Brisbane Lions list manager Peter Schwab said it was likely they would use their picks at the draft, and the club had several players in mind when using its first selection.

"We want to add talent to our list and build a team that can win our next Premiership," he said.

"This trade means we can still secure the young player we want with our first pick, but we get the added benefit of then having picks 16, 19 and 21 – all really early in a draft that has plenty of talent we've identified to suit our needs.

"Our aim as a club is to become relevant again and this trade is the first small step in a clearly defined strategy for the coming years that we have laid down internally to make us better."

 

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Schwab on Hanley leaving: I'm sure something will happen in that space with the Suns (with Scott Clayton)

Schwab: Jack Frost will be at the Lions next year, there's no doubt about that

Schwab: Clubs are well aware of where Tom Rockliff sits. By all accounts the meeting yesterday went well

 

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Mitch Cleary:

Darcy Gardiner has re-committed to @brisbanelions. Will be finalised in coming days

 

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Rocky in limbo, but Hanley set to leave

THE FUTURE of Brisbane Lions skipper Tom Rockliff remains clouded after meeting new coach Chris Fagan, Lions list manager Peter Schwab says.

However, there is now more clarity around fellow Lions star Pearce Hanley, whom Schwab expects to find his way to Gold Coast.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Lions confirmed on their website that Rockliff and his manager Tom Petroro had met with Fagan and new football manager David Noble, with Noble revealing only that the quartet had "a wide-ranging conversation" in which both parties sought each other's views.

However, Schwab, who emphasised that he was a second-hand source, opened up more on the meeting and its possible outcomes.

"By all accounts it went well," Schwab told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Thursday morning.

David and Chris basically spoke to Tommy about what they'd heard and what had been done in the last 12 months in regards to Tom, and Tom had an opportunity, not to defend himself, but to say whether that did or did not (happen), (and) what he thought about the footy club," Schwab said.

"Because Tom's been a captain and a great player for the Brisbane Lions –he's been there a long time – he was forthcoming in saying where he thought the footy club was at, and I guess Chris and David were saying, 'Well, this is where we want to take it'."

Schwab also suggested Rockliff, 26, could remain with the Lions.

"I think it's been a situation that Tom's had to explore other options, but I have no doubt that if Tom stays with the Brisbane Lions that that's fine," he said.

"Certain things would probably have to change in some ways because you've got a new coach and a new regime, but Tom's a professional footballer, he's in the last year of a contract with us, (and) he prides himself on playing well and the proof's in the pudding with Tom – he's always performed well when he gets out on the footy field."

Schwab said Hanley, 27, was likely to join Gold Coast after the Suns complete deals to trade out wantaway pair Jaeger O'Meara and Dion Prestia.

"We're happy to look at it, so I'm sure something will probably happen in that space," he said.

A Hanley switch would likely add another first-round pick for either 2016 or 2017 to the Lions' growing draft arsenal after they traded picks two, 31, 51 and 60 to Greater Western Sydney in exchange for selections three and 16 earlier on Thursday morning

The Lions now hold four of the top 21 picks in next month's NAB AFL Draft.

"We will certainly get a player that we want at (No.) 3, so we're happy," said Schwab, who added that they considering "about four" players for their first pick.

Schwab said the Lions had several holes on their inexperienced list but their prime focus was to strengthen their midfield.

He confirmed that Collingwood's Jack Frost would join the Lions, with a deal still to be finalised.

Meanwhile, small forward Josh Green hasn't been offered a contract by the Lions.

"Currently Josh is uncontracted, so that's probably where he sits. At the end of the trade period we'll have to make a decision on that," Schwab said.

 

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No interest shown in Brisbane Lions skipper Tom Rockliff by rival clubs in AFL trade period

Brisbane remain open to shipping out captain Tom Rockliff during the AFL trade period but are yet to find any clubs interested in taking the star midfielder.

The Lions are looking to stockpile first-round draft picks so they can rebuild their list with young talent and have indicated they will consider trading Rockliff for the right deal.

Rockliff, 26, is keen to stay and met with new coach Chris Fagan and football boss David Noble on Wednesday to discuss his future.

"Right at the moment he's staying ... there's no discussions with any football club in relation to Tom," Brisbane list manager Peter Schwab told SEN radio on Thursday.

"Clearly you could guess that Chris and David coming in were telling Tommy exactly what they expected of him in particular but also what they expected to be doing with the football department and the team going forward in the next three to four years."

 

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Bains: We won't be pursuing Tom Rockliff at the Saints

 

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Trade wrap: Hartung could be key to Hawks landing O'Meara

BILLY Hartung could be the trade circuit breaker that helps Hawthorn snare Jaeger O'Meara, but it is the Brisbane Lions, not Gold Coast, circling the Hawks runner.

AFL.com.au understands the third-year midfielder has attracted interest from the Lions since former Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan took over as senior coach last Monday.

Fagan worked closely with Hartung over the past three seasons at Waverley and is understood to be an admirer of his pace, endurance and work ethic.

Hartung, pick No.24 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, has played 45 games for the Hawks, but was overlooked for the 2015 Grand Final and this year's qualifying final against Geelong.

The Lions' hand in this year's draft includes picks No.16, No.19 (priority pick) and No.21.

It's unlikely the Lions would consider trading No.16 for Hartung, but the latter two picks could be on the trade table.

If the Hawks were to secure one of them for Hartung that pick could prove valuable in their O'Meara negotiations with Gold Coast.

The Lions have flagged they are trying to improve their draft position with as many selections inside the top 25 as possible.

They already hold No.3, No.16, No.19 and No.21, and can expect to receive another early pick when Pearce Hanley makes his way to Gold Coast.

 

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Schwab: top 25 picks, midfield focus with our drafting strategy

Brisbane Lions National Talent Manger Peter Schwab says the club’s trading strategy is to accrue as many top 25 picks as they can.

This comes as the Lions gave up their prized pick two to GWS and received picks three and 16, combined with an exchange of later selections.

“We’re really trying to get under 20 or under 25 in the draft, as many picks as we can,” said Schwab on Hungry for Sport with KB.

“We know we are in a position to try and re-build the talent that comes in and that’s pretty much the strategy in a nutshell.

“Currently we’ve got 3, 16, 19 and 21, so we think it’s a really strong draft, mainly midfield depth is a focus for us.”

 

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Jaeger O’Meara’s move to Hawthorn forcing Hawthorn premiership stars out

There is a new harder edge to the Lions, evidenced by their determination to no longer be a dumping ground for unwanted interstate players.

They have knocked back approaches from clubs, including Hawthorn, looking for their draft picks.

The Lions are prepared to trade captain Tom Rockliff but were not going to accept Collingwood’s offer – which was understood to be a swap for Levi Greenwood and involved the Lions paying a major slice of Rockliff’s salary.

List manager Peter Schwab said there has been no other interest for Rockliff who has a week to learn if he will find a new home or must play-on at Brisbane under a tougher regime where he can no longer run his own race.

 

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Two Hawks could head for Brisbane to help secure Jaeger O’Meara (Denham alert)

Two more players, including Billy Hartung, appear set to leave Hawthorn and join Brisbane to assist the Hawks in their bid for Gold Coast’s Jaeger O’Meara.

The Hawks could then use a combination of second round picks, including the selection they gained yesterday for trading Bradley Hill to Fremantle, to help them gain the Suns midfielder.

Hawthorn yesterday accepted pick No 23 in this year’s draft for Hill to cross to the Dockers, and could also receive selection No 21 from the Lions if midfielder Hartung and a teammate head North.

After losing their first round selection (14) to Sydney for Tom Mitchell, Hawthorn could then attempt to improve their draft order by working with another club to swap picks 21 and 23 for an earlier pick, which could form part of their offer to the Suns to recruit O’Meara.

And speculation was strong last night that a second high- profile Hawthorn player could depart, with contracted vice-captain Jordan Lewis being linked to Melbourne, a day after Sam Mitchell revealed he hoped to join West Coast. However, in contrast to Mitchell, whose transition to the Eagles should be smooth, there is uncertainty regarding Lewis joining the Demons, despite holding negotiations with them and the Hawks.

The Hawks had previously promised pick 14 to Gold Coast as part of a potential trade for O’Meara and therefore need to work to facilitate a similar scenario as a starting point to satisfy the Suns.

The Lions could part with 21 because, after a deal was completed yesterday with Greater Western Sydney, they now have three selections under 20 — picks three, 16 and 19, which was awarded to them as a priority pick from the AFL.

Brisbane are expected to gain a fourth first round selection next week, courtesy of trading Pearce Hanley to Gold Coast.

Despite playing 45 games in his three years with the Hawks, Hartung has not quite made the grade in his position — missing selection in the 2015 premiership after playing the previous two finals, and being overlooked for Hawthorn’s narrow qualifying final loss to Geelong this year. He was reinstated the following week and had 17 possessions in the Hawks’ semi-final loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Hartung, 21, however, is obviously considered a player of the future by new Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, who oversaw his first three years at Waverley Park after being the 24th overall selection in the 2013 national draft, where he was taken two places ahead of Essendon midfield star Zach Merrett.

While the future of Brisbane captain of the past two seasons Tom Rockliff remains in question, Lions list manager Peter Schwab yesterday indicated a trade with the Suns for Hanley was certain to go ahead. Schwab said Hanley would probably not join Gold Coast until after the Suns completed deals to trade out Dion Prestia to Richmond and O’Meara.

 

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Hawthorn list manager:

Wright on Hartung's Lion interest: Not at this stage (spoken to Lions)