ADELAIDE has all but ruled out making a play for Glenelg teenager Ben Kennedy in a complicated bidding system that will see Greater Western Sydney auction off access to a pool of eligible 17-year-olds to the club, or clubs with the highest bid.
The Crows have admitted to being 'very keen' on Kennedy, who is too young to be selected in the NAB AFL Draft this year, but is eligible to be claimed with one of the four concessionary selections GWS will have to offer.
The skillful left-footer starred for South Australia at the recent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, kicking eight goals in his first two games and earning All Australian selection.
He's also been a revelation for Glenelg in his debut season at SANFL level.
Adelaide made an informal approach to GWS about the classy ball winner, but walked away from the conversation doubting they would be willing pay the Giants' hefty asking price.
In fact, the Crows deemed a deal with GWS to be so unlikely they decided against submitting a list of players of interest to the AFL by the July 1 deadline.
It's understood Adelaide wasn't the only club not to do so.
Despite not lodging a list with the League, the Crows are still able to bid for one of the Giants' concessionary selections.
However, football operations manager Phil Harper said the club was realistic about the chances of any potential bid being successful.
"We're just not confident we'd be able to get a deal done, having talked to [GWS}," Harper told afl.com.au.
"You've got to be careful what you're paying out for a guy, who can't even play next year.
"Unless it's a really super-good deal, GWS aren't interested and unless it's a really super-good deal for us, we're probably not interested either.
"It probably won't happen, I don’t think."
Instead of bidding directly for a particular player, clubs will bid for selections, with the highest bidder - as determined by GWS - to receive the first pick, and ultimately the 17-year-old of its choice, in a 'mini-draft' to be held at the conclusion of trade week.
A player needs to have been born between January 1 and April 30, 1994, to be eligible for the scheme.
The selections are designed to provide an incentive for other clubs to trade with GWS as part of the concessions granted to the Giants to help them build their inaugural playing list.
Greater Western Sydney already has nine of the first 15 picks in this year's draft, including pick Nos. 1,2 and 3.
Clubs can trade players or draft picks, or a combination of both to GWS to try and secure one of the concessionary selections.
It's been suggested Gold Coast, which currently sits in last place on the AFL ladder and holds pick No.4, could trade that selection for the most sought-after 17-year-old in the land, West Australian Jaeger O'Meara.
However, Crows recruiting manager Matt Rendell suggested the Giants would prefer a player, rather than another pick, in what's been described as a shallow draft pool.
"GWS don't want another pick," Rendell said.
"I don't think you'll find GWS doing much this year with those [17-year-olds] if it involves draft picks.
"If they're going to go down that path, they might as well wait until next year and try and get more picks in what's going to be a bloody good draft.
"I'm more inclined to think it's a waste of time trading for draft picks in this year's draft. It's going to have to be players."
Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill
