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“It’s absolutely on the table”: Giants flag interest in securing second-straight No.1 pick

The Giants have their eyes on Harley Reid and have a war chest to work with.

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Zero Hanger

GWS list boss Jason McCartney has admitted that the side from Sydney's West has already held discussions regarding a second-straight trade-up for the draft's No.1 pick to claim teenage wunderkind Harley Reid.

McCartney's claims come less than a year after GWS and North Melbourne shook a deal that saw country Victorian Aaron Cadman become a Giant, with the Roos receiving picks 3, 12 and a future-second for the right to pick first.

Though the Giants still have 11 games remaining on their schedule before the off-season, the league's youngest club is well stocked with prime picks thanks to the recent departures of Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto.

While losing the dynamic pair to Richmond following the cessation of the 2022 season, GWS earned bolstered their draft hand, with picks 4, 6 and a future-first currently in their possession.

With a war chest to work with, a noted track record and the carrot of Reid on offer, the question of McCartney whether another run for the opening selection was in the works.

"It's absolutely on the table," McCartney told AFL Media's 'Gettable' podcast.

However, the former Pie, Crow and Roo suggested there would be plenty to play out between now and the trade deadline, namely in the form of the Under 18 National Championships which commenced last week.

"What we know is that it's a really important time in the recruiting calendar coming up, because the under-18 championships have just started. We've all seen a lot of some and the recruiting team has watched for a couple of years and we all know the capabilities of Harley," McCartney added.

"You're strategising about what you would like to be doing and might be doing, but you just also need to keep your powder dry. You just need to let the championships unfold too, because some players can really elevate in that period."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Harley Reid celebrates a goal during the 2022 U18 Championships match between Vic Metro and Vic Country at Marvel Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Speaking on Reid, McCartney stated the Tongala native was a "very special talent", but also stressed there would likely be gold elsewhere in the draft.

"He looks a very special talent. But I'm sure, like we've seen in other years too, there's some that are rising pretty quickly around that early part of the first round and there's some that will jump up over the next couple of weeks as well," he continued.

"But, I'll be honest, I'm not shying away, it's not something we haven't already discussed."

GWS take on their former trade partners North Melbourne at Bellerive Oval on Sunday afternoon in what appears likely to be an integral clash for shaping the early draft order.

 

Published by
Zero Hanger