Trades tumble on second last day of AFL’s 2020 Trade Period

The AFL dominoes fell in rapid succession as the Trade Period winds down, but one blockbuster deal still hasn’t been done.

Aliir Aliir is now a Power member.

The second last day of the AFL’s 2020 Trade Period saw a flurry of moves made as clubs look to lock away players for next season.

After days of posturing and negotiations taking place, teams finally decided to take action on Wednesday as deals came in thick and fast.

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After weeks of back-and-forth, Essendon and Carlton landed on a deal to send dashing defender Adam Saad to the Blues, despite a last second twist.

Here’s the lay of the land so far.

WHAT’S THE HOLD-UP WITH JEREMY CAMERON?

Geelong list manager Stephen Wells has lifted the lid on why it hasn’t come to a deal with GWS over Jeremy Cameron.

Cameron wants to play for the Cats next year, but the Giants matched their nearly $1 million-a-season offer in a free-agency first, forcing both parties to the negotiating table — but as yet, no agreement has been reached.

It was reported Geelong offered GWS two first-round picks (they have picks 13, 15 and 20) for the key forward, but was rebuffed, and the stalemate continues.

“We want to try and make sure GWS do better than they would have with the free agency compensation (pick),” Wells told SEN’s Dwayne’s World. “Our first-round draft picks are the ones that are going to help in that scenario.

“There’s combinations (of Geelong’s picks) available and things coming back the other way as well.”

Wells said the ball is in the Giants’ court, adding Geelong isn’t keen on trying to poach Cameron via the pre-season draft if the clubs can’t reach a compromise.

“I know we can facilitate whatever we need to to pick Jeremy in the pre-season draft but we hope it doesn’t get to that,” Wells said.

“It’s probably not up to us now.”

Speaking to Trade Radio, Wells elaborated on what exactly the Cats had offered.

“Discussions are certainly ongoing. We have put a couple of first round picks on the table,” he said. “Pick 13 is on the table … along with another first round pick.

“I’m very hopeful it will be done and I can’t see why it wouldn’t be.”

Former AFL star turned media personality Kane Cornes tweeted: “Geelong have moved but not enough to satisfy the Giants.”

The tug of war over Jeremy Cameron continues.

SWANS SECURE LATE DEAL

Tom Hickey will call Sydney home next year after the Swans negotiated a deal to bring the ruckman over from West Coast.

The Swans received Hickey, pick 34 and pick 60 while the Eagles were rewarded with pick 58, pick 62, Port Adelaide’s 2021 second-round pick and a third-rounder belonging to Sydney in 2021.

HIGGINS OFFICIALLY BECOMES A CAT

North Melbourne’s Shaun Higgins has officially joined Geelong after the clubs agreed to a trade on Wednesday.

North had knocked back Geelong’s initial offer of pick 38 for the silky midfielder. The Cats then sent pick 38 to Carlton along with Lachie Fogarty and received picks 30 and 51 in return.

Pick 30 was then shipped to North Melbourne to land Higgins and help bolster Geelong’s midfield stocks.

Shaun Higgins has been traded to Geelong. 🐈 pic.twitter.com/KzYYHqUSWY

— 7AFL (@7AFL) November 11, 2020

SWANS UTILITY OFF TO THE POWER

Aliir Aliir requested a trade to Port Adelaide and the two clubs moved quickly to get a deal done.

The Swans utility with one-year remaining on his contract will join the Power in exchange for a future-second round pick.

Port Adelaide eyed off Aliir after star Justin Westhoff retired. They’ll look to use Aliir in a similar role to what Westhoff did over the years.

The Advertiser’s Simeon Thomas-Wilson reported the deal is expected to see Aliir sign a four-year deal with his new club.

Aliir Aliir is a massive get for Port Adelaide I reckon but struggling to understand why Sydney were happy to let him go. Seemed like he was a huge part of what they wanted to do in the future.

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) November 11, 2020

CATS SHIP TWO YOUNGSTERS OUT

Geelong have been busy on Wednesday with two young stars on their way out to new landing spots.

Nakia Cockatoo is set to become a member of the Brisbane Lions with Lachie Fogarty to join the Blues in their second deal of the day.

In return the Cats will receive a future third-round pick for Cockatoo, who signs a two-year deal with the Lions.

The deal with the Blues sees Fogarty and pick 38 sent out in exchange for picks 30 and 51 in return.

“We have really enjoyed having both Lachie and Nakia at our club and wish them well at their new teams,” Geelong’s recruiting and list manager Stephen Wells said.

Cockatoo has flown out of Geelong.

Fogarty is heading up the highway to Carlton.