An elongated AFL trade period that at times seemed to drag on longer than the season which preceded it ended in the predictable flurry of activity on Friday.
So who were the winners and losers?
ADELAIDE
Paid a premium to prise Eddie Betts away from Carlton. James Podsiadly will provide solid key-forward cover as Taylor Walker eases his way back from a knee reconstruction. Bernie Vince was slipping in the Crows’ midfield pecking order, so his departure to Melbourne should not hurt all that much.
Draft picks: 23, 46, 82, 100
BRISBANE
The Lions paid a huge price for dumping coach Michael Voss, with young players Billy Longer, Elliot Yeo, Sam Docherty, Patrick Karnezis and Jared Polec all following through with their threats to join new clubs, even after Justin Leppitsch was named as Voss’s successor. All they have in return are Cats ruckman Trent West, untried Magpies forward Jackson Paine and a slew of draft picks in the 20s and 30s.
Draft picks: 7, 22, 25, 28, 33, 34, 63, 81
CARLTON
Dale Thomas looked tickled pink to be reunited with Mick Malthouse – this time in navy blue. Paid well under the odds to get Sam Docherty from Brisbane and gave up very little for Andrejs Everitt. Losing life member Eddie Betts was a blow.
Draft picks: 13, 39, 51, 69, 87, 105
COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies’ reputation as the kings of the trade remains intact. With Marley Williams certain to be upgraded from the rookie list, Collingwood are likely to be done with the draft after taking two highly prized targets at picks six and 10. The football department and the marketing folk will all bemoan the loss of Dale Thomas. And Heath Shaw’s football ability will be missed – even if he regularly tried the patience of coach Nathan Buckley. But Taylor Adams looks a ready-made 200-gamer in return.
Draft picks: 6, 10, 67
ESSENDON
Being stripped of high-end draft picks meant the Bombers had little wriggle room when trying to get a better deal from the Bulldogs for want-away forward Stewart Crameri. Fellow marking forward Scott Gumbleton is long overdue for a change of luck at Fremantle. But if Paul Chapman’s hamstrings hold up, Essendon might well have bagged the triple premiership star for a steal from Geelong.
Draft picks: 26, 55, 66, 102
FREMANTLE
The general consensus is that the talented but inconsistent Colin Sylvia will thrive under Ross Lyon, after frustrating the life out of Melbourne for much of his decade with the Demons. Getting injury-plagued former Bomber Scott Gumbleton on the park regularly would be another big win.
Draft picks: 17, 37, 58, 73, 91
GEELONG
Geelong have gone down the path of generational change, sending long-serving trio Paul Chapman, James Podsiadly and Josh Hunt to other clubs for minimal return and also moving on a fourth premiership player in ruckman Trent West, who joins the Lions. Their replacements will come from the Cats’ gun VFL side.
Draft picks: 16, 36, 41, 54, 64, 72, 84
GOLD COAST
Clearly happy with the way they are tracking under Guy McKenna, the Suns effectively gave trading a miss this year. Their big inclusion for 2014 will be Jack Martin, who was drafted a year ahead of schedule.
Draft picks: 5, 20, 27, 61, 79
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
For the third year running, the Giants will call out the first two names on draft day. Lost a good deal of young talent – most notably Dom Tyson and Taylor Adams. Missed out on the big one in Buddy Franklin, but managed to get their hands on some solid, experienced players in Heath Shaw, Shane Mumford and Josh Hunt.
Draft picks: 1, 2, 14, 29, 48, 76, 78, 93
HAWTHORN
The Hawks were major trade players from the moment Lance Franklin walked out the door to join Sydney. Sprang the biggest surprise of the month when they signed highly rated ruckman Ben McEvoy from St Kilda, with Shane Savage moving the other way. Gave their blessing to luckless 2008 premiership player Xavier Ellis making a fresh start with the Eagles.
Draft picks: 24, 38, 56, 59, 74
MELBOURNE
The worst midfield in the AFL will look plenty better next year with the inclusion of Dom Tyson (for the hefty price of pick two), Bernie Vince and Viv Michie. Finally lost patience with Colin Sylvia, who took advantage of free agency and headed west.
Draft picks: 9, 40, 57, 94
NORTH MELBOURNE
Landed a genuine big fish in Nick Dal Santo to add polish to a developing midfield. Have high hopes for father-son pick Luke McDonald, who will join the club for a a first-round pick at the draft.
Draft picks: 8, 30, 47, 65, 77, 83
PORT ADELAIDE
Won the battle with the Crows for homesick Lions midfielder Jared Polec, who cost the Power a first-round pick. Richmond speedster Matt White adds depth.
Draft picks: 21, 45, 52, 70, 88
RICHMOND
Richmond recruiting guru Blair Hartley has long been a fan of Shaun Hampson, so it wasn’t much of a surprise when the Tigers jumped out of the blocks and grabbed the Carlton ruckman on day one. After Matt White’s career-best season, he received an offer too good to refuse from Port Adelaide.
Draft picks: 12, 50, 68, 86
ST KILDA
The Saints seemed to have a hand in just about every second deal being done. Losing Nick Dal Santo will hurt a lot in the short term and Ben McEvoy’s absence might matter even more in latter years. That pain will be eased if Billy Longer can fill McEvoy’s big boots in the ruck. Having three first-round draft picks to play with will thrill the recruiting staff.
Draft picks: 3, 18, 19, 95
SYDNEY
The official line from the Swans was that no required players would be sacrificed to accommodate Lance Franklin’s massive pay packet. The reality was somewhat different. Shane Mumford jumped at a big-money offer from the Giants. Ruck-forward Jesse White joined Collingwood and Andrejs Everitt was shipped to the Blues in the final deal of the year.
Draft picks: 15, 32, 44, 53, 71
WEST COAST
In a complicated three-way deal, the Eagles shunted five spots down the first-round draft order, but still confident they will get their man in Dom Sheed. Happy to pounce on unhappy Lion Elliot Yeo.
Draft picks: 11, 31, 43, 49, 62, 80
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Stood their ground on Stewart Crameri and were able to get the deal done with Essendon for the excellent price of pick 26. Their other inclusion was unproven Sam Darley from GWS.
Draft picks: 4, 42, 60, 96
