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Geelong have landed yet another recruit in the early hours of Wednesday morning, securing Carlton’s Lachie Henderson in exchange for the 2016 first round pick.
It’s a history-making trade as for the first time in the AFL the trade involves a future draft pick, after the league introduced rules to make the trade of futures picks possible earlier this year.
The Blues won’t know what bounty they’ve received in exchange for Henderson until the end of the 2016 season, but with the Cats making their third big name signing of the trade period so far, it’s looking likely to be one of the later picks of the first round.
Still, a first round pick of any kind is a great return for the Blues in exchange for Henderson after the versatile key position player requested a trade three weeks out from the end of the season this year.
“We were committed to achieving the best result for our football club, and this trade is in line with our list management strategy,” said Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni.
“We were always of the firm belief that a first-round draft pick would be a fair trade for Lachie.
“By banking a first-round selection for next year it gives us flexibility – we can opt to either utilise or leverage the pick depending on our needs.”
Henderson was originally drafted by the Brisbane Lions at pick 8 in the 2007 draft, but played only 15 games for the Lions before joining Carlton as part of the infamous trade for Brendan Fevola.
In six years with the Blues Henderson has played 102 games and kicked 101 goals, having been played at both ends of the ground during his tenure there.
His best position appears to be in defense and that’s likely where he will play at the Cats, shaping as a likely successor to veteran Tom Lonergan at fullback.
“We obviously rate Lachie highly, and he would’ve liked to play a bit better footy this year,” said Geelong’s recruiting manager Stephen Wells.
“Lachie’s a versatile player, so he’ll be seen at both ends of the ground, I reckon.
“But over the next couple of years, as guys finish up in our backline that have been fantastic players but are into their 30s now, we probably see Lachie playing his best footy down back for us.”
The Blues ruled Henderson out of the final three matches of the AFL season after he requested a trade in August.
For the Cats this is part of a bold recruiting strategy that has already seen them land Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Selwood as well as Henderson.
However, it has also seen them give up their first two picks in this year’s draft and their first pick in next year’s draft, meaning it will be slim pickings for them in terms of fresh youth over the next two years.
“It wasn’t an easy decision or a flippant decision in any way to give away a first pick,” said Wells.
“And I don’t know how we would’ve got this all done if the future picks weren’t there.”
They’ll now turn their attention to securing the last of four major targets this off-season, Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith, who requested a trade to the Cats last week.
Welcome home, Hendo.
More on our newest Cat – http://t.co/lUCNRDoLdj
#WelcomeToGeelong pic.twitter.com/GOn1tUlu4W
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) October 13, 2015
BREAKING: Lachie Henderson has been traded to Geelong in exchange for the Cats' 2016 first-round draft pick. pic.twitter.com/boGLFOoKZc
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) October 13, 2015