AFL trade wrap with Matthew Lloyd
As the trade period draws closer to the end, Jaeger O’Meara will be sitting nervously as he hopes the Suns and Hawthorn can strike a deal.
So far Gold Coast have been less than impressed the Hawks ‘low-ball’ offer for the midfielder and if they don’t raise the bar, O’Meara could find himself entering the national draft.
An offer which has been on the table from Hawthorn are picks 10 and 48.
3AW Football expert Matthew Lloyd believes the Suns must continue with their tough stance in order to hold credibility.
‘I think they lose all credibility as a football club if they are to fold tomorrow for pick a 10 and 48,’ Lloyd said on Sports Today.
There has been a theory amongst AFL circles that the Suns could re-draft O’Meara with one of their three top-ten picks in the National Draft next month.
If there is not a club who picks up O’Meara before pick 10, the Hawks would almost certainly take him with that selection.
Lloyd says it is unlikely O’Meara would re-enter the Suns if they were to draft him again, due to his fractured relationship with club Chairman Tony Cochrane.
‘O’Meara is very, very upset with Tony Cochrane and the way he handled his last week at the football club,’ Lloyd said.
‘O’Meara wanted to announce and speak with his teammates at the end of round 23, Tony Cochrane wouldn’t allow him to do it and he forced him to do it on a Wednesday.
‘He wasn’t prepared, he was disappointed with how he delivered his message. There’s no way he wants to go back.’
Another big name yet to find a new home is Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs.
The Crows are chasing Gibbs and are reported to have five-year deal on the table, but it could mean nothing if a deal is not struck.
‘They’re getting nervous in Adelaide,’ Lloyd said.
‘Carlton wanted a player alongside pick 13, but it might be that Carlton accept a future pick.’
Richmond star Brett Deledio is expected to join GWS on a three-year deal, while Travis Cloke, Nathan Vardy, Josh Caddy, Nathan Hrovat, Mitch Brown and Jarryd Lyons are all in list limbo ahead of the final day of trade period.
Thursday’s deadline is 2pm.
Click PLAY to hear Matthew Lloyd on Sports Today