December 26, 2024

Tiger Jack Graham on Port Adelaide’s AFL trade radar

Jack Graham #JackGraham

Richmond midfielder Jack Graham is on Port Adelaide’s trade radar amid speculation the dual premiership winner will be squeezed out of the Tigers.

Graham is believed to be open to offers despite being contracted at Richmond for next season.

The 24-year-old’s position in the Tigers’ starting line-up is under pressure given the imminent arrivals of GWS on-ballers Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto.

Both Giants want to be traded to Richmond, which will push Graham down the midfield pecking order.

Port Adelaide’s football manager Chris Davis says Graham is among South Australian born players of interest to his club.

“We have got interest in South Australian players who might be interested in coming home, definitely,” Davies told AFL trade radio on Tuesday. “Jack is obviously a good player. I am not sure where his situation is at with Richmond.

Jack Graham of the Tigers could be on the move. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“But any player who … is from South Australia and wants to come back, we have got to take an interest in them.”

Port’s interest in Graham would have increased after Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley chose the Brisbane Lions over the Power as his preferred destination next season.

When the trade period officially opens next week, Port will strike a deal with West Coast for forward Junior Rioli, who wants to move to Alberton.

The Power have offered a four-year deal to Rioli with Davies rating the half-forward position as increasingly more important across the league.

“With Connor Rozee and Zak Butters spending more time in the midfield this year and Orazio Fantasia unable to get on the park (due to injury), we left ourselves short in that position,” Davies said.

“From our perspective, it’s his (Rioli’s) goal sense, his ability to link that midfield-forward area which is an area of our team that we need to get better at.”

Port will also lose free agent Karl Amon to Hawthorn, with Davies uncertain what his club’s draft pick compensation will be.

“It will be interesting to see where the AFL end up … we will let things play out but I think it has got to be close to a first round, if not an end of first round selection,” he said.

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