By Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan
North Melbourne free agent Todd Goldstein has decided to move to Essendon.
Goldstein informed North Melbourne and Essendon and Monday afternoon, according to a source with knowledge of the decision.
North free agent Todd Goldstein has chosen to move to Essendon Credit: Getty
Goldstein had a medical at Collingwood last Wednesday and, out of courtesy to Collingwood with the grand final on the weekend, had waited until Monday to inform clubs of his decision.
Essendon prefer a two ruckman system and, with Andrew Phillips retiring, wanted an established ruckman to come in to work with Sam Draper. They may also use Draper forward more often next year.
Essendon cult figure Sam Draper celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty Images
Draper suffered a serious groin injury this year and missed most of the second half of the season, only returning to play the last game of the year after being sidelined from round 13. He had surgery last week on his groin.
Essendon’s season fell away almost in parallel with Draper’s absence and the Bombers are mindful of their need for experienced support for Draper in the ruck.
The 35-year-old Goldstein’s decision means Essendon coach Brad Scott will be reunited with two of his former players from North Melbourne in Goldstein and fellow free agent Ben McKay.
The decision came as it was also confirmed that former Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak had re-signed for one more year with the Power.
The veteran fielded several offers to return to Victoria to play for a season before transitioning into an assistant coaching role, but decided that he wanted to be a one club player at the club he captained for six years.
Melbourne and Sydney are yet to have meaningful discussions about a trade for ruckman Brodie Grundy, who remains likely to move to the Swans.
Grundy has four years remaining on his contract with the Demons after his move last trade period from Collingwood. The Magpies are paying about $300,000 per year to Grundy for the next four years under a separate direct arrangement between the Magpies and Grundy. Melbourne has a separate contract to pay the residual amount of Collingwood’s original contracted amount.
Grundy was left out of Melbourne’s finals teams and is open to making the move to Sydney, joining Demons teammate James Jordon in a move north, with The Age revealing the Swans interest in him in July.
Jordon had previously been delisted and re-rookied by Melbourne, so he qualified as an unrestricted free agent and is clear to make the move to the Swans when the free agency period opens on Friday.
Essendon are still exploring the possibility of securing St Kilda’s free agent small forward Jade Gresham. The Saints have an interest in Carlton’s Paddy Dow, pick 3 in the 2017 national draft.
Dow’s Carlton teammate Zac Fisher, who is contracted for two more years at the Blues, is expected to seek a trade to North Melbourne.
North is also seeking to trade for Sydney Swans midfielder Dylan Stephens who has been offered a four-year deal to move to Arden St.
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