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Bulldogs keen for Boyle
By Sam Lienert
October 06, 2008
THE Western Bulldogs have expressed interest in Hawthorn forward Tim Boyle as they seek to add size to their attack.
The 'Dogs, whose lack of a quality big forward was their one major deficiency as they placed third this season, said there were several tall targets they would inquire about as the AFL trade period begins.
"We'll obviously be asking some questions of some clubs today, but whether anything comes of it only time will tell,'' Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.
"With all tall players we'll ask some questions, so (Boyle) will probably be one we'll ask a question of.''
With the club boasting numerous tall attacking options struggling to break into the side behind stars Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, Pelchen said there were several clubs keen to prise one of them away.
"Certainly from clubs we've met with during the course of the last week they've raised certain players' names, including our forwards, so we'll take them all on board,'' he said.
Boyle, 24 and 194cm, has played 31 games for the Hawks over four seasons, including 20 in 2007.
But he managed just six this year and none after round 13, indicating he will struggle to play regular senior football at Hawthorn in the future.
Meanwhile, Eade said despite young midfielder Farren Ray having told the club he wants to be traded to gain greater opportunity elsewhere, it would not necessarily happen.
"Obviously he's stated that he'd like to look elsewhere, so we'll obviously listen to clubs, if there's not what we think he's worth on the table he'll stay with us,'' he said.
He refused to say what it would take to prompt a trade.
The Hawks confirmed they are one of numerous clubs keen on Sydney premiership forward Ryan O'Keefe, with Carlton and Collingwood also believed to be interested.
But, while the 27-year-old turned his back on a three-year contract offer from the Swans to explore his options in Melbourne, Sydney recruiting manager Stuart Maxfield said they had not given up on him staying.
He said Sydney would need to receive a first-round draft pick to trade him.
Essendon coach Matthew Knights left open the option of a possible play for O'Keefe, creating the prospect of a player-for-player swap, with the Swans having showed strong interest in Bombers speedster Andrew Lovett.
"Until we sit down face to face with Sydney today and work out where they're at, I'm a little bit none the wiser,'' Bombers coach Matthew Knights said.
"We'll just see what evolves this week with Andrew. He has got a year to run on his contract and we'll just see the degrees of interest from other clubs and whether they are really serious or not.''
Other players expected to be central to discussions include young Fremantle ruckman Robert Warnock, West Coast ruckman Mark Seaby and North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Harris, who have all expressed a desire to be traded
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