Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes has thrown up a potential trade for the Western Bulldogs to consider should they be prepared to move on untried No.1 draft selection Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The highly-touted teenager is one of just two Bulldogs players on the club's list yet to make their AFL debut, with the young gun being a common feature for Footscray in the VFL.
Reports emerged earlier this month that rival clubs see Ugle-Hagan as a potential trade target, with multiple sides believed to have enquired about the key forward's position at Whitten Oval.
While conjecture surrounding his future caused a stir at the Kennel, the dilemma grows larger as father-son prospect Sam Darcy, son of Bulldogs great Luke, continues to impress ahead of the 2021 AFL Draft.
Darcy's latest outing, a six-goal haul for Vic Metro on the weekend, sparked further excitement for the future of the Bulldogs, but it has raised further questions over the uncertainty placed around Ugle-Hagan.
With Luke Beveridge now likely to hold a bevy of key forwards including Aaron Naughton, Josh Bruce, Ugle-Hagan and likely Darcy, there doesn't seem to be enough space to accomodate the quartet in their traditional positions.
With this in mind, Cornes said that the Bulldogs should "listen" to what some keen suitors might have to offer, naming the Hawks as a potential trade candidate in a deal involving sixth overall pick from the 2020 draft, Denver Grainger-Barras.
“Sam Darcy is going to come in, so you’ve got Ugle-Hagan, Naughton, Bruce and Darcy coming in,” Cornes said on Footy Classified on Monday night.
“There were reports about clubs expressing interest in Ugle-Hagan - I’d listen to that and see how this year plays out and see how the premiership race goes.
“All I’m saying is I’d listen to that because their weakness is down back. If Hawthorn came and said Denver Grainger-Barass can be your problem down back, we need a forward would you do a deal?”
Following up his discussions the next morning on SEN, Cornes posed the question to listeners in asking which party would decline the hypothetical trade.
"Who says no to Denver Grainger-Barras, and granted it is one game, but he solves all of the Bulldogs’ issues down back, you’ve got a 12-year key position prospect who will hold down a spot there and sure-up your spine," he said.
“For the Hawks, six months ago everyone was saying this kid was the next Buddy Franklin, so who says no to that trade?”
The Bulldogs have found a spark from Naughton and Bruce so far this season, with the pair combining for 70 goals in 2021 and having a major hand in lifting the club to second on the ladder with an 11-3 start.
Looking to boost that record, the Bulldogs will face the last-place Kangaroos in Round 16 on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.
