TALKS COMMENCE ON MACRAE
EARLY talks have begun between St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs as premiership midfielder Jack Macrae seeks a move to the Saints.Macrae has three years to run on his contract with the Dogs but officially requested a trade to the Saints last month.
Discussions have commenced on what a deal would take to see Macrae get through to the Saints, with St Kilda football boss David Misson discussing the club's draft focus earlier this week.
The Bulldogs have indicated they would listen to offers on Macrae, who has played 249 games for the club, but that they were keen to retain him. – Callum Twomey.
GIANTS FEND OFF O'HALLORAN BID
THE WESTERN Bulldogs have kicked around trade proposals with Greater Western Sydney over Xavier O'Halloran, but the Giants have so far remained staunch in their bid to keep the contracted midfielder.O'Halloran has an interest in landing at the Dogs before next Wednesday night's trade deadline, where he has the appeal of a longer-term contract, but talks haven't progressed between the two clubs.
The Giants have been determined to retain their contracted talent, including O'Halloran, and have already rejected offers earlier in the week from the Demons for his teammate Wade Derksen who is also locked away until 2025.
GWS has already lost Harry Perryman(Collingwood) and Isaac Cumming(Adelaide) to free agency moves, while the uncontracted James Peatling (Adelaide) has also requested a trade.
But the Giants claimed a win when Conor Stone rejected interest from Essendon to sign through until 2026 earlier this week, while the club is expected to progress on its attempts to land Jake Stringer from the Bombers.
The Western Bulldogs only have picks No.35 and 48 to play with in this year's draft, but the club could land more in trades for Bailey Smith (Geelong), Jack Macrae (St Kilda) and potentially Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne). – Riley Beveridge