He’s a first-round selection: PelchenBen Higgins
News Corp Australia
August 3, 2016RESPECTED list manager Chris Pelchen has given an insight into what club’s might be prepared to give up for this year’s hottest trade targets.
This year’s trade period kicks off on October 10, a week after the AFL Grand Final, with some big names expected to move clubs.
Pelchen is best known for helping build the current Hawthorn list that has gone onto win three consecutive premierships.
Dion Prestia is arguably the biggest name on the trade table this year with Richmond and Melbourne fighting for his services.
“In terms of a trade, well obviously he’s a player returning home, and he’s highly rated by Gold Coast there’s no doubt about that – I know the guys there still rate him highly,” he told SEN Radio.
“So he’s a first-round selection, he’s a player with immense talent and he’s actually what Richmond do need.
“They need to provide some more support to Dustin Martin and he’s the perfect player to do that, he is, he is a first-round selection yes.”
Fellow Sun, O’Meara is expected to remain at Metricon Stadium should Prestia depart but will still command plenty of attention during the trade period.
The injury-cursed midfielder returned from a long-term knee injury in the NEAFL last month but Pelchen said his talent was too hard to ignore.
“I’ve had several recruiting and list managers talking to me about that in the last month and again based on his potential when he was drafted in both character and performance he was outstanding,” he said.
“Injury problems are something you can’t ignore ... clubs will value Jaeger very differently, if he’s able to overcome injury he’s definitely worth even more than a stand-alone first-round selection.
“The problem is the same that clubs had with Selwood in the draft ... we were one at Hawthorn that bypassed Joel because of injury ... someone will ultimately take the chance on him if Gold Coast release him.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/chris-pelchen-reveals-what-big-name-trade-targets-could-be-worth-in-afl-trade-period/news-story/102dc7365eeed93e3256ac56415174be