Harrison Petty could end up on “seven figures” after the Crows reportedly put forward an “enticing” offer to the Demons’ swingman.
Petty still has two years to run on his current deal at Melbourne but has been targeted for a return home to South Australia in a “really smart play” by the Crows.
According to Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph, Adelaide want to offer Petty a long-term deal “that would average out to around $800,000 a year”.
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“It’s front-ended so the first year might be seven figures,” he said on Trading Day.
“Melbourne is holding firm. Adamant he’s got two years left on his deal.
“The Demons cannot afford to lose Harry Petty.”
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Former Saint Nick Dal Santo was left shocked by the “ludicrous” pay figure being banded around for the Melbourne swingman.
“What about those numbers?” he said.
“Are we entering a new world where a guy that’s a swingman’s (worth) $800,000 to go to Adelaide and play as a key defender?
“Those numbers are ludicrous!”
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When told Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore was an example of a defender on big money, Dal Santo replied: “Darcy Moore’s an All Australian, premiership player!”
Fellow Trading Day panellist Brad Johnson said he liked the deal Adelaide had put forward to Petty.
“I like the fact he’s got a decision to make now Harrison Petty,” he said.
“At Melbourne, you’ve got (Jake) Lever and (Steven) May so he’s probably going to continue to be the swing.
“The other side is the Adelaide Crows go, ‘you come in; we’ve got (Nick) Murray who’s injured with the ACL – you’re our number one defender. We’ll build the defence around you and (Jordon) Butts’ and that I think is quite enticing for Harrison Petty.”
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Adelaide has already lost a backman this trade period with Tom Doedee heading to Brisbane.
Describing the whole pitch as a “fascinating scenario”, Ralph said Petty was “not saying a hard no to Adelaide”.
“The Demons don’t think Petty is homesick. They think he’s had his head turned by Adelaide,” he revealed.
“Really smart play by Adelaide. Really smart business.
“He’s 23 – one of the very few swingmen in the AFL. A beautiful set shot. (An) elite back who can curtail a star forward or play as an interceptor.
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“Not quite sure where this one goes.”
Last month Crows forward Shane McAdam quit the club and named Melbourne as his preferred destination.
But it’s expected the Demons will offer up a pick in the 30s in exchange for the Adelaide forward.
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