Blues lift offer as Houston race heats up, Darling switch close, five deals to unlock key trades
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CARLTON has stepped up its bid for pick 13, with the Blues putting their future first and second-round picks up for grabs for the hotly pursued Gold Coast selection.
The choice is looming as critical in the race for Dan Houston as both Collingwood and Carlton hunt the pick along with a host of other clubs, including Melbourne, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs.
The Demons and Bulldogs have both offered their future first-round pick in exchange for Gold Coast’s pick 13, while the Swans have put forward picks 19 and 22.
The Blues are willing to use both of their 2025 first and second-round picks to get the Suns’ pick, which they would then look to use as the main part of their offer to Port Adelaide star Houston.
AFL rules state clubs can’t trade away their future first-round pick without holding onto their future second and third-round picks. However, the Blues also have this year’s second-round pick on the table – currently pick 34 – which they would be able to turn into a future second-round pick. Essendon, which is chasing extra picks in this year’s draft to help match a bid for NGA prospect Isaac Kako, is seen as a potential trading partner for the pick swap, though a number of other clubs will be in the mix.
Carlton’s push shows the high level of interest in Gold Coast’s selection, which the Suns are looking to part with given it would likely otherwise be eaten up by a bid on Academy prospect Leo Lombard.
Collingwood, meanwhile, is targeting the pick as part of the John Noble trade to the Suns. That would require the Magpies to also give up a future first-round pick, but they would also look to get back pick 23 from Gold Coast in return.
Putting their future first-round pick on the table is a move the Pies may be more open to given Thomas McGuane is shaping as a promising father-son next year, and that scenario would give the Pies picks 13 and 23 to lure Houston, as well as small forward Joe Richards, who has been tipped to take up Port’s interest.
Meanwhile, clubs still have Richmond regarded as the favourite for the first-round pick being auctioned – Brisbane’s No.20 choice. The Lions are chasing draft points to match bids on father-son Levi Ashcroft and Academy midfielder Sam Marshall.
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