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AFL Trade Period 2018 Deadline Day: All the deals as they happen

Clubs leave it until the last minute to negotiate trades on final day of AFL Trade Period ... but it was too late for one young gun.

Greg Denham, Courtney Walsh and Daniel Sankey
24 min read
4:30PMOctober 17, 2018.
Updated 8:55PMOctober 17, 2018
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Today’s big trade targets include (clockwise from top left) Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan, GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel, Fremantle best and fairest winner Lachie Neale, former Brisbane captain Dayne Beams and Port star Chad Wingard.
Today’s big trade targets include (clockwise from top left) Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan, GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel, Fremantle best and fairest winner Lachie Neale, former Brisbane captain Dayne Beams and Port star Chad Wingard.

The 2018 AFL Trade Period has officially ended, with Tim Kelly unable to secure a trade from Geelong to West Coast. However, late deals have been done to send Dylan Shiel to Essendon and Dayne Beams to Collingwood.

Daniel Sankey 8.40pm: Cats refuse to budge on Kelly

Gun rookie Tim Kelly will remain at Geelong in 2019, with the Cats and West Coast unable to come to terms for a trade.

Kelly, who finished second in Geelong’s best and fairest in just his first year in AFL football, sought a trade on compassionate reasons to be closer to his family in Western Australia.

The Eagles had offered picks 20 and 22 in exchange for the pacy midfielder, and upped their offer with a future pick as the 8.30pm AFL Trade Period deadline approached.

However, the Cats — who had been steadfast in their demand for a Top 10 draft pick — refused to agree to terms.

With Kelly contracted for 2019, he’ll remain at the Cattery next season.

Daniel Sankey 8.28pm: Beams back at Collingwood

Dayne Beams is again a Magpie.

The former Lions captain, as well as picks 41 and 44, have been sent to Collingwood in exchange for Collingwood’s Pick 18 and Pick 56 in this year’s draft, plus its future first round selection.

Daniel Sankey 8.23pm: Another Swan leaves nest

Sydney Swans utility Nic Newman will join Carlton for the 2019 season, the Blues giving up their future round four selection in exchange.

Daniel Sankey 8.21pm: Shiel traded to Essendon

Star GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel is officially an Essendon player ... but it’s taken until just minutes before the AFL Trade Period deadline to make the deal.

Shiel and the Giants’ second round pick in 2019 will go to Essendon in exchange for the Bombers’ first pick in this year’s draft (Pick 9) and a future first round pick.

The two clubs had reached a stalemate after days of negotiations, with the Giants refusing to accept Essendon’s offer of a first and a second round pick.

The Bombers eventually caved, sending next year’s first round pick to the Giants, but they’ll also get back a second round pick from the Giants next year.

Daniel Sankey 8.19pm: Bomber heads west

Pacy Essendon midfielder/forward Travis Colyer has been traded to Fremantle in exchange for the Dockers’ future fourth round pick.

Daniel Sankey 8.14pm: Roughead traded to Collingwood

Versatile Western Bulldogs defender/ruckman Jordan Roughead is a Collingwood player, the Magpies giving up their fourth round selection (Pick 75) in exchange for the 2016 premiership winner.

8.07pm: Progress on Shiel to Essendon?

Daniel Sankey 8.03pm: Adams switches to Lions

Western Bulldogs defender Marcus Adams has secured a trade to the Brisbane Lions in exchange for Pick 32 and a future third round pick.

We await news on whether the Magpies now can secure Dayne Beams from Brisbane.

Daniel Sankey 7.15pm: Key deals still in play

Dylan Shiel: The GWS midfielder is hoping to get to Essendon, but the clubs are in a Mexican standoff over the terms of the trade. It’s understood the Bombers have offered their first and second round picks in this year’s draft, but the Giants are seeking two first-rounders.

Tim Kelly: After a brilliant first year with Geelong, the West Australian is seeking a trade on compassionate grounds to return to his family. He has nominated West Coast as the club he wants to play for, but the Cats haven’t accepted the Eagles’ offer of picks 20 and 22.

Dayne Beams: The Magpies premiership star, who was traded to Brisbane four years ago to be closer to his ill father, is now seeking to return to Melbourne. Collingwood’s initial offer of their first round pick and a future second round pick so far hasn’t been enough to entice the Lions into a trade for Beams, who’s contracted for another two years.

Also in play: Marcus Adams (Western Bulldogs to Brisbane); Jordan Roughead (Western Bulldogs to Collingwood), Travis Colyer (Essendon to Fremantle).

Daniel Sankey 7pm: Tell us what you really think, Plough

The Sydney Swans have been relatively anonymous this AFL Trade Period, adding just North Melbourne youngster Ryan Clarke and Geelong defender Jackson Thurlow in exchange for late picks.

On the other hand, they’ve allowed former All-Australian midfielder Dan Hannebery to leave for St Kilda, while half-forward Gary Rohan is off to Geelong and utility Nic Newman is still a chance to complete a move to Carlton.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, former Bulldogs and Richmond coach Terry Wallace didn’t mince his words on the Swans’ lack of trade activity.

“I don’t see Ryan Clarke as something to be overly enthused about as a Swans fan. They really haven’t done much this trade period,” Wallace said.

“If you go by the old school gradings, the Swans would have an F from me.”

Courtney Walsh 6.30pm: Adams deal still in play

Brisbane is continuing to negotiate with the Western Bulldogs in a bid to secure key defender Marcus Adams.

The Lions remain key to the remaining two hours of the AFL Trade Period, with midfielder Dayne Beams keen to secure a trade to Collingwood. The Magpies are also in the market for Bulldogs ruckman/defender Jordan Roughead.

Courtney Walsh 5.47pm: Fyfe, Lyon put Hogan at ease

Fremantle recruit Jesse Hogan said he felt a “roller coaster of emotions” after he was linked to a move from Melbourne to the Dockers but is relieved that the high-profile deal has been secured.

The former Demon, who is in Perth, said a recent meeting with Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe and club coach Ross Lyon convinced him of the merits of returning to Western Australia.

The 23-year-old, who has kicked 152 goals in 71 games, endured a difficult run at the Demons battling injury, illness and the death of his father. Yet he demonstrated himself more than capable of being one of the competition’s premier forwards.

“I had a few conversations with Nat about the club’s direction and I caught up with Ross two weeks ago,” he told the Fremantle website.

“We had a really good chat about everything. We went through the the list and the culture, which aligned with where I am at. The time seemed right to try and pursue that and here we are.

“I’m feeling a bit of relief, excitement. There’s a bit of everything.”

Courtney Walsh 5.10pm: Shiel, Kelly, Beams wait

With less than three hours to go, a trio of big names are still awaiting news as to whether they will get to a new home.

West Coast’s Norm Smith Medallist Luke Shuey is hopeful that Tim Kelly, who finished runner-up in Geelong’s best-and-fairest this year, will return to Perth to join the Eagles next year.

“He is a star. He has had a great year,” Shuey told SEN.

“I know he is 24, but it is his first year in the competition, but he is doing something right and is a pretty special talent.”

Tim Kelly in action for Geelong in 2018. Photo: Getty Images
Tim Kelly in action for Geelong in 2018. Photo: Getty Images

What appeared a formality when Dylan Shiel nominated Essendon as his preferred destination now appears less than certain, with Carlton seeking late meetings with the Giants, who are happy to retain the midfielder if they are not satisfied with the offers on the table for the midfielder.

Nor is Collingwood premiership player Dayne Beams yet to secure a move back to the Magpies. On a busy day for Brisbane, the Lions are also adamant that they want adequate compensation for their former captain, who came to the club on a contract that was top-ended in terms of payment in the early years of the deal.

Brisbane football manager David Noble said earlier today that it was “up to Collingwood”.

The Magpies also retain an interest in Bulldogs premiership star Jordan Roughead. All trades must be completed by 8.30pm.

Courtney Walsh 4.20pm: Dees upbeat despite Hogan exit

The late-season combination formed by Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman in Melbourne’s forward line will be the Demons preferred option next year.

After trading Jesse Hogan to Fremantle, along with pick 65, Melbourne received selections 6 and 23 in next month’s national draft in exchange.

They have since used pick 6 to secure Gold Coast co-captain Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij from the Gold Coast.

While Hogan is an outstanding talent who finished second on Melbourne’s goal kicking table this year with 47 — and booted 152 in 71 games all up — it can be argued the Demons now boast a better balance at both ends.

That is certainly the viewpoint of Melbourne’s football operations manager Josh Mahoney, who said the Demons were satisfied by how the forward line worked without Hogan late in the season.

“Our forward line, what we have shown is that we get the ball inside 50m quite a bit and Jesse missed the last period of time and we were still able to function,” he said.

“Obviously he is a good player … but the development of Sam Weideman, what Tom McDonald has been able to do as a forward, we think they provide two key roles down there. We think we have enough options down there as well to kick goals.

“We have been able to have a look at the forward line without Jesse … and have been able to manufacture goals and 100 points without him.”

But he said Hogan, who was selected by the Demons in the 2012 mini-draft, had been a valuable player who would be missed.

“(Our relationship) has been very good all along. He came to our club as a 17-year-old and has done everything possible as a young player,” Mahoney said.

“He has had some injury concerns through that period and also some personal problems as well but we leave on really good terms. This is all about going home to Perth.”

Mahoney said he was always hopeful the deal would proceed despite the Dockers issuing a statement last Friday suggesting otherwise.

“You learn pretty quickly through this period to go about your business and see how things pan out. In the end, trades get done. All you can do is stick to your guns, knowing what a good trade is for you, and in the end they were always going to come back,” he said.

The recruitment of May on a five-year contract and Kolodjashnij will bolster a defence that is also likely to be boosted by the mid-season return of Jake Lever, the former Crows star who injured a knee in round 11 against the Western Bulldogs.

They will provide support for Oscar McDonald and Sam Frost, who were well-beaten in the preliminary final shocker against West Coast in Perth.

Daniel Sankey 3.55pm: Still no word on Shiel trade

Essendon officials are at Marvel Stadium for the final day of the AFL Trade Period ... but there’s still no word on whether they’ll be able to get a deal done to get star GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel to the club.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio in the past hour, GWS CEO Dave Matthews suggested that the Giants would be happy to keep Shiel on their list next season should a suitable trade not be forthcoming.

“We’re in a good position with Shiel. He’s a contracted player so if the deal doesn’t get done he’ll play with us next year,” Matthews said.

Essendon has reportedly offered its first two picks (currently Pick 9 and Pick 34) for Shiel, who has nominated the Bombers as his preferred club. However, GWS is pushing for two first round picks for the 2017 All-Australian midfielder.

GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel (right) is trying to secure a trade to Essendon. Photo: Phil Hillyard
GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel (right) is trying to secure a trade to Essendon. Photo: Phil Hillyard

There’s also no word on whether Dayne Beams will secure a trade from the Brisbane Lions to Collingwood, despite the fact the Lions have been significant players already today, securing Lachie Neale from Fremantle.

3.37pm: Saints, Demons in pick swap

Daniel Sankey 3.29pm: Thurlow now a Swan

Fringe Geelong defender Jackson Thurlow will attempt to force his way into the Sydney Swans’ backline next year.

The Cats sent Thurlow north in exchange for their fourth round selection (Pick 70) in this year’s AFL Draft.

The 24-year-old, originally taken by Geelong with Pick 16 in the 2012 AFL draft, played just 46 games in his five seasons at the Cattery.

His best output came in 2015, when he played 19 games and averaged 17 disposals, earning a Rising Star nomination along the way.

Thurlow played just the seven games for the Cats in 2018.

Sydney Swans recruit Jackson Thurlow in action for Geelong during the 2018 season. Photo: Getty Images
Sydney Swans recruit Jackson Thurlow in action for Geelong during the 2018 season. Photo: Getty Images

Greg Denham 3.03pm: Player movement today

The players who have found new homes today on the final day of the AFL Trade Period are:

* Chad Wingard from Port Adelaide to Hawthorn;
* Ryan Burton from Hawthorn to Port Adelaide;
* Sam Mayes from Brisbane to Port Adelaide;
* Lachie Neale from Fremantle to Brisbane;
* Jesse Hogan from Melbourne to Fremantle;
* Rory Lobb from GWS to Fremantle;
* Steven May from Gold Coast to Melbourne;
* Kade Kolodjashnij from Gold Coast to Melbourne.

Greg Denham 3.02pm: Hombsch heads north

Gold Coast have signed Port Adelaide defender Jack Hombsch after trading Steven May to Melbourne.

The Suns wasted no time in gaining Hombsch, an acquisition that was dependent totally on losing May. The swap involved a future draft pick.

The 25-year-old, 194cm Hombsch played 98 games over seven seasons with the Power and GWS.

Greg Denham, Daniel Sankey 2.53pm: May, Kolodjashnij head to Suns

Melbourne have off-set the loss of Jesse Hogan to Fremantle by completing a trade for Gold Coast defenders Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij.

Melbourne lands both players for just the Pick 6 they received in the Hogan trade only moments earlier.

Former Suns co-captain May will hold done one of the key defensive pillars for his new club next season, enabling the Demons to continue pairing Tom McDonald and Sam Wiedeman up forward.

Kolodjashnij, the fifth pick in the 2013 AFL draft, has struggled in recent times with injury ... but he showed in his first three seasons with the Suns that he can be a damaging rebounding force across halfback.

Daniel Sankey 2.47pm: Pick swap for North, Freo

An interesting swap of picks has just been officially lodged with the AFL.

North Melbourne give up their Round 2 selection in exchange for a suite of selections from Fremantle.

Greg Denham 2.40pm: Hogan, Lobb join Dockers

Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan and GWS ruckman Rory Lobb are officially now Fremantle players.

Lachie Neale’s trade to the Brisbane Lions has enabled Fremantle to finally do complete deals for two players who will give the Dockers’ forward line a completely new look — and much added potency — in 2019.

From Melbourne, Fremantle gains Hogan and a fourth-round selection (currently Pic 65) in exchange for Pick 6 (on-traded from Brisbane, via Port Power) and Pick 23 (also via Port).

The Dockers then announced a separate deal, giving up Pick 11 and Pick 19 in exchange for Lobb and a suite of Giants selections (currently Pick 14, Pic 43 and Pic 47).

In Hogan, the Dockers get a player who has kicked 152 goals in his first 71 AFL games — the first genuine target man the club has had since the retirement of former club captain Matthew Pavlich in 2016.

Lobb will not only provide an additional tall target in attack, but much-needed pinch-hitting ruck back-up for ageing big man Aaron Sandilands.

Jesse Hogan will don the purple and white of Fremantle in 2019. Photo: Michael Klein
Jesse Hogan will don the purple and white of Fremantle in 2019. Photo: Michael Klein

Courtney Walsh 2.25pm: Lions rapt to secure Neale

Brisbane’s head of football David Noble said the Lions were delighted to land Lachie Neale, who is Fremantle’s reigning best-and-fairest.

“He is a great person,” Noble said.

“(He has) great character. (He) brings lots of attitude into our footy club that we want to stand for and where we are going, apart from the depth (he adds) in the midfield.

“I think what Lach has seen is the direction we are taking. I think he likes the list we have put together. I think there is a position in there where he can really extend his football. He has done his homework.”

Noble denied that dealings with Fremantle regarding Neale were anything but amicable despite the period of time it took for the deal to proceed.

The Dockers traded Neale along with pick 30 to Brisbane for picks 6, 19 and 55 in next month’s national draft.

From Fremantle to Brisbane ... midfielder Lachie Neale is officially a Brisbane Lion. Photo: Getty Images
From Fremantle to Brisbane ... midfielder Lachie Neale is officially a Brisbane Lion. Photo: Getty Images

Greg Denham 2.22pm: Neale traded to Lions

Fremantle’s dual best-and-fairest winner Lachie Neale has crossed to Brisbane which should start the ball rolling on a number of big deals, including contracted Demons forward Jesse Hogan to Fremantle and Steven May to Melbourne from the Suns.

Paperwork has been lodged that will see Brisbane receive Neale and Pick 30 in this year’s draft in exchange for Pic 6, Pick 19 and Pic 55.

The Lions received Pick 19 from the Gold Coast in a trade earlier today that saw them give up their future first round pick in exchange for Pick 19, Gold Coast’s future second round selection and a future third round selection that had been on-traded to the Gold Coast from Hawthorn.

Courtney Walsh 2.20pm: Hawks welcome Wingard

Hawthorn football manager Graham Wright said the club is delighted to have recruited Chad Wingard but conceded it had been a difficult decision to trade Ryan Burton in the process.

But Wright denied the Hawks had targeted Wingard as the player capable of off-setting the loss of Cyril Rioli, who retired midway through the season.

“We are rapt. Obviously he was out prime target to get through and we were able to get him. Losing Ryan Burton is not great, but he is a fine young player and he has got a good deal with Port Adelaide and I am sure he will be a good player for them,” he said.

“(Wingard) is a high quality player. He is a little bit different to Cyril. He has, I suppose, that ability to go genuinely through the midfield. I think in the back-half of the year, for a six-game period, he averaged 30 possessions a game.

“He is a dual All-Australian, a best-and-fairest who is 25-years-old and is a genuine talent. From our perspective, it was really important to get him in.”

Formerly Hawthorn’s list manager, Wright said the situation involving Burton had been difficult.

The talented 21-year-old was shocked to learn he was on the trade table, with the Power flying medical staff to Las Vegas in recent days to assess his fitness.

He has held discussions with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who is also travelling at the moment.

“It has been difficult. With Clarko overseas at the moment and him and Clarko talking — or obviously dealing with his management — it is a difficult process for any 21-year-old to go through,” Wright said.

“From his perspective, he is going home, which is good for him, but it is not easy.”

Courtney Walsh 2.05pm: AFL boss defends Giants

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is adamant there is no issue with the Giants retaining their talent despite the club losing several quality players over the past couple of years.

The Giants have off-loaded dual-All Australian nominee Tom Scully to Hawthorn for a future fourth round pick, while the management of Dylan Shiel is still trying to ensure he gets to Essendon and Rory Lobb is set to head west at some stage today.

It follows the exit of players including Devon Smith, who was Essendon’s best-and-fairest this year, at the end of 2017.

Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel. Photo: Getty Images
Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel. Photo: Getty Images

McLachlan told the AFL Trade Hub the only reason players were leaving the club was due to a salary cap squeeze, not for problems such as homesickness or any other internal issues.

“I think Sydney is a great city to live in. The history is that every player who has left — the vast majority — has been because of salary cap issues,” he said.

“They are managing the list. They have not had a talent retention problem to my knowledge. I have some level of insight into that. They have had to lose players because of salary cap.”

McLachlan is confident that the Giants, who have played finals over the past four seasons, will again be a leading premiership contender in 2019 despite the drain of footballers leaving the club.

“Their team next year is still as talented as any in the league. It is how the salary cap works,” he said.

“All the other clubs were worried about this super team who were going to win five premierships in a row.

“But the way the system works is that the salary cap brings that talent into more normalised numbers, so they have got an incredibly talented team and they will look to win the flag next year and I know they will be incredibly competitive.”

Daniel Sankey 1.10pm: Lions, Suns in pick swap

Could this be the deal that helps facilitate a bigger trade involving Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale?

A swap of picks between the Lions and the Suns has just been announced.

* Brisbane get — Pick 19, Gold Coast’s future second round pick, Hawthorn’s future round three selection
* Gold Coast get — Brisbane’s future round one pick

With Pick 19 up its sleeve, Brisbane could be able to trade both Pick 6 and Pick 19 in exchange for Neale.

Greg Denham 12.12pm: Deals in the first nine days

Here are all the players that have found new homes heading into the final few hours of the AFL Trade Period today.

* Unrestricted free agent Reece Conca from Richmond to Fremantle;
* Unrestricted free agent Luke Dahlhaus from the Western Bulldogs to Geelong. The Dogs receive pick 27 as free agency compensation;
* Unrestricted free agent Alex Fasolo from Collingwood to Carlton. The Pies get pick 57 as compensation;
* Restricted free agent Tom Lynch from Gold Coast to Richmond. The Suns receive pick 3 as compensation;
* Restricted free agent Scott Lycett from West Coast to Port Adelaide. The Eagles receive pick 20 as compensation;
* Lincoln McCarthy from Geelong to Brisbane;
* Corey Ellis and Anthony Miles from Richmond to Gold Coast;
* Mitch McGovern from Adelaide to Carlton;
* Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard from Port Adelaide to North Melbourne;
* Gary Rohan from Sydney to Geelong;
* Ryan Clarke from North Melbourne to Sydney;
* Tom Hickey from St Kilda to West Coast;
* Dom Tyson from Melbourne to North Melbourne;
* Braydon Preuss from North Melbourne to Melbourne;
* Dean Kent from Melbourne to St Kilda;
* Dan Hannebery from Sydney to St Kilda;
* Will Setterfield from GWS to Carlton;
* Sam Lloyd from Richmond to the Bulldogs;
* Tom Scully from GWS to Hawks;
* Jack Scrimshaw from Suns to Hawks;
* George Horlin-Smith from Geelong to Gold Coast;
* Aaron Hall from Suns to North Melbourne;
* Tyson Stengle from Richmond to Adelaide;
* Taylor Duryea from Hawks to Bulldogs
* Chad Wingard from Port to Hawks;
* Ryan Burton from Hawks to Port; and
* Sam Mayes from Lions to Port

Daniel Sankey 12.02pm: Mayes heads to Port

Brisbane Lion Sam Mayes, the no.8 pick in the 2012 AFL Draft, is heading home to South Australia in a deal that involves a key exchange of selections.

The full trade is:

Port gets — Pick 5, Sam Mayes
Brisbane gets — Pick 6, Pick 35, future third-round selection

Mayes, 24, played 101 games in his six seasons at the Lions but only six in 2018 as the likes of veterans Luke Hodge and Daniel Rich and young gun Alex Witherden were preferred across halfback.

Mayes adds depth to a Port team which has off-loaded halfback flanker Jasper Pittard and wingman Jared Polec to North Melbourne this trade period.

Greg Denham 11.54am: The Chad Wingard deal revealed

The first official deal on the final day has been completed, with Chad Wingard going to the Hawks for selection 15 and Ryan Burton switching to Port Adelaide, as well as an exchange of a few other picks.

Under the full terms of the trade:

* Port get — Ryan Burton, Pick 15, Pick 35, Hawthorn’s future fourth round selection
* Hawthorn get — Chad Wingard, Port’s future third round selection

Daniel Sankey 11.47am: Wingard farewells Power

The AFL hasn’t officially announced the terms of the three-way trade that will see Chad Wingard switch from Port Power to Hawthorn ... but Wingard has wasted no time farewelling the club and his former teammates.

“My family have been through a lot over the last month and I appreciate all the support from fans and friends who helped us through this time,” Wingard wrote on Instagram.

“To the fans, I have always loved you guys, and wish nothing but the best for the boys in the future. But I’m also excited to start my new journey and taking on another challenge.

“Thank you for the memories, Port Adelaide. I leave with the greatest memories and appreciation of everything you’ve done for me and my family. Love you guys.”

Daniel Sankey 11.20am: Power, Lions, Hawks deal?

Former Port Power star Kane Cornes says a three-way trade will be done that sends Sam Mayes from Brisbane to the Power, Chad Wingard from the Power to the Hawks and Ryan Burton from the Hawks to the Power.

Cornes says under the deal (which also involves some additional minor pick swaps):

* Port gets: Ryan Burton (Hawthorn), Sam Mayes (Brisbane), Pick 5, Pick 15
* Brisbane gets: Pick 6, Pick 35, future third round pick
* Hawthorn gets: Chad Wingard

If that deal goes through, it will be interesting to see if jeopardises the potential Lachie Neale switch from Fremantle to Brisbane. The Dockers had already rejected the Lions’ offer of Pick 5 for Neale, and under this terms of the deal Cornes has mooted, the Lions fall back a place to Pick 6 in this year’s draft (but pick up Port’s Pick 35).

Daniel Sankey 11am: The potential ‘mega-deal’ revealed

Plenty of talk right now around a potential mega-trade involving eight clubs and no less than nine players.

In this scenario, Dayne Beams would head to Collingwood, Lachie Neale would find his way to Brisbane, Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij would both land at Melbourne, Ryan Burton switches to Port Power, Jack Hombsch heads to the Gold Coast, Chad Wingard goes to Hawthorn and Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb get to Fremantle.

The big doubt around this scenario, however, is that the Brisbane Lions effectively swap Lachie Neale for Dayne Beams but fall markedly in the draft — from Pick 5 this year to a future second round pick from Collingwood in 2019.

That anomaly means it’s more likely that Brisbane will instead try to trade for Lachie Neale separately so that they can instead try to bring in Collingwood’s Pick 18 this year.

10.29am: Bennell’s last chance at Freo

Fremantle midfielder Harley Bennell is committed to resurrecting his career with the club in 2019, his manager Colin Young has told reporters at Marvel Stadium today on the final day of the AFL Trade Period.

Bennell, who’s played just two games in three years since switching from the Gold Coast, has been mentioned as possible trade bait in recent reports.

However, Young said following an honest discussion with new football boss Peter Bell, Bennell would remain at Fremantle in 2019.

“He (Bennell) did have a meeting with the club and obviously Peter has taken that role while Harley was on holidays,” Young said.

Last chance ... Fremantle midfielder Harley Bennell. Photo: Getty Images
Last chance ... Fremantle midfielder Harley Bennell. Photo: Getty Images

“Harley knows exactly what he has to do next year to get back to becoming an elite player. I think Peter was reinforcing that if he has one hiccup, he’ll be out of the club.

“So, basically, that’s the truth of the matter.

“Harley will be doing his best to stay committed to his fitness regime and try to be an elite player next season.

“But Peter just made sure he (Bennell) knew where he stood.”

9.44am: ‘What is going on here at my club?’

Triple-premiership winning former Essendon star Tim Watson says GWS players have every right to question the club’s direction this AFL Trade Period.

Former no.1 draft pick Tom Scully departed for Hawthorn yesterday in exchange for just a future fourth round selection, while both Dylan Shiel (Essendon) and Rory Lobb (Fremantle) expected to link with new clubs later today.

Speaking on Melbourne’s SEN Radio today, Watson said GWS players would “be feeling demoralised right now”.

“If you’ve been there for a while, you’ve been part of this build, you’ve gotten close, you’ve gotten into two prelim finals, you got into the semi this year, you’re thinking ‘I’ve been there for the long haul, we are building this group together’,” Watson said.

“And then you look at what’s happened in this trade period and they’ve lost those talented players, you’re starting to think, ‘what the hell is going on here at my club?’.”

Daniel Sankey 9.10am: McLachlan defends Suns

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has leapt to the defence of the under-fire Gold Coast Suns, arguing key additions this trade period will off-set the loss of several stars.

Tom Lynch (Richmond), Aaron Hall (North Melbourne) and Jack Scrimshaw (Hawthorn) have all found their way to new homes, while Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij are expected to become Melbourne players later today.

However, McLachlan told AFL Trade Radio he believed the Suns were “taking a step back to go forward” and pointed to the acquisition of midfielders Anthony Miles and Corey Ellis (both Richmond) and George Horlin-Smith (Geelong) as proof they wouldn’t “go right back”.

Miles and Ellis both struggled for opportunities on a deep Richmond list and will be first choice starters at the Suns. Horlin-Smith, 25, was in a similar position at Geelong, playing just 51 games since being drafted with pick 37 in the 2010 National Draft. He had a host of stars commanding midfield time ahead of him, including Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan, Gary Ablett and Tim Kelly.

8.34am: Burton set to accept Port deal

Hawthorn defender Ryan Burton has officially agreed to negotiate a new contract with Port Adelaide, clearing the way for a trade that will allow Chad Wingard to switch to the Hawks.

Reporting on AFL Trade Radio this morning, Damien Barrett said Burton was considering a five- or six-year deal to continue his career with Port.

The switch of Burton, combined with Hawthorn’s first round selection (currently pick 15) in this year’s AFL Draft, should be enough to get Wingard to Waverley.

Greg Denham 8.10am: Freo’s massive about-face

Negotiators at clubs still alive with big deals on the table believe today’s final day of player trading will result in almost every high-profile exchange being completed.

Clubs said this morning they were confident of landing their priority targets on day-10 of the annual player swaps which concludes at 8.30pm.

Dylan Shiel will move from Greater Western Sydney to Essendon, as will his Giants teammate Rory Lobb to Fremantle.

Despite Fremantle calling off their pursuit of Jesse Hogan last Friday, then meeting him on Saturday, he will today become the Dockers’ best key-forward in a deal which will enable Melbourne to recruit full-back Steven May from Gold Coast to address a glaring deficiency.

Fremantle will today finalise a draft for Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan. Photo: AAP
Fremantle will today finalise a draft for Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan. Photo: AAP

Kade Kolodjashnij is likely to follow May to the Demons and become the fifth player from the Suns to be either traded or lost to free agency this month.

Lachie Neale will leave Fremantle for Brisbane, who now appear certain to lose Dayne Beams to Collingwood just weeks after the former Lions captain went public to clear up any misgivings by declaring he would play out his contract with Brisbane.

But talk is cheap particularly at this time of the year. Just look at Fremantle’s about-face within 24 hours, before flying to Melbourne this week to get their deals sorted.

Chad Wingard checks out the Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats NBL game in Adelaide last week. Photo: Sarah Reed
Chad Wingard checks out the Adelaide 36ers vs Perth Wildcats NBL game in Adelaide last week. Photo: Sarah Reed

Chad Wingard will switch from Port Adelaide to Hawthorn and Marcus Adams will move from the Western Bulldogs to the Lions.

In a remarkable twist in the AFL, Shiel, Lobb, Hogan, May, Beams, Neale, Wingard and Adams will all move despite being under contract for at least another year.

The trend also includes six of the 21 players already traded — Mitch McGovern, Gary Rohan, Tom Hickey, Dom Tyson, Dan Hannebery and Tom Scully.

Hawthorn swooped yesterday in a trade for GWS midfielder Tom Scully. Photo: Phil Hillyard
Hawthorn swooped yesterday in a trade for GWS midfielder Tom Scully. Photo: Phil Hillyard

8am: Suns cleanout continues

Reporting in The Courier Mail today, AFL writer Andrew Hamilton says the Gold Coast Suns will undertake a complete rebuild as they strive to offload co-captain Steven May by the end of today’s AFL Trade Period.

Players to have already departed the Gold Coast this year include their other co-captain, Tom Lynch (Richmond), former no.7 draft pick Jack Scrimshaw (Hawthorn) and midfielder Aaron Hall (North Melbourne).

Halfback flanker Kade Kolodjashnij could join May in a package deal to Melbourne later today.

Read the full story here.

Melbourne bound? 2018 Gold Coast co-captain Steven May. Photo: AAP
Melbourne bound? 2018 Gold Coast co-captain Steven May. Photo: AAP

Daniel Sankey 7.22am: Can Hawks get Scully right?

If you had suggested a few months ago that GWS midfielder Tom Scully would be traded to Hawthorn for just a future fourth round pick, your sanity would rightly have been questioned.

But that’s exactly what happened yesterday when the number one pick in the 2009 AFL Draft packed his bags for Waverley.

So how does a man famously poached from Melbourne by GWS on a contract worth one million dollars a year get to a top-four club for basically nothing?

There are two significant factors at play. The first of those centres around a major ankle Scully suffered in round two this season. Complications during his recovery saw Scully forced back into surgery, and while he’s now walking unassisted, he’s still some time away from putting his body through full training loads.

Even with the loss of fitness guru Andrew Russell to Carlton, the Hawks will back their medial team to get Scully right — a risk, it seems, GWS wasn’t willing to take.

The other concern at play was GWS’s salary cap dramas, with speculation the club needed to shed as much as $2 million in wages ahead of the 2019 season. While not currently commanding the $1 million a year he signed for when moving to GWS for the 2012 season, Scully is still on an estimated $500,000 to $600,000 per year. Offloading his salary certainly helps GWS in this respect.

Greg Denham 7.05am: The deals still to do

Once again a late flurry of almost all of the biggest swaps between clubs will be squeezed in before tonight’s deadline of the 10-day player-exchange period.

The final day should lead to new clubs for Dylan Shiel (from GWS to Essendon), Jesse Hogan (Melbourne to Fremantle), Lachie Neale (Fremantle to Brisbane), Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide to Hawthorn), Steven May (Gold Coast to Melbourne), Rory Lobb (GWS to Fremantle) and Marcus Adams, who will cross from the Western Bulldogs to the Lions.

Just as 16 players changed clubs in the final five hours of last year’s trade period, the majority of trade deals will again occur on the final day.

However, the odds are against contracted Geelong midfielder Tim Kelly getting to his chosen club West Coast.

But Dayne Beams may get his wish to leave Brisbane and rejoin Collingwood.

Read more on yesterday’s deals, including Hawthorn’s swoop for GWS star Tom Scully and Gold Coast youngster Jack Scrimshaw, here.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-trade-period-2018-deadline-day-all-the-deals-as-they-happen/news-story/a8708696c0895dbcf2d97efe5f44ad6e