There was no shortage of talking points as GIANTS General Manager of Football Jason McCartney joined Sarah Olle and Josh Gabelich on Trade Radio ahead of the upcoming 2022 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.

Jason McCartney has confirmed the GIANTS will be ‘busy’ as they prepare for the Trade Period, beginning next Monday.

“It will be busy for us,” McCartney told AFL Trade Radio.

“With our strategy, we know there will be some players going out but we’re really keen to see what we get in return, spreading draft picks over this year and next year.

“We’ve identified a couple of areas of need, and we’ve been in conversations with one or two players we’re hopeful we might be able to bring in.

“Whilst we need to make some changes, we understand we’ve got a really good core to work with.” 

On Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper:

“It’s an interesting one to have that quality both end up choosing the one club,” McCartney said.

“Tim is a bit different to Jacob, because Jacob is in contract.

“Richmond bowed out that first week of finals and they’ve identified a need in their midfield.

“We’re in chats with Blair Hartley and Richmond, they understand the quality of these players and that it’s going to take a bit of work with one still in contract.

“We’ll keep working through that though.”

On Tanner Bruhn:

“It is disappointing, it’s a reality, we just have to work with it now," McCartney said.

Tanner Bruhn in action for the GIANTS against the Western Bulldogs in Round 22.

“It looks like it’s leaning that way with Geelong and we’ll sit down with (Geelong List Manager) Andrew Mackie and thrash out what we can get done there.”

On Bobby Hill:

“Most importantly, Bobby is in a really good place, his health and wellbeing is the priority, and it has been a challenging year for him.

Bobby Hill in action during the GIANTS' Round 5 clash against the Melbourne Demons at the MCG.

“We’ve been talking to (Collingwood General Manager of Football) Graham Wright for a week and a half and that will be something we will be able to facilitate and get done pretty early into the Trade Period.

“Bobby will make his way to Collingwood.”

On Three-Year Contracts for Top Draftees:

“No doubt there has been conversations had for a while and the AFLPA is involved, but our conversations with the AFLPA are around that fact,” McCartney said.

“Those first-year draftees, the two-year standard contract needs to be longer, that’s for sure.

“What we’re getting also is there’s an explosion in player salaries third year when they become open market.

“You look at ourselves and Gold Coast and maybe some other clubs who’ve had multiple early picks, what happens is you do have to pay a premium in that third year to retain the player.

“That’s fine when the players are performing and you’re paying for production, but players develop at different rates.

“The challenge is you’re in a position where generally you’re having to pay top dollar just to retain the players. Ultimately that puts pressure on your salary cap as well.”