The Eagles’ special assistance pick from the AFL at the end of the first round of the National Draft – currently 22 – is part of the dealing between clubs.

Suns knock back Dees’ play for Humphrey

Jon Pierik

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Gold Coast and Melbourne met over contracted Demons Norm Smith Medallist Christian Petracca who has asked for a trade to the Suns. Melbourne, as expected, asked for dynamic young forward midfielder Bailey Humphrey in any exchange.

The Suns have stuck to their position that they will not trade the contracted Humphrey.

The clubs will meet further to explore other trade options.

The Bombers are set to meet with the Suns over Brayden Fiorini who is a free agent but the Bombers are keen to do a late trade for Fiorini as they are set to lose Sam Draper as a free agent to Brisbane. Like the Eagles, they do not want to jeopardise their free agency compensation for losing Draper by bringing Fiorini in as a free agent.

The Bombers and senior coach Brad Scott have also long been interested in Suns small forward Ben Ainsworth, who toured The Hanger when he was a free agent before eventually re-signing with Gold Coast.

The Suns are now open to a trade for Ainsworth with the Bombers interested in having a conversation with the player who was pick four in the 2016 national draft.

Earlier on Tuesday a deal was completed for another Gold Coast player, fringe small forward Malcolm Rosas jnr to join the Swans. The Suns received picks 51 and 69, while the Swans received Rosas and pick 62 from the Suns.

A rookie draft selection in 2019, Rosas played 49 games for the Suns, booting 46 goals, but managed only 11 senior games since Damien Hardwick’s arrival as senior coach at the start of last year.

Fremantle ruckman Liam Reidy arrived at Carlton for a minor shuffle of picks – the Blues received Reidy, picks 53 and 71, while the Dockers received picks 50 and 68.

Reidy was starved of opportunity at Fremantle, where he played behind Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.

The Blues had a vacancy to fill with Tom De Koning heading to St Kilda. Reidy will now battle Marc Pittonet and Hudson O’Keeffe to be the Blues’ frontline ruckman.

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“A true competitor, we see a lot of promise in Liam. His form in the WAFL in recent years has really caught our eye, with his athleticism and ability to cover the ground a standout,” Blues list manager Nick Austin said.

“We see him being a significant addition to our ruck group alongside Marc Pittonet and Hudson O’Keeffe.

“We can’t wait to see Liam get to work in the pre-season and are excited to see what he can do at Ikon Park next year.“

Reidy spent three years in the west, after being recruited from Frankston in the 2022 rookie draft. He played 52 games in the WAFL during his time at the Dockers, and was a member of Peel Thunder’s 2024 premiership.

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