One last multi-club swap proved the deal-buster in a typically hectic climax to the AFL’s trade period on Wednesday night that delivered new homes for Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae and Matt Kennedy.
A flurry of trades went through in the final 10 minutes, with none of the 2024 trade period’s key players left stranded despite some nervous moments.
Macrae crossed from the Dogs to the Saints in the same deal – with St Kilda parting with pick 45, which went to Geelong – and Kennedy moves to the Kennel, where he should have more midfield opportunity. Macrae wanted a fresh start after falling down the midfield pecking order at the Dogs in the past two seasons, and should take his place in St Kilda’s first-choice centre-bounce set-up in 2025.Stringer’s move to the Giants looked in jeopardy barely two hours out from the trade deadline, but Connors and GWS recruiting manager Adrian Caruso said post-deadline the trade was never off despite reports that suggested otherwise.
Hawthorn also finally found middle ground with West Coast on contracted key defender Barrass in the final half hour before the trade deadline.
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