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Dustin Martin is looming as a key cog in this year’s trade period.
Plus Alastair Clarkson continues to make moves before even officially starting as North Melbourne coach.
Get all the latest player movement news in AFL Trade Whispers!
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LIONS KEEN ON EX-ESSENDON SPEEDSTER
Brisbane is reportedly in the frame to land former Essendon speedster Conor McKenna.
McKenna is set to return to the AFL after two years back home playing Gaelic football in Ireland.
The Herald Sun reports the Lions have kept close tabs on McKenna in recent years and had interest in trading for him during his time at Essendon.
McKenna is not expected to return to Essendon, which he played 79 games for across six years after being taken with pick No.62 in the 2014 rookie draft.
Geelong is another club showing interest in the 26-year-old, who would cost nothing from a draft point of view.
DUSTY A KEY SHAPER OF TRADE PERIOD
Richmond star Dustin Martin could be “the linchpin” of the upcoming trade period, according to Nine reporter Sam McClure.
Martin has two years to run on a contract with Richmond worth over $1 million, but there have been reports throughout the year the 31-year-old is weighing up a potential move interstate at season’s end.
Speaking on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified, McClure said Martin “could stay at Richmond, but I think he’s going to have to be convinced to do that”, while explaining the ramifications of a potential move.
“He now looms, this man, as the linchpin I think for what is going to happen in the trade period,” he said.
“We know he’s on $1.3 million for the next two seasons, he’s been umming and ahhing, he’s been telling people that he doesn’t love football anymore, maybe he needs a change of location, a change of geography.”
Greater Western Sydney pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper are “both going” to leave, according to McClure, meaning a Martin departure could clear up sufficient cap space for the Tigers to secure both players.
Geelong is also interested in Hopper, with McClure saying the Cats were now “out of the race for Jordan De Goey”, while Gold Coast’s pending loss of Izak Rankine to Adelaide means Martin “is far more gettable than he was a month ago” from a salary cap point of view for the Suns.
CLARKO SOUNDS OUT MORE POTENTIAL RECRUITS
Incoming North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has reportedly approached St Kilda’s Ben Long and West Coast’s Junior Rioli as potential recruits.
Clarkson does not officially start at the Roos until November 1 but has been playing an active role in sounding out talent, also approaching former Hawthorn charge Brad Hill.
The Age reports Clarkson has now approached Long and Rioli.
Long remains unsigned for 2023 at the Saints, while Rioli continues to weigh up his future and interest from rival clubs.
One of those clubs is Port Adelaide, which has put a lucrative offer in front of Rioli along with the Eagles.
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