MANAGER of football operations Josh Mahoney says Melbourne will definitely have a crack at Patrick Dangerfield – if the Adelaide superstar does decide to leave the Crows.
Speaking on NAB AFL Trade Radio on Monday, Mahoney said Dangerfield was “zero” per cent of coming to the Demons right at the minute, but if there was an opportunity to secure the explosive midfielder/forward, then the Dees will pounce.
“If there is the potential of getting someone like Patrick Dangerfield, we would look to get the deal done,” he said.
“We think we’re really well placed with potential picks and we also think we’re well placed in terms of TPP as well to get the deal done.
“One of the advantages [we have is] with [the] people we’ve now got at the footy club. [We’ve got] Bernie Vince, who [Dangerfield] has played with and Simon Goodwin, who’s [also played with Dangerfield and is] our next coach – so we think we’re in a good place to do the deal.
“But there is a lot to play out – he’s got to decide if he’s going to leave first.”
Mahoney said a lot needed to play out, including the James Frawley decision, which he added would have a “big impact” on the club. The key defender/forward is a free agent and has yet to reveal where he will play in 2015.
But Mahoney confirmed Melbourne was set to help facilitate a trade on key forward/ruckman Mitch Clark, who retired early in the year due to clinical depression.
“Based off medical office, he should be going to a different club,” he said.
“At the moment, we’re willing to a deal and find the right home and there are a few clubs who have expressed interest.
“We want to work with the right clubs and try and get a deal done.”
Mahoney was asked if Geelong was the main club in contention for Clark, but he said there were “two or three other Melbourne-based clubs” in the mix.
Young Giant Sam Frost is also on Melbourne’s radar, according to Mahoney.
“We’re interested in Sam and we’re speaking with GWS at the moment,” he said.
“He’s a key defender and he’s starting off his career and we think in terms of getting a contingency plan ready – if James Frawley does decide to leave – that he (Frost) is someone we’ll certainly look at.”
Mahoney said Melbourne was open to several options in the upcoming trade period.
“Similar to last year, we think if there is an opportunity to bring in players that have got some experience playing in the AFL and have got some games under their belt – then that’s an advantage for us,” he said.
“We certainly recognise – particularly this year – that the top three [draft picks] are really high end talent and it’s going to have to be a very attractive proposition for us to move those picks.
“We’re open to all of those scenarios.”
