North Melbourne have picked up Collingwood goalsneak Jaidyn Stephenson after earlier offloading key forward Ben Brown on the final day of the AFL trade period.
A former AFL Rising Star winner, Stephenson was traded to the Kangaroos, along with Magpies youngster Atu Bosenavulagi.
North have sent picks 26, 33 and a future fourth-round selection to Collingwood.
Stephenson was the standout first-year player in the AFL in 2018, playing in all 26 games including the Magpies’ grand final loss to West Coast.
But the 21-year-old struggled this year and fell out of favour with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.
Melbourne snared Brown from the Kangaroos in a cut-price deal to kick off the final day of the AFL trade period when deals were able to be officially lodged from 3pm on Thursday.
The Kangaroos and Demons agreed on a deal that sent Brown, pick 28 and the Kangaroos’ fourth-round draft pick to the Demons in exchange for picks 26 and 33 and a future fourth-rounder (tied to Brisbane).
Brown, 27, booted 287 goals in 130 games at North Melbourne but form and injury limited him to eight goals in just nine appearances this year.
After the Brown trade, St Kilda sealed a deal for contracted Richmond youngster Jack Higgins, swapping pick 17 and a future second-round pick to the Tigers for the forward, pick 21 and a future fourth-round pick.
Brisbane defender Alex Witherden has headed to West Coast with the Lions netting a third-round and a future third-round selection in return.
A plethora of big deals need to be sealed before the 7.30pm deadline.
Jeremy Cameron’s trade from Greater Western Sydney to Geelong is yet to be confirmed while Collingwood’s Adam Treloar are also among those awaiting clarity on their respective futures.
Essendon will be up to their eyeballs in discussions in the final hours as they target trades for contracted Western Bulldogs gun Josh Dunkley and GWS youngster Jye Caldwell.
With the Bombers are attempting to manoeuvre through their two bigger deals, Port Adelaide expect any deal for wantaway Bombers forward Orazio Fantasia to come late in the day.
The Bombers have previously knocked back the Power’s pick 29 for the contracted Orazio.
“Where Essendon end up today has probably got a decent bit to do with what other business Essendon can get done,” Port football boss Chris Davies told SEN SA Breakfast.
“Because I’m sure they’re prioritising right now what they need to get into the club rather than necessarily what they want to get out.”