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.
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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.
Upon learning of Melbourne's apparent desire to retain contracted defender Adam Tomlinson, out-of-favour midfielder James Harmes presents as an alternative tradeable asset.
Harmes is out of favour at Melbourne, and while he's a contracted Demon, recent reports suggest there's enough external interest in the utility to be expendable this off-season.
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While Harmes probably wouldn't serve as much more than a decent depth piece at West Lakes, he does fit the 'mature-aged player' bill the Crows supposedly covet.
Potential deal: Melbourne trades James Harmes to Adelaide in exchange for Shane McAdam.
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.
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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.
This scenario is easily the least likely outcome, and the mere suggestion of it will likely frustrate Dees supporters.
If the Crows play hardball for McAdam and Melbourne truly desires the small forward's services, a mature-aged player in the mould of South Australian forward Harrison Petty could find his way back to his home state as part of the McAdam agreement.
If Melbourne was ever to acquiesce and relinquish Petty, it wouldn't come cheaply for the Crows, who would need to fork out a considerable draft selection alongside McAdam.
Again, this is easily the least likely of our trio of theoretical scenarios.
Potential deal: Melbourne trades Harrison Petty to Adelaide in exchange for Shane McAdam and Pick 20.