AFL 2022: Melbourne trades premiership ruckman Luke Jackson to Fremantle for package including two first-round picks

Luke Jackson is finally a Docker after months of speculation he would leave Melbourne to return to Western Australia.

Luke Jackson is heading home to Western Australia after being traded from Melbourne to Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

One of the trade period’s biggest dominoes has fallen.

Melbourne premiership ruckman Luke Jackson’s long-touted move to Fremantle is a reality, with the clubs agreeing on Monday to a trade that could spark even more activity.

The Dockers score Jackson and picks 44 and 67 and sent selection 13 and future first- and second-rounders to the Demons in return, while Toby Bedford also moves from Melbourne to the Giants.

Fremantle was able to trade those 2023 picks because it picked up extra future selections from North Melbourne in the trade that saw Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker land at Arden Street.

The deal paves the way for the Dees to trade for Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy, who will effectively be Jackson’s replacement as Melbourne hunts further flag glory.

Luke Jackson’s wish to join Fremantle has been granted. Picture: Michael Klein

Pick 27, which the Demons acquired from Port Adelaide, will be part of any Grundy trade, while there is also the potential of Melbourne and the Magpies swapping first-round picks.

Jackson was originally the No.3 pick in the 2019 draft, behind Gold Coast pair Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, and went on to win last year’s Rising Star award and help turn the 2021 grand final.

The 21-year-old was supposed to be six-time All-Australian Max Gawn’s successor as the Dees’ ruck king but rumours swirled for months about his intention to return to Western Australia.

He made that suspicion official in mid-September, when he requested a trade to a WA club, although Fremantle was always where he was likely to land.

Jackson goes from one strong ruck combination to another, given he will partner Sean Darcy at the Dockers, who plan to use their recruit as a tall utility.

Toby Bedford (middle) joins the Giants in the three-club deal that sent Luke Jackson to Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

But Jackson’s impending arrival was why back-up big man Lloyd Meek requested a trade to Hawthorn.

Fremantle would prefer to retain Meek but has set the price for the Hawks at a future second-round pick, with negotiations ongoing.

The Dockers are at the centre of a series of deals this fortnight, having already traded Logue, Tucker and Blake Acres and with contracted big men Meek and Rory Lobb wanting out.

They are so far refusing to trade Lobb to the Western Bulldogs, who have offered their No.30 pick for the 29-year-old forward-ruck.

Bedford, who lived on the fringes of senior selection at the Demons, cost Greater Western Sydney the No.44 pick and should slot straight into new coach Adam Kingsley’s side.