Trade Week Concludes

First of all, a quick apology on behalf of myself. Earlier today I promised to give you some more updates as they happened in the trade. However in a last minute decision I decided to race off to the cricket at the WACA to see the Warriors take on the Vics.

Gardiner a Saint
West Coast's wayward former ruckman Michael Gardiner has been picked up by St Kilda in exchange for their 3rd round pick (43). It was inevitable that Gardiner was going to leave the club where he started his AFL career, at the end of this season, however the Saints weren't a likely move. Ross Lyons I'm sure has his reasons and the undisciplined player may prove to be useful in the team, however time will only tell.

Meanwhile back here in the west, it looks as if the Eagles are continually making plans for the furture by keeping young talent and taking in even more draft picks. In what is tipped to be the best draft since the 2001 'super draft' which is hailed as the greatest pick of talent of all time (Chris Judd and Luke Hodge just some of the names), it would be useful for any side to grab as much of the talent as possible.

Andrew McDougall is one of the only other Eagles to fly east as he takes his spot with a resurgent Bulldogs, yet the depth and talent of West Coast is still extroadinarily great.

Last second dash by Dockers
With 15 seconds remaining before the trade-week deadline, Fremantle were able to pick up Bomber, Dean Solomon. Dean will join his former TAC cup mate from Bendigo Pioneers, Chris Tarrant at the club. In exchange for Solomon, Freo gave Essendon pick number 42 (which they gained off Richmond) and 47. Essendon are smart in offing experience for precious picks which they will use to rebuild the side over the next few years.

Solomon, who is in London at the moment, was unaware of his fate until the final minutes when everything was official. It was Tarrant who was on the phone with him to tell him the news. Apparently having Mark Harvey at Freo was a huge factor in getting Dean to the club due to his links with him in the past at Essendon as well as praise of his skill and ability.

It's another powerful move by Fremantle, who have this year proven to be just that, the Power Traders. Getting in big names to an already decent line-up is a move that only a club wanting to achieve premiership status will make. However the question about wether or not it pays off can only be answered in 12 months time. Until then we'll have to wait and see how the draft unfolds late next month.

Biiiiiig Mistake by Swans
Employing the services of the player with the worst ever home and away win/loss record can't be something to cheer about. And lets say that the player in question is in their early 30's and currently under-performing. That's exactly the kind of mistake that the Sydney Swans have just made. Trying to repeat proven success when they recruited Jason Ball from West Coast back in 1999, they will no doubt be pondering why it didn't work out the same way this time next year.

Peter 'Spida' Everitt might be one of the most colourful (I don't see how though) players in the AFL, and he may be somewhat talented as a Ruckman, however I can't see his form improving much over the summer and into next season. He had a shocker of a year for the Hawks, who traded him for pick number 33, and it will be safe for me to say that he will have a shocker of a year for the Swans next season as well. If I am wrong I will wear a Hawthorn Guernsey with his old number on it for an entire week next year! This is how confident I am about how useless he will prove to be after moving north.

Trade Weeks Over
Well it's finally over: Confusing three-way deals, exchanging picks and talent, rejections, acceptance, and adaptating to new clubs. This is what trade-week is all about. The most exciting week to witness after the Grand Final, and a taste of things to come for the draft in late November.

However in all my years I have never seen so many trades with big names made. Established stars at their respective clubs, completely turning the status quo on its head. Let's take a look at the big names that moved around.

Jason Ackermanis - 3 time premiership player for the Brisbane Lions and 2001 Brownlow medallist. Moved to the Western Bulldogs.

Chris Tarrant - 2003 All-Australian, cult superstar at Collingwood, extremely talented player. Moved to Fremantle.

Michael Gardiner - West Coast one time All-Australian Ruckman, tall and versatile, although lacks discipline he needs the right environment to grow. Moved to St Kilda.

Peter Everitt - Most talked about Ruckman over the past decade, highly praised as well as widely criticised on and off the field. Began career at St Kilda where he made a name for himself. Spent a few years at the Hawks and is now a Swan.

Paul Medhurst, Graham Polak, Dean Solomon and Andrew McDougall were also major trades, expect them to become bigger household names over the next few years.

Anyway that's it from Trade-Week. If there is anything important to report on AFL within the next couple of weeks, you'll see it here. Until then I'll be commenting on domestic as well as international cricket including the ICC tournament, Pura Cup, and Ford Ranger Cup. Seeya.