In a complicated five-way deal, Collingwood has offset the loss of premiership duo Dayne Beams and Heritier Lumumba with the inclusion of Geelong’s two-time premiership player Travis Varcoe, North Melbourne’s Levi Greenwood and Brisbane youngster Jack Crisp. Despite a lengthy stalemate between Brisbane and Collingwood over a deal for Beams, one was struck midweek which saw Beams and pick 67 head the Lions’ way in return for picks five and 25 as well as Jack Crisp. Collingwood then off-loaded pick 25 to North Melbourne in return for Greenwood. Beams had reportedly asked for a trade to his native Queensland to be by his ill father’s side. The Lions also welcomed Geelong’s Allen Christensen in exchange for pick 21, which Geelong used to nab St Kilda’s Rhys Stanley and pick 60.
In a separate – yet interconnected – three-way deal, Collingwood traded Heritier Lumumba to Melbourne, which off-loaded forward Mitch Clarke to Geelong, and in return the Pies received Varcoe. Collingwood’s list manager Derek Hine said on the club’s website it was out to ensure it remains competitive and finals worthy in 2015.
“With Dayne and Heritier leaving, our objective was to make sure the team remained in a position to play finals in 2015 while continuing to build a critical mass of elite talent. I think we have achieved that.”
In other trade news, Greater Western Sydney sent last year’s top pick Tom Boyd to the Western Bulldogs in exchange for pick six and former Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffin.
Meanwhile former Essendon ruckman Paddy Ryder was granted his wish to find a new home landing at Port Adelaide, with Essendon receiving picks 17 and 37. The club then off-loaded pick 37 for 2008 Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney.
Former Brisbane coach and triple-premiership captain Michael Voss has also joined Port Adelaide as its midfield manager on a multi-year deal, according to the club’s website.
Voss said he’s excited by the prospect of joining the Power.
“Joining Port Adelaide is a chance to be part of a fantastic journey with a group of exciting young players,” he said.
“The brand of footy played under Ken Hinkley and the continued growth of the club over the last two years has been very impressive and I am looking forward to contributing to that journey.”
In a flurry of last minute trades on the final day:
– GWS off-loaded ruckman Jon Giles and pick 62 to Essendon for pick 53;
– Hawk Mitch Hallahan went to the Suns for picks 47 and 49;
– Sam Front, picks 40 and 53, were traded to Melbourne with GWS receiving pick 23;
– Shane Biggs and pick 39 went to the Bulldogs with Sydney receiving pick 37;
– Western Bulldog Liam Jones was traded to Carlton in exchange for pick 46;
– Hawks pair Kyle Cheney and Luke Lowden along with picks 43, 47, 59 to Adelaide for picks 31, 50 and 68;
– And finally, Adelaide traded picks 14 and 35 for Geelong’s picks 10 and 47.
The AFL’s trade period finished at 2.00 pm last Thursday.