Geelong make massive play for unwanted Watts
Geelong have emerged as a suitor for Melbourne's Jack Watts, with Patrick Dangerfield saying the top AFL draft pick has enormous potential.
Watts wants to stay with the Demons, but they have encouraged him to pursue his options elsewhere.
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Demons football manager Josh Mahoney went further earlier this week, saying the top pick in the 2008 draft had not performed to expectations.
The Cats have joined several clubs showing interest in the key position player, meeting with him on Friday and taking him on a tour of their facilities.
A day after winning his second-straight club best-and-fairest award, Dangerfield was enthusiastic about the prospect of having Watts as a teammate.
He said Watts' best football was as good as any AFL player.
"He's arguably one of the best finishers in the game. When he gets the ball inside 50, you basically back him to finish the goal," Dangerfield told AFL trade radio.
"It was interesting listening to a few comments from Melbourne-based personnel that, perhaps, he hasn't quite reached his potential.
"I think he has enormous potential to continue to get better and I have a strong belief that players play their best footy between 26 and 30.
"So someone like Jack certainly, I think, is appealing for quite a few clubs, not just Geelong."
Geelong will be busy in the trade period, with Gary Ablett wanting to return from Gold Coast.
They have shown an interest in Western Bulldogs utility Jake Stringer, but Essendon look to be his preferred club.
It also appears Steven Motlop and Daniel Menzel will leave the Cats.
AFL Trade Radio’s Kane Cornes reported on Friday that the Crows are now the front-runners to recruit Motlop.
“Many believe that the race for Steven Motlop was just down to the two clubs, that being the Gold Coast Suns and the Port Adelaide footy club,” he said.
“The Adelaide footy club are coming hard with a huge financial offer for Steven Motlop.
“Motlop is set to meet with the Crows over the weekend. He’ll also be in town meeting Port Adelaide this afternoon (Friday) before their best and fairest tonight.
“I’m thinking that it’s down to two now. It’s either Port Adelaide or it’s Adelaide.”
Also on Friday:
Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said All-Australian Jake Stringer will not go cheaply, insisting they want a good first-round pick and they are prepared to retain him if the right deal is not struck.
Stringer is yet to confirm his preferred club, but Essendon is understood to be the frontrunner.
Fremantle delisted ruckmen Jon Griffin and Zac Clarke, while North Melbourne have done the same with midfielder Sam Gibson.