Port Adelaide could make a surprise move for Callum Ah Chee after the Brisbane Lions’ proposed trade with Adelaide fell through on deadline day.
The two-time Lions premiership player had been on the verge of joining the Crows, but negotiations collapsed when the clubs disagreed on value.
With Ah Chee’s contract expiring on 31 October, he could now enter either the National or Pre-Season Draft, and it’s the latter that may open the door for Port.
Cripps admits Power may explore the opportunity
Port list manager Jason Cripps confirmed that while the club had not previously pursued the 28-year-old, they are now weighing up their options.
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“The Callum situation has only just arisen in the last 24 hours,” Cripps said on SEN SA Breakfast. “We’ll have that discussion internally, and I’ll certainly be having that discussion with his manager, Ben Williams, just to see what that may look like.
“What I will say is we haven’t had any interest in Callum up to this point... We just need to reassess that now and see where Callum sits, and what the terms and conditions may be that come within the pre-season draft.”
The Crows’ deal broke down after Brisbane list boss Dom Ambrogio ruled their offer, reportedly a future second and third-round pick, as below the club’s valuation.
“We didn’t feel it was fair value for Cal,” Ambrogio told AFL Trade Radio. “We moved a long way in the negotiations to find a middle ground, but we needed to maintain the value to us.”
Adelaide remain committed to securing Ah Chee, with list manager Justin Reid confirming that both parties want the deal done.