Brett Deledio takes pay cut to join GWS Giants in search of premiership

RICHMOND star Brett Deledio has taken a pay cut to chase a flag with the GWS Giants, who offloaded a remarkable nine players during the trade period.

RICHMOND star Brett Deledio has taken a pay cut to chase a flag with the GWS Giants.

The last-minute deal capped a whirlwind trade period for the Giants, who offloaded a remarkable nine players.

Deledio has signed a three-year deal of which the Tigers will pay $200,000 per year. The 29-year-old will add even more depth the GWS midfield and work across half-forward.

EVERY DEAL: AFL TRADES 2016 REPORT CARD

LIVE BLOG: RECAP EVERY MOVE OF A CRAZY FINAL TRADE DAY

He brings the Giants’ tally of former No.1 draft picks to four, joining Tom Scully, Jonathon Patton and ­Lachie Whitfield.

The trade was one of the last completed before the deadline and also involved the trading away of the Giants’ first and third-round picks at next year’s draft.

Deledio spent 12 seasons at Punt Road, winning the Jack Dyer Medal (2008 and ’09) and All-Australian honours twice (2012 and ’15).

Brett Deledio will add depth to the Giants’ midfield. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

GWS football manager Wayne Campbell played alongside Deledio in his debut season in 2005.

“Attracting Brett to the club was a whole of strategy,” Campbell said.

“David Matthew was involved, Leon Cameron was involved and a couple of players and I think we demonstrated a common purpose. Brett is one of the competition’s elite players and has shown over a long period of time an ability to play a variety of which we think will complement our list well.”

WHO WON? WHO LOST? SAM EDMUND, MICK WARNER AND HUDDO ON ALL THE BIG MOVES FROM THE AFL TRADE PERIOD

Richmond list boss Dan Richardson said the loss of Deledio, who had earlier picked Geelong as his preferred home, was a “byproduct of free agency”.

“He (Deledio) seemed ready for a fresh start and in the end, to get a first for next year and third-round pick next year from GWS, was a fair deal,” Richardson said.

Carlton picked up the lion’s share of departing Giants in Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett and Rhys Palmer.

Cam McCarthy (Fremantle), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Paul Ahern (North Melbourne), Patrick McKenna (Melbourne), James Stewart (Essendon) and Will Hoskin-Elliot (Collingwood) also found new homes.

“Hopefully we’ve treated the players going out with ­respect,” Campbell said. “We can only wish them the best.”

The Giants are now in great shape heading into the draft. They have pick two and a shot at either Hugh McCluggage or Andrew McGrath.

They also have picks 15, 37, 39, 45, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59 and 60 to use on academy talents Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman and Harrison Macreadie.

The Swans improved their position in the draft, swapping picks 14, 17 and 31 with Port Adelaide for picks nine and 19. It will be the best draft position Sydney have been in since 2009.

HOW THE FINAL DAY UNFOLDED

Trade 1

Suns & Bulldogs

Gold Coast gets picks 35 & 43, Bulldogs get picks 26 & 80

Trade 2

Witts on the move

Suns get Jarrod Witts, Collingwood get picks 44 & 62

Trade 3

Hrovat to Roos

Western Bulldogs trade Nathan Hrovat, their future third & fourth-round picks to North Melbourne in exchange for the Kangaroos' future third & fourth-round picks.

Trade 4

Cat heads West

Geelong trade Shane Kersten to Fremantle in exchange for pick No.63.

Trade 5

Tuohy’s new club

Zach Tuohy is a Cat. Carlton get: Billie Smedts, 2017 first-round pick & pick 63. Geelong get: Tuohy, 2017 second-round pick.

Trade 6

Caddy on the move

Josh Caddy traded by Geelong to Richmond for picks 24 and 64. Tigers also send pick 56 to Cats. Richmond’s football general manager Dan Richardson said the club was delighted. “We love what Josh is going to bring to our team, he’s a big-bodied, aggressive midfielder that can run, win the contested footy, and also kick goals,” he said.

Trade 7

NSW clubs trade

Sydney Swans trade picks 39 & 52 to rivals GWS Giants in return pick 31. Not sure what that accomplishes but there you go. Another deal done.

Trade 8

Lyons heading north

Adelaide trade Jarryd Lyons and pick 71 to Gold Coast in return for picks 43 and 67. Suns football general manager Marcus Ashcroft said the midfielder was a great fit. “We’re delighted to confirm that Jarryd Lyons will be joining the Gold Coast Suns,” Ashcroft said.

Trade 9

Unexpected trade

GWS & Melbourne agree to a deal from out of the blue. The Giants get picks 57 & 59 in exchange, Melbourne get Pat McKenna and picks 51 & 69.

Trade 10

Vardy goes West

Big man Nathan Vardy traded to West Coast. Geelong receive pick 72 in return.

Trade 11

Cloke a Dog

It took two weeks but Travis Cloke can stop waiting by his phone. Collingwood trade the key forward to the Western Bulldogs in exchange for pick 76.

Trade 12

Essendon get their man

James Stewart joins Essendon. Greater Western Sydney receive pick 77 in return.

Trade 13

Cats get their man

Key forward Aaron Black traded by North Melbourne to Geelong for pick 92

Trade 14

GWS join the party

GWS Giants trade Will Hoskin-Elliott to Collingwood for a future second-round pick

Trade 15

Frost makes his move

Collingwood trade Jack Frost, pick 76 and a future third-round pick to Brisbane in exchange for a future third-round pick and future fourth-round pick.

Trade 16

Dunn deal

Lynden Dunn is a Magpie after Melbourne gave up pick 47. Collingwood get 51 back.

Trade 17

Pie now a Roo

Collingwood trade Marley Williams to North Melbourne for pick 105.

Trade 18

Last gasp deal

Marcus Ashcroft confirms Jaeger O'Meara will be a Hawthorn player with just minutes left. Gold Coast secure pick 10 and multiple future second-round picks.

Trade 19

Late pick swap

This is the deal that ended up helping seal the Jaeger O'Meara deal. Carlton send their future second-round pick from GWS to Hawthorn in return for picks 48, 66 and 70.

Trade 20

Carlton & GWS

Carlton gets Rhys Palmer, GWS receives pick 135

Trade 21

Bulldogs late trade

Western Bulldogs trade midfielder Koby Stevens, pick 50 and a future fifth-round pick to St Kilda for pick 61 and a future fourth-round pick. Paperwork filed on time but deal confirmed well after the 2pm deadline.

Trade 22

Carlton get their man

Carlton gets Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett and ’17 future pick (rnd 2) GWS pick up 45, 58 & future pick (rnd 1).

Trade 23

Deledio details confirmed

Richmond receive GWS's future first-round pick (originally from Geelong) & future third-round pick. The Giants get Deledio.

Trade 24

Late pick swap

Freo get picks 35 & &1, GC Suns get No 73 and future pick (rnd 2).

Trade 25

Late pick swap

Sydney this time and they claim picks 9, 19 and 49, Port gets 14, 17 and 31.