Port Adelaide has completed a bumper AFL trade period as it gears up for a premiership tilt, securing long-term target Esava Ratugolea and three fellow recruits late on deadline day.
Ruck pair Ivan Soldo (Richmond) and Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs) left rival clubs to join Power, which bolstered its defence with the addition of key duo Ratugolea (Geelong) and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon).
The quartet were in a group of more than a dozen players who found new homes on Wednesday.
But the No.1 draft pick – held by West Coast and coveted by rivals who are keen to land teen sensation Harley Reid – has not yet changed hands.
Pick swaps can still be agreed up until draft night on November 20.
The Hawks’ remodelled forward line will also include Mabior Chol (Gold Coast) and returning veteran Jack Gunston (Brisbane).
The Gunston deal involved Brandon Ryan heading to the Lions and an exchange of draft picks, while fellow forward Jacob Koschitzke got his wish when the Hawks traded him to Richmond.
Hawthorn did six trade deals and completed its business by trading pick 61 and a future fourth-round selection to Essendon for Massimo D’Ambrosio just minutes before the buzzer.
Earlier on deadline day, four former top-10 draft picks got their trade wishes.
Paddy Dow moved from Carlton to St Kilda, while Nick Coffield left the Saints for the Bulldogs.
Gold Coast sent Elijah Hollands to the Blues, where he will play alongside brother Ollie, while Jack Billings left St Kilda for Melbourne.
Melbourne snared Billings for a future third-round pick from the Saints, who will reportedly continue paying a portion of the midfielder’s salary.
St Kilda had also been keen on Dylan Shiel but Essendon held firm on the experienced midfielder despite interest from several rival clubs.
Leave a Reply