The Brisbane Lions have snared former Bomber Joe Daniher as an AFL free agent, with Essendon receiving a first-round compensation draft pick.
Brisbane submitted their offer for restricted free agent Daniher late on Friday afternoon and the Bombers elected not to match it.
Essendon received a first-round compensation pick – currently pick No.7 – for Daniher, who booted 191 goals in 108 games wearing red and black but managed just 15 games across his final three years.
Daniher unsuccessfully sought a trade to Sydney last year and the Bombers were optimistic of winning him over beyond this season.
But Daniher instead chose to head to Brisbane – with the Lions sealing the move on the first day of the free agency window.
The opening day of free agency proved a busy one.
GWS elected not to match Carlton’s lucrative six-year deal for restricted free agent Zac Williams and received a first-round pick (currently No.10) as compensation.
“Adding speed and versatility to our side, as well as depth across our midfield, is a priority of ours as we look to implement the next stage of our list management strategy,” Carlton’s head of list management Nick Austin said.
“We believe Zac – with his athleticism, ball-wining ability and capacity to break lines – fits that mould perfectly.”
Hawthorn winger Isaac Smith moved to Geelong, while the Cats lodged their offer for GWS star Jeremy Cameron.
The Giants have until 5pm AEDT Monday to decide whether to match the offer.
Smith went with his head over his heart in deciding to leave Hawthorn for their fierce AFL rivals.
The triple-premiership winger joined the Cats as an unrestricted free agent on a two-year deal with the Hawks receiving a third-round compensation pick (currently No.42) in return.
Hawthorn were keen to keep Smith while Melbourne were also in the race for his services, but the 31-year-old was keen to finish his career at Geelong for lifestyle reasons.
“It’s been a very difficult decision, incredibly hard and (I) probably had a few sleepless nights over the last three or four nights to be honest,” Smith told reporters on Friday.
“The heart was certainly pulling me towards Hawthorn but in the end the head won and I’m up for a new challenge, a new journey and I’m very excited to be part of the Geelong Football Club.”
GWS defender Aidan Corr joined North Melbourne as a restricted free agent late on Friday on a five-year deal, with the Giants opting not to match the Kangaroos’ offer and receiving a second round pick (currently No.30) as compensation.
“He’s a reliable and flexible player capable of playing on small and tall forwards, which will add great depth to our back line,” Kangaroos football operations manager Brady Rawlings said.
Earlier on Friday, Gold Coast secured Adelaide’s Rory Atkins as an unrestricted free agent.
The Crows received an end-of-second-round draft pick as compensation.
Stix
Guest
Good spot that goes back a while, add Heath Shaw to the list. Didak was in the passenger seat not Rhyce though. Shaw, who had been drinking at the Geebung Polo Club Hotel in Hawthorn with Didak and other team-mates, crashed his car into several stationary vehicles in a Kew street at approximately 11.30pm and later produced a breath-test reading of 0.14. Shaw and Didak were fined and suspended after lying about the incident. Shaw's brother Rhyce has also been suspended for two matches and fined for $5000 for excessive drinking on Sunday night.
Russ
Roar Rookie
Didnt the Shaw brothers do that as well in a Ute prior to Rhyce getting moved on.
Rissole
Roar Rookie
Apparently many at Richmond were glad to see the back of him.
Stix
Guest
Yeah hes a member of AFL players that have crashed into parked cars. Lachie Hunter Jarman Impey Jesse Hogan Jack Watts Tyson Stengle Justin Westoff Buddy Franklin Dan Hannebery
Rissole
Roar Rookie
Just goes to show the stigma attached to off-field issues and how it impacts your value as a footballer.
Stix
Guest
Joe Daniher VS Jesse Hogan Daniher (26 6months) 108 games - 191 goals, 144 behinds, 5.83 marks per game, 12.54 disposals per game, 239 hitouts, 136 tackles, 137 frees for & 167 frees against, 332 clangers. Hogan (25 7months) 90 games - 170 goals, 95 behinds, 6.31 marks per game, 14.73 disposals per game, 16 hitouts, 124 tackles, 92 frees for & 42 frees against, 174 clangers.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
2 different reasons it seems. Bombers players want out asap. Pies hierarchy are doing some strange things. Sad for both clubs supporters.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
A bit like the Pies in slow movement forward
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Bulldogs or Essendon I’m hearing for big Mason Cox
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Could be a positive.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
A terrific person, judged harshly at Collingwood as he can’t be your key forward and he isn’t paid at that level either. Unique with his height, lacks defensive pressure, doesn’t do enough in the ruck, kicking limited for distance. I suspect he could be very good in a team that found the right role for him.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Cox?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
You’ve just sacked your head of footy too though?
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Essendon have just been hoping that Daniher would come good the last couple of years, with him leaving they are now forced to do something about their forward line.
Rissole
Roar Rookie
Haven't heard it but if we move the ball as slowly as this year then it doesn't matter who's up forward!
Rissole
Roar Rookie
I'd argue there's only been one bad loss for Essendon and that's Saad. GWS are having a far tougher time of it and should sneak into 3rd.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Of course yes...current status: North: Gold Collingwood: Silver Essendon: Bronze
Maxy
Roar Rookie
kangas wouldnt be far behind
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Rumours of the Bombers being a new home for Mason Cox Rissole. Thoughts?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Are the Bombers or the Pies leading the race for the club most imploding in the off season?