Carlton have scored a massive win as the first major deal of the AFL trade period finally happened, with the Blues securing the No.3 draft pick.
Richmond star Liam Baker has been granted his wish and will head to West Coast in the three-club deal, with Blues small forward Matt Owies also going to the Eagles.
With the Wednesday 7.30pm AEDT trade deadline looming large, there was no immediate word on Tuesday morning whether the Dan Houston trade would be revived.
Houston was set to leave Port Adelaide and go to Collingwood in a three-club trade involving Gold Coast, but the Power pulled out of the deal on Monday night.
Instead, Baker and the No.3 pick headline the first significant player deal since the trade period started eight days ago.
As part of the deal, Carlton give up pick No.12, plus the No.14 selection they secured last Friday in a trade with Hawthorn.
That trade of the No.14 pick had put Baker’s move to the Eagles in some doubt, with Fremantle making no secret of their interest in him.
But he will end up at his preferred destination – the club Baker supported before joining Richmond – with the Tigers receiving the 14th selection from Carlton.
Fellow Richmond players Shai Bolton (Fremantle) and Daniel Rioli (Gold Coast) also have asked for trades.
The Eagles receive Baker, Owies, pick 12 and a later draft pick in return for sending the No.3 selection to the Blues.
The Blues are expected to use the No.3 pick to recruit midfielder Finn O’Sullivan, a highly-rated midfielder who has made a big impression on recruiters despite an injury-marred year.
Owies is another big winner in the deal, securing a multi-year contract, while the Eagles slide from No.3 to No.12 in the draft.
Suns player Jack Lukosius wants to join Port and was another player in the now-paused Houston trade.
Bailey Smith hopes to join Geelong from the Western Bulldogs, but there has been no breakthrough on those talks, and his current teammate Jack Macrae wants a move to St Kilda.
Jake Stringer could leave Essendon for GWS, Sydney and North Melbourne are at an impasse over Swans veteran Luke Parker, and West Coast defender Tom Barrass is no closer to joining Hawthorn.
Houston, a two-time All-Australian, wants to join a Melbourne club. Carlton and North Melbourne have been the other clubs vying for him.
