For the second time this week, the Western Bulldogs were on the end of another trade request - this time from premiership onballer Jack Macrae.
Macrae's request sees the veteran ball magnet prepare to depart Whitten Oval three years prior to the end of his contract, with his desired departure following the same request made by off-contract youngster Bailey Smith.
And much like Smith, Macrae could cost a keen suitor a first-round draft pick given his pedigree as a three-time All-Australian. There's no doubt his 2024 season has taken some shine off the product fans have come to know Macrae to be, but at his best he is one of the leading ball winners and distributors in the competition.
Macrae will be 31 next year and it'll be a mighty gamble for any club willing to cash in on the inside-outside midfield threat with high-end draft capital, but sides in the window - or at least looking to make the leap - will be sure to consider it.
We assess five clubs that could make a move for Jack Macrae...
4. Adelaide
The Crows are in need of ball winners who can offer some run on the outside alongside Jordan Dawson and Jake Soligo, with the likes of Mat Crouch and Rory Laird more of the in-and-under types who struggle when the game opens up.
Adelaide could look to use Pick 25 to try and satisfy the Dogs, but that selection may already be tied to a trade that will see the Crows land wantaway Melbourne forward Alex Neal-Bullen.
A future second-round pick might be what the Crows push in any deal, with their first-round picks expected to be too high in value to part with. The Dogs don't have a 2024 first-round pick to part with to help move up the draft order, but they can expect to secure one top 20 selection for the loss of Bailey Smith.
If the Crows see themselves as contenders in 2025, a move for Macrae might be a catalyst in their hopes of snapping their finals drought.
