Carlton signal interest in taking James Aish in pre-season draft if trade to Collingwood breaks down
an hour ago
Jon RalphHerald Sun
James Aish to become a Magpie in 2016?
CARLTON has signalled its interest in securing James Aish in the pre-season draft if Brisbane holds firm on its dramatic trade ultimatum.
A host of rivals believe Brisbane will eventually back down and allow the 2013 national draft’s No. 7 pick to be traded to Collingwood.
Carlton is an interested observer, with grand plans for the pre-season draft’s No. 1 pick but aware one option is to effectively snap up Aish for nothing.
The Blues met with Aish during the season on the Gold Coast, sparking the ongoing controversy that saw the Lions believe he would leave them.
Collingwood will have an array of quality early picks given Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman and Nathan Freeman will all depart, meaning it has the means to make a trade.
It has privately noted that Brisbane cannot ask for a priority pick because of a lack of talent then willingly allow Aish to walk because of principle.
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But the Lions believe this is their line-in-the-sand moment, unwilling to allow another quality talent to depart for under market odds.
Jared Polec (pick five in 2010), Billy Longer (pick eight in 2011), Sam Docherty (pick 12 in 2011), Patrick Karnezis (pick 25 in 2010) and Elliot Yeo (pick 30 in 2011) have all left the club.
Contracted midfielder Jack Redden will leave for West Coast, Stef Martin had a trade to Victoria knocked back and Sam Mayes has interested in moving back to South Australia.
The Herald Sun understands the Lions recently put an official submission to the AFL calling for draftees to sign an initial three-year deal.
They believe all first and second-round picks should be contracted for that period, allowing their club a better chance to retain them long-term.
James Aish wants to be traded to Collingwood but Brisbane is refusing to deal. Picture: Simon Cross
That submission came after the AFL called for feedback on standard contracts, with more talks next year during collective bargaining agreement discussions.
The Lions have told their young players to give them four years at the club while they turn around their fortunes and prove to them why success is around the corner.
It is understood the player union is open to more debate about that initial contract but would want to know what wage third-year players would be allocated.
The AFLPA also believes it is beholden upon a club to provide an elite culture that sees players wanting to stay.
Aish’s manager Liam Pickering believes a deal can easily get done if Brisbane relent on their hard-line approach.
“This year wasn’t a great year for James and whether that was about injury? He broke his jaw and had a finger injury and he is a quality young player,’’ he said as Aish demanded a trade.
“He is still only 19, he was one of the babies of the draft. He has got a hell of a lot more footy in front of him.
“Nathan Freeman has requested a trade so there would be a pick there at 24, Seedsman might be on the way out.
“So there could be a number of picks there in the 20s but that’s something the clubs need to work out.”