Melbourne have moved further up the order in the 2015 draft, moving from pick 10 to pick 7 in a deal that also saw them secure Tomas Bugg.
The Demons traded picks 10, 43 and 64 (1874 bidding points) to the Giants in exchange for pick 7 (1644 bidding points) and Bugg, a move which benefits both parties.
Melbourne secure a player they’ve been targeting and a boost in the early stages of the draft, while the Giants make a net gain of 230 bidding points to put towards their academy draftees.
The deal leaves Melbourne well placed at this year’s draft with picks 3 and 7 inside the top ten, however, their next selections don’t come until 46 and 82.
They also gain Bugg, who comes to the club after 65 games with the Giants, having been a member of Greater Western Sydney’s inaugural AFL team.
“This deal further strengthens our drafting position in 2015 and brings in Tomas Bugg, who is a player we targeted during the trade period and someone who can make an immediate impact at AFL level for us next year,” said Melbourne’s football manager Josh Mahoney.
“Bugg is a super competitive midfielder who is an elite runner and plays with an aggressive streak. He fits into our age bracket profile, as he is turns 23 next year and has played 65 games at AFL level for the Giants.
“By bringing in the likes of Bugg, Kennedy and Melksham during the trade period, we have acquired three players who are all competitive in nature, which is a trait we have clearly targeted and will make us a better football team in 2016.”
The Giants don’t appear to make a big gain out of this trade at first glance, however, those extra bidding points could prove vital come draft night.
“With the introduction of the new points system this year, we’ve prioritised the need to ensure we have enough points to secure those players coming through our PM Capital Giants Academy at next month’s draft,” said Giants football manager Graeme Allan.
“Trading for these draft picks with Melbourne clearly puts us in a better net position in relation to points accrued.”
COMPLETED TRADE with @GWSGiants.
IN: Pick 7, Tomas Bugg
OUT: Picks 10, 43 and 64
Details: https://t.co/XkbLwpufuV pic.twitter.com/keSfsOc7qU
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) October 21, 2015
Catch up and see how we sit after trading Tom Bugg + pick 7 to Melbourne for 10, 43 & 64: https://t.co/qhDoOZxe0Z pic.twitter.com/pagpANi8oZ
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) October 21, 2015
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