Sydney Swans executive general manager of football Charlie Gardiner has hinted the Swans are looking for a top 10 draft pick in exchange for Jordan Dawson.
The 24-year-old experienced a breakout season in 2021, playing a role as a running half-back to finish third in the Swans’ best and fairest.
However, he requested a trade to Adelaide at the end of the season, and the Swans want a reasonable deal considering he’s coming into his “prime”.
Dawson averaged 22 disposals, five rebound 50s, and three inside 50s during 2021.
“Our view is that he’s arguably the best player on the market in the AFL at the moment, and it’s certainly no surprise that there was extreme interest from both Adelaide clubs,” Gardiner told SEN’s Whateley.
“We think it’s only fair and reasonable that we expect strong compensation for him and we’ll be working to find a fair deal that values him appropriately given he’s a 24-year-old, coming into his prime and finished third in our best and fairest in a team that won 15 games.”
The Swans are understood to have a tight salary cap and were keen on keeping Dawson, and therefore Gardiner believes Adelaide must have put a big offer to their potential recruit.
“He was rated one of the most effective players across the competition in the back half of the year, we put a really strong long-term deal in front of him,” he said.
“We have a sense of the market and there was clearly significant interest in Jordan and our expectation that (Adelaide’s deal) would’ve been significant and an attractive one for him.”
Dawson and Fremantle’s Adam Cerra are the two biggest names to have so far requested a trade in 2021.
Carlton is likely to have to part with pick 6 in the National Draft to secure Cerra from the Dockers, and the Swans GM says they have similar expectations from Adelaide to complete a deal for Dawson.
“I’m not going to be drawn into comparisons, our view is if you had a top 10 selection in this year’s draft and you ended up with Jordan Dawson and the player he was this year and is going to be next year, you’d be very happy with that,” Gardiner said in response to comparisons with Cerra.
“There’s always uncertainty with draft selections, there’s not much uncertainty with Jordan Dawson at the moment.”
Adelaide currently has pick 4 in the draft but appears unlikely to part with that to secure Dawson. Their next pick currently sits at number 23.
Gardiner also commented on a potential pursuit of out-of-favour Port Adelaide ruck-forward Peter Ladhams.
Ladhams is currently stuck behind Scott Lycett as the club's preffered ruck and is reportedly looking for more guaranteed game time at a different club, with his management approaching the Swans about a potential deal.
“Peter Ladhams was one we inquired about last year when we were looking for a ruckman, (but) we were able to secure Tom Hickey who has come in and been excellent, he's had a fantastic year,” Gardiner said.
“His management has reached out... I don't think it's progressed much further, but that's something we'll consider.”
The 23-year-old played 17 times throughout 2021 to average 13 disposals, 13 hitouts and just under a goal a game playing mainly as a forward.
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