AFL Trade Period: Bombers complete trade haul at buzzer, recap every deal
The AFL trade period is now over, and in his last battle, Essendon’s Adrian Dodoro managed to steal the show again in a frantic final hour. See every deal that happened at the deadline.
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Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell will have a new-look forward line to spearhead his attacking game style next year after the Hawks secured Jack Gunston, Mabior Chol and Jack Ginnivan on a hectic final day of the trade period.
The Hawks got deals done for Gunston and Chol in the final two hours before the trade deadline on Wednesday night, after earlier landing Ginnivan just a day after he met with Mitchell and requested a trade.
Gunston returns to the brown and gold only 12 months after departing the club to join the Brisbane Lions and only five days after making a shock trade request which blindsided the Lions.
The deal to return the three-time premiership player sent mid-season draftee Brandon Ryan north, in a trade that also saw some picks change hands.
The Hawks gave up Ryan, picks 39, 54 and a future fourth-round selection to the Lions in exchange for Gunston, a picks 47, 61 and a future second-round pick.
The trade went down just two days after Gunston celebrated his 32nd birthday on Monday and followed a 17-game season with the Lions which saw him kick 22 goals.
He missed the Lions’ finals campaign and grand final loss with a knee injury.
The trade for Chol was a little more straightforward for Hawks list manager Mark McKenzie, with Hawthorn sending a future second-round pick to the Suns in exchange for Chol and pick 62.
The Hawks will be Chol’s third AFL club in four years, with the move coming after he managed just 10 goals across eight senior games for the Suns this season.
Ginnivan came from Collingwood along with pick 39, a future second-round pick and a future fourth-round pick.
In exchange, the Hawks gave up pick 33, a future second-round selection and a future third-round selection for the livewire forward.
Along with losing the 200cm Ryan – who was taken with pick 12 in this year’s mid-season draft – the Hawks handed over fellow key forward Jacob Koschitzke to Richmond in exchange for pick 49.
The 23-year-old Koschitzke had sought more opportunity and a longer-term deal at the Tigers.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOW THE ACTION UNFOLDED ON DEADLINE DAY
Done deal: Dons get Duursma, Port land BZT in dying minutes
Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro signed off from trade period in fitting fashion – testing the deadline before relenting on a swap between Xavier Duursma and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
The Bombers secured wingman Duursma to complete a four-pronged powerplay on the back of signing free agents Ben McKay, Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham.
Dodoro, who will scale back his duties following next month’s national draft, protected the club’s draft capital.
The Bombers’ strong suite of picks begins with No. 9, 31 and 35. Trade talks between Port and the Bombers got testy after key defender Zerk-Thatcher requested a trade home to South Australia.
But the Bombers signed off on a rare player swap that was sweetened for the Bombers by the inclusion of pick No. 73 and two fourth-round picks in the 2024 draft.
The Dons also granted Massimo D’Ambrosio his wish by trading him to Hawthorn, receiving No. 61 and a 2024 fourth-round pick in return.
We got there 😅
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) October 18, 2023
Welcome to the Dons, Xavier! pic.twitter.com/eut32OY4R6
Done deal: Billings becomes a Dee
St Kilda has jettisoned No. 3 overall draft pick Jack Billings in a trade with Melbourne as Ross Lyon made clear the 28-year-old was not in his future plans.
The Demons secured Billings on Wednesday for a future third-round draft pick
The deal sees St Kilda contribute a significant portion Billings’ million-dollar plus wage across 2024 and 2025 after the Saints accepted a lowly future pick.
Billings battled injuries including a broken leg leading into the 2023 season and played only three AFL games despite solid VFL form averaging 22 possessions and a goal a game.
At Melbourne, he will be another attacking option who can play wing and half forward, but will have to buy into Simon Goodwin’s methodology of fierce attack at the ball and man.
The Demons have lost midfielder James Jordon (Sydney) and James Harmes (Western Bulldogs) but brought in Adelaide marking forward Shane McAdam.
So, while Billings will not be guaranteed a game for Goodwin, he is a low-outlay acquisition who, at 28, would hope he can get a second wind at the Demons.
Done deal: Tigers land Hawks forward
Hawthorn has traded key-forward Jacob Koschitzke to Richmond for pick 49.
Koschitzke fell out of favour at Hawthorn for periods this year, playing 12 games for a return of nine goals, but will help fill the void left by Jack Riewoldt at Punt Road.
The 198cm forward’s best return came in 2021, when he kicked 27 goals in 20 matches
Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie was pleased the trade could benefit all parties.
“This deal not only strengthens our draft hand, but also gives Jacob a fresh opportunity to continue his career,” McKenzie said after the paperwork was lodged.
“We respect Jacob’s desire to seek a longer-term deal at Richmond and would like to thank him for his contribution to our football club.
“Having additional picks in this year’s draft will give us greater flexibility to add further talent to our club or manoeuvre positions should an opportunity present itself.”
Done deal: Blues get another Hollands
Carlton believes new recruit Elijah Hollands can be a part of its first-choice midfield next year after he became the steal of the trade period landing at Ikon Park.
Hollands and brother Ollie will unite as top-15 picks playing alongside each other at Carlton after the Blues handed over Essendon’s third-round pick to secure the No. 7 draft selection.
Carlton also preserved its 2023 draft hand, retaining pick 22 but swapping its No. 26 selection with Gold Coast’s pick 28 to help the Suns accumulate academy points.
The Suns also handed back a future fourth-rounder which made the Blues portion of the deal even more appetising.
While the Suns were overly generous with the trade they were aware Hollands had a pressing need to be closer to his family and was not in the Suns’ best 22.
He was played on the wing at the Suns given their elite midfield but is more suited to a bollocking inside mid role.
With elite speed and strong ball-winning ability it was surprising he played only 14 AFL games in 2021-22, arriving at the club after a knee reconstruction for the 2020 season and then playing VFL all of this season.
Carlton’s trade to move Paddy Dow to St Kilda became official on Wednesday, with the Blues securing the Essendon future third-rounder and two future fourth-round picks but giving up its future third and fourth-rounders.
It means the Blues have their 2024 draft hand largely intact as it hones in on father-son Ben and Lucas Camporeale.
Ben Camporeale could be a first-rounder and Lucas a top-30 pick who has shown dramatic improvement, with both players elite runners who will continue to working on their kicking.
Done deal: Cats, Power finally agree on Esava trade
Twelve months after trying to get him, Port Adelaide has finally recruited Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea.
The Cats held firm last year when the Power looked to lure the intercept backman and had hoped to keep him again, but dealt him in the closing hours of the trade period on Wednesday for picks 25, 76 and 94.
Ratugolea, 25, helps boost Port’s thin key defensive stocks around All-Australian Aliir Aliir.
Trent McKenzie is 31, Tom Clurey is 29 and Tom Jonas has retired.
Power list manager Jason Cripps said Ratugolea was athletic, a good intercept marker and could play on some of the competition’s bigger key forwards.
“Esava’s size and skill set will assist with the improvement of our defensive group and our team defence overall ,” Cripps said.
“Esava is an outstanding young man and is also the right age for our list profile, so we are delighted to welcome him to the club.”
Ratugolea played 75 games for the Cats from 2018-23, including 16 this year.
Originally a forward/ruck, he switched to defence in 2022, piquing the Power’s interest.
We’ve got our man! Welcome, Sav 🤠pic.twitter.com/syM4IkduKL
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) October 18, 2023
Geelong insists it has no bad blood with Port Adelaide after relenting in negotiations.
The deal was eventually brokered through Ratugolea’s manager Scott Lucas after the stalemate showed no signs of ending.
“We understood that we had a player that was out of contract, who wanted to get to Port Adelaide,” Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie said.
“I went through Esava’s manager in the end to see if we can get some stuff going.
“Leading into the trade period, we probably were hoping for a bit more, to be honest. But it wasn’t an unrealistic or disrespectful offer by any means.”
Mackie said while negotiations with Port Adelaide had broken down, the AFL was “a competition at the end of the day”.
“All clubs are trying to do the best thing for their footy club,” he said.
“That’s what I’m doing, representing the Geelong Football Club and Jason Cripps is doing that for Port Adelaide.
“We’re not there necessarily to be friends, but we’re trying to get a good deal for our footy club and set it up for the future. So I totally get why there’s times where communication might be lacking or whatever it is, but at the end of the day we respect what both clubs are trying to do.”
Mackie said the Cats – who now hold picks 8, 25, 76, 87 and 97 in this year’s draft – remained open to trading those selections and had held conversations with clubs including Gold Coast and Adelaide about potential swaps.
“From here we can get to work, from our end and teams can get to work on what they think it looks like,” Mackie said.
Done deal: Sweet gets to Port
Port Adelaide has secured the second of its ruck targets, recruiting Western Bulldog Jordon Sweet for pick 50.
A few hours after landing Richmond big man Ivan Soldo, the Power brought North Adelaide premiership ruckman Sweet back to South Australia.
Sweet, 25, played 11 AFL games in five seasons at the Dogs having been stuck behind All-Australian Tim English.
He did not feature at the elite level in 2023 but was named in the VFL’s team of the year.
Power list manager Jason Cripps said Sweet had been one of the premier ruckmen in Victoria’s state league.
“Jordon comes to our club looking for more opportunity,” Cripps said.
“He is a mobile tall who we think will complement and develop with our young midfield, and has a mature body and enough experience to challenge to play regularly at AFL level.”
Home sweeeeet home for Jordon 🬠pic.twitter.com/2X0JkLkM51
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) October 18, 2023
Bulldogs list boss Sam Power said the club was keen to retain Sweet but understand his decision to return home for more opportunities.
“Adding a third-round selection continues to strengthen our draft hand for the upcoming national draft,” Power said.
“We wish Jordon all the best as he continues his career with Port Adelaide.”
The additions of Sweet and Soldo leave Scott Lycett in limbo as he contemplates whether to retire or play on at another club.
Earlier, the Power traded picks 41, 49, a future second-rounder and a future fourth-rounder to the Tigers for Soldo and a future fourth-rounder and pick 50, which was later sent to the Dogs.
Done deal: Ginnivan gets to Hawks
Hawthorn has secured Collingwood premiership player Jack Ginnivan in a complicated pick slide with Hawthorn that sees the Hawks pick 33 slide to 39 with a trade of future picks.
Ginnivan has agreed to move to the Hawks to play under Sam Mitchell and the club will believe it has not overpaid for him in the trade.
Hawthorn hands over pick 33, the club’s future second-round pick and future third-round pick.
Collingwood hands over pick 39, the club’s future second-round pick and the club’s future fourth-round pick.
It means the Hawks remain in the second round of the national draft as they also prepare to secure the Lions’ future second-round pick for mid-season draftee Brandon Ryan.
The Hawks will on-trade that selection to the Suns for Mabior Chol, as they complete a busy trade period.
It means Ginnivan will move to the Hawks and likely play in his No. 33 jumper – which was vacated at the Hawks by Tyler Brockman.
But they have not given up the world for Ginnivan and have secured excellent compensation for Ryan, who only moved to the club a matter of months ago.
The Hawks will then be able to secure Jack Gunston to play as a key forward, having offered pick 63 for Essendon’s Massimo D’Ambrosio.
He could also be picked up as a free agent if the Dons do not agree to accept that pick given he has been offered a third-year rookie contract at Essendon.
Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said the Pies believed Ginnivan had a bright future but accepted he wanted a fresh start.
“We appreciate and accept Jack’s decision to seek further opportunity at Hawthorn,” Wright said.
“Jack’s contribution over the last three years has been significant and includes being a member of the 2023 Premiership team, which he’ll always be a part of. Jack is still only 20-years-old and has a lot of football ahead of him. On behalf of everyone at Collingwood we wish Jack well in all his future endeavours.”
Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie said the Hawks believed Ginnivan had a massive upside after kicking 40 goals in his second year and winning a flag in his third season at the Pies.
“We couldn’t be happier that Jack wanted to come to Hawthorn – a club he’s loved since he was a kid,” McKenzie said.
“We love the way he goes about his footy, he’s a clever forward that hits the scoreboard and generates a lot of energy on the field.
“Having just won a premiership at 20 years of age, we believe he’s only scratched the surface of his potential, and we can’t wait to see just how high he can elevate his game at Hawthorn in the years to come.”
Richmond blinks, Soldo to Port
Richmond has relented on its threat to keep Ivan Soldo against his will in a deal that improves their draft hand and secures a first choice ruckman for Port Adelaide.
The Tigers had suggested they would hold Soldo despite his desire to move to the Power even though he hit unrestricted free agency next year, with the Herald Sun revealing the Power’s strong interest last month.
But the Tigers will accept the Power offer of pick 41 and one of their future second rounders as well as a swap of back end picks.
It means the Tigers will hope Toby Nankervis remains injury free as new coach Adem Yze also gives chances to back up rucks Samson Ryan and Ben Miller.
Richmond could also choose to secure a free agency ruckman like Scott Lycett to give Nankervis ruck cover.
The deal gets Richmond back into this year’s draft as well as bolsters their future draft hand.
Port Adelaide can now move onto their three other targets – Esava Ratugolea, Jordon Sweet and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
As of late on Tuesday night the Power were still adamant they wanted a pick back in a players swap with Xavier Duursma and Zerk-Thatcher.
Originally published as AFL Trade Period: Bombers complete trade haul at buzzer, recap every deal
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