We’re officially just one week out from the 2023 trade period deadline, and there’s plenty of business to sort before the end of the window.
Wednesday saw a number of deals settled on the third day of the trade period, with North Melbourne securing wingman Dylan Stephens from Sydney in a move that also included a trio of draft selections.
The Crows, Roos, Demons and Suns were also involved in a four-way trade that had a multitude of implications.
Here’s all the latest trade news from another frantic day of the off-season…
Fisher lured away
Contracted forward Zac Fisher will cross Royal Park this off-season after being traded from Carlton to North Melbourne.
While Fisher was tied to the Blues for a further two seasons, the 25-year-old opted to make the short move in order to see more senior action in 2024.
Despite starting in Carlton’s first seven games of the seasonl, Fisher featured under head coach Michael Voss on just five more occassions, also failing to earn a place in any of Carlton’s three finals in September.
After submitting a request to join the Roos last week, the Western Australian was granted his wish on Wednesday evening, with Riley Beveridge of AFL Media reporting that the goalsneak and pick 17 had been sent to Arden Street in exchange for picks 21 and 25.
Adams heads back to the Harbour City
Less than a fortnight after Collingwood toasted its 16th V/AFL premiership, Pies vice-captain Taylor Adams has departed the club, officially joining Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.
After failing to feature on the last Saturday in September, Adams alerted Pies powerbrokers to his desire to be traded to the Harbour City, with the club releasing a statement ahead of Monday’s opening trade bell.
The deal to bring Adams to Moore Park was reportedly made mere minutes after Sydney secured Melbourne ruckman, and Adams’ ex-teammate, Brodie Grundy in a seperate trade.
Both the Adams and Grundy deals were first reported by Michael Gleeson of The Age.
As reported by Gleeson’s masthead, Collingwood has received pick 33 at this year’s draft in return for the 30-year-old midfielder’s services.
Dual All-Australian joins third club in as many seasons
Dual All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy has joined his third AFL club in as many seasons, departing the Demons after a solitary campaign to join Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.
As first reported by Michael Gleeson of The Age, the decorated big man has joined John Longmire’s side on the third day of the exchange period, the move becoming official after many weeks of speculation.
Grundy will now make tracks to help fill the void made at Moore Park by the retirement of Tom Hickey.
Melbourne has parted with Grundy, but is set to receive pick 46 at this year’s draft, as well as Sydney’s second-round selection in 2024.
Grundy arrived at Melbourne during the 2022 trade period, joining the Dees after 177 games over 10 seasons with Collingwood, however, the 29-year-old has now departed after adding only 17 appearances in red and blue.
Forward, four first-rounders change hands in four-way deal
A four-club deal involving Adelaide, Melbourne, North Melbourne and Gold Coast been finalised, with eight draft selections and Suns forward Chris Burgess involved in the trade.
According to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey, Burgess will depart Queensland in favour of a move back to South Australia as he joins the Crows, who have parted with Picks 23 and 26.
The 27-year-old has been starved of opportunities over the past two years, playing just three matches at AFL level. The consistent run in the VFL has seen the sharpshooting Sun claim the Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal as the competition’s leading goalkicker both this year and in 2022.
He will now join Adelaide as a supporting tall forward for Matthew Nicks to consider, with Burgess involved in a trade that has also pleased three other clubs.
Trade Summary:
Adelaide receive: Chris Burgess, Pick 14
Adelaide give: Picks 23, 26
Melbourne receive: Pick 11
Melbourne give: Picks 14, 27, 35
North Melbourne receive: Pick 18
North Melbourne give: 2024 end-of-first-round pick
Gold Coast receive: Picks 23, 26, 27, 35, 2024 and an end-of-first-round pick
Gold Coast Give: Chris Burgess, Pick 11, Pick 18
Father-son gun set to follow in old man’s footsteps
Future father-son gun Jordan Croft has officially nominated the Western Bulldogs as his club of choice ahead of the 2023 AFL Draft, meaning the talented teenager will continue on the Croft name at the Kennel.
Croft, a 200-centimetre utility from the Caldar Cannons, became a father-son prospect in July of 1999 – nearly six full years before his birth – after his father, Matthew, made his 100th AFL appearance for the Dogs in a 22-point win over Sydney.
Matthew’s career would eventually come to an end in 2004 – the year prior to Jordan’s birth – with the reliable utility hanging up the boots after 175 games over 14 seasons in red, white and blue.
Roos’ four-pick offer for Pick 1 revealed
North Melbourne have reportedly packaged Picks 15, 18, 21 and a future end-of-first-round selection in a bid for Pick 1.
The offer is said to have been declined by West Coast, who are keen on attaining both Picks 2 and 3 from the Kangaroos.
The Roos aren’t looking to move on both of the two earliest selections, even if it gets them first access to top-rated draftee Harley Reid.
