Star Tiger in shock GWS trade twist in AFL

Richmond star Brett Deledio is set to join Greater Western Sydney after the Giants made a surprise late bid for the veteran Tiger.

GWS confirmed Deledio had nominated them as his preferred destination, in a statement released on the eve of the final day of the AFL trade period.

“The Greater Western Sydney Giants can confirm that Brett Deledio has agreed to join the club,” the statement read.

“The Giants will now work with the Richmond Football Club to finalise a trade.”

The shock move comes with just hours left in this year’s trade period, which ends on Thursday at 2pm AEDT.

Geelong had been considered the likely landing spot for the 29-year-old after he expressed a desire to explore his options elsewhere, but the Cats ruled themselves out of the race for his services on Wednesday evening.

However, Geelong’s other trade target, Carlton defender Zach Tuohy, will get his wish to play for the Cats from next year.

“We’ve agreed to a deal with Carlton but we haven’t submitted the paperwork yet,” Cats list manager Stephen Wells told SEN.

“But Zach Will be joining Geelong with Billie Smedts heading to Carlton.

“He’s a young player who’s been down here for a few years and hasn’t quite had the opportunities he’s sought so he’s off and we’ll give Carlton our future first-round selection (for next year) and get back their second-round selection for next year.”

Several potential trades remain up in the air as clubs enter the final day of the annual player movement period.

Gold Coast and Hawthorn remain at odds over the fair value of youngster Jaeger O’Meara, Carlton and Adelaide are still at a stalemate over Bryce Gibbs and Josh Caddy is still mulling a potential switch from Geelong to the Tigers.

“Josh is a contracted player but he has said to the club that if he had an opportunity to go to Richmond he wouldn’t mind that,” Wells said.

“But at this stage we’re not even considering an offer from them.”

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