West Coast Eagles great Peter Sumich believes the reigning back-to-back premiers, Richmond, are looking to pursue out-of-contract Fremantle midfielder Adam Cerra.
Sumich said the Tigers are targeting Cerra as a long-term replacement for skipper Trent Cotchin, whose best football is likely behind him at 31 years of age.
"I’m hearing Richmond is into Adam Cerra without any trade [for out-of-contract Richmond forward Shai Bolton coming back the other way]", Sumich told SEN WA Drive.
As reported earlier this month by Jon Ralph, Bolton "will reject rival interest that could reach up to $800,000 a year and sacrifice some salary to remain at Punt Road".
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FIVE TRADE TARGETS FOR: Carlton, Essendon
"They’re going to try get him and not worry about Bolton, I think he’ll stay at the Tigers. They’ve won a couple of premierships and still have more to come in the next three or four years in my opinion".
Sumich warned that while the Dockers should want to drive a hard bargain for the 21-year-old, they shouldn't become excessive in trade demands.
"As much as Fremantle should probably earn a top 10 pick out of [a trade] and maybe a rotation of a second rounder, they wouldn’t want to go over the top so they might not get anything.
"They can’t get emotional; you don’t always want or take more because a player like Cerra may want to go and then try and screw over other clubs because you’re upset".
SEN's Sam Edmund said on SEN Breakfast last that rival clubs have informed him Cerra is “highly, highly likely to come home to Victoria,” naming Essendon and Carlton as the two clubs with the most interest.
Embed from Getty Images It has been said that Cerra is currently weighing up whether to accept a hefty offer to stay at the Dockers or return home to Victoria at the end of the season.
Cerra is averaging 21 disposals, five marks and two tackles and has impressed during his short time at Fremantle.