midfielder Paddy Dow has joined St Kilda in a complex four-way deal which will send defender Nick Coffield from the Saints to the Western Bulldogs.
The Blues parted ways with their future third and fourth-round picks but received future picks from Essendon (third round), Western Bulldogs (fourth) and the Saints’ future fourth-round pick which is tied to Fremantle.
St Kilda received pick 40 from the Bulldogs to get Coffield and sent back pick 56, while the Bulldogs also gained pick 52 from Essendon, who became involved in the trade to move up this year’s draft order.
Dow will reunite with Saints list boss Stephen Silvagni, who drafted the 24-year-old to the Blues with pick 3 in the 2017 draft during his time in charge of Carlton’s list.
He requested a trade to the Saints earlier this month after he was restricted to just 10 games, five of them as sub, in 2023 despite strong VFL form.
He was squeezed out of the Blues’ 23 for the finals after a strong month to finish the home and away season, averaging 22 disposals, six clearances and five inside 50s in four games.
Coffield, who was taken with pick 8 in the same draft as Dow, has not played a senior game for two years after rupturing his ACL during pre-season training in 2022.
Repeat soft tissue injuries kept the 191cm defender from breaking back into St Kilda’s side this season, after he was a regular in the backline over 2020-21.
Summary of Tuesday’s four-club trade
CARLTON IN Future third-round pick (Ess), future fourth-round picks (WB and Frem) OUT Dow, future third-round pick, future fourth-round pick
ESSENDON IN Pick 35, future fourth-round pick (Carl) OUT Pick 52, future third-round pick
ST KILDA IN Dow, pick 40, future third-round pick (Carl) OUT Coffield, picks 35 and 56, future fourth-round pick (Frem)
WESTERN BULLDOGS IN Coffield, picks 52 and 56 OUT Pick 40, future fourth-round pick
Dees hold onto Petty in McAdam deal
Melbourne has added to its forward mix without having to part ways with a player after securing Shane McAdam in a trade with Adelaide.
The Demons sent their future second-round pick to the Crows in exchange for the 28-year-old forward, who has booted 72 goals in 50 games.
They were able to complete the deal while hanging on to talented South Australian utility Harrison Petty, who was the subject of significant interest from the Crows despite being contracted until 2025.
Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb made it clear on Monday that the Demons would not consider a trade for Petty, with plans for the 23-year-old to take one of the key forward roles in their side along with Jacob van Rooyen next season.
McAdam, who battled injuries this season but impressed with hauls of three and four goals in rounds 21 and 22, will provide an extra target and important coverage for Jake Melskham, who was missed during the Demons’ finals campaign after a late season ACL rupture.
“We are thrilled to secure the services of such a talented player in Shane,” Lamb said.
“We know the sort of exciting, fast-paced football Shane can produce, and his skill set is one that will complement our existing group.
“We feel his best football is still ahead of him, and we look forward to seeing what he can bring to the red and blue.”
Adelaide list boss Justin Reid said the deal would strengthen the club’s draft hand for next season, with the Crows already holding three picks inside the top 20 in the upcoming draft.
“Shane has been a valuable and popular member of our team in his time at the club and we wish him well for the future,” Reid said.
“Securing a future second-round selection for him further strengthens our draft hand moving forward.