The GWS Giants have moved up to Pick No.2 in the 2016 AFL draft after swapping draft picks with the Brisbane Lions.
» All the trade rumours
» List of free agents
» Every trade and free agency move
The Giants exchanged picks No.3 and No.16 for Brisbane’s picks No.2, No.31, No.51 and No.60.
GWS’ football boss Wayne Campbell said: “this deal further strengthens our position ahead of next month’s draft.
“By securing the second pick, we are well placed to secure some of the best young talent in the country.
“We’ll look to continue to strengthen our playing list and position in the draft during the remainder of the trade period.”
The deal means that GWS are in with a much better chance of landing the player they’re believed to be keen on, Andrew McGrath, in next month’s draft.
Essendon may still opt to take him at the No.1 pick however, in which case it is believed likely that the Giants will instead select Hugh McCluggage.
Those two appear destined to be the top two picks in some order – Brisbane with pick No.3 will then choose between a range of players, with names like Will Brodie and Ben Ainsworth likely in the frame.
“We want to add talent to our list and build a team that can win our next Premiership,” said Brisbane’s National Talent Manager Peter Schwab.
“This trade means we can still secure the young player we want with our first pick, but we get the added benefit of then having picks 16, 19 and 21 – all really early in a Draft that has plenty of talent we’ve identified to suit our needs.
“It’s important for our fans to realise that our strategy is very much based on the result of Trade and Draft Periods combined.
“Our aim as a Club is to become relevant again and this trade is the first small step in a clearly defined strategy for the coming years that we have laid down internally to make us better.”
For the Lions the big win in this trade is gaining another first-round selection at pick No.16.
That gives them four picks inside the top 25 this year, and it is believed likely that they could gain another pick in that range from the Gold Coast Suns for Pearce Hanley.
There have also been rumours that the Lions would consider trading away Tom Rockliff, which would further strengthen their draft hand. However, recent reports suggest Rockliff will remain at Brisbane.
Roarers, who do you think wins this trade? For every trade this off-season, we’re asking you to rate the trade – vote below, and we’ll release all the results at the end of trade period.
TRADE: The GIANTS have secured pick 2 after completing a trade with the @brisbanelions. MORE: https://t.co/WhErSm7qpt
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) October 13, 2016
We've made our first trade of the NAB AFL Trade Period. https://t.co/LNLrnYWZg0
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 13, 2016
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has defended the AFL Tribunal's controversial decision to overturn star forward Charlie Cameron's one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle, as…
Chris Fagan took issue with repeat questions about the Lions' Tribunal defence of Charlie Cameron, which saw the star forward controversially reprieved.
There’s a slight disconnect between the data, the record and the eye test for the Brisbane Lions to start season 2024. This week, Champion…
Charlie Cameron escaped his one-game ban by arguing he had an 'exemplary' record. But AFL360 has found proof that while he has not been…
Charlie Cameron escaped a ban with his dangerous tackle on Jake Lever downgraded at the tribunal. Cameron's "character reference" and his record contributed to…
Brisbane star Charlie Cameron is free to face Geelong on Saturday after the AFL Tribunal used its discretion to turn his one-game suspension into…
