West Coast Eagles could trade top AFL draft pick to secure key defender Daniel Curtin
The Eagles are eager to secure the services of the highly sought-after defender.
Young West Australian talent Daniel Curtin is understood to be a key target of the West Coast Eagles, with reports suggesting they are willing to trade their 2024 first-round pick to secure the teenager. Curtin is a top prospect, as a 197cm All Australian centre halfback who also has experience playing in midfield.
Incoming West Coast CEO Don Pyke is said to be an admirer of Curtin and says the Eagles are open to a bombshell move to trade their first-round pick in 2024 - which depending on results, may end up being pick one.
WAR OF WORDS: Mason Cox doubles down in fierce swipe at GWS boss
'WHAT A JOKE': AFL fans left in disbelief over Buddy Franklin announcement
"Yeah, look, we've got some optionality there," he said on SEN. “It really depends on the night a bit as well as on the order people are taken and who’s available. I know we’re having some conversations about what we might be able to do (to secure Curtin). We’d love to bring as much high-end talent into the club as soon as we can obviously to fast-track the build.
“We'll see what sort of presents on the night. At this point, I’m sort of one-out, one-back on the drafting side of things. I'm aware of the overall strategy but we’ll see what happens on the night. We’d like to bring in as much talent as we can.”
AFL reporter Cal Twomey understands North Melbourne and Adelaide are also keen on securing the services of Curtin ahead of Monday night’s first round. “The one that is the big discussion point is Dan Curtin. He’s a boy from Claremont in WA, 197cm,” Twomey told Triple M. “This week Hawthorn flew him over to tour their headquarters, and met the coach. That’s not a definitive yes but shows their interest in him."
“Where he goes is going to shape the whole top 10. West Coast could then trade back in later in the top 10 if he’s still available or sliding down the order. North Melbourne, he’s been in the mix for, Melbourne as well, if he gets to pick six. He’s the one key defender in the top six or seven. He’s a really interesting one.”
There are reports Curtin may still be available for the GWS Giants at pick No. 7, with the Eagles to then offer them their top pick for next year. The Eagles hold the top pick of the 2023 draft and despite fielding several offers from rival clubs for the No.1 draft pick, West Coast are predicted to hold onto it and secure the services of Harley Reid.
North Melbourne set to rival West Coast for Curtin's services
Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson is reportedly “infatuated” with Curtin and has flown over the Perth to meet the talented teen. Some suggest Clarkson could swoop on the defender before West Coast get the chance to trade their 2024 first-round pick to secure him.
The Roos lost Ben McKay to Essendon in last month’s trade period and are now said to be looking to bolster their defensive stocks. “Alastair Clarkson, he has become a little infatuated with Dan Curtin I believe,” WA footy journalist Ryan Daniels told Triple M.
“There’s a lot of interest from North Melbourne. I think that’s where this is heading. Dan Curtin’s going to end up at North Melbourne.”
As well as the Roos, Adelaide is also set to try and trade up the draft to snare Curtin. The Herald Sun reports the Crows are in talks to try and nab pick 7 off of GWS as they are keen to add reinforcements to their backline after losing Tom Doedee to the Lions last month. Adelaide currently holds picks 10, 14 and 20.
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
