GWS Giants

Giants reportedly name their price for young midfield pair: AFL trade news

GWS look to be hellbent on wanting significant assets in return for their wantaway duo.

Published by
Juri Bilcich

As GWS embarks on the likelihood of significant player departures, the club is reportedly eyeing two first-round picks in return for young midfielder Tim Taranto.

The 24-year-old is set to depart after six seasons in the orange and charcoal to join Richmond on a lucrative seven-year deal.

The second overall pick in the 2016 draft played 16 games this season, averaging 25.4 disposals with his best performances coming against Gold Coast in Round 3 and Adelaide in Round 7.

During his time with the club, Taranto was twice named in the 22under22 team, whilst enjoying a career-best year in 2019 where he led the side in disposals (721) and won the Kevin Sheedy Medal and Brett Kirk Medal.

His teammate, Jacob Hopper is also set to leave after seven seasons at the Giants, with the midfield bull meeting with Richmond on Monday, despite having a year left to run on his contract.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Tim Taranto of the Giants takes a mark during the round four AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Fremantle Dockers at UNSW Canberra Oval on April 14, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

According to SEN's Sam Edmund, the Giants are asking for a top-10 pick as a minimum for the 25-year-old, who has twice finished in the top three in the club's best and fairest, along with two first-round selections for Taranto.

With their departures looming, livewire small forward Bobby Hill is set to join Collingwood, while North Melbourne and Hawthorn are in the hunt for Tanner Bruhn - the 12th pick in the 2020 draft.

GWS have faced a lengthy history of key players departing the club for various reasons, including Jeremy Cameron, Taylor Adams, Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Zac Williams, Devon Smith and Jack Steele.

In 2020, GWS received three first-round selections for Cameron and a first-round compensation pick for unrestricted free agent Williams.

In 2015, the club received two first-round selections for Treloar, while in 2018 netted three first-round picks for Shiel and Smith.

GWS currently holds Picks 3, 21, 39, 57, 59, and 75 in this year's draft, while the Tigers hold Picks 12, 19 and 30.

Published by
Juri Bilcich