The Crows and the Cats have officially struck a deal that will see Patrick Dangerfield move to Geelong on the first day of trade period.
The Cats will give up their first two picks in the draft, currently picks 9 and 28, and receive Dangerfield and the Crows third pick in the draft, pick 50, in return.
The deal also sees South Australian Cat Dean Gore move to the Crows after just one year in the AFL.
Geelong drafted Gore with pick 55 in last year’s draft, and the young midfielder came close to senior selection on a number of times in 2015.
“Our recruiting team rated Dean highly in the lead up to last year’s draft and he was on the verge of playing AFL football in his debut year,” said Adelaide’s head of football David Noble.
It’s the first trade of the 2015 trade period, and it sets off what is likely to be a blockbuster trade period with a bang.
Dangerfield, who was out of contract and a restricted free agent, was widely tipped to become the first player in history to have his free agency offer matched by his current club.
In the end, there was no need for a formal free agency offer to occur. The Cats were well aware that the Crows would match any offer and simply went straight to the trade table.
The deal seems them pay a similar price to what Brisbane gave up to secure Dayne Beams in last year’s trade period, a first round pick, a second round pick, and a relatively little-known young player.
Unlike that deal which dragged on late into the trade period, this was accomplished quickly. Marty Pask, Dean Gore’s played manager, said “It’s good that a deal such as this got done.”
“We’ve seen in the past when there’s a player of someone like Dangerfield’s standing in the game, they [negotiations] can tend to drag on a little bit.
“In this instance, both Adelaide and Geelong have done a very good job to make sure that didn’t take place and both parties have come out of it pretty reasonably.
“Adelaide has always had an interest in Dean… they were very disappointed that they didn’t acquire him through the national draft.
“They’ve always maintained that interest in him (and) they’ve always liked him, so there was an opportunity to certainly ask the question, whether he wanted to come home.
“In the end, it was a decision that he wanted to be surrounded by his family and friends back home in Adelaide.”
It brings to end what has been a year-long saga of debate and discussion over Dangerfield’s contract.
In many way it was the worst-kept secret in the AFL. The reports that Dangerfield would be playing at Geelong in 2016 have been rolling in all year.
The Crows confirmed Dangerfield would be leaving shortly after the club bowed out of finals against Hawthorn.
However, through forcing a trade, they’ve managed to obtain far better compensation than they would have by simply letting Dangerfield go as a free agent.
“All along we were intent on doing what was in the best interests of our club, and we have been able to deliver the best possible outcome,” said Noble.
“Securing picks 9 and 28 allows us to add some more quality talent to our playing list, while Dean is a young man who has the makings of a long-term player.
“I would also like to acknowledge Geelong for the professional manner in which these negotiations were handled.”
Dangerfield had the best year of his career to date in 2015, winning Adelaide’s best and fairest, being named in the All-Australian team for the third time, and finishing sixth in Brownlow Medal with 22 votes.
Dangerfield’s Deal
Geelong receives: Patrick Dangerfield and pick 50
Adelaide receives: Picks 9 and 28 and Dean Gore
In more good news for Geelong, West Coast today announced they will not match the Cats’ offer for restricted free agent Scott Selwood, meaning his transfer to Geelong is now complete.
Having elected not to do so, the Eagles are now eligible for a compensation pick, which will likely be in the second round of the draft.
Alex Wilson
Guest
Interesting reading now some of these comments. Some were spot on and some were a bit off, whatever the case, I don't think any of us could've seen the form and impact he has had, plus the question of whether Guthrie would become a B grader, I'd say he's All Australian at the moment, so maybe B+
15 metres is needed for a mark
Guest
If Carlton doesn't get a first rounder for Henderson then the trade to Geelong should be off. They can offload him to another club. Geelong is another "destination club" like Hawthorn that can basically pillage players from other clubs and the other clubs have to let them go cheaply. Dangerfield is worth more than one first round draft pick and steak knives. It should have been two first round draft picks. Yet again the Geelongs, Hawthorns can use the system to their advantage. The bottom teams don't have that luxury. The gap widens.
Don Freo
Guest
Yarran is key position like Stringer is key position...maybe Stevie J/Brad Johnson. Adams is a very mobile, big, tough CHB at WP. 22yo 192cm and 100kg. State side last 2 years. Allows us to keep Alex Pearce up forward. I think, over the years, top 30 draft picks have delivered not many more guns than 30 to 60. I don't want Freo to go too big for McCarthy. We'll get him anyway when he is out of contract. Keep picking up Pearce, Lachie Neale, Sutty and Sheridan types. The bloke we picked up at 20 a few years back goes ok.
13th Man
Guest
Actually good point about Shaw. My mate is good friends with him and reckons that Freo will pick him up in the rookie draft or PSD. Don't know anything about Marcus Adams but do like the look of Shane Yarran, not really a KPP though but would be a good pickup. Gee that Fyfe bloke goes alright!
Don Freo
Guest
Still won't catch up to Poppy.
Don Freo
Guest
I'd prefer to keep working with Taberner, Apeness and Fyfe (shows great promise) and keep drafting. No way Walker or Black are any better than Shane Yarran or Marcus Adams in the WAFL. Mason Shaw to come home from Adelaide would be cheaper and probably better.
geoff
Guest
Ryan dont you think that geelong on paper at least are looking much better football wise? Once z smith and henderson head over it will look much better again. Not sure if adelaide look much better on paper.
geoff
Guest
Brilliant comment!!!!!
13th Man
Guest
If Freo can't get McCarthy I would consider Walker, seems a better alternative than Aaron Black
alicesprings
Guest
Geelong and Adelaide have both acted incredible professionally and have kept any animosity behind closed doors. Could teach a few other clubs a lesson or too. Great to Danger at the Cattery!
13th Man
Guest
Still think its unders for Dangerfield. 9,28 and last years pick 55. I would have though the crows would have been after a young talent like Cockatoo. Anyway i guess its better than just pick 14 as a compo.
13th Man
Guest
Yep the brothers can have a competition to see who gets more ducking free kicks!
Stevo
Guest
Any chance do you think of a possible move for Josh Walker? I know there was talk of a possible deal last week involving him and Henderson. With the talk of Casboult being put up for trade, then Carlton need to look at a KPF to replace him or we will be relying on Liam Jones. Walker should be an option to consider for the Blues imo,.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
I think the Cats will reach into the 2016 draft pick drawer and pull out their second rounder. There's no way known Henderson will fetch the first rounder than the Blues are looking for.
Brian
Guest
I thought Adelaide got duped. How is it a pick 2, 3 or 4. Are yo saying the draft is that strong that a pick 9 is like those picks in an average year. Still not sure why Adelaide didn't demand their 2016 first round pick.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The Cats free kick count for high tackles is going to go through the roof! ;)
Stevo
Guest
I'm wondering where that leaves Carlton with Henderson? The Blues would have been looking for at the least a second round pick for Henderson, their first pick was always heading the Crow's way, but seeing as they have given up their first and second round pick for Dangerfield, what can they expect from the Cats for Henderson now? The best I can see is a straight swap for Josh Walker and maybe a third round pick?
TomC
Roar Guru
And now apparently the Eagles have confirmed they won't be matching the Selwood offer. This is all working out beautifully for the Cats.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
It's deliciously/frustratingly opaque. AFL Media had an article last week, that didn't really clear anything up: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-07/revealed-what-it-takes-to-earn-firstround-free-agency-compensation- The short version is its mostly based on player salary, with the player's prospective per year earnings needing to be in the top five per cent of the AFL players that are 25 years or older in the year that the deal is being made (which works out to be in the top 15). There's some jiggery pokery around player age (which is supposed to capture career years remaining) but player salary is the main driver. And that's supposed to be a measure of the 'quality' of the player being moved, which assumes a free market, perfect information and perfect competition (none of which hold in the real world).
Wilson
Roar Guru
that was the same for the Sucking as well. any one know if there is a Matrix or diagram to explain how they work out the compo Tiers