ST KILDA has successfully completed deals for Dougal Howard and Paddy Ryder from Port Adelaide but their pursuit of Fremantle’s Bradley Hill is set to go down to the last day of the AFL trade period.
The Saints landed Howard and Ryder as well as pick No.10 and a future fourth-round selection from the Power on Tuesday in exchange for picks 12 and 18 and a future third-rounder.
“Dougal is a serious talent and it’s exciting to bring in a player of his quality,” St Kilda list manager James Gallagher said.
“He has already proved he can mix it with the best as both a key defender and a forward, but we see him as player who is only going to get better.
“… Paddy at his best is one of the premier ruckmen in the league, but he is also a dangerous marking target in attack.”
Hill’s future remains uncertain as tense negotiations continue.
The Dockers have been intent on securing two first-round picks for the three- time premiership winger, but the Saints aren’t willing to part with their 2020 first-rounder as well as their first call at this draft.
There is speculation Saints midfielder Blake Acres could be shipped to Fremantle as part of the deal.
Several deals were finalised on the penultimate day of trade period.
A day after Eddie Betts was traded to Carlton, Adelaide’s list overhaul continued with Hugh Greenwood sent to Gold Coast for future third and fourth- round picks and Sam Jacobs dealt to GWS for a future fourth-rounder.
Alex Keath’s move to the Western Bulldogs and finding a home for Josh Jenkins remain on the Crows’ agenda.
Adelaide, who announced Matthew Nicks as their senior coach on Tuesday, snared ruckman-forward Billy Frampton from the Power for a future fourth-round draft selection.
Former No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton’s switch to Hawthorn was formalised with GWS accepting a future fourth-round pick in return.
Melbourne have two top-10 picks at the draft after adding North Melbourne’s eighth overall selection to their No.3 pick.
North effectively turned one draft pick into three after the Demons sent picks 26, 50 at this draft and its future first-round selection to the Roos.
With the trade window set to close at 7.30pm AEDT on Wednesday, several deals continue to be negotiated.
The tense stand-off between Essendon and the Swans over Joe Daniher continues, with the Bombers unimpressed with the offer of picks five and 25 from Sydney.
The Blues are still working on securing Jack Martin from Gold Coast and Tom Papley from Sydney.
The Dogs are looking to add Josh Bruce from St Kilda but are yet to agree to terms, with Jack Steven’s move to Geelong also up in the air.
James Aish appears headed to Fremantle, with the winger undergoing a medical at the WA club, as Collingwood looks to clear salary cap space to sign Brodie Grundy, Jordan De Goey and Scott Pendlebury to new deals next year.
© AAP 2019
