St. Kilda thinks about a bold piece for another young Giants star.
Also, the Blues will likely have to make an early choice to land Adam Saad in case he wants to get off the bombers.
Get the latest news and updates on player movement in AFL Trade Whispers!
Watch the 2020 Toyota AFL Finals Series on Kayo with every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming right away>
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE OR SPOTIFY ITUNES
ON YOUR PHONE? Tap to listen
SAINTS MAKE HUGE ‘NO.1’ TRADING TARGET
Another giant – a contractor this time – was associated with the saints. Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd reports that star midfielder Tim Taranto sparked St. Kilda’s interest.
The Giants are already balancing several contract problems with players who are not signed after 2020. Last year’s Coleman medalist Jeremy Cameron is no longer out of contract with Geelong, while first-round conscripts Jackson Hately, Xavier O’Halloran and Jye Caldwell have keen interest in rival teams.
And like Caldwell, according to Lloyd, Taranto is a player of interest to the Saints.
Taranto is tied to the Giants until the end of 2022 after signing a two-year contract extension in July 2019.
I speak on channel 9 Footy classifiedLloyd said the Saints are “desperate” for an inside midfielder – and Taranto is their top trading priority.
“I believe they will make Tim Taranto the # 1 magnet they are looking for during this trading period to get to the Saints and help Jack Steele,” Lloyd said. “He’s the one you have in mind.”
Clubs circling Star Don
0:37
Lloyd added that the 22-year-old Taranto would likely order two first-round picks from a rival club should he get out of the Giants.
Panelist Caroline Wilson also said St. Kilda was looking for a younger insider-on-baller – hence a lack of interest in Brad Crouch – and that Graeme Allen, who plays an advisory role on the club’s football program, could play a key role in the persecution of Taranto by the Saints, taking into account their relationship during Allen’s time with the Giants.
After winning the Giants’ best and fairest count in a year they reached a grand finale, Taranto had a tough campaign for 2020 that resulted from a shoulder reconstruction. He played eleven games and only collected more than 20 departures four times.
However, Taranto, who was picked as Pick 2 in the 2016 draft, is still considered one of the best young midfielders in the game.
Get the latest AFL news, highlights and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Join Now!
BOMBERS ‘ASK FOR PRICE FOR SAAD
Carlton has a long-term deal on the table for Adam Saad but is likely to have to give up his first draft pick to close a deal with Essendon should the defender request a trade, reports Age.
In view of the circle of rival clubs and a five-year contract allegedly offered by the bombers, the non-contractual Saad has yet to finally determine his footballing future.
Earlier this week it was reported that Carlton had stepped up efforts to lure Saad, who has also attracted interest in Melbourne, Richmond and North Melbourne.
Age On Wednesday night, Carlton reported that he had also made Saad a long-term offer that would fill the gap between ongoing defenders the Blues would like to tackle.
Carlton’s contract priorities
1:01
The report also suggested that any blues bomber deal with Saad would “likely” result in Essendon asking Carlton about his first choice in this year’s national draft, which is currently in the top 10.
Even though he no longer has a contract, the Blues would still have to trade Saad as he is not eligible for a free agency, and bomber list boss Adrian Dodoro would almost certainly not include the gun backman in the Jack Martin’s draft -Let the season pass.
However, the Blues are unlikely to win Giants star Zac Williams, whom they would like to unleash in midfield, for nothing, as he stands out as a free agent acquisition – unless the Giants are the first club to offer a restricted one AFL completes free agent.
.
