The AFL Trade Period has drawn to a close with pure anarchy unfolding in the dying minutes as teams swung for the fences.
The AFL Trade Period deadline was 7:30pm (AEDT) and teams used up every last second as the deals came in thick and fast right before the cut-off.
As the final day of the Trade Period got underway a host of big name stars remained on the table hoping to find new homes for 2023 and beyond.
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In the dying moments there were more trades than the eyes could see as players were dealt left right and centre.
Josh Dunkley ended up as a Lion, Tom Mitchell became a Magpie, Lachie Hunter is a Demon and Rory Lobb is now a Bulldog.
The Western Bulldogs were the most active team in the final moments, sending out midfielders Dunkley and Hunter while nabbing Lobb from Fremantle.
Hawthorn's clear out was complete with Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara being dealt away with O'Meara ultimately being sent back to Western Australia and joining the Dockers.
Earlier in the week premiers Geelong pulled off one of the most lopsided trades in history, securing Gold Coast Suns player and former top 10 draft pick Jack Bowes along with the seventh pick in the draft. They finished their Trade Period off by snatching Collingwood youngster Ollie Henry.
Recap all of the final day of the Trade Period drama below.
The Gold Coast Suns stood firm on Jeremy Sharp, not wanting to trade him away and ultimately held onto the youngster as the deadline passed.
Geelong's Esava Ratugolea held out hope of joining Port Adelaide, but the two teams couldn't strike a deal and the utility will remain with the Cats.
Jeremy Sharp and Esava Ratugolea remain with Gold Coast and Geelong respectively.#AFLTrade
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 12, 2022
In the dying minute, Fremantle have secured a trade with the Western Bulldogs to send big man Rory Lobb to Victoria.
Lobb made his intentions clear at the end of the season he wanted out and it took until the last minute for the deal to be locked up. The Dockers secure pick 30 and a future second for Lobb.
Fremantle aren't going out empty handed, landing Hawks midfielder Jaeger O'Meara. The deal to secure O'Meara cost the Dockers Lloyd Meek and a future second round pick.
Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell has left the nest at the Hawks and settled into a new home with the Magpies.
Hawthorn got involved on the Ollie Henry trade, with Henry being sent to Geelong and Mitchell ending up at Collingwood.
Hawthorn gets: Cooper Stephens, 41 and 50
Collingwood gets: Mitchell, 25
Geelong gets: Henry
Ollie Henry told Collingwood he wanted out and would walk to the pre-season draft if a deal wasn't struck.
In the dying minutes the Pies worked out a deal with Geelong and Henry will now join his brother Jack in the white and blue hoops.
Ollie Henry to Geelong is done. Paperwork to be lodged now. @AFLcomau
— Riley Beveridge (@RileyBev) October 12, 2022
Josh Dunkley has joined the Brisbane Lions after the Western Bulldogs were able to hash out a deal for the star onballer.
Western Bulldogs send Dunkley and two future third-rounders (one tied to Melbourne) to Brisbane for 21, future 1st, second and fourth (tied to Geelong).
… It's done.#AFLTrade pic.twitter.com/R5aKCJ9TVo
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 12, 2022
Lachie Hunter has walked out of the kennel.
The premiership winning midfielder had reportedly had his eye on joining crosstown rival Melbourne for some time and on Wednesday his wish was granted.
Hunter will join the Demons after the two clubs negotiated a deal that would see the Dees send the Bulldogs a future third-round pick.
"Western Bulldog Lachie Hunter has been traded to Melbourne in exchange for a future third-round pick. Has two years remaining on his contract – expect the Dogs to chip in for part of it," Mitch Cleary wrote.
The year started with a storm stemming from Lachie Hunter being dropped from the Western Bulldogs team for a game against Melbourne and ends with him being traded to Melbourne. Funny old game football.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) October 12, 2022
Melbourne forward Sam Weideman has landed at Tullamarine with the Dees and Bombers finally working out a trade.
Melbourne have shipped Weideman and picks 54 + 72 to Essendon in exchange for pick 37.
The out of favour forward was linked to a trade away last season and again in 2022 struggled to break into the Demons 22. He'll now add much needed firepower to an Essendon forward line.
"I think he adds some versatility to their forward line and potentially as a defender as well," Callum Twomey said on Trade Radio.
"Both ends of the ground. Essendon have needed some depth."
Sam Weideman has been traded to Essendon. Paperwork has been lodged. Melbourne to receive pick No. 37 in return for the 2015 No. 9 pick. Picks No. 54 and 72 going to Essendon in the deal @AFLcomau
— Josh Gabelich (@JoshGabelich) October 12, 2022
The first deal of the final day is in the books with Aaron Francis being sent from Essendon to Sydney.
Sydney confirms Aaron Francis trade:
— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) October 12, 2022
Swans send Essendon a future fourth-round pick and 37 for Francis and 42
The embargo has been lifted. Trade deals can now be completed with the deadline set for 7:30pm (AEDT).
Shortly before the embargo lifted Hawks star Jaeger O'Meara nominated Fremantle as his preferred landing destination.
There is increasing interest around Hawthorn midfielder Jaeger O'Meara as deadline day ramps up.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd believes O’Meara is “gone” from the Hawks and is now deciding whether to play for the Dockers or GWS Giants.
“Both clubs would like him and the Rory Lobb deal getting done will help Freo with that one,” Lloyd told AFL Trade Radio.
Giants football boss Jason McCartney said his club is still confident it has a chance of recruiting O'Meara.
“There’s established, long relationships (O’Meara has) with a few people at the footy club … But we’re under no illusion. He’s from WA and his partner is from WA, so he’s having a good think about things,” McCartney told SEN.
“We’re very hopeful, but we’re unsure where it lands. We’ve definitely got to be in it to win it.”
He said the Giants’ salary cap was “back in good shape” but GWS would expected Hawthorn to pay some of O'Meara's salary next year if a deal is to be done.
“The short answer is yes they’d have to," McCartney said.
The former Geelong forward and proud Aboriginal man has very strong feelings about “overdone” Welcome to Country ceremonies.
A court has granted more time to consider a case against disgraced AFL legend Barry Cable.
The Lions have been quick to switch their focus rather than enjoy last weekend’s thrilling win over the GWS Giants for longer than needed.