AFL Free Agency 2023: All the deals from the first day of the exchange period

In an early free agency surprise, GWS will receive an end-of-second-round compensation pick for Eagles-bound ruckman Matt Flynn. See every deal from the opening day.

Melbourne midfielder James Jordon has joined Sydney in the first completed move of the AFL free agency period.

Jordon, who played 65 games for the Demons and was an unused substitute in the 2021 premiership side, was eligible for free agency because he was delisted and then re-rookied at the end of 2020.

He was followed to the Swans on the first day of the free agency window by Joel Hamling, with Fremantle confirming the 30-year-old defender had accepted a contract offer from Sydney.

The former Western Bulldogs premiership player had been kept to only six senior games in four years amid injury struggles and Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox moving ahead in the key defensive pecking order.

James Jordon is officially a Swan. Picture: Michael Klein.

Wooden spooner West Coast was also involved on the opening day, securing ruckman Matt Flynn from the Giants.

The 26-year-old is set to take over the No.1 ruck duties at the Eagles, who are keen to send Bailey Williams forward to provide more aerial support for spearhead Oscar Allen.

Flynn spent five seasons on the Giants’ list before his debut but was a prolific tap ruckman in his 33 games before being ousted from the side by fellow Giants academy prospect Kieren Briggs midway through the season.

The Giants will receive an end of round two compensation pick (currently No. 40) for Flynn.

Jordon, 22, struggled to secure a spot in the Melbourne side in the latter stages of the season and was kept out for three consecutive games before replacing Angus Brayshaw in the semi-final loss to Carlton.

The Demons will receive an end-of-second-round compensation pick for Jordon, which is currently pick 39.

Jordon has mostly played on a wing or at half-forward at AFL level but impressed as a centre-bounce midfielder in his four games at Casey this season.

He averaged 34 disposals, five tackles and a goal a game, including a dominant 41-disposal performance against the GWS reserves in June.

Matt Flynn is off to West Coast. Picture: Michael Klein

The move comes as the Swans look to bolster their midfield stocks after an inconsistent season, with co-captain Callum Mills out indefinitely after damaging his rotator cuff in a Mad Monday incident that required surgery.

Jordon’s teammate Brodie Grundy is also expected to join him at Sydney during the trade period, which begins on Monday.

Sydney football boss Charlie Gardiner said Jordon’s running power and versatility had been a big part of his appeal for the Swans.

“James is a talented young midfielder who we think has a bright future ahead of him,” Gardiner said.

“We think he will be a valuable addition to our midfield group with his running ability and flexibility to play inside and out.

“He has had an impressive start to his career to date and comes with experience in a successful program at Melbourne, so we are confident he will make us better.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming James to the club.”

Originally published as AFL Free Agency 2023: All the deals from the first day of the exchange period