Eagles’ deal demands revealed — and it’ll limit Port’s No.1 pick mega-trade options
Pick 27 #Pick27
West Coast wants Port Adelaide’s Karl Amon compensation at minimum to seal Junior Rioli’s move to Alberton.
The AFL awarded the Power a second-round selection, which is currently No.27, after Amon exercised his unrestricted free agency rights to sign a four-year deal with Hawthorn.
Port Adelaide’s biggest priority this trade period is satisfying North Melbourne in a deal for last year’s top draft pick Jason Horne-Francis but it is also committed to bringing in Rioli.
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Roos list manager Brady Rawlings made clear on Monday they expect more than the Power’s pick eight this year and a future first-round selection.
Junior Rioli is set to become a Power player. Picture: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
But the Eagles’ demands for Rioli mean pick 27 is unlikely to be part of the sweetener for North, with Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies also ruling out Victorians Zak Butters, Miles Bergman, Josh Sinn and Xavier Duursma.
West Coast was disappointed Rioli requested a trade after the support club officials provided him throughout his ASADA ban and expect good compensation for a player who has kicked 60 goals in 51 games.
The Power’s next-best draft selections this year are both in the 50s.
Port Adelaide has also not given up on luring versatile big man Esava Ratugolea out of Geelong despite Cats list manager Andrew Mackie emphatically stating he would not be traded.
Esava Ratugolea is still in Port Adelaide’s sights. Picture: Alison WyndSource: News Corp Australia
Ratugolea, who showed promising signs as a key defender in the VFL this year but was starved of senior opportunities, would likely need to make his call in the coming days.
“We love Esava. He’s had some conversations (with rival clubs), such is the AFL world, but he’s contracted and we love him,” Mackie said.
“Esava will be staying with the Cats.”
Power pair Sam Hayes and Riley Bonner, who are both contracted until the end of next season, could both be on the move before the trade period ends, with the former drawing some interest from Collingwood.