Dylan Shiel of the GWS Giants wants to joint Essendon. CARLTON flew a plane to Noosa, St Kilda offered a monumental sum of cash, Hawthorn proposed significant money and used coaching great Alastair Clarkson as carrots. Essendon, in its wisdom, offered the lure of a premiership. For Dylan Shiel, that was enough. His decision to join the Bombers was a surprise for most, including key figures at GWS, who as late as Tuesday morning believed Hawthorn and Carlton were ahead in the race for their contracted midfielder. SHIEL DEAL EXPLAINED: How hot Dons snare prized Giant Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the new FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! At around midday, Shiel was with his managers Paul Connors and Robbie D’Orazio in Melbourne. He first notified St Kilda, Carlton and Hawthorn, before telling Essendon he would like to be traded to Tullamarine. The news was quickly transmitted to key Bomber players and broke shortly after. It’s understood the tide turned in Essendon’s favour when Gold Coast reiterated their strong stance on Jack Martin, telling inquisitive clubs he was not for sale. Dylan Shiel is still contracted to the Giants until 2019. Source: AAP St Kilda never thought it was the frontrunner but were not going to die wondering, offering as much as $8 million over six years for the 2017 All-Australian. The Saints had Nick Riewoldt meet with Shiel and played up the club’s brand new facilities and Bayside location as reasons why the ex-Dandenong Stingray would be happy at Moorabbin. Footy boss Simon Lethlean declared the Saints would be “in contention” within Shiel’s contract length, but having waded through the mud at an expansion club for several seasons, Shiel was hardly willing to begin again as the linchpin in a struggling team. “He (Shiel) chopped and changed in his mind about the various possibilities, because every club was amazing, to their credit,” Connors told AFL Trade Radio. “I couldn’t speak highly enough of everyone at the Giants who encouraged him to explore opportunities at Hawthorn, Carlton and St Kilda. They were very professional and covered off some great things. “This was a hard decision and he was extremely flattered and humbled by the clubs’ interest.” And so it was Essendon that won the race — against most reasonable predictions — to sign Shiel on a deal which will be six or even seven years on less money than Carlton, Hawthorn and St Kilda were proposing. It’s believed Shiel was impressed by the player pitch at an Elwood cafe last week. During the low key meeting — attended by a handful of senior Dons including Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher — the Bomber players spoke of the club’s facilities, its membership base of 75,000 passionate fans and a well-rounded list which won 10 of its last 14 matches. The ghosts of ASADA linger only in the history books, while John Worsfold also personally met with Shiel. The coaching group had undergone a mini-rebuild for itself mid-year when Mark Neeld was let go and it worked. And although Essendon did not play finals, influential people at Essendon privately believe success is not far away. Clearly, Shiel shared this sentiment. Devon Smith’s influence over Shiel’s decision was hardly conclusive, but he still played a role. The two were teammates at GWS for six seasons and debuted in the same match alongside one another (and 15 other Giants too). Essendon midfield coach Hayden Skipworth bonded immediately with Smith this season, leading to a best and fairest victory and the best season of his career. Smith expressed how beneficial Skipworth’s influence has been, further attracting Shiel. Zach Merrett and Andy McGrath are set to be joined by Dylan Shiel in the Essendon midfield in 2019. Source: Getty Images All that is left is for Essendon and GWS to orchestrate a trade, which they have eight days to do. Shiel’s departure will allow the Giants to take a slice out of their salary cap and receive draft picks in return from the Bombers. Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro has slipped quietly under the radar recently. “Nothing to see here” has been his motto for months. But on Tuesday he landed a big fish against the odds, further illustrating the lure of a flag is — at least for most players, still the most magnetic pull. What’s certain is for Shiel it proved the decisive factor.<doc-sep>WITH just a couple of days remaining before the free agency period opens – and with the NAB AFL Trade Period just around the corner – the speculation is beginning to mount. AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest action each morning until the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period on Wednesday, October 17. Hawks in box seat as Blues step up Shiel bid Hawthorn is believed to be leading the race for Dylan Shiel, though The Herald Sun reports Carlton has made its move for the contracted Greater Western Sydney midfielder. The Blues reportedly flew both Shiel and his manager Paul Connors on a private jet to Noosa as part of their pitch for the Giants on-baller, with Brendon Bolton, Stephen Silvagni, Brad Lloyd, Chris Judd and club powerbroker Bruce Mathieson in attendance on the flight. INDICATIVE DRAFT ORDER Your club's picks AFL.com.au reported on Tuesday that the Hawks were firmly in the box seat for Shiel, despite their bid being worth no more than around $900,000 per season. Carlton and St Kilda are believed to be offering Shiel well over $1 million a season to return to Victoria. The Hawks are currently in possession of pick 14 at this year's NAB AFL Draft and may have to also hand over a future first-round draft selection in order to complete any deal. Clarko closes in on more recruits Hawthorn is also well placed to secure Gold Coast youngster Jack Scrimshaw, as well as Port Adelaide wingman Karl Amon as the club looks to bolster its depth going into 2019. AFL.com.au reported on Tuesday that the Hawks and the Saints were eyeing off a move for Amon, who requested a trade back to his native Victoria two weeks ago. WHO'S LEAVING YOUR CLUB? All the latest retirements and delistings It followed news that Scrimshaw was also seeking a return to his home state, with reports on foxfooty.com.au that the young defender had met with the Hawks last week. Hawthorn currently holds picks 14, 32, 50 and 86 at the upcoming NAB AFL Draft and will likely use those selections to facilitate trades for Shiel, Amon and Scrimshaw. Neale likely to be the first domino Lachie Neale is set to be the first domino to fall during the NAB AFL Trade Period, with Brisbane in the box seat to prize the talented midfielder away from Fremantle. AFL.com.au reports that Neale is likely to agree to a five-year contract with the Lions worth around $4 million and could tell the Dockers of his intentions to request a trade imminently. Brisbane has long been courting Neale, who is contracted for next season, with the Lions likely to give up their first-round draft pick in exchange for the highly rated midfielder. Neale's move could spark a series of deals being completed, with Fremantle interested in Jesse Hogan and with Melbourne hoping to negotiate a trade for Steven May. Power defender set for Suns Gold Coast is firming to complete a trade for Jack Hombsch after the Port Adelaide defender fell out of favour at the club, according to reports in the Adelaide Advertiser. It was reported by AFL.com.au last month that Hombsch and fellow Power backman Jasper Pittard had been put on the trade table, after slipping down the pecking order at the club. The Suns have reportedly since moved into the box seat to secure Hombsch, who is under contract in 2019 but has been told he can explore his options after 14 games this season. Dropped three times throughout the year, Hombsch will be looking for a fresh start at Gold Coast, with the Suns in possession of picks 2, 18, 26, 29, 38, 41 and 74 to complete a trade. Big Blue on the trade table Carlton has told out-of-favour forward Levi Casboult that it would be open to trading him this month, despite him still being contracted through until the end of 2019. Already on the fringes of Carlton's best 22 and with high flying Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern likely to arrive via trade, Casboult could search for opportunities elsewhere. Casboult didn't feature for the Blues in the final five games of last season, with the club preferring youngsters Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning up forward. However, his manager has revealed to AFL.com.au he remains likely to stay at Ikon Park.<doc-sep>DYLAN Shiel has a tough choice ahead of him as the GWS Giants star still has four Victorian clubs chasing his services. Reportedly St Kilda, Carlton, Essendon and Hawthorn are still in the race as the 25-year-old looks to move home. It’s a tough choice for Shiel as St Kilda great Leigh Montagna told Fox Sports’ The Trade Lowdown after day one of the trade period. “It’s a tough dilemma for him, because they’ve all got their pros and cons,” Montagna said. “We spoke about Hawthorn and Essendon being clubs that are more likely to play finals — and I think Essendon are most likely to be in that premiership window — if he wants to go for success. “But St Kilda and Carlton are throwing big money at him. They are up and coming sides and if you can foresee a bit of a future, you might be able to say ‘I can get the money and some success if I’m just patient’.” Senior foxfooty.com.au reporter Tom Morris believes a decision from Shiel is imminent — and Hawks fans should be optimistic. “I’m hearing that he’s leaning towards Hawthorn but we won’t know for sure until the next 24 to 48 hours,” Morris told The Trade Lowdown. “Hawthorn I think are the ones. Alastair Clarkson has got massive pull.” However, Morris conceded St Kilda and Essendon were arguably more eager to grab the star’s signature. “Essendon have been in for a midfielder for a long time now,” Morris said. “All season they’ve been trying to bulk up that midfield — and Shiel would help that. “They’re coming hard for Shiel, but they’re coming hard for any midfielder they can get.” St Kilda are eager to sweeten the deal with the Saints’ football boss Simon Lethlean putting the clubs top AFL draft pick on the table for GWS star Dylan Shiel. Last Friday, Saints list manager James Gallagher said they would not use their No.4 pick in a trade for Shiel but Lethlean made it clear on Monday that they would pull out all the stops to secure the midfielder and they remain confident they can secure him. “All assets are on the table to get a deal done,” Lethlean said. “We haven’t been told no (by Shiel) so until we are, it’s a yes.” After a big first day of the trade period with Tom Lynch going to Richmond, there are still several big names on the trading block with Shiel, Gold Coast’s Steven May, Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan and Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard still to decide their future. — with AAP<doc-sep>
Giant Dylan Shiel has been linked with Shaun Burgoyne’s Hawthorn. Picture: Phil Hillyard ST KILDA might have the cash and Carlton might have the private jet. But Hawthorn might have the most influential drawcard, as well as a deal that could easily satisfy the Giants, that arguably puts it in the box seat to land gun midfielder Dylan Shiel. According to Melbourne great Garry Lyon on SEN Breakfast, the Hawks are set to announce a new long-term extension for mastermind coach Alastair Clarkson, who led the club to an unlikely top-four finish in 2018. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! On Thursday morning, Lyon said a long-term recommitment from Hawthorn to Clarkson would “100 per cent happen” in the coming days. And the former Demons captain added that could have a big bearing on Shiel’s decision. “If Dylan Shiel is weighing up money versus success versus being coached by one of the greatest coaches that has ever walked the face of the earth, the fact he would know Alastair Clarkson is going to be on a longer-term deal, then he would have to take that into heavy consideration if that’s part of his reasoning,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast. Dylan Shiel is contracted to the Giants until 2019. Source: Getty Images READ MORE AFL TRADE WHISPERS: CATS TRIO CUT, ‘CAP CRUNCH’ COULD FORCE PIE OUT DRAFT COMBINE: PIES PROSPECT STARS, LIKELY NO.1 PICK BREAKS RECORDS NOT LEAVING: SWAN’S CRYPTIC POSTS LEAVE EVERYONE GUESSING The other factor that could help a Shiel-Hawks move happen smoothly is the prospect of Hawthorn being able to satisfy a trade. AFL Trade Radio reported on Wednesday that ruckman Jonathon Ceglar had been recently told he could be part of a trade to the Giants, should Shiel wish to join the Hawks. With Rory Lobb set to return home to WA and join either West Coast or Fremantle, a ruck chasm could open up at the Giants. And Ceglar, who played just 11 games this season after returning from his ACL rupture, could be the perfect answer. If the Hawks get Shiel, the Giants could be happy to take Ceglar and Hawthorn’s 2018 first-round selection, which is currently Pick 14. As Shiel is still contracted for another season, the Giants will hold the upper hand in any negotiations with rival clubs. But a Hawthorn move has the potential to satisfy all parties. Yet the Saints, in particular, can’t be discounted yet. While it’s been speculated the club has asked legend Nick Riewoldt to help with its pitch to Shiel, the Saints are reportedly offering a bigger deal than any of their competitors. That will be hard for Shiel to ignore, according to St Kilda great Leigh Montagna. “What I like from St Kilda is they’ve had to tempt him,” Montagna told Fox Footy’s Trade Lowdown. “If he doesn’t go to club that can play finals immediately — yes Hawthorn seems like the logical choice — but an extra $300,000 or $400,000 a year to come to St Kilda, it’s pretty tempting. “He is a dynamic player and St Kilda needs a player like him.”