After Adelaide forward Shane McAdam officially submitted his trade request to Melbourne, various exchange ideas have been floated regarding the compensation the Crows' list committee will demand from the Demons.
While draft selections form the typical trade recompense, an understanding has developed that the Crows may request a mature-aged player in return for the livewire forward.
RELATED: CROWS CONFIRM FORWARD'S TRADE REQUEST
Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark reported last week that Adelaide could seek a solidified player in exchange for McAdam, though the Demons are unlikely to be willing to part with a difference-maker, leaving ambiguity around what the eventual deal will consist of.
We've explored three possible trade scenarios that result in McAdam donning Demons colours by the end of October.
2. Dees part with Grundy exchange pick
Despite their apparent unwillingness to accept draft capital in a McAdam return, the Crows may settle for a pick due to a lack of a better alternative.
If Adelaide's list committee seeks Harrison Petty or Tom Sparrow, they'll likely be bluntly turned away. If the Crows don't want Harmes, for example, perhaps a draft selection is the most plausible remaining option in order to facilitate McAdam's departure.
Harmes, while reportedly catching the eye of at least four rival clubs, may not be Adelaide's cup of tea, which would retreat both parties to a standstill.
On the other hand, the potential draft pick the Demons acquire in their likely exchange of ruckman Brodie Grundy to Sydney could unlock the fruits of this deal, with that theoretical pick then likely to be on-traded to West Lakes.
Determining what draft pick that is could depend on Melbourne's dealings with the Sydney Swans for the out-of-favour Grundy.
If, as expected, Grundy finds his way to the Harbour City this October, it will likely be in exchange for a second-round draft selection. As things stand, Sydney holds picks 22 (from Hawthorn) and 30 at November's National Draft, with the latter choice most likely representing the appropriate value to cement an agreement.
RELATED: 2023 AFL DRAFT ORDER
As part of a deal that included paying a portion of his lucrative salary, the Demons offloaded pick 27 for Grundy last year.
Potential deal: Melbourne trades Pick 30 (from Sydney) to Adelaide in exchange for Shane McAdam.Â
All of these are inadequate.
The closest to reality (trading the pick received for Grundy) is still shy of the mark…
Grundy’s a good Ruckman, but the Crows don’t need him…. and he played all of what 2 or 3 games while being available all year?
McAdam is a first choice player in a forward line loaded with talent …. a marked difference. He will play all season for Melbourne.
He’s worth an early second round pick – so “22” might be acceptable.
A real alternative is for Melbourne to give up future picks that Adelaide might use for a couple of father-sons in the “pipeline”. Michalanney’s younger brother for one… (good to have a few, after the vfl all but disqualified father-sons for the Crows ……).