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Roos' Brown requests AFL trade to Demons

3 minute read

Kangaroos forward Ben Brown has requested an AFL trade to Melbourne while Fremantle have agreed to trade forward Jesse Hogan to Greater Western Sydney.

JESSE HOGAN of the Demons kicks during the AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at MCG in Melbourne, Australia.
JESSE HOGAN of the Demons kicks during the AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at MCG in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Two of the AFL's top available forwards have nominated their next clubs with North Melbourne's Ben Brown requesting a trade to Melbourne and Jesse Hogan bound for Greater Western Sydney.

Brown was encouraged to explore his options in September and on Monday the Kangaroos confirmed the 27-year-old wanted to join the Demons.

"We spoke honestly with Ben in September about the direction of our football club and what was best for his career, and we committed to finding an outcome that would suit both parties," Kangaroos general manager of football Brady Rawlings said.

"As Ben has nominated his preferred club, we will now work to secure a trade that is a good outcome for the club."

Brown is a four-time leading goal kicker for the Kangaroos with 287 majors in 130 games but struggled with form and injury this year.

His impending arrival at Melbourne is likely to see contracted forward Tom McDonald depart, given the Demons also have young talls Sam Weideman and Luke Jackson in their attack.

Meanwhile, the Giants and Dockers have already agreed to Hogan's switch despite the trade period not commencing until Wednesday.

Fremantle football manager Peter Bell said details of the trade will be finalised soon.

"Following a series of discussions between the club, Jesse and his management it was mutually agreed that it was in Jesse's best interests to further his playing career by moving away from WA," Bell said.

"Due to injury and other factors, he was unable to play at the level we all know he is capable of."

Contracted at the Dockers until the end of next year, Hogan has struggled to live up to expectations after his high-profile move from Melbourne in 2018.

The Dockers were quietly trying to offload the 25-year-old and Hogan looms as a replacement for Jeremy Cameron, with the star forward destined to join Geelong.

Hogan has played 19 games with the Dockers for a return of 18 goals, but also spent time in defence this year.

He was traded to the Dockers for draft picks six and 23 after kicking 152 goals from 71 games for the Demons.

Hogan said he will be "forever in debt" to how Fremantle supported him during struggles with his mental health.

Fringe West Coast ruckman Tom Hickey is in talks with Sydney about a move, despite having one more year to run on his contract.

Hickey played 20 games in 2019 but just three this season after the return to full fitness of Nic Naitanui.

If Hickey does land at the Swans, West Coast are set to offer Nathan Vardy a new deal as ruck insurance for Naitanui.

West Coast have shown an interest in Brisbane defender Alex Witherden, who has two more years remaining on his current contract but was squeezed out of the Lions' best 22 this year.

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