WINNERS

Essendon
In: Nil

Out: Nil

After a frustratingly one-sided meeting with Gold Coast over Jack Martin, the Bombers changed tact quickly and upped the ante in pursuit of explosive GWS on-baller Dylan Shiel. Winning Shiel’s loyalty over Carlton, Hawthorn and St Kilda is an enormous victory for Essendon, who looked a decent midfielder short of stating their case in finals. Expect their premiership odds to shorten significantly ahead of next year.

Port Adelaide
In: Scott Lycett (free agency)

Out: Nil

Lycett’s move to Port Adelaide via free agency was made official on Tuesday when West Coast announced they wouldn’t match the offer. Recruiting the South Australian is a massive tick for Chris Davies and company, who have been targeting Lycett for a number of years. Port now have support for the ageing Paddy Ryder, whose days as an AFL footballer appear numbered.

LOSERS

GWS
In: Nil

Out: Nil

While they saw the news coming and encouraged him to explore his options, GWS will feel the pinch of Shiel’s trade request. The Giants desperately need to clear salary cap space and Shiel had previously informed the club of his desire to finish up in Victoria. That notwithstanding, players of his quality don’t come around too often. It’s now imperative the Giants push for fair compensation.

Fremantle
In: Nil

Out: Nil

According to reports, the Dockers have placed injury-prone midfielder Harley Bennell on the trade table, just weeks after signing him to a new one-year deal. If true, the news closes a disappointing three-season effort to get Bennell back to his explosive best. The 26-year-old managed just two games for the Dockers, with injuries and off-field misdemeanours stifling his progress. Where the backflip came from remains unclear, though it could have something to do with Peter Bell’s appointment as head of football.