Everitt could gamble on AFL draft - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Everitt could gamble on AFL draft

By Sam Lienert 09/10/2006 08:16:45 PM Comments (0)

Hawthorn ruckman Peter Everitt could be forced to gamble on the pre-season draft to try to get to Sydney, after the two clubs staged a stand-off over trade negotiations.

Carlton fullback Bret Thornton looks like heading down the same path in his bid to move to Hawthorn, after Blues coach Denis Pagan declared on Monday he would not be traded.

But Collingwood's Chris Tarrant was the subject of more fruitful talks, with Fremantle declaring a strong interest and the Magpies conceding publicly for the first time they are entertaining numerous offers for the star forward.

The Dockers are also considering offers for defender Graham Polak, with Richmond a strong contender for his services.

Fremantle said a Polak trade could play an indirect role in its bid for Tarrant.

While negotiations over those four players look set to occupy much of the week, Jason Akermanis was granted his wish to move from Brisbane to the Western Bulldogs within minutes of the trade period opening on Monday.

The details are yet to be finalised, but the two clubs said no other player would be involved, with the Bulldogs most likely to hand the Lions a second-round draft pick.

In contrast, the negotiations over Everitt's future have caused a complicated wrangle.

Hawthorn has demanded an early second-round pick - or a combination of players and picks of equivalent value - in exchange for Everitt, with the Swans, his preferred suitor, so far offering only their third-round selection.

St Kilda offered a second-round selection for his services, which Hawks player personnel manager Chris Pelchen said the club was seriously considering.

"It's certainly more attractive than what Sydney have put to us," he said.

But Everitt would need to agree to the move, which seems unlikely, with his manager Ricky Nixon criticising the Hawks' stance.

"Hawthorn just have to remember that it's a two-way deal, a trade, and Peter has to agree," Nixon said.

"I've been in the business for 15 years and the moves Hawthorn are making at the moment do not rub with me.

"They are big and bold statements they're making on the first day of trading, there's a long way to go before Friday."

Sydney has refused to match the Saints' offer, with coach Paul Roos saying the draft now seemed a better route.

"Given (Hawthorn) don't seem too keen to deal with us we'll deal with Spida's management and it looks like we'll go through the draft," Roos said.

"All we can say is Spida wants to come to Sydney, he's happy to go through the pre-season draft, at least that's what he's telling us."

The Hawks are looking at the draft as a way to secure Thornton after a defiant Pagan declared he was not on the trade table.

"We haven't lost hope of acquiring him through a trade," Pelchen said.

"At the same time, if he does go down the path of the pre-season draft we'll certainly be doing our best to get him to Hawthorn if he's available."

Collingwood chief executive Greg Swann said numerous clubs had expressed an interest in Tarrant.

Fremantle and West Coast appear the two most likely to snare him, but Swann said several Melbourne-based clubs were also keen, while the Magpies have not ruled out keeping him.

"He doesn't desperately want to move, but if the right deal comes along we'll all have a look at it and that's where we sit," Swann said.

Fremantle player personnel manager Stephen Icke said the Dockers would do what they could to win the bidding war.

"We think he can help us, so the interest is as strong as it needs to be to try to secure his services," Icke said.

Icke also conceded the Dockers would probably have to trade Polak, despite earlier saying they planned to retain him, as he has told the club he wants to leave.

Richmond appears to be the frontrunner, with Tigers football manager Greg Miller saying his club might offload a player to a third party as part of a deal for the backman.

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