AFL trade news: How Essendon sealed Jye Caldwell deal

Essendon recruit Jye Caldwell has revealed the key factor that sold him on a move to Tullamarine. Trade news here.

Adam Saad wants to join Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon recruit Jye Caldwell says the promise of more midfield opportunity was a key factor in his move to the Bombers.

The former Greater Western Sydney onballer found his way to Tullamarine in a last-minute deal on Thursday after requesting a move home to Victoria.

Caldwell, who was selected by GWS at pick 11 in the 2018 national draft, managed 11 games in two seasons, struggling to hold a spot in a stacked midfield.

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“(Essendon) have said to me that I’ll be playing the inside-mid role that I’ve wanted to play for the last couple of years now,” Caldwell said.

“But they’ve also said I’ll be playing in different positions as well, just to be more versatile, but they’re honing in on that inside-mid role for me.”

Caldwell said he had struck a connection with new Essendon coach Ben Rutten quickly during pre-trade discussions with the Bombers and the club’s proximity to his hometown of Bendigo was also a factor in his decision.

Jye Caldwell has been promised more time in the middle. Picture: Michael Klein

“I spoke to ‘Truck’ (Rutten) a few times and I really liked the way he goes about it,” Caldwell said.

“They’ve got a good young group and it’s close to home as well so I reckon that was probably the main reason why I chose to go to the Bombers.”

Saad grilled on call to leave Bombers

- Nick Smart

Adam Saad has remained coy on the reasons behind his decision to leave Essendon for bitter rival Carlton, although he is adamant so-called difficulties with hub life was not one of them.

Saad became a Blue on Wednesday in a deal which left Essendon with three picks in the top 10 of the national draft.

The rebounding defender went to Carlton for pick No. 8 and an exchange of late draft picks.

When asked on Thursday why he decided to leave the Bombers, Saad replied:

“There’s a couple of little reasons but I won’t make that public.

“But I just want to say I’m really grateful to the Essendon footy club and Adrian Dodoro for bringing me back home (from Gold Coast) and continuing to play AFL footy.

Adam Saad became a Blue on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid to play AFL footy and I made a lot of friends at the club and the staff.

“It’s something I’ll cherish and I’m really grateful to the Essendon footy club.”

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell said recently Saad struggled with hub life in 2020, which was part of the reason for his decision to want to leave Tullamarine.

Although, Saad disputed that claim on Thursday.

“I enjoyed the hub and I actually enjoyed it more than I thought (I would),” Saad said.

“There was nice sunshine and it had its challenges at times, (but) the hub had no impact on my decision.

“You sometimes just have to do what’s best for you and your family.

“I’m just really pumped and excited to be at the Carlton Football Club.”

Despite some haggling between the two Victorian heavyweights, Saad said he was always confident a deal would be reached.

He said he was committed to be at Carlton next year once he’d announced his intentions.

“Once I made the decision there was no turning back and I was fully committed to the Carlton Football Club and I was pretty much just waiting for the trade to be done,” he said.

“When it came through yesterday I was actually doing a running session.

Adam Saad was doing a running session when he found out. Picture: Michael Klein

“My phone started ringing so I thought ‘the deal must have been done.’”

The 26-year-old said he saw the Blues as an exciting destination club.

“They’ve got a really exciting list and with where the club’s heading, they’re entering a really exciting phase,” he said.

“I just felt like I could get to the club and improve myself as a player and add to the team and see where that takes us.”

DONS, BLUES FINALLY AGREE ON SAAD DEAL

Jay Clark and Michael Warner

Essendon and Carlton have agreed to an Adam Saad trade after the Blues backed away from their demand for a future second-round pick in the deal.

The Bombers will receive pick No. 8 and No. 87 and in turn give Carlton Saad, pick No. 48 and No. 78 to the Blues.

Carlton initially wanted a future second-round pick back in the deal but the Bombers instead settled on a third-round pick (No. 48) and a later pick shuffle.

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It is an important deal as pick No. 8 allows Essendon to progress on a deal for Josh Dunkley from the Western Bulldogs.

The Bombers have picks No, 6, No. 7 and No. 8.

Parties were frustrated last night after a marathon three-hour meeting last night failed to resolve the issue.

But more progress was made this morning with the Bombers able to keep their future second-round pick.

Originally published as AFL trade news: How Essendon sealed Jye Caldwell deal