Geelong, Gold Coast and North Melbourne have completed a three-team deal that sees Zac Smith move to Geelong, and Daniel Currie join Gold Coast.
The Cats traded picks 49 and 53 to Gold Coast in exchange for Smith, who have then traded pick 53 on to North Melbourne to gain Currie.
Geelong have now signed all four of their off-season targets in Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Selwood, Lachie Henderson and Smith, and can now sit back and relax for what’s left of the trade period.
Smith played 65 games for the Suns after joining them through the Queensland zone that they temporarily had access to as part of their list establishment concessions.
He showed plenty of promise in the Suns’ inaugural 2011 season, playing all but two games and averaging 16 hitouts per game.
However an ACL injury in 2013 saw him miss the majority of that season, and he has struggled to be a regular in the time since with Tom Nicholls becoming the Suns’ preferred ruck option.
He played eleven games in 2015, kicking two goals for the year and averaging just under 25 hitouts per game.
At the end of the season, he requested a trade in search of more opportunities, and will be hoping to make an effective rucking tandem with Mark Blicavs at Geelong.
“We were looking to add to our ruck depth and we are very happy to have been able to add a player of Zac’s talent and experience to our list,” said Cats coach Chris Scott.
“Ruckmen tend to mature later than other types of players, and Zac is coming into a time where he will improve his game with the experience he has gathered.
“He has shown talent and resiliency throughout his career and we see our environment as being conducive to his continued development.”
Having given up picks 49 and 53, Geelong’s first pick in the draft is now their fourth-round selection, pick 67.
Searching for a replacement for the departing Smith, the Gold Coast Suns targeted North Melbourne’s Daniel Currie early in this trade period.
Currie has impressed in the VFL for North Melbourne but has struggled for opportunities as senior level, stuck behind All-Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein for a spot in North’s line-up.
Currie played four games for the Kangaroos in 2014, but none this year.
He previously spent five years at Sydney from 2007-2011 without playing a single senior game, making Gold Coast the third club he has been listed at.
“We are pleased to have completed a trade for Daniel,” said Marcus Ashcroft, Gold Coast’s general manager of football operations.
“He is a seasoned AFL player, and will add depth and experience to our senior list.”
The trade leaves Gold Coast having gained pick 49 from the Cats, and North Melbourne having received pick 53.
“Daniel has been nothing but professional during his time at Arden St and has been a valued member of our playing squad in his three seasons with us,” said North’s list manager Cameron Joyce.
“While we are disappointed to see Daniel leave, we certainly understand his desire to play more senior football and wish him all the very best for the future.”
The Queenslander becomes a Cat! #WelcomeToGeelong @ZacSmith_2! http://t.co/PIwjJxiuT3 pic.twitter.com/gA1goSOypR
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) October 19, 2015
Welcome to the GC SUNS, Daniel Currie.
READ: http://t.co/cI8oc2mMIT pic.twitter.com/frdurZTk1C
— GC SUNS (@GoldCoastSUNS) October 19, 2015
TRADE: Daniel Currie is now a Gold Coast player; traded in return for pick 53 #NMFC
— North Melbourne (@NMFCOfficial) October 19, 2015
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