AFL trade period live: All the news and trades on deadline day
The Western Bulldogs pulled off two stunning trade moves in the final minutes before deadline, retaining Josh Dunkley and landing Adam Treloar. And it gets better. Catch up on all the moves from deadline day.
Adam Treloar and Josh Dunkley will both line up in the Western Bulldogs midfield next year after the Dogs hit the trade jackpot with their last-minute moves.
With one minute to spare before Thursday night’s trade deadline, the Bulldogs and Collingwood agreed on a deal which will see Treloar call Whitten Oval home for the next five years.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge only met with Treloar earlier this week, setting the scene for an 11th-hour play that the club had not been planning on.
CATCH UP ON ALL THE MOVES ON A CRAZY DEADLINE DAY IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW
Collingwood’s willingness to part ways with Treloar — and an offer to pay part of his salary — helped get a deal over the line.
That deal saw the Bulldogs give up pick 14 to the Magpies but gain an extra 526 points in this year’s draft via later picks they received back in return.
Treloar’s arrival came as the Bulldogs retained contracted midfielder Dunkley, knocking back Essendon’s final offer of pick 7 and a future second-round selection.
The Bulldogs had made clear that they were only willing to entertain a “compelling” offer for Dunkley — who inked a contract extension until 2022 only last July — which in their eyes was two first-round draft picks.
They pulled out of discussions with Essendon just minutes before the 7.30pm trade deadline, neither party willing to budge.
“In the end to keep Josh and bring Adam in is a fantastic result that we’re really proud of,” Dogs list boss Sam Power said.
“Josh’s main reason (to leave) for us was around the midfield opportunity. He wants to be an influential inside mid going forward and we feel that’s what he will be for us.”
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The improved points position will help ensure the Bulldogs can match an early bid in the draft for Next Generation Academy member Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who has been likened to Sydney superstar Lance Franklin.
“We thought it (a pick swap) might be something we’d do in between the trade period and the draft, but to be able to do it now gives us real certainty over the next few weeks as we prepare for the draft,” Power said.
Dunkley finished second in the Bulldogs’ best and fairest count last year before a frustrating 2020 season which saw him miss six games through an ankle injury and be forced to play as a back-up ruckman.
However, the Bulldogs secured Brisbane Lions ruckman Stefan Martin to assist developing big man Tim English in the ruck department.
Martin turns 34 next week but hopes to play significant senior football next year.
“We feel he’ll have enormous value on-field but he’ll also be really important with Tim English and Jordan Sweet’s development,” Power said.
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