Dons, Tigers armed for raid Jon Ralph
Herald Sun
June 03, 2010 FORMER power clubs Essendon and Richmond have signalled their intent to launch massive post-season recruiting raids in a Gold Coast-affected trade market.
Richmond has plenty of salary cap room and plans to use it, with president Gary March confirming the Tigers will be out to improve their list.
And Essendon has been given permission by its chief executive Ian Robson to be active in the market.
Port Adelaide's Travis Boak, Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield and Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom, all out-of-contract at the end of the season, are generating interest.
But clubs fear Geelong's postponed talks with Gary Ablett will affect player movement, delaying what is anticipated to be a period of prolific change.
The Cats may have up to $800,000 to recruit a rival if Ablett leaves for Gold Coast.
While some of that money will be absorbed into existing contracts, the Cats should have money to burn, plus the perfect list and culture to entice recruits.
That would mean rival clubs determined to improve their lists could be trumped, or at least delayed, by Ablett's procrastination.
Richmond may have to throw big dollars at a player to convince him to switch to its struggling outfit.
March said this week the Tigers had plenty of salary cap room, and would leave no stone unturned.
"Hopefully we can be aggressive in the trade period. If we can get all our (injured) players back together, the most exciting part for us is that we will get that group with a bit of momentum going into next year," he said.
Essendon also has room in its cap, having not used $500,000 it had thought would be taken up in a contract for Matthew Lloyd, who instead opted to retire.
Well-paid veterans Scott Lucas and Adam McPhee also departed, leaving the Bombers with the means to lure back an interstate star.
It remains to be seen if the club would give up its first-round draft pick.
There has been speculation that star Western Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen is at the top of the club's wish list, but he is not believed to be a realistic priority.
While high draft picks David Myers and Leroy Jetta have in recent weeks improved the Bombers midfield stocks, they are still desperate for another A-grade onballer.
Essendon could have picked up Fremantle revelation Michael Barlow in the pre-season draft after he trained at Windy Hill, but instead took East Fremantle midfielder Kyle Hardingham, 21.
Hardingham may soon debut after encouraging VFL form.
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