Eagles, Cats make progress on AFL deal

West Coast and Geelong are making swift progress on the Tim Kelly trade, with speculation their AFL deal could be confirmed by Wednesday.

Kelly’s request for a move back to his home state was expected to dominate the trade period, which opened on Tuesday and runs to October 16.

The Cats upped the stakes when trade talks officially opened on Monday, confirming they wanted more than two first-round draft picks for the All-Australian midfielder.

But Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo did not shoot down the Cats’ demands when asked about their talks on Monday, saying it was a deal they needed to consider.

Vozzo added they realised the Geelong midfielder would not come cheaply.

AFL media have reported that the Cats’ first-round draft pick next year will be part of the deal.

A swap of draft picks between West Coast and Geelong could also result in the Cats then cutting a deal with St Kilda to secure midfielder Jack Steven, who wants the move.

Kelly is out of contract and has requested a trade to West Coast after two outstanding seasons at Geelong.

He and his partner Caitlin have three young children and two of them have autism.

They want to return to WA for more family support.

Also on Tuesday, Collingwood confirmed free agent Jamie Elliott had knocked back interest from Brisbane and Melbourne to sign a two-year deal with the Magpies.

There was also speculation that Essendon have made enquiries about Collingwood tall forward Mason Cox, but that trade looks unlikely to happen.

It is a massive trade period for the Bombers, with star key forward Joe Daniher requesting a move to Sydney.

Essendon are determined to keep him and have said Sydney must make an attractive offer to change their minds.

Bombers small forward Orazio Fantasia has engaged an Adelaide-based player manager, further fuelling talk that he will request a trade to Port Adelaide.

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