Bailey Smith (left), Jake Stringer (centre) and Shai Bolton got to Geelong, GWS and Fremantle respectively on the final day of trading. Photos: AFL MEDIA, MICHAEL KLEIN
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The 2024 AFL trade period finished with an almighty contrived flurry on Wednesday night as another 11 players switched clubs.
That brought the grand total of footballers to find new homes to 28, including the free agency recruits.
Nineteen of those movements occurred in the last two days, which really highlights how ridiculous a 10-day trade period is, not to mention the manufactured drama of clubs being prohibited from making any deals prior to 2pm on deadline day.
But all’s well that ends well and the final day saved its best for last as a late three-club deal ended the protracted impasse between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs over star midfielder Bailey Smith.
The 23-year-old finally made his way to the Cats in a deal that saw the Dogs receive pick 17 from Geelong as well as Carlton midfielder/forward Matthew Kennedy, while the Saints snared Dogs veteran Jack Macrae.
As part of the trade, the Cats also collected pick 45 from the Saints and the Blues ended up with selection 38 from Geelong.
The day 10 action kicked off with Richmond livewire Shai Bolton making his way to Fremantle along with pick 14 and a future third-round selection. In exchange, the Tigers acquired picks 10, 11 and 18.
“We are really excited to secure a player of Shai Bolton’s ability, which is exactly what we need,” Fremantle list manager David Walls said.
“His ball use, creativity, speed and ability to break lines makes him such a dangerous player.
“He just has flair and x-factor that will give teammates an immediate lift.
“He’s also really durable and consistent finishing top five in Richmond’s B&F for the last five years.
“He’s a gun player … we are over the moon.”
Shortly after, Bolton’s premiership teammate Daniel Rioli headed to Gold Coast in a deal that saw Richmond also obtain selections 6 and 23 in the draft.
As part of the trade, the Suns also pocketed picks 51, 61, 70 and 76 as they strengthened their ability to match bids for academy product Leo Lombard.
“While we are disappointed Daniel has chosen to leave the club, we respect his decision and everything he gave to Richmond across nine years,” Richmond football talent manager Blair Hartley said.
“We are happy to have found a mutually beneficial trade that allows for Daniel to depart, and we wish him well for the future.
“He will forever be remembered as a triple-premiership player at Richmond.”
The Tigers now have an eyewatering eight draft picks in the top 25 this year (1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23 and 24).
Later in the piece, the Hawks finally got their man in West Coast defender Tom Barrass as well as a future fourth-round pick. For the privilege of winning Barrass’ signature, Hawthorn offloaded future first-, second- and third-round picks to the Eagles.
“Tom is clearly a player of high talent and character who we know will play a key role in our defensive unit in 2025 and beyond,” Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie said.
“He has not only shown how well he can shut down dangerous opposition forwards but also how well he can intercept and set up crucial passages of play … as one of the premier defenders in the league.”
Another very late deal saw explosive Essendon goalkicker Jake Stringer head up to Greater Western Sydney for the measly price of pick 53, after the Giants reportedly got cold feet on the trade about 90 minutes before the deadline.
Sydney champion Luke Parker eventually got to his preferred destination of North Melbourne, and brought along unheralded young teammate Jacob Konstanty for the ride. The Swans got pick 44 in return.
“We were keen to add some more experience to our young list at the trade table, and Luke certainly has one of the best football resumes of those still in the game,” North Melbourne head of football talent Brady Rawlings said.
“He’s been an incredibly reliable player and leader for Sydney over a number of years and will offer a wealth of knowledge from his experience at a consistent, finals-hardened club like the Swans.”
The Kangaroos also picked up highly-skilled Bulldogs utility Caleb Daniel for selection 25.
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“Caleb is an elite kick and decision-maker, who will add composure to our defensive mix,” Rawlings said.
“He is also an experienced leader and knows what success looks like having played in a premiership, so will be able to offer plenty of support and insight to our young list both on and off the field.”
James Peatling got his wish and joined former GWS teammate Isaac Cumming at the Crows in a deal that saw Adelaide give up their 2025 second-round pick, but also acquire the Giants’ future third- and fourth-round selections.
Meanwhile, despite speculation remaining strong throughout trade period regarding Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver wanting to join Geelong, the Demons didn’t budge and stood firm on their champion midfielder along with star small forward Kysaiah Pickett.
Elsewhere, St Kilda made a late play for Carlton swing man Brodie Kemp after cooling on Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo, but couldn’t get a deal done.
A possible return to GWS for Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel was scuppered, the Eagles failed to complete a trade for Brisbane youngster Deven Robertson and Xavier O’Halloran remains at GWS after his bid to join the Bulldogs fell over.
2024 PLAYER MOVEMENTS
28. Jake Stringer (Ess) traded to GWS in exchange for pick 53.
26/27. Luke Parker (Syd) and Jacob Konstanty (Syd) traded to North Melbourne in exchange for pick 44.
25. Caleb Daniel (WB) traded to North Melbourne in exchange for pick 25.
22/23/24. Geelong received Bailey Smith (WB) and pick 45 (StK); St Kilda received Jack Macrae (WB); Western Bulldogs received Matt Kennedy (Carl) and pick 17 (Geel); Carlton received pick 38 (Geel).
21. James Peatling (GWS), future third-round pick (GWS) and future fourth-round pick (GWS) traded to Adelaide in exchange for future second-round pick.
20. Tom Barrass (WC) and future fourth-round pick (WC) traded to Hawthorn in exchange for future first-round pick, future second-round pick and future third-round pick.
19. Daniel Rioli (Rich), pick 51 (Rich), pick 61 (Rich), pick 70 (Rich) and pick 76 (Rich) traded to Gold Coast in exchange for picks 6 and 23.
18. Shai Bolton (Rich), pick 14 (Rich), and future third-round pick (Rich) traded to Fremantle in exchange for picks 10, 11 and 18.
17. Harry Sharp (BL) traded to Melbourne in exchange for pick 49 and future third-round pick.
12/13/14/15/16. Collingwood received Dan Houston (PA) and pick 58 (PA); Port Adelaide received Jack Lukosius (GC), Rory Atkins (GC), Joe Richards (Coll), pick 13 (GC), pick 29 (GC), pick 36 (Coll) and pick 50 (GC); Gold Coast received John Noble (Coll), pick 39 (PA), future first-round pick (Coll), future first-round pick (PA).
*Pick 27 (StK) traded to Brisbane in exchange for picks 32 and 45.
10/11. West Coast received Liam Baker (Rich), Matt Owies (Carl), pick 12 (Carl) and pick 73 (Carl); Carlton received pick 3 (WC), pick 63 (WC) and pick 68 (WC); Richmond received pick 14 (Carl).
*Pick 9 (Ess) and future third-round pick (Ess) traded to Melbourne in exchange for picks 28, 40, 46, 54, 65 and future first-round pick.
*Pick 46 (Adel) traded to Melbourne in exchange for future third-round pick.
*Pick 14 (Haw) traded to Carlton in exchange for future first-round pick and future second-round pick.
*Pick 34 (Carl) and pick 66 (Carl) traded to the Brisbane Lions in exchange for future second-round pick and pick 73.
*Pick 20 (BL) traded to Richmond in exchange for picks 32, 42, 43 and 45.
9. Jack Graham (Rich) joined West Coast as an unrestricted free agent. Richmond received pick 42 (AFL) as compensation.
8. Jack Darling (WC) traded to North Melbourne in exchange for pick 68.
7. Alex Neal-Bullen (Melb) traded to Adelaide in exchange for pick 28.
6. Isaac Cumming (GWS) joined Adelaide as an unrestricted free agent. GWS received pick 21 (AFL) as compensation.
5. Nick Haynes (GWS) joined Carlton as an unrestricted free agent.
4. Tom Campbell (StK) joined Melbourne as a delisted free agent.
3. Harry Perryman (GWS) joined Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent. GWS received pick 16 (AFL) as compensation.
2. Josh Battle (StK) joined Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent. St Kilda received pick 8 (AFL) as compensation.
1. Elliott Himmelberg (Adel) joined Gold Coast as an unrestricted free agent.
