AFL Trade period 2023: Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro discusses Bombers trade haul as he prepares to step back in role

He’s been a key fixture of AFL trade period for as long as most footy fans can remember but will Adrian Dodoro be lost to the drama when he takes a step back in his role next year?

MELBOURNE , AUSTRALIA. October 9 , 2023. AFL Trade Period. Adrian Dodoro, General Manager - List & Recruiting of the Bombers speaks with media during The 2023 AFL Trade Period at Marvel Stadium on October 09 , 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. .Picture by Michael Klein

Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro declared he would continue striking deals next year after the long-time figure of the trade period lodged two late deals to beat the 7.30pm deadline by 30 seconds.

Dodoro’s duties will be scaled back after the national draft as incoming talent and operations manager Matt Rosa learns under the 20-year Tullamarine club legend.

Dodoro again provided the deadline theatre and then declared: “I think I’ll be around for a little bit longer. How could you not have me around? C’mon, it wouldn’t be the same”.

Tensions rose when the Bombers stared Port Adelaide down over its request to include a future second-round pick in a swap of Xavier Duursma and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

Power finally relented and accepted picks 73 and two future fourth-round selections to sweeten the swap of players as the clock ticked towards 7.30pm.

Adrian Dodoro will step back at the Bombers next year. Picture by Michael Klein

“ ‘Crippa’ (Port Adelaide list boss Jason Cripps) made us work tonight, there’s no doubt,” Dodoro said.

“(Pick 73) we weren’t going to use, so we were happy to put that in, and their draft hand next year is a bit shallow so we threw in a couple of picks towards the end to get it done.

“They were pretty bullish on getting our future second and we were never going to give it up.

“We would rather have walked away than to give up the future of the club.

“We had to hold our nerve and we kissed and had a hug afterwards, but it was close.”

Coach Brad Scott has earmarked a traditional wing position for Duursma and the Bombers were satisfied with his medical examination.

They also acquired pick 61 and a future fourth-round pick for much-loved halfback Massimo D’Ambrosio, who joined Hawthorn.

Dodoro placed an 11th hour call to D’Ambrosio desperate to change his mind before accepting his decision to switch clubs.

He said the D’Ambrosio was a “special man” and the Bombers were “optimistic” they could convince him to do a backflip.

Xavier Duursma is going to be a Bomber in 2024. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It was already day of high drama for the Bombers, who learned their one-year offer to D’Ambrosio meant he would qualify for delisted free agency because he would’ve remained a rookie for three years.

The Hawks could’ve signed him for nothing but agreed to a trade that helped Essendon clinch Duursma.

“Everyone’s talking about the rule, but there’s a grey area there as well. I think that’ll change in the coming period anyway,” Dodoro said.

“We’ve had discussions with the AFL and they’ll look into that rule. It doesn’t make sense because rookies can play senior footy.”

Dodoro said growth from the likes of Harry Jones, Zach Reid and Archie Perkins as well as stronger depth would help Essendon improve next year.

Duursma completed a four-pronged powerplay on the back of signing free agents Ben McKay, Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham.

“When (Duursma) burst on to the scene we all saw what an exciting young player he was.

“He’ll give us a different dimension to our midfield, he’s a huge endurance athlete and I think he’s going to be a really good pick up for us.”

Dodoro said Duursma’s brother, Zane, would be drafted before his No. 9 pick – but hinted the link could help unite them at Tullamarine one day.

Originally published as AFL Trade period 2023: Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro discusses Bombers trade haul as he prepares to step back in role