MANAGER of football operations Josh Mahoney says the club is weighing up its initial options for pick No.2, after the trade period officially opened on Monday.
Speaking on 1116 SEN, Mahoney said Melbourne gathered plenty of information after speaking to every club at Etihad Stadium on Monday.
“They (clubs) know that pick two is available for the right deal and those potential deals are involving players and picks,” he said.
“Today’s (Tuesday) really about reviewing what happened yesterday (Monday) and looking at each deal and making sure we go to the next steps.”
Mahoney said clubs hadn’t revealed all of their intentions at this stage.
“We had some information yesterday (Monday) about potential offers and we still feel that clubs probably haven’t told us everything that they’re willing to give at this stage,” he said.
“We’re happy to sit on it at the moment, but also wary that pick two is a very valuable pick and there are some quality players out there.
“If it comes to the point where there is not a deal that’s good enough for pick two, we’re happy to go to the draft with it. However, we’re certainly very open to dealing.”
In terms of players being linked with a possible trade for pick No.2, Mahoney said West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey would definitely have been considered worthy for selection No.2.
“He would definitely be the type of player, but West Coast has been very clear that he’s very happy at West Coast and he’s pretty settled and he won’t be part of the deal,” he said.
Mahoney was posed whether 2012 Sydney Swans premiership player Nick Smith was in the mix. But he added Smith hadn’t been discussed.
“Nick Smith hasn’t come up,” Mahoney said.
“We’re talking to Sydney and they’re one of the clubs that we’re talking to for this [pick No.2] deal and then we’re talking about a number of players, but Nick Smith hasn’t come up at this stage.”
Mahoney said Melbourne wasn’t having conversations about Greater Western Sydney youngster Taylor Adams. He added that the midfielder was more likely to head to Collingwood or Geelong.
“That’s the information we’re getting,” he said.
Heath Shaw, who played in Collingwood’s 2010 premiership, was doubtful of crossing to Melbourne, despite some interest from the Demons.
“Heath’s a quality player and we’ve had initial discussions with his management that haven’t progressed any further and from what I’m hearing, they’ve progressed a little further with other clubs,” Mahoney said.
“He’s probably unlikely at this stage.”
Mahoney said Melbourne was still eager to acquire some midfielders.
“We’ve said all along that midfielders are what we’re looking for,” he said.
“We think that our key defenders and our tall forwards are well covered in those areas, but our midfield just has to have a bit more depth.
“That’s why we’re looking at someone who’s had a couple of years of experience, particularly a couple of pre-seasons under their belt. [We want them] to come in and have an immediate impact and help our young guys coming through in Jack Viney, Jimmy Toumpas and Jack Trengove through the midfield.”
Meanwhile, Mahoney said the club was “getting closer” to making an announcement about its senior assistant coach, who will be the successor to Paul Roos.
“It’s getting closer. This will be a senior coach appointment in succession to Paul Roos in two to three years time,” he said.
“It has to go through a process and ratified by the board, but we’re getting closer with that appointment.”