Hawthorn’s Graham Wright has dismissed concerns about AFL clubs talking to rival contracted players mid-year, saying it’s immature to think it doesn’t happen.
His comments follow the revelation that Sydney chief executive Tom Harley met in August with Essendon key forward Joe Daniher.
Harley said it was a catch-up between friends and unrelated to Daniher’s request last week for a trade to the Swans.
Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro said on Monday he is not a fan of clubs talking to potential recruits during the season.
“It’s something I’ve been on about for a number of years. But that’s the industry we’re in,” Dodoro told AFL Trade Radio.
“It’s very, very competitive and it’s something we may need to discuss at another point.”
But Wright, Hawthorn’s football boss, was blunt when asked about the issue.
“It’s reality … every club does it,” Wright said.
“We’re being immature and silly if we don’t think it happens, because it does.
“You’d prefer for it not to happen and we don’t really want to hear about it.
“We understand there’s huge interest in it, but if we think it doesn’t happen, we’re kidding ourselves.”
Dodoro said the Bombers generally sound out rival players with their clubs’ knowledge.
“Most of the time when we have our discussions, it’s been in consultation with the (other) club, but that’s just the way we do business,” he said.
Essendon are adamant that they want Daniher to play for them next season and beyond.