AFL trades period day five: Callum Coleman-Jones joins North Melbourne and Robbie Tarrant becomes a Tiger in mega trade

The premiership window for the Tigers is far from closed. And they still might have five selections inside the top 30 in the draft. Is this the club’s best 22 for next year?

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 30: Callum Coleman-Jones of the Tigers celebrates with Jack Riewoldt and Hugo Ralphsmith of the Tigers after kicking a goal during the round 11 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Adelaide Crows at GIANTS Stadium on May 30, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

North Melbourne has found its Todd Goldstein ruck successor.

Callum Coleman-Jones is officially a Kangaroo after North traded veteran defender Robbie Tarrant, pick 40 and a future second-round pick to Richmond.

The Tigers sent back Coleman-Jones, selections 42 and 47 and a future fourth-rounder.

The deal was agreed upon before the free agency deadline, which was significant because Richmond wanted to trade for Tarrant rather than sign him as an unrestricted free agent.

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Callum Coleman-Jones is now a Roo. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Mabior Chol’s decision to sign a four-year free agency deal with Gold Coast awarded the Tigers an end-of-second-round compensation pick, No. 38.

However, if they had signed Tarrant as a free agent it would have diluted that compensation.

Richmond is keen to trade for Collingwood’s No.27 pick in next month’s draft — which would give the club five selections inside the top 30 — with 38 and 40 in play now it has parted with 42 and 47.

Those selections could help the Pies complete the Patrick Lipinski deal with the Western Bulldogs. Essendon is also showing interest in Collingwood’s top pick.

The Roos technically could have scored Coleman-Jones for nothing through the pre-season draft, but clubs typically avoid doing that to preserve working relationships.

Robbie Tarrant will bolster Richmond’s defence. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The 22-year-old was the No.20 selection in the 2017 draft, but played eight of his nine career games for the Tigers this year after having to bide his time.

He kicked a season-high four goals in Round 11 against Adelaide while serving as a forward-ruckman.

Coleman-Jones’s decision to request a trade to North Melbourne was based on his wish to predominantly be a ruckman in the future.

The Tigers were unable to offer that, with established big men Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo on their list.

Coleman-Jones will likely still play behind Goldstein next season, after which his new 33-year-old ruck partner is out of contract.

Another Roos ruckman, Tristan Xerri, has requested a trade to St Kilda, while Tom Campbell remains unsigned but they also have No.1 mid-season draftee Jacob Edwards as a long-term prospect.

Originally published as AFL trades period day five: Callum Coleman-Jones joins North Melbourne and Robbie Tarrant becomes a Tiger in mega trade