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AFL trades 2020: Port Adelaide secure Aliir Aliir, hope fades for Orazio Fantasia as deadline looms

Oliver CaffreyThe West Australian
VideoAFL: The future of multiple big AFL name's are still uncertain as trade talks continue onwards, while other players found their home.

Port Adelaide feel they have a responsibility to Essendon’s Orazio Fantasia and will ensure they complete a trade for the wantaway forward - but it remains to be seen whether they can recruit both of their targets.

Port have locked in versatile Sydney tall Aliir Aliir as the Power aim to build on a preliminary-final appearance this year.

Aliir toured the Power’s Alberton facilities on Monday, penning a four-year deal on Wednesday afternoon shortly after officially requesting a trade.

“Aliir came to Adelaide a couple of days ago,” Port’s footy boss Chris Davies revealed.

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“We have left him to make what is a pretty big decision. We will find out either way today. If he does want to come we will work with Sydney to get something done.

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“If he does want to come then we’ll work with Sydney in order to get something done, assuming they are willing for him to leave.”

The Swans receive a future second-round pick in exchange for the athletic defender.

However, where does Aliir’s trade leave Fantasia?

The small forward is determined to return to South Australia for the second year in a row but a deal between the Power and the Bombers is still a fair way off with just two days remaining in the AFL trade period.

Camera IconCredit: Port Adelaide’s trade targets: Orazio Fantasia (R) and Aliir Aliir (L).

Port football boss Chris Davies says the club won’t be “walking away” from trading for the 25-year-old if it becomes difficult with Essendon.

“He’s told us he wants to come to Port Adelaide. We’ve got a responsibility to try and get things done, because that’s the type of club we’ve been,” Davies told Trade Radio.

“If a player has said he wants to come then we do our best to work to get him to us, but at the same time there’s a limit and we’re not at that limit right now.

“Where things go from here will largely be in (Essendon list boss) Adrian Dodoro’s court.”

Despite Fantasia struggling with hamstring and quad injuries during the past three seasons, Port believe he will be able to get his body right again.

“Our medical guys over the last 10 years have had the least number of soft- tissue injuries in the competition,” Davies said.

“If Orazio was to come to the club then hopefully we’d be able to get him fit.”

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