Collingwood, Geelong and Hawthorn brokered a three-way deal in the dying minutes of the trade period that granted Ollie Henry his wish to move to the Cats and took the tally of former first-round picks that the reigning premiers picked up this year to three.
Under the deal, Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell moved to Collingwood along with pick 25 from Geelong, the Cats got Henry and young Geelong midfielder Cooper Stephens moved to Hawthorn.
Ollie Henry is a Cat.Credit:Getty Images
Collingwood had rejected pick 25 from Geelong for a week and insisted they would not move Henry, taken at pick 17 just two years ago, for less than a first-round draft pick but relented when they were able to tie Mitchell into the deal. Mitchell’s father Barry played 13 games in one season with the Magpies as part of a career that spanned three clubs.
Hawthorn will pay a significant portion of Mitchell’s contract for next year. The Hawks received Stephens, a top draft pick who has battled injuries in his first three years, as well as picks 41 and 50.
The Hawks also traded Jaeger O’Meara to Fremantle for Lloyd Meek and a future second-round pick as the Hawks completed a radical overhaul of their list, moving out Mitchell, O’Meara and losing free agent Jack Gunston.
Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell has been the subject of constant trade speculation.Credit:AFL Photos
And after a 10-day stand-off the Western Bulldogs eventually traded Josh Dunkley to Brisbane at the death in exchange for pick 21 and future first-, second- and fourth-round picks. The Lions got Dunkley and future third- and fourth-round picks.
Rory Lobb also moved from Fremantle to the Bulldogs for pick 30 and a future second-rounder.
Deals were unable to be completed for Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea and Gold Coast winger Jeremy Sharp, who had both sought trades. Geelong rejected Port Adelaide’s best offer of pick 33 for the contracted Ratugolea while the Dockers could offer little to tempt the Suns.
Earlier in the day, Melbourne forward Sam Weideman, unable to secure a regular senior spot, joined Essendon, while Bombers defender Aaron Francis became a Swan in a deal including Sydney’s future fourth-round selection and a swap of selections 37 and 42.
The Demons also recruited Josh Schache to his third club, meaning three top-10 picks from the 2015 national draft will play with new teams next season.
Sam Weideman needs to get nasty, according to Matthew Lloyd.Credit:Getty
Francis, the former sixth overall pick in the 2015 national draft, played 54 games for the Bombers. He joins the Swans on a two-year deal with an option for a third, his new club adamant he can fill a spot in defence.
“Aaron is a player we identified as a priority to bring in during the trade period. We believe he has the talent and attributes to improve our team and provides added flexibility in our key position roles,” Swans football manager Charlie Gardiner said.
While the Demons lost Weideman, they gained former No.2 draft pick Schache, who will play for a third club in 2023. The former Lion and Bulldog was traded for a future fourth-round pick.
Weideman had approached the Demons last Thursday to request a trade , and the club said it was happy to help him get to Essendon if it could replace him. Once the out-of-contract Schache moved into the frame, both trades were on.
The Demons also took a punt on Bulldogs wingman Lachie Hunter, who has experienced some off-field issues recently, giving up a future third-round pick for the 27-year-old after the Bulldogs agreed to pay part of the final two years of his contract.
Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said the club had replaced Luke Jackson with Brodie Grundy, Weideman with Schache, brought in Hunter for Jayden Hunt and Kade Chandler would fill the void Toby Bedford’s departure creates, while taking pick 13 into this year’s draft and a future first-round selection.
New Tiger Jacob Hopper was given a tour of Punt Road by superstar teammate Dustin Martin, after the 25-year-old midfielder confirmed his seven-year contract. The former Greater Western Sydney Giant was dealt along with picks 53 and 63 in exchange for picks 31 and a future first-round pick.
Meanwhile, Gunston has opened up about his move to the Lions, declaring it had been a difficult call to leave the club he enjoyed three premierships with.
Gunston said the decision had been made tougher in a year when he lost his father Ray to a heart attack.
“For my footballing career I’ve had a great influence in my dad always in my corner. He’s someone I was always able to lean on and ask any question. Going through this decision was a different time for me,” he said.
“The opportunity that presented itself with moving to Queensland and playing for Brisbane was a good opportunity for me to add to my football journey and flip the script on what was, at times, a tough year. I thought it was a good opportunity to experience something new in life.”
St Kilda list management chief James Gallagher defended his club’s modest trade period, declaring the Saints were “keeping their powder dry” in terms of salary-cap room, having failed to land Collingwood star Jordan De Goey. The Saints accrued former Bulldogs utility Zaine Cordy through free agency.
Essendon list chief Adrian Dodoro said Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, having retired mid-year, was preparing for an AFL return, with the Bombers and Fremantle in discussions with him.
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