AFL Trade Activity Part Two

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

GWS traded Tom Lee, Round 2 selection and its Round Three selection to St Kilda for its Round One selection. Lee, 21, was drafted by Adelaide in 2008 but spent the entire 2009 season in the SANFL. His cause was not helped with a midseason knee injury which sidelined him for eight weeks. He was delisted at the end of 2009 and returned to Claremont in the WAFL. He admits he may have been a bit immature and not ready for the transition to AFL level at the age of 17 and fresh out of school. He said even when he returned to WA, it took some time to adjust to the idea of what was required if he was to have another chance at AFL level. He also said his time at Adelaide and getting delisted was the experience "to really get me going again." He did the work required and had an outstanding 2012 as a tall utility. He kicked 60 goals for the season, impressing former St Kilda assistant coach Simon McPhee. McPhee helped him at Claremont and his attitude - as well as his season - have impressed St Kilda Coach Scott Watters. Lee now knows that getting drafted is just the beginning and plenty of hard work is ahead. He is ready and looking to "have a solid preseason and ... play my role and play well".

The Saints are equally pleased to acquire a talented tall key forward. The club believes Lee could play senior football in 2013.

Source: for saints.com.au

GWS traded Dominic Barry (NT Zone selection), its Trade Incentive Selection (number two) and its Round One Compensation Selection to Melbourne for its Round One Selection and its Round One Mid-Round Compensation Selection.

Collingwood traded Sharrod Wellingham to West Coast for its Round One Selection. Wellingham indicated to the Magpies that he wanted to return home to WA and the club was successful in arranging a deal with West Coast. Wellingham was recruited from WAFL club Perth and has played 92 games in five seasons with the Pies. He has played in three Grand Finals and was a member of the 2010 Premiership team.

National recruiting manager Derek Hine said the club wished him well and acknowledged Wellingham's solid playing contribution to the club. He also said Collingwood was just as happy being able to bolster their draft selections. It is the first time the club has such a high draft pick since 2006.

Wellingham, who was on holiday in the USA, expressed his appreciation for the opportunities given him by Collingwood but he is also excited by the chance to return to play in front of family and friends. As an opponent, he said the Pies always respected the Eagles and he believes the club is capable of winning another Premiership within the next few years.

West Coast's contracts and list manager Craig Vozzo was equally pleased to secure the young midfielder, saying Wellingham could have an immediate impact. Not only will Wellingham have more opportunity to see family and friends, but he will also be reunited with former teammates Brad Dick (rookie listed in 2012 after being delisted at the end of 2011) and Scott Burns, who joined the Eagles as an assistant at the end of 2008. He also grew up as an Eagles' supporter.

Source: Stephen Rielly, Collingwood Media Release, AFL Record Season Guide

Gold Coast made an offer to unrestricted Hawk Tom Murphy and he accepted. Hawthorn Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson wished the 26 year old well and thanked him for his time at the club. Murphy was drafted by Hawthorn in 2004 and debuted in Round 22, 2005, playing 95 games. He has been highly rated at Hawthorn and was a member of the leadership group for the past four seasons. He won the club's Most Improved award in 2008 and was voted best clubman in 2010.

In wishing Murphy well, Clarkson said Murphy had been valuable contributor to the Hawks and would be an excellent leader and teacher for the young GC list. Murphy, 26, said he was looking forward to helping the talented list take the next step. He also thanked the Hawks and said he enjoyed his time at Hawthorn. GC general manager Marcus Ashcroft said the club was thrilled to gain the defender and believes he will bring plenty of experience and play a vital role in continuing to develop the playing group on and off the field.

Source: theage.com.au, hawthornfc.com.au

Brisbane made an offer to Melbourne's Brent Moloney, a restricted free agent. The Demons opted not to match the offer. Moloney played 122 games in eight seasons with Melbourne and won the club's Best and Fairest award in 2011.

Source: Ryan Larkin, Melbourne Media Release

Collingwood traded Chris Dawes and its Round Three Selection (currently number 63) to Melbourne for its On-Traded Round One Selection, originally from the GWS Giants) and its Round Three Selection. There had been wide speculation leading up to the trade period that Magpie and Premiership forward Chris Dawes was seeking to be traded and Collingwood obliged, completing a deal with the Demons. Dawes, 24, played 71 games with Collingwood as a tall forward. He played 23 games in 2012 including the preliminary final. Current Melbourne Coach Mark Neeld is familiar with Dawes as he was an assistant with the Pies before being appointed by the Demons.

Collingwood football director Geoff Walsh said Dawes was a popular player and played some good football in his time at the club. Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington believes Dawes can be a long-term player who can grow with the Demon playing group. He also said Dawes, with his Finals experience and physical presence would help build a potent forward line.

Source: Stephen Rielly & Ryan Larkin, Melbvourne and Collingwood Meida Release

Geelong offered a deal to Melbourne's unrestricted free agent Jared Rivers and he accepted. Rivers played 150 games in 10 seasons with the Demons. He won the 2004 Rising Star Award and was runner-up in Melbourne's Best and Fairest count in 2011.

Source: Ryan Larkin, Melbourne Media Release

Gold Coast traded midfielder Josh Caddy to Geelong for its 2010 Round Compensation Selection (Gary Ablett) and its Round Three Selection. At the end of the season, Caddy told GC that he wanted to return home to Victoria and there were a number of clubs interested in acquiring the talented midfielder. The deal is the biggest trade since the Cats obtained Brad Otterns in exchange for Brent Moloney (6 games for the Cats) in 2004. Moloney was then traded to Melbourne in exchange for Richmond's first round draft pick.

Caddy, drafted in 2010, played 24 games in two seasons with the Suns. He was restricted to just two games in his first year due to a stress fracture in his foot which required surgery. In 2012, he averaged 15 possessions per game and earned a Rising Star nomination. Prior to being drafted, Caddy captained the Northern Knights and played for Vic Metro at the U-18 championships. His averages of 25 possessions, 11 contested possessions and seven clearances earned him U-18 All Australian honors.

Gold Coast can use the compensation pick in 2013 or 2014.

Source: Stephen Wilson, GC Media Release, AFL Record Season Guide

North Melbourne traded ruckman Hamish McIntosh to Geelong for its Round Two Selection. Hamish McIntosh, 28, played 107 games with North since being drafted in 2002. He played all 25 games in 2007 and was a big part of the Kangaroos' push into the Finals that year and was touted as one of the best big men in the competition. Injuries (including surgery to both Achilles tendons in 2011) and the emergence of Todd Goldstein restricted McIntosh to just eight games in the past two seasons. North's football chief Donald McDonald said, "... it’s disappointing to lose Hamish but we wish him all the best for his future and acknowledge the significant contribution he’s made ".

Source: Heath O'Loughlin, North Melbourne Media Release, AFL Record Season Guide

Collingwood made an offer to unrestricted free agent Clinton Young. Despite a hefty counter offer made by Hawthorn, the Premiership winnger accepted the Magpies' deal.

Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson said Young, 26, had been a big part of the club and expressed disappointment at losing him but was accepting of the new free agency market. Young played 116 games in eight seasons with the Hawks, was a member of their 2008 Premiership team and also played in the side's 2012 Grand Final loss to Sydney.

Colllingwood football director Geoff Walsh said Young would help improve the Magpie transition from defense to attack with his long kicking and precise delivery of the ball.

Source: Stephen Rielly, Collingwood Media Release

Richmond traded ruckman Angus Graham and its Round Three Selection (currently number 54) to Adelaide for its Round Two Selection. Graham joined Richmond via the rookie draft in 2006 and played 48 games in six seasons. Richmond's general manager Craig Cameron thanked Graham on behalf of the club for his contributions and added that the club was in a very strong draft position with four picks in the first two rounds. he believes the club can now add some young talent to compliment the just acquired Chris Knights and Troy Chaplin.

Adelaide list manager David Noble said having Graham join the club would boost the team's ruck stocks and provide support for their lead ruckman Sam Jacobs. He said  “The acquisition of Angus will bolster our ruck stocks and provide important support for lead ruckman Sam Jacobs". Jacobs himself is originally from South Australia but was drafted by Carlton where he played 17 games in 2 years. At the end of 2010, he requested a trade so he could return to SA.

Adrian Ceddia & James o'Connell, Richmond & Adelaide Media Release