This is from this mornings Australian. Interesting to say the least
============================
http://theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10994136%255E2722,00.htmlBombers, Cats eye Ottens
Greg Denham
October 07, 2004
OFF-CONTRACT Port Adelaide midfielder Josh Carr last night was somewhere west of Adelaide, but still a fair way east of Perth, as at least one other club attempted to buy into his swap to Fremantle.
Carr's future may depend on negotiations by Power and Geelong, which is attempting to enter into the previously independent trade deal in a bid to gain the highly sought-after Brad Ottens from Richmond.
Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy also said last night the Bombers were keen to secure Ottens, despite being warned off by Ottens' management, who reinforced the ruckman's desire to continue his career with Sydney or Geelong.
But so far the Swans have failed to mount a challenge that would satisfy Richmond.
Sheedy said Essendon had offered its first pick, No.14, and Mark Bolton in a deal to Richmond that could also involve the Bombers gaining out-of-favour Tiger Ty Zantuck.
But negotiations will continue today between the Tigers and the Kangaroos for a straight swap of Zantuck and Roos forward Leigh Harding. Port rejected the Dockers' initial offer for Carr of national draft selections 11 and 27, but the Power would consider the same picks and promising young Fremantle player Ryley Dunn as part of the deal.
Port Adelaide could then on-trade pick No.11 to another club, with Geelong the front-runner, in return for a quality midfielder and possibly another player.
By trading with Port Adelaide, Geelong or even the Bombers could move a step closer to snaring Ottens, provided Richmond reduced its demands of at least one draft pick under 10 in return.
While Essendon showed its hand for the first time yesterday as being keen to land Ottens, Sheedy denied speculation that Mark Johnson would be used as bait.
"I'd be sacked if I did that, he's not in the picture," Sheedy said of offering Johnson, a tough onballer who won the Bombers' best and fairest award from the back pocket in 2002.
After so far failing to trade with Collingwood for pick No.7 which would clinch the Ottens deal, Geelong's bid for selection 11 consisted of a package involving Corey Enright, originally recruited from Port Adelaide.
Richmond, however, last night was firm it had not reduced its demands of two first-round draft choices, one being in the top 10, for Ottens. Football director Greg Miller said: "There are a lot of different stories out there but we haven't changed our parameters."
And while Richmond was clear yesterday it would secure out-of-contract ruckman Troy Simmonds, Fremantle upped its offer significantly to retain him.
The Dockers added a year to his contract with a pay increase, to a new four-year deal which chief executive Cameron Schwab said "has given him something to think about".
The Lance Whitnall-to-St Kilda scenario failed to gain legs yesterday with Carlton, where he is contracted in 2005, and the Saints, saying little.
===============
Have to say I'd be happy with Bolton. Think this would be a better deal.
Bolton = 194cm (25yo)
Harding = 180cm (23yo)
We need height down back desperately