Big AFL free agency dominoes fall: Jordan De Goey, Karl Amon contracts confirmed

The AFL trade landscape has exploded on Friday with a series of big deals dropping immediately after the official start of the trade period.

Jack Gunston, Karl Amon and Tom Papley.

The AFL trade landscape has exploded with a series of free agency deals dropping on Friday.

Just hours after the free agency window opened on Friday several deals dropped, including Karl Amon officially becoming a Hawk.

The former Port Adelaide star was widely expected to move to Hawthorn this trade period and the league has now signed off on the contract, which is reported to be a four-year deal worth around $2.6 million.

Port Adelaide has also announced it will receive a second-round draft selection — currently Pick 27 — as compensation.

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“We are thrilled to officially welcome Karl to Hawthorn,” Hawks list boss Mark McKenzie said.

“It’s pleasing to hear Karl indicate his decision to commit to the club was based around the positive direction of the organisation and the exciting brand of football being developed.

“He is an incredibly gifted athlete and can be damaging by foot.

“With more than 100 games under his belt, we believe his skillset and experience will complement our young and developing list.”

The deals continued to keep coming after that.

Swans lock up star forward with ‘mega-deal’

Jack Gunston, Karl Amon and Tom Papley.

Tom Papley has signed a monster five-year contract extension with the Swans.

The club announced on Friday Papley is contracted through to the end of the 2028 season.

It is another big win for the Swans after Papley had asked to be traded to Carlton in 2019.

The 2021 All Australian said he is thrilled to commit to the Swans for the long term.

“We have a very exciting group coming through, I’m really looking forward to the next five years,” Papley said.

“The contract didn’t take that long to be honest; it all happened pretty quickly during the finals and got it signed off.”

“One of the main reasons I signed on was because of this young group. They’re still learning, and I think only half played in their first final this year, so we can’t wait to get back to pre-season and start working hard again.”

The long-term extension was described as a “mega deal” by AFL reporter Callum Twomey.

De Goey breaks St Kilda’s heart

Jordan De Goey has officially signed a monster five-year contract extension with Collingwood — ending his 12 month contract saga.

The Magpies star has turned his back on free agency to remain with Collingwood just one day after reports emerged St Kilda and Essendon were both still in the hunt to win his signature.

He confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Friday morning.

The deal is reported to be worth around $4 million.

St Kilda has been left to pick up the pieces with its six months of talks with De Goey ending with nothing to show for it.

The club was the biggest threat to Collingwood losing De Goey and Saints list boss James Gallagher said less than 24 hours before De Goey made his decision the club was shaping its trade period around its offer to the Pies star.

Essendon was also reported to have been in the hunt.

Biggest AFL Trade dramas so far

— Collingwood star Brodie Grundy is just days away from joining Melbourne, according to reports. The Collingwood star is at the centre of the trade merry-go-round which also involves Demon ruckman Luke Jackson and Brisbane star Dan McStay.

Grundy was this week reported to have been unhappy about Collingwood’s request for him to look for a new club. Grundy still has five years remaining on a monster $7 million deal which he put pen to paper to in 2020.

Widespread reports claim Collingwood will be forced to pay a significant percentage of Grundy’s wages across the course of the deal.

Chris Fagan with Daniel McStay. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Jackson, meanwhile, is expected to move to the Dockers this trade period, despite the Demons reportedly demanding two first round selections to let him leave. Fremantle has reportedly prepared a monster, long term contract offer.

With those dominoes set to fall, Collingwood is set to pick up Brisbane Lions star McStay, who officially told the club last week he wants to leave.

McStay, 27, has been linked for several months with a move to the Magpies, who have reportedly offered him a five-year deal worth $650,000 per season.

— Sharp shooter Jack Gunston has officially told Hawthorn he expects to move to Brisbane through free agency. According to reports, Hawthorn had offered Gunston a two-year extension, but he rejected it in order to link up with Brisbane.

— Josh Dunkley’s move to the Lions is far from finished. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge on Wednesday night said the Lions will have to “pony up” in any trade deal. Dunkley has officially requested to be traded to the Lions. The Bulldogs have previously demanded two first-round draft picks in exchange for letting Dunkley walk out the door. The Lions will reportedly need two first round picks to snap up talents Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher at the 2022 national draft — and do not appear to have the ammunition required to satisfy the Bulldogs as things stand.

— Gold Coast star Jack Bowes is being heavily chased by a number of Victorian clubs. The former top-10 draft pick, who is contracted for two more seasons, has told Gold Coast he wants to explore his options elsewhere. Star forward Izak Rankine has requested a trade home to South Australia to play for the Crows, while Brayden Fiorini could be a Magpie next season in a salary dump move.

Moving on from Bowes would also help the Suns’ salary cap situation and they are not expected to stand in his way.

— Ruckman Rory Lobb’s trade request was rejected by Fremantle and there has been no update on his reported wish to move to the Western Bulldogs.

Originally published as Big AFL free agency dominoes fall: Jordan De Goey, Karl Amon contracts confirmed