As we gear up for another exciting trade week the football world is buzzing with rumours and speculation over which players will be traded and where some of the big name players will end up come Friday afternoon.
After Chris Judd stole the show at last years trade week this year there are a number of stars who are already on the market or have yet to commit to their current club for next season.
This years prized catch was set to be West Coast Eagles star midfielder Daniel Kerr after West Coast announced they would hold off contract negotiations until after the exchange period. Despite being contract until the end of 2009 there was growing speculation that Kerr would leave the Eagles. This came to end yesterday when Kerr & the Eagles announced that the 25-year-old had signed an extended contract to keep him at the club beyond 2009 but refused to reveal the actual length of the new contract.
Sydney forward & premiership player Ryan O’Keefe has yet to commit the the Swans next year and is believed to be weighing up his options after the Swans offered him a three year contract to stay in Sydney but will not budge on the terms of the contract. It’s believed that Carlton, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs are interested in luring the 27-year-old.
Carlton are yet to come to please Fremantle after promising ruckman Robert Warnock nominated the Blues as his preferred club after he announced his wish to return to his home state, Victoria. Carlton have publicly stated that they have put up their second round pick in the National Draft (pick #24) for a direct swap for Warnock.
Sydney will be looking to secure the services of Essendons Andrew Lovett after they flew Lovett to Sydney last week to meet coach Paul Roos, club staff and a number of the senior players at the Swans. Lovett is currently contracted at Essendon until 2009 however its believed Essendon will seek a trade for the 25-year-old due to disciplinary reasons.
Another ruckman is looking to escape from the West. Mark Seaby of West Coast is tired of playing second ruckman to All-Australian Dean Cox. It’s believed St Kilda & Melbourne are the front runners to secure his services next season.
North Melbourne will be seeking a trade for midfielder Daniel Harris who signalled his intentions to leave last week. The 26-year-old has played 139 games for North Melbourne and is still contracted to the Roos until 2009.
Western Bulldogs midfielder Farren Ray has told the Bulldogs he wishes to be traded during trade week despite currently being contracted for next season. The Bulldogs stated they still believe Ray is a required player but will fulfil the 22-year-olds wishes.
Josh Carr from Fremantle is seeking to be traded back to Port Adelaide, however Port Adelaide are reluctant to give up anything to secure Carrs services. Port Adelaide however have said they are willing to trade their early picks if they can lure a superstar player.
It seems unlikely that Collingwood will put Alan Didak on the trade table after president Eddie McGuire publicly stated Didak was a required player. Its rumoured that Rhyce Shaw will be seeking a new home next season. Shaw was suspended at the same time as Didak and his younger brother Heath Shaw for breaking team rules.
Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy and Melbourne forward Brad Green are yet to sign contracts for their respective clubs but have showed no signs of being involved during trade week.
If you’re unaware, the 2008 AFL exchange period beings on Monday morning at 10:30am and concludes at 2pm on Friday afternoon.
Officials from the 16 clubs will formally meet on Monday at Telstra Dome from 10.30am to 2.45pm.
Trade rules
You can stay up to date with all the trade week news on AFL Online next week, including our very own ‘Trade Tracker’ that will be updated as soon as trades are officially confirmed. The trade tracker will be online tomorrow morning on the homepage.
