Melbourne have taken a big step towards bolstering what was widely considered to be the weakest midfield in the AFL by securing rising star Dom Tyson from Greater Western Sydney.
The trade will give the Giants the first two selections in next month’s AFL national draft.
It will be the third time in as many years that the expansion club has had picks one and two.
Tyson, 20, was selected by the Giants at No.3 in the 2011 draft and played 13 games for the club, after being restricted to three matches this year due to a knee injury.
He was packaged up with draft picks nine and 53 by the Giants, who will be recompensed with selections two, 20 and 72 from the Demons.
GWS already held first pick in next month’s draft after claiming the wooden spoon in 2013.
“Dom is a tall midfielder who is exceptional around the stoppages and has a unique ability to find a gap in traffic,” said Melbourne’s football operations manager Josh Mahoney.
“He is strong overhead, he has good touch and depth with his kicking.
“Dom comes with a good strong character, and fits the age and positional profile that we need to improve upon.
“He complements our young core of midfielders who can grow together over the next 10 years.
“Dom also has the benefit of being in the AFL system for two years as he understands the level of competition and the standards required to be a professional AFL player. He can come in and play straight away.”
The Demons have already secured Viv Michie from Fremantle and remain in the hunt for Adelaide onballer Bernie Vince, meaning new coach Paul Roos will have considerably more midfield options in 2014 than was the case for Mark Neeld and Neil Craig this year.