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The steep trade package Geelong may have to send GWS to acquire Cameron

Just how much will the Cats be giving up for the star forward? 🧐

Published by
Mitch Keating

After Jeremy Cameron ended ongoing speculation surrounding his future by nominating Geelong as his destination club on Monday, the Giants will now turn to the whiteboard to see what they can gain in return for their star forward.

According to Fox Sports' Tom Morris, Greater Western Sydney will be opting for players in exchange for Cameron and not just draft selections.

The Giants can match Geelong's offer for the key forward, forcing a trade between the two clubs, with GWS's worst case scenario being they receive a first round selection as compensation if they aren't to match any bid.

Cameron is believed to sign a long-term deal worth a reported $850,000 per-season, with the Giants likely gaining a pick falling close to the 10th overall selection at this year's draft.

The Giants are unlikely to settle for free agency compensation and will likely look to match the Cats' offer.

Geelong have a strong hand in this year's draft, holding three first round selections, but Morris suggests the Giants will be coming after names instead of picks.

“There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind there’ll be players involved in this deal as well - at least that’s what the Giants want,” Morris said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

“The Cats have picks 11, 13 and 18, and although they might ask for one of those picks, the Giants will want players as well.

“You’ve got to think about Brandan Parfitt, think about Esava Ratugolea who’s out of contract, think Sam Simpson who’s out of contract, and don’t discount them asking for Jordan Clark as well, who has two years left on his deal and wants to play senior footy.

“Players, not just draft picks, will get this deal done and what we know is when often when there’s players involved, they’re the hardest deals to orchestrate.”

One name that has risen in trade discussions is Geelong tall Esava Ratugolea, with the athletic forward-ruck utility out-of-favour at Kardinia Park even before Cameron's imminent arrival.

AFL 360 host Mark Robinson suggests the Giants and Ratugolea would be a suitable fit.

“Where does that leave Ratugolea in all this? Ratugolea is a key forward, second ruck – I think the Giants would be pretty keen to get him in some sort of trade back. And Ratugolea, I don’t know how he’s going to fit in this (Geelong) team,” Robinson said.

“You wouldn’t want to be a young key forward at Geelong.”

Ratugolea was born in New South Wales and grew up in Cobram, on the border of Victoria and NSW.

 

Published by
Mitch Keating