Carlton have been in the front seat to acquire Adam Cerra for some time, but now a new contender has seriously emerged.
Melbourne have reportedly met with the smooth midfielder and put a pitch to him that left Cerra seriously impressed.
Speaking on 3AW's Sportsday, Sam McClure has reported that Melbourne have pitched to the 21-year-old, but deal might come at a cost.
โSimon Goodwin, Alan Richardson and Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb were part of the presentation and (Adam Cerra) was seen to be very impressed,โ McClure said.
โMelbourne can pay Cerra both money and contract length that Carlton can but thereโs a problem โ (Fremantle) want Luke Jackson (in return).
"He was born in Fremantle, played for East Fremantle and has dominated since (going to the Demons).
Jackson is a star in the making with the former Pick 3 taking out the AFL NAB Rising Star Award last week. At only 19-years-of-age, Jackson has now established himself of a key member of Melbourne's premiership tilt.
Fremantle are desperate for a young tall-forward and the nearly two-metre Jackson would loom as a tantalising prospect.
โThis is Fremantleโs way of saying that if you want to come and take one of our young starsโฆI think pick six would land up getting the deal over the line because it might land up getting them Lachie Neale," McClure said.
Neale has since committed his future to the Brisbane Lions.
โI think heโll end up at Carlton, but Melbourne has absolutely impressed (Cerra) here," McClure said.
Melbourne will almost certainly refuse any offer for Jackson who is seen as a big piece of the club's future.
Jackson is set to play in Melbourne's huge preliminary final clash against Geelong on Friday.
