West Coast and Richmond working to secure trade for Liam Baker as Fremantle put all their chips on the table

West Coast is working to repair the damage caused by Hawthorn’s bombshell pick swap with Liam Baker still determined to get to the Eagles despite Fremantle putting up a monster offer. The Hawks lit up an otherwise benign trade period seemingly blindsiding the Eagles by swapping their No.14 draft pick for a future first and second from Carlton. Given pick 14 was the starting price point for trading out Tom Barrass and what Richmond was happy to take for Baker it left both deals up in the air. Though Baker had nominated to go to the Eagles there is now a possibility he could end up cross-town at the Dockers instead with Fremantle reportedly offering all three of their first-round picks (10, 11 and 18) for Baker and Shai Bolton according to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey. It’s a massive offer that would leave Richmond with five first-round draft picks with picks 1, 10, 11, 18 and 20 while they are also expected to get pick No.6 from Gold Coast in a trade for Daniel Rioli. However, despite the change in plans, Baker’s management is working closely with West Coast to secure a deal that will get him to the Eagles regardless of what happens with Barrass. There have been reports the Eagles could split their No.3 pick which would allow for greater draft capital to secure Baker with Carlton interested in shopping around it’s 12 and 14 picks. Despite changing their plans it also appears Hawthorn is still very much interested in securing Barrass given the star defender had already publically committed to a trade. Twomey reports the Hawks have now offered their future first and second-round selection for Barrass and a late futures pick. It remains to be seen whether that will be sufficient for the Eagles given they were looking to strengthen their draft hand this year and wanting more than just pick 14. However, West Coast may be looking towards gathering up a haul of draft picks next year so they can have a serious crack at Chad Warner who is out of contract at Sydney next season with reports he is keen to return home. On Friday new Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said he was happy to keep Barrass at the club if the right price wasn’t offered for the premiership defender. “He’s a very good player and he’s still contracted with us,” McQualter told SEN. “We’ve been on the public record saying if it doesn’t get done we’re rapt to keep him and me, personally, I know how good a player he is. If that falls that way I’m happy still. “The reality he is he’s a club champion who still has three years to run on a contract. It’s just got to be fair compensation.”

West Coast and Richmond working to secure trade for Liam Baker as Fremantle put all their chips on the table

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