Sydney have landed experienced targets Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams, while sending wingman Dylan Stephens to North Melbourne in separate AFL trade deals.
Grundy is set to fill the Swans’ No.1 ruck role after his partnership with Max Gawn at Melbourne fell flat this year.
The two-time All-Australian joins his third club, just one year after he was squeezed out of Collingwood because of salary cap pressure.
He will link up with former Magpies teammate Adams, who got his wish for a move north in search of more midfield time.
Sydney gave up pick 33 for Adams, who missed out on Collingwood’s premiership last month through injury.
“Taylor brings a wealth of experience both on and off the field, and will be a great addition to our team,” Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner said in a statement.
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“He is an elite midfielder and an outstanding leader, and we believe his experience will not only help us win games but provide support for our developing young midfield.”
The Swans swapped pick 46 at this year’s draft and a future second-round selection for Grundy.
They will also have to pay the entirety of Melbourne’s contribution to the ruckman’s salary, with Collingwood still required to fork out their share in the deal arranged with the Demons in the 2022 trade period.
“He is an outstanding person and an elite ruckman in the competition, and will be a fantastic addition to our club,” Gardiner said.
Sydney gave up Stephens and pick 25 in return for North Melbourne’s pick 44 in this year’s draft and pick 19 in next year’s – a selection among AFL concessions given to the Roos ahead of the trade period.
Elsewhere, two-time VFL leading goalkicker Chris Burgess got his trade wish with a move from Gold Coast to Adelaide.
The Crows also landed pick 14, and sent picks 23 and 26 to the Suns.
Carlton sent Zac Fisher and pick 17 to North Melbourne in exchange for picks 21 and 25.
The player moves came as the teen set to become the AFL’s next top draft pick, Harley Reid, described the trade period as “crazy” as West Coast and rival clubs haggle over his future.
Reid, an 18-year-old Victorian midfielder, is a lock to be the first selection at the national draft on November 20.
Brodie Grundy. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
West Coast hold pick one but North Melbourne, with picks two and three among others, are trying to strike a deal for the top selection during the trade period ending next week.
Hawthorn have also spoken of their intention to move up the draft order in pursuit of Reid, while Melbourne are also believed to be in the mix.
“It’s a crazy trade period, who knows what will happen,” Reid told SEN radio on Wednesday.
The Kangaroos received pick three on Tuesday as compensation for losing key backman and restricted free agent Ben McKay to Essendon, while Reid again denied telling the Eagles he’d prefer to remain in Victoria.
“You know what you said, your manager knows what you said, West Coast know I didn’t say it,” he said.
Reid said he would be excited to play for either the Eagles or Roos, despite their lowly recent status.
Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs have confirmed Jordon Croft will nominate to be a father-son recruit for the club at the upcoming draft.
The 200cm key forward is the son of Matthew Croft, who played 186 games for the Dogs.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
If English doesn’t continue beyond 24’ then the dogs will pursue Sean Darcy if he’s still available.
berrlins
Roar Pro
In fairness most clubs would take him I can only think of: The Dogs, Freo, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold coast who have their own dominant ruck so don't really have a need for him, and maybe Saints but I think they could make the Marshall/Grundy work. he'll add alot to Sydney that they didn't have before.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
been there done that 100 times. still don't believe it
PeteB
Roar Rookie
1/2 a lifetime ago :unhappy:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Lucky bugger
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Once upon a time if the Blues didn’t win a premiership at least once every five years I thought it was a drought :silly:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Quite a few teams in the same boat but most sink.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Shall we roll the tapes from the 16 minute mark of the 3rd quarter in 2021 ? :silly:
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Thought they could have got him on less salary. Otherwise he’s a good replacement for Hickey. Swans are in the zone, and need to strike now. They must be getting sick of competitive finals appearances without the ultimate success.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Tom Mitchell was pretty good in 2016.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Me too. I didn’t really watch after the first avalanche and never watched it again/ unlike 2020… or the 2019 PF.// or the 2017 QF… Now I’m just being obnoxious
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Gee really felt over a lot earlier. I guess a few beers prior to the bounce put me in a time warp. :thumbup:
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Elite ruckman? When 2 clubs dont pick you that's means you aren't one of the best. I blame Langer for people misusing this word
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
we both are! (Interestingly it was still 1-0 at the 9 minute mark according to AFL tables... but the dam was ready to burst, and 6.1 in 15 mins of actual time is a very big rupture.)
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Reckon it was 2min but who’s counting
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
16 wins, 127%, flogged the Dees in week 1 of the finals in melbourne. beat Freo in Perth in rd 18. the sts away to finally kill their hopes round 23. were going for 10 straight in the GF. flogged Geelong in the H and A yes they got pantsed badly as soon as 5 mins in. but it was totally out of character, for the season. but not for GFs,,,,
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the chuckle regarding 22’ :laughing:
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
could be like Richmond with Longmire departing in round 11. at least they are getting a few cheapies in, mostly, and have better/younger youth i guess Grundy gives them a bit of star brand over and above the 20 Heeney clones, who are good but a bit vanilla compared to Plugger/Bazza/Buddy etc
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Maybe they will both be more effective on a smaller ground, best of luck :thumbup:
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Swans clearly all in for Premiership tilt now- Grundy, Adams and Hamling hardly young whipper snappers to build around.