Ruckman Jonathan Giles has moved to his fourth AFL club today, traded to the West Coast Eagles along with pick 62 in exchange for pick 57.
Giles was reported to be looking at an offer from the Eagles, and toured their facilities last week, before the move was confirmed today.
It makes Giles the only current player in the league to have been listed with four or more AFL clubs.
He was originally drafted to Port Adelaide at pick 70 in the 2005 draft, but spent four years on the list without playing a game before being delisted.
However, a dominant year in the SANFL saw him picked up by Greater Western Sydney, who had access to sign any formerly AFL-listed player as part of their list establishment concessions.
Giles was one of the Giants’ early success stories, taking the mantle as their number one ruckman and playing 42 games in his first two years at the club.
He was instrumental in the club’s historic first win in the AFL, kicking three goals as the Giants defeated the Gold Coast Suns.
However when the Giants signed Sydney premiership ruckman Shane Mumford it became apparent that the two would struggle to fit in the same side.
Giles became the first player in club history to play 50 games for the Giants in 2014, but only managed one more game for the club before spending much of the year in the NEAFL.
He asked for a trade seeking more opportunity at the end of 2014 and moved to Essendon, but struggled to get games at the Bombers even despite their lack of ruck stocks.
He ultimately played three games for Essendon this year but couldn’t make the number one ruck role his own, and the Bombers’ signing of Matthew Leuenberger this off-season has lowered his chances of gametime in 2016 even further.
“Jonathan is a terrific person and he has been the ultimate professional since he walked into the football club,” said Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro.
“Unfortunately he was unable to cement his place in the senior side, but when given the opportunity he gave his all for the club and his teammates.
“With the inclusion of Matthew Leuenberger on our list, and Callum Sinclair’s move to Sydney, the trade provides Jonathan with an opportunity to secure more game time at West Coast.
“From everyone at the club we wish Jonathan all the best as he embarks on a new chapter in his career at the West Coast Eagles.”
He now moves on to the Eagles who will be happy to have him as a mature back-up option should Nic Naitanui suffer an injury.
The Eagles lost ruckman Callum Sinclair in a trade with Sydney last week, and will look to Giles to replace their lost ruck depth.
“We’re delighted to have Jonathan join our club,” said Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo.
“In terms of our list profile, we have achieved our principal objectives in the trade period, bringing in Jack Redden, Lewis Jetta to add another dimension to our midfield and now Jonathan, who will provide ruck support to Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett.
“Jonathan is a very good ruckman, he’s mature and he can push forward. He is an impressive person and we believe he will be a good fit for our football club.”
The trade of picks, with the Eagles giving up 57 to the Bombers but getting 62 in return, will likely prove inconsequential.
Jonathan Giles is now an Eagle: http://t.co/iz0RoSqIBL We wish him the best at his new club and thank him for his time!
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) October 19, 2015
Once an enemy of the Bombers, always an enemy of the Bombers!
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