Kane Cornes has floated a direct player swap that he believes could solve the issues of two clubs in particular.
The Adelaide Crows are reportedly keen on Melbourne’s Harrison Petty, so much so that they’re prepared to pay him upwards of $800,000 a year.
For the Crows to lure the swingman back to Adelaide, Cornes feels they could send developing forward/ruck Riley Thilthorpe to the Demons.
Of course, this is just a hypothetical that Cornes concedes would suit the Dees more than it would the Crows.
He threw up the idea to co-host Brad Johnson on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“There is one player-for-player direct swap staring us in the face,” Cornes said.
“I’m going to put you (Johnson) in the hot seat and I’m going to put this trade to you. I’m Melbourne, you’re Adelaide.
“(Demons list manager) Tim Lamb rings (Crows list boss) Justin Reid, he says, ‘Justin, I know you really want Harrison Petty. That’s clear, you’re going to offer him $1 million’.
“‘I want Riley Thilthorpe for Harrison Petty and I want that to be a straight swap’.”
Cornes pointed out why he believes 2020 draftee Thilthorpe, who has played 46 career games for the Crows, would be a great fit for the Demons.
“For Tim Lamb and Melbourne it solves a whole heap of issues because Thilthorpe is a forward who can ruck,” he continued.
“Max Gawn rucks for 80 per cent of the time, Thilthorpe goes in there for 20 per cent of the time and for the rest of it, Thilthorpe plays as a key forward.
“A high draft pick who hasn’t yet hit his straps. They do not grow on trees, these types of players.
“For Adelaide, it solves a need for them as a key position player. In Thilthorpe they haven’t shown a lot of love. At times he’s been in and out of the side and certainly hasn’t made the most of his opportunities.
“Are you saying yes to that if you’re the Adelaide Crows?”
Johnson: “It’s definitely enticing.
“Could you throw a draft pick in there please?”
Cornes: “That’s a good question. I’m glad you asked.
“I probably can justify that. I’ve got a couple of draft picks. Would an extra pick, Pick 41 do it?”
Johnson: “Could you give me a first-round pick with that?”
Cornes: “No, I couldn’t give you a first-round pick with that.
“I think that makes sense for both clubs. I don’t think Adelaide would do that deal. I think Melbourne would do that deal in a heartbeat, it solves a few issues.”
Johnson: “Melbourne would, the pressure is more on Adelaide with that one.”
Thilthorpe kicked 18 goals in 21 games for the Crows in 2023. Petty, who also played in defence, kicked 12 goals in 14 games for the Dees this year.
While this potential move is seemingly unlikely to happen, Petty could still get to Adelaide this trade period with the Demons remaining keen on out-of-contract Crow Shane McAdam.
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