Brisbane Lions would prefer player(s) rather than draft picks in exchange for South-Australian bound midfielder Jared Polec, says National Talent Manager Rob Kerr.
Polec, 20, has requested a trade back to SA but is unlikely to nominate a preferred club, leaving Adelaide and Port Adelaide in a race to secure his services.
The Power have the advantage of holding first and second-round picks in November’s AFL National Draft, but have indicated they won’t use their first selection, No.13 overall, to snare Polec.
Port’s second pick is at No.30, but Kerr said that wouldn’t be enough to get a deal done.
"Both (SA) clubs are competing pretty keenly for Jared,” Kerr told AFL Trade Radio.
“Pick 30 is what Port Adelaide has put on the table, but it doesn't quite do it for us at this point.”
The Lions appear set to lose several homesick players, including Polec, ruckman Billy Longer and young defenders Elliot Yeo and Sam Docherty, in this trade period.
Kerr indicated the Club would prefer to replace some of the outgoing Lions with players rather than more selections in the draft, where they already hold pick Nos.7 and 25.
“If it were to be Adelaide it would have to involve players and we think we're going to have to bring a few players in, so that would be their strong suit,” he said.
The Crows and Power expect talks surrounding Jared Polec to drag into the second or even third week of the trade period.
It’s been a quiet start to the official trade period, with only one deal – Carlton ruckman Shaun Hampson to Richmond for pick No.28 – being done. Deals are being held up by clubs waiting for official confirmation on Free Agency compensation picks, which will be done on October 18.
General Manager of List Development and Strategy David Noble said the Crows were also unlikely to make any major decisions until coach Brenton Sanderson returned from a leadership conference in London on Saturday.