Dylan Shiel’s trade request to Essendon should see AFL trade period activity ramp up after the 18 clubs took a collective breath on Tuesday.
After lengthy deliberations, the contracted GWS star notified suitors Hawthorn, Carlton and St Kilda that he wanted to be a Bomber.
Shiel’s trade request was the main talking point of a quiet second day of trade period.
No trade paperwork for any player was filed with the AFL before the 5pm deadline.
But West Coast restricted free agent ruckman Scott Lycett officially joined Port Adelaide after the Eagles declined to match the Power’s offer, believed to be worth approximately $3 million over five years.
West Coast’s compensation for losing the premiership ruckman is a selection at the end of the first round of the upcoming draft (currently No.20).
Having met for talks in Melbourne for the start of trade period on Monday, club recruiting chiefs mostly laid low on Tuesday as they considered their options.
But Shiel’s decision to switch to Essendon is a major domino to fall that will have flow-on effects.
The Bombers will get to work on finding a suitable trade, most likely their No.9 pick and a future selection, while the Blues, Hawks and Saints will turn their attention elsewhere.
Carlton were already busy before the Shiel decision, working out deals for Adelaide’s Mitch McGovern and young Giant Will Setterfield.
Hawthorn may well turn their attention to luring Port Adelaide goalsneak Chad Wingard, who has attracted interest from the Western Bulldogs with his future at Alberton unclear.
St Kilda’s primary focus was always bringing in Dan Hannebery from Sydney, but perhaps the Saints can cast their eyes elsewhere having had a good lash at Shiel.
The Giants will also be busy but their focus is extracting the best draft bounty they can from the departures brought about by their salary cap squeeze.
Rory Lobb, who wants to go to Fremantle, Jeremy Finlayson (North Melbourne) and Will Setterfield (Carlton) will join Shiel in leaving during this trade period.
The Eagles remain intent on luring Tim Kelly home from Geelong but the Cats want a top-10 draft pick.
Lachie Neale’s switch from Fremantle to Brisbane, Jesse Hogan’s potential move from Melbourne to the Dockers and Steven May’s possible move from Gold Coast to the Demons or Collingwood are some of the bigger deals that could hold up proceedings.
