With the AFL Trade Period set to commence on Monday, the rumour mill is running rife around the country with a handful of news outlets linking potential moves in and out of the Gold Coast SUNS.
goldcoastfc.com.au will advise fans of any trade as soon as it has been lodged with the AFL, however below is a summary of what media around the country are reporting.
IN’s
Paul Seedsman
Gold Coast SUNS List Manager Scott Clayton confirmed the club approached Collingwood advising the Magpies that the club intended to speak with Paul Seedsman.
“We have told Collingwood we have spoken to Paul and we will see where that takes us in the next couple of weeks,” Clayton told AFL Trade Radio on Monday.
The Herald Sun reports the 22-year-old has old Collingwood he wishes to be traded during the upcoming exchange period and speculate the SUNS, along with Adelaide, Hawthorn and North Melbourne are leading the charge to secure his services. Although, a preferred club is yet to emerge.
SEN reports that Seedsman has had a medical with the Crows, but also suggested that the Victorian could firm for the Hawks now that they have a little bit of room to move on the back of the retirements of triple-premiership stars Brian Lake and David Hale.
Jeremy Howe
Clayton also revealed on AFL Trade Radio that Gold Coast had previously had discussions with Jeremy Howe’s management and are due to meet with the Melbourne utility’s management before trade week commences on Friday.
“We did speak to Jeremy’s manager earlier in the year and have touched base a couple of times,” Clayton said.
“We are due to see him again prior to the trade week starting and we will see where that is.”
The West Australian reports that Fremantle are seeking the services of Howe as they look to solve their forward line issues.
With Matthew Pavlich’s future still clouded, Ross Lyon has publicly declared the club needs to lure talented forwards to the club to arrest their inability to kick winning scores in finals.
The Tasmanian is ineligible for free agency, thus must seek a trade should he wish to depart the Demons.
OUT’s
Harley Bennell
The West Australian reports that Harley Bennell has named Fremantle as his club of choice and has told the Gold Coast SUNS that he wants to return to his native state and resume his career with the Dockers.
West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett, yesterday ruled his club out of recruiting Bennell, "No, Harley's not in our thinking," Nisbett said on Monday.
Bennell toured Richmond’s Punt Road headquarters last week, spending time with Mark Williams, but reportedly missed a medical with the club resulting in the Tigers withdrawing their interest in the star midfielder.
The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark says the Tigers pulled out of the race for Bennell, following a series of nights out in Melbourne last week and the 23-year-old will have to satisfy Fremantle’s decision makers that he could commit to the clubs expectations.
While NAB AFL Trade Radio’s Craig Hutchison was critical of Bennell, “It's a horrible look for him to be out until 5am the week he's trying to convince clubs to take him,” he said.
In his first day as the coach of Essendon, John Worsfold expressed the Bomber’s desire to explore the possibility of luring the West Australian.
“There is plenty of interest in his talent and we need to do some research into his desire to commit to the standards that will be expected at the Essendon Football Club,” Worsfold said.
“I think we need to explore it because his talent warrants that, but it is a package that comes and we need to really find out where his mind is at.”
Zac Smith
Melbourne radio station SEN reports that Zac Smith has attracted the attention of Geelong who have a raft of injured ruckmen on their list.
The Cats recruited Mitch Clark and Rhys Stanley last trade period, but both continued to battle with injury in their maiden seasons at the Cattery, prompting the clubs search for another ruckman.
Smith reportedly met with Essendon in mid-September as the Bombers also look to sure up their ruck division after both Shaun McKernan and Jonathan Giles failed to grab the vacant role left by Paddy Ryder in 2015.