KEY MOVES IN THE 2017 AFL TRADE PERIOD:
* Gary Ablett (Gold Coast to Geelong) – The prodigal son of God returns. Ablett ended his seven-year stay in Queensland after a complicated deal was struck on deadline day. The two-time Brownlow Medallist returns to Kardinia Park past his prime, but far from a spent force.
* Bryce Gibbs (Carlton to Adelaide) – A year after being left hanging by the Blues’ hard-nosed approach, Gibbs finally has his wish to move his young family home to South Australia. The Blues couldn’t pass up two first-round picks for their 2014 best and fairest, given their ongoing rebuild.
* Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs to Essendon) – Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge’s efforts to enforce discipline at Whitten Oval emerged in early September when the star forward was put on the trade table. The Bombers pounced, securing their man on deadline day for two second round picks.
* Luke Hodge (Hawthorn to Brisbane) – The three-time premiership captain flies north to assist former Hawks mentor Chris Fagan’s rebuilding project at Brisbane. Like the departures of Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis last season, the Hawks received peanuts – effectively No.75 – for their champion.
* Jack Watts (Melbourne to Port Adelaide) – The fan favourite and 2008 No.1 draft pick was encouraged to find a new home by coach Simon Goodwin after the Demons missed the finals for the 11th-straight season. After some consideration, Watts picked Port and the Demons obliged.
* Jake Lever (Adelaide to Melbourne) – Lever’s insistence on leaving Adelaide to return home to Victoria created waves at the Crows, who extracted a hefty ransom from Melbourne. The Demons coughed up two first-round picks for the 21-year-old key defender.
* Tom Rockliff (Brisbane to Port Adelaide) – The former Brisbane captain had been mentioned as a ‘go home’ target for Victorian clubs for several years, but the Benalla boy instead chose to join Port Adelaide’s beefed up midfield.
* Steven Motlop (Geelong to Port Adelaide) – Motlop’s move to Alberton Oval underlines Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley’s view that the Power’s premiership window is wide open. The mercurial Geelong midfielder has serious talent but has been derided as a downhill skier.
* Charlie Cameron (Adelaide to Brisbane) – Brisbane secured Cameron, a Queenslander, in the final hour after offering pick 12 to Adelaide. The 23-year-old swaps the minor premiers for the wooden spooners. It might be some time before he kicks another five goals in a preliminary final.
* Josh Schache (Brisbane to Western Bulldogs) – Schache’s movements and motivations were among the more-intriguing trade period plots. The Victorian landed at Whitten Oval after the Dogs submitted picks 25 and 40 for the 2015 No.2 draft selection.
* Lachie Weller (Fremantle to Gold Coast) – If there was any doubt about how highly Gold Coast wanted to secure Weller, it was erased when the Suns tabled pick No.2 for the Tasmanian. It was a deal the Dockers could hardly refuse.
