The two clubs that will shape trade period fortunes of Melbourne teams

Two clubs are at the centre of what is shaping as an intriguing trade period and are set to play a major role in the fortunes of a series of Melbourne rivals.

Four Victorian clubs – St Kilda, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne – as well as West Coast, are trying to prise breakout midfielder James Peatling from GWS, while Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies conceded on Thursday the Magpies now lead the race for Harry Perryman.

Man in demand: Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston. Credit: AFL Photos

Another GWS player, Isaac Cumming, has already announced he will exercise his unrestricted free agency rights to sign with Adelaide, while first-round pick Conor Stone, Xavier O’Halloran and little-known swingman Wade Derksen are also on rivals’ radars.

The Power are annual movers and shakers in the player movement period, and contracted back-to-back All-Australian Dan Houston’s wish to return to Melbourne is the biggest potential deal this year.

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