COACH FACTOR IN EAGLES SEARCHWEST Coast's new coach could be a pivotal factor in the trade and free agency decisions of star targets Liam Baker, Jack Graham and Shai Bolton, as the Richmond trio continue to weigh up their options.
Former Tigers assistant Andrew McQualter is among the genuine contenders in the Eagles' coaching search and shares a good relationship with all three players from his 10-year career at Punt Road.
Baker and Bolton have already requested trades to Western Australia and have interest from both West Coast and Fremantle, while Graham is tossing up four-year free agency offers from the Eagles and the Tigers.
Speaking on AFL.com.au's trade and draft show Gettable this week, West Coast list manager Matt Clarke said the club was still waiting on a call from Baker, with clarity on the Eagles' coaching position expected to be a factor for players considering moves.
"I'm not sure about confident (of landing Baker)," Clarke said.
"He's still to make a decision. His management and Liam have been upfront about that, they're still weighing up a few things. We've put our best foot forward to see what we can do there.
"We'd love to get Liam on board given what he offers from a talent point of view and a leadership point of view with our group. We're still working through that.
"He's got a decision to make and we don't have a coach at the moment as well. That may play a factor in it at some point, potentially. We'll have constant dialogue with his management group."
Graham is still weighing up offers from West Coast and Richmond as an unrestricted free agent, while Bolton has also requested a trade to Western Australia but remains under contract with the Tigers until 2028.
West Coast has joined Fremantle in the hunt for Bolton, though Clarke conceded it would be difficult to get a deal for the star small forward done given Richmond would hold the leverage in negotiations.
"I think it'll be difficult for anybody, really," Clarke said.
"Shai, obviously, is keen to get home. The Tigers are in a good position there. He's heavily contracted and he's a high-end, quality player. I'm not sure where that one actually sits with both clubs, to be honest." – Riley Beveridge
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1217505/inside-trading-key-factor-for-eagles-targets-swan-gets-offer-clubs-meet-for-trade-talks