Essendon and Hawthorn look set to pounce on GWS stars Dylan Shiel (left) and Tom Scully as the Giants battle to shed salary cap space.
Dons and Hawks take honours in trade period opening week
We’re over halfway through the trade period, and a number of deals have been done, while a few big names have been linked with some big moves.
However, with the trade window winding up on Wednesday night, it looks as though deals involving Lachie Neale and Steven May might go down to the wire.
It’s certainly unusual suggesting two sides that have won the trade period so far haven’t actually completed any deals, although Essendon and Hawthorn seem to be the leaders as it stands.
Essendon won the race for the most coveted trade this period, as star GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel nominated the Bombers as his club of choice.
Shiel chose the Dons over Hawthorn, Carlton and St Kilda, although while a trade is yet to be constructed, the damaging left-footer will almost certainly be a Bomber next season, despite GWS’ defiant stance on compensation for the midfielder.
The 2017 All-Australian is one of the Giants’ best, averaging more than 25 disposals of the Sherrin this season.
Shiel is an elite clearance player and can win the ball both inside and out, and would fit perfectly alongside the likes of Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis, Andrew McGrath and Devon Smith.
The most surprising part of Shiel’s commitment to the Bombers could be his pay packet, as it’s reported he chose the lowest offer of the four, citing success as the main reason for moving to Tullamarine.
And if he continues on his form from 2018, he could be one to watch in new colours in all fantasy platforms.
Despite the Hawks missing out on Shiel, they seem to be up to their ears in bids for Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard and GWS’ Tom Scully.
The Wingard case in particular is an interesting one, given it looked as though he wasn’t going to leave up until the Thursday of the opening week.
It seems like the Power were OK with him going out and finding his trade value, after they didn’t offer him an extension at the end of the season. When it looked like he didn’t get the answer he was after, it seemed as though they were going to reunite for 2019.
The Western Bulldogs confirmed their interest in the two-time All Australian early in the off-season, although they didn’t seem to have the assets to make the move.
It’s not like Hawthorn do either, although that doesn’t matter as much after Wingard nominated the Hawks on Thursday night.
They’ll be keen to strike a deal, although now they need to work around another superstar, with elite two-way runner Tom Scully also in their sights.
With the Giants needing to shed salary cap space (and a fair bit of it), players like Shiel, Scully and Rory Lobb are on the outer, and the Hawks are right into the winger. Scully has reportedly already had a medical with the Hawks, as they look to bring in both stars.
The only negative could be the potential loss of Ryan Burton, who Port Adelaide wants to include in its trade for Wingard.
The Hawks will be letting a young star leave if they rid themselves of Burton. Although, if they can keep the defender and bring in Wingard and Scully, they’ll surely be set to build on their semi-final exit this season.
One side which could swing a late deal is Sydney.
The Swans could be at a crossroads, and after letting Dan Hannebery and Gary Rohan leave for basically nothing, which begs the question; are they up to something?
Bringing Tom Langdon in from Collingwood was a focus until he announced he was staying with the Pies. But don’t be surprised if the Swans make a big swoop for another A-grader over the final couple of days.
