Our man’s back with what’s going on behind the scenes in the AFL.
With only three rounds to go before finals, there’ll soon be 10 teams putting more time into trading than training.
And there’s going to be some interesting moves as clubs try to fill needs and get rid of liabilities, while players look for success, money or just a home somewhere closer to mummy.
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The grass is always greener on the other side of the Hill
A strange rumour coming out of WA that Bradley Hill wants out, not just from Freo but from the state he was so keen to be traded back to just two years ago.
Whether it’s the culture at Fremantle, the environment that’s seen him get in trouble off the field, or a hunger for success that maybe he took for granted at Hawthorn and only now realises how much he misses it.
Personally I can’t see the Dockers letting one of their best players go, especially when he’s just 25 years old and contracted till the end of next year.
Stranger things have happened though.
Bradley Hill strolls in and pegs one back for the Docker, silencing the home crowd. #AFLPowerFreo pic.twitter.com/Sbj30KBoCq
— AFL (@AFL) March 24, 2018
Getting aggressive or will this be another trading Blue?
A few clubs are asking after the availability of Carlton tall Harry McKay after the kid’s troubles at Princes Park this year, and as I mentioned a few weeks ago, the Blues are not refusing to pick up the phone.
McKay hasn’t had the best start to a career, but showed again on the weekend when his mind is in the game he brings a bit to the party.
Now, Carlton isn’t in a great position to let a talented kid go, and after watching Josh Kennedy, Eddie Betts, Shaun Grigg and more flourish at other clubs, they must be sick of being made to look stupid, but if they can trade him for a first round draft pick and effectively a quality midfielder while also getting their hands on Jack Lukosius, then it’s a big win for the Blues.
A lot’s going to depend on what clubs are prepared to offer for the number one pick, but McKay is being kept on the side as a very viable back-up plan.
Harry McKay finishes with poise 👌#AFLBluesDons pic.twitter.com/0mnZUNWVCI
— AFL (@AFL) May 12, 2018
Swans have no problem buying ‘damaged goods’
People are telling me Sydney is going cold on Darcy Moore after yet another hamstring setback that suggests he could be a long-term injury risk, but those in the know are saying the opposite.
Moore’s struggles to get on the ground this season are only lowering his price, but the couple of games Collingwood got out of him before the hammy twanged again against the Swans showed John Longmire exactly what he wanted to see.
Sydney backs its medical team to the hilt and don’t see the big Magpie as a risk.
Collingwood on the other hand, have had so much trouble with injuries the past couple of years that they will be wanting to lower the number of chronic cases on their list.
There’ll be a very concerted play by the Swannies to get Darcy to the Harbour City, and the vibe I’m getting is that they’ll be successful.
Darcy Moore clutched at his hamstring in this passage.
— AFL (@AFL) August 4, 2018
He will not return tonight.
Update thanks to @MLC_Australia pic.twitter.com/UkkCs18Fy1