Discussions that would essentially be a three-way deal for Dan Houston to get to the Magpies—which is now his preferred destination—with John Noble and Joe Richards heading to the Suns and Power, respectively, remain deadlocked between Collingwood, Gold Coast, and Port Adelaide.
The Suns have turned down an offer from Collingwood that included Noble and their future first-round pick in exchange for choices 13 and 23, according to people with knowledge of the talks who requested to remain anonymous.
Collingwood intended to tie Joe Richards in a trade with Port for Houston in order to obtain pick 13. They wish to hold onto pick 23 for the draft.That agreement for Houston is unlikely to be accepted by the Power. The Suns have two reasons for wanting to negotiate with Collingwood: first, they want to get Noble; second, they want to provide Collingwood draft capital so that it can trade Port for Houston.
Assisting Port in finalizing a trade with Houston would then make it possible for Adelaide to move Jack Lukosius to the Suns in exchange for their future first-round pick. Port has been informed by the AFL that they will not require further permission to transfer their future first selection.
Lukosius will sign a two-year contract with the Suns worth roughly $2.5 million, a sum the team is keen to get off its books. However, he would sign a longer-term deal with the Power for less money annually.
There is still one week left in the trade window, but the longer talks drag on, the more likely it is that North Melbourne, who has the draft capital to trade with Port, or Gold Coast will start talking to other clubs, like Carlton, about pick 13.
In the meantime, a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that 30-year-old Bombers forward Jake Stringer is willing to leave to advance his career at a third team, lending further credence to the Giants’ efforts to sign him.
In addition to Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan, former All-Australian captain Toby Greene, gifted small forwards Darcy Jones and Brent Daniels, and marking goalkickers Aaron Cadman and Jake Riccardi, Stringer would strengthen an already thrilling attack. Sources emphasized that much work remained to be done before a deal would move forward.
After kicking 42 goals for the Bombers this season, Stringer—the 2016 Premiership player who played 89 games with the Western Bulldogs and was also named an All-Australian in 2015—has been candid about his ambition to sign a contract that would extend into 2025. However, Essendon has remained steadfast.
They have not minded, though, as the explosive forward weighs his options; Collingwood is among the clubs that have considered whether to sign the veteran.
