Jack Gunston has got his wish and will be back at Hawthorn in 2024, after the Hawks agreed to terms with Brisbane to bring the triple-premiership great back to the club.
Just 12 months after requesting a trade to the Lions, Gunston shocked the footy world by seeking a return to the Hawks, having struggled to bed down a spot in the Lions’ best 22 and being left out of their grand final loss.
The deal sees the Hawks give up promising tall Brandon Ryan, having taken the 25-year old in the mid-season rookie draft, while also giving up picks 39, 54 and a future fourth-rounder in exchange for Gunston, picks 47 and 61 and the Lions’ future second-rounder.
The Hawks also secured Gold Coast tall Mabior Chol as well as pick 62 in exchange for a future second-round pick.
All up, the club did six deals on deadline day, completing their business by trading pick 61 and a future fourth-round selection to Essendon for Massimo D’Ambrosio.
Port Adelaide also have cause to celebrate after a swathe of final-day deals, securing long-term target Esava Ratugolea and three fellow recruits late on deadline day.
Ruck pair Ivan Soldo (Richmond) and Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs) left rival clubs to join the Power, who bolstered their defence with the addition of Ratugolea (Geelong) and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon).
The quartet were in a group of more than a dozen players who found new homes on Wednesday.
But the No.1 draft pick – held by West Coast and coveted by rivals who are keen to land teen sensation Harley Reid – has not yet changed hands.
Pick swaps can still be agreed right up until draft night on November 20.
Port’s recruits are set to bolster the club’s premiership push under re-signed coach Ken Hinkley in 2024 following this year’s straight-sets finals exit.
Persistence paid off for the Power as they landed Ratugolea at the second attempt.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
He was under contract last year but Geelong, who indicated they would again drive a hard bargain for the versatile tall, finally relented this time around.
Port gave up picks 25, 76 and 94 in the deal and Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie conceded the Cats were “disappointed” to lose Ratugolea.
The 25-year-old will line up in defence alongside Zerk-Thatcher, who got his trade wish in a dramatic final few minutes before Wednesday night’s trade deadline.
Zerk-Thatcher had a three-year contract on the table from Essendon but was adamant he wanted to move to the Power.
The deal, which was approved after the paperwork deadline, included Xavier Duursma moving to the Bombers.
Essendon also gave up pick 73 and two future fourth-round picks.
Earlier on deadline day four former top-10 draft picks got their trade wishes.
Paddy Dow moved from Carlton to St Kilda, while Nick Coffield left the Saints for the Bulldogs.
Gold Coast sent Elijah Hollands to the Blues, where he will play alongside brother Ollie, while Jack Billings left St Kilda for Melbourne.
Melbourne snared Billings for a future third-round pick from the Saints, who will reportedly continue paying a portion of the midfielder’s salary.
St Kilda had also been keen on Dylan Shiel but Essendon held firm on the experienced midfielder despite interest from several rival clubs.
(with AAP)
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