Devon Smith (right) goes to Essendon for pick No.11 and next year’s third-round pick, the Dons also getting this year’s No. 24. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The Trades – Day 4: After the drought comes the flood

When it rains, it absolutely pours. After three days of scarce player movement in the AFL trade period, the floodgates opened wide on Thursday and we had our first look at players in their newest colours.

The Jake Lever situation, which appeared to have the capacity to become a marathon, was resolved today, a whole week ahead of the predicted schedule, Adelaide and Melbourne coming to an agreement that saw the talented defender officially don the red and blue.

Melbourne has sent Adelaide its 2017 first-round pick (No. 10), a future 2018 first-round pick and a future fourth-round pick, and in return receives Lever, a 2017 second-round pick (No. 35) and a future 2018 third-round pick.

Melbourne, which had insisted it was not prepared to part with two first-round picks, had a change of heart, likely be due to receiving pick 35 in return.

With this deal going through and Charlie Cameron expected to make his way to Brisbane in exchange for a first-round pick, Adelaide now holds an extremely strong hand of first-round talent.

Although publically stating they are no longer in the hunt for Bryce Gibbs, the Crows have some pretty handy bargaining chips should they attempt to entice the Blues into agreeing to part with their star midfielder. That will be a major “watch this space” in the coming days.

Both Adelaide and Melbourne, not to mention their fans, are happy to see the back of this deal, which had the capacity to become quite an ugly affair.

Essendon, meanwhile, has pulled the trigger on the first of its three anticipated moves in this trade period, acquiring the services of Greater Western Sydney forward Devon Smith.

Essendon sent the Giants its 2017 first-round pick (No. 11) and a future 2018 third-round pick in return for Devon Smith and the Giants’ 2017 second-round pick (No. 24).

This is one of the more intriguing trades to happen due to the ripples it has sent throughout the entire draft pond.

The Western Bulldogs, who were steadfast on receiving an early first-round pick for Jake Stringer, will be furious that the Bombers have sent No.11 to the Giants and it could spell the beginning of the end for Stringer’s aspirations to wear red and black in 2018.

One would now imagine that a future first-round pick or a three-way trade will have to be concocted in any form of negotiation that will see Stringer at Tullamarine.

Essendon has defied its historical reputation as a club difficult to deal with on the trade front, meanwhile, and given the Bombers have already stitched up one deal before the halfway point of the trade period, it’s safe to assume their next focus will be on Gold Coast’s Adam Saad, unlikely to command a first-round pick, and the Dons now with picks Nos. 24 and 28.

AFL Trade Radio’s Mitch Cleary has also reported that the two Queensland teams are showing strong interest in Port Adelaide’s out-of-favour ruckmen Matthew Lobbe, who failed to play a senior game in 2017.

Lobbe, who is occupying a large chunk of the Power’s salary cap, might need to be offloaded by the Power to afford all of the players connected to them thus far.

The Jarman Impey shift to Hawthorn has also eventuated, late on day four of trading, with the Port Adelaide speedster agreeing to a three-year deal with Hawthorn, Port receiving picks Nos. 33, 61 and Hawthorn’s future fourth-round selection, the Hawks also picking up selection No. 67.

Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright was happy with the outcome, Impey adding some badly-needed pace to a midfield group which hasn’t been overly stacked with that quality in recent times.

“His outstanding speed and endurance will be a really valuable asset and his ability to play at both ends of the ground is a great advantage,” Wright said. “Jarman is a competitive character, who goes hard at the footy, which makes him an exciting acquisition and a terrific addition to our list.”

Stay with Footyology for all your trade period news and analysis.