Blake Acres (left) is now a Blue, Dan McStay (centre) a Magpie and Liam Jones (right) is back with the Western Bulldogs.
The second day of the trade period has come to an end and three more players have now found new homes after another busy day.
Fremantle wingman Blake Acres joined Carlton, Brisbane Lions forward Daniel McStay crossed to Collingwood and former Carlton defender Liam Jones headed back to his old home the Western Bulldogs.
That brings the total number of players to have landed at new clubs to seven following on from Karl Amon (Hawthorn), Tim Taranto (Richmond), Bobby Hill (Collingwood) and Jayden Hunt (West Coast) who have all done so since Friday.
The Dockers received a future third-round pick for Acres, while the Lions and Blues got picks 35 and 49 respectively from the AFL as compensation for those free-agency departures.
Acres, who also played for St Kilda once upon a time, viewed Carlton as a “really good fit”.
“I’m pumped to be on board and I’m stoked it got done really early as well so I don’t have to worry over the next few weeks,” he said.
“I had a few conversations with ‘Vossy’ (Carlton coach Michael Voss) and (Carlton list manager) Nick Austin a few weeks before the end of the season.
“I just wanted to see what was out there and if there were any other potential good fits for me and I had some really good chats with Nick about the direction that Carlton is heading.
“I think how they started their season so well – that’s great experience for the group, hopefully I can add to that and take that next step. I don’t think it’s much. Their best is clearly good enough.”
Upon joining the Magpies, McStay paid tribute to his former club.
“I thank the Brisbane Lions for the past nine years – for those who have nurtured me during my early years and moulded me into the footballer I am today,” McStay said.
“Melbourne is my home, but Brisbane will always hold a special place in my heart.
“Together, my partner and I decided to move back home to Melbourne and I am so pleased to come to an agreement with Collingwood. It is where I want to be for the remainder of my football career.
“I wish the Lions every success and will be watching with a keen eye.”
And Jones was thrilled to return to the club where his AFL journey began after sitting season 2022 out due to his unvaccinated status.
“I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to play at the highest level again,” Jones said.
“This club gave me a chance all those years ago and I’m excited by the prospect of returning and helping this group continue to strive for success.
“Having started my career at the club, I feel a sense of belonging in the red, white and blue and can’t wait to meet all the players and staff over the coming weeks.
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“I learnt plenty from my time at Carlton and hopefully I can bring some of that knowledge and experience over to the Dogs to help support the great players in our back half.”
But those weren’t the only big stories to emerge on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd dropped a bombshell that retired Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was contemplating a comeback, and that Fremantle was leading Essendon in the race for his signature.
“It is something he is contemplating, and he has had a very brief, informal chat to Freo through a couple of existing relationships there,” McDonald-Tipungwuti’s manager Scott Lucas told AFL Trade Radio.
“Then of course he is an Essendon player still at this stage, despite retiring, so they have also had a rather informal chat to him about what he’s thinking.
“That’s really where it sits at the moment, and it’s something we’ll work through with both parties, and more importantly Anthony himself.
“He’s in a really good headspace, and physically he’s also in a better position than he was at the end of his time with Essendon.”
Meanwhile, Melbourne are digging their heels in on Luke Jackson, saying Fremantle’s offer of pick 13 and a future first-round pick won’t be enough to get the deal done, and are willing to listen to what West Coast has to offer them.
But the Demons completed a pick swap with Port Adelaide late in the day that could unlock the Brodie Grundy deal.
With the Magpies saying they wanted a top-25 pick for the dual All-Australian ruckman, the Demons have traded away picks 33, 43 and 53 to the Power in exchange for pick 27, which should be enough to satisfy Collingwood.
Melbourne also poured cold water on the prospect of premiership midfielder James Harmes joining another club after he reportedly met with Essendon recently.
Elsewhere, a deal has been all but done that will see Fremantle duo Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker go to North Melbourne in exchange for the Kangaroos’ future second- and third-round picks they were given as part of an assistance package from the AFL for sustained poor performances.
Perhaps the second-round pick will be added to the Jackson offer in order for Fremantle to acquire him.
In other news, GWS are interested in Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo as part of a potential trade that would see Jacob Hopper cross to Punt Road.
The Giants are also happy to part ways with pick 44 to secure Melbourne forward Toby Bedford.
And St Kilda have begun their pursuit of Bulldogs backman Zaine Cordy.
PLAYER MOVEMENTS
**Melbourne traded picks 33, 43 and 53 to Port Adelaide in exchange for pick 27.
7. Liam Jones (Carl) joined Western Bulldogs as an unrestricted free agent. Carlton received pick 49 (AFL) as compensation.
6. Daniel McStay (BL) joined Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent. Brisbane Lions received pick 35 (AFL) as compensation.
5. Blake Acres (Fre) traded to Carlton in exchange for future third-round pick.
4. Jayden Hunt (Melb) joined West Coast as an unrestricted free agent. Melbourne received pick 52 (AFL) as compensation.
3. Tim Taranto (GWS) traded to Richmond in exchange for pick 12 and pick 19
2. Bobby Hill (GWS) and pick 40 (GWS) traded to Collingwood in exchange for pick 43 and future second-round pick
1. Karl Amon (PA) joined Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent. Port Adelaide received pick 27 (AFL) as compensation.
*pick numbers are as they are at time of trades
