Once again we had to endure another trade week fizzer.
With most big name players locked up, it was time for the lesser knowns to take the spotlight.
Trade week basically means showtime for player agents, which means seven days of rhetoric.
Some clubs left disappointed, some left elated and some simply didn't show up.
Here are Sportsbag's thoughts...
Everyone wanted out of the Crows. But everyone else wanted in. Very active this week. Maric and Gunston are tall losses, but Lewis Johnston will help. Stocked up on key forwards with the imminent departure of Tippett.
Didn't get their man Tippett. Picked up a roughie in Lisle who was starved of opportunities at Hawthorn. Ex-Bulldog Hudson may be able to contribute in the ruck. Now it needs to hope J.Brown doesn't knock himself out and they might win a few games. Clark's loss is big, but so is the pick 12 which they got in return.
Did the Blues realise trade week was even on this week? Tried to offload Bower and Setanta. Oh and Brock McLean, remember him? Couldn't get rid of them for a can of tuna and an IKEA catalogue.
Possum eyes Toovey gets his money. Locked up the caveman Dawes for another two years. Hopefully he can put the money towards a speech coach. Maybe now he can afford real food and not have to hunt rabbits and bears for dinner.
No interest from rival clubs in Dyson and Slattery...or anyone. Chased Sun's gun, Josh Caddy. Gold Coast wanted one of the Bombers' top 5 players. It couldn't think of any.
Ain't karma a bitch. Lost on Mitch Clark then whinge about loyalty and integrity. Um, Mark Harvey?
As with all solid teams, fringe players looked for other opportunities. Gillies wanted out to Hawthorn. Mark Blake looked elsewhere, but his manager couldn't put together a highlights package. Recruiting gun Stephen Wells always has a few tricks up his sleeve come draft day.
Got their man, Jaegar O'Meara. Shame he can't play AFL next year, even though he's finishing school this year. He's sure to create some cracking headlines for years to come. After putting the Suns defence on his back all season, Nathan Bock will be glad to see Matthew Warnock at the club, even if he can't hit the side of a barn.
Like the greedy kid at Monopoly, they stockpiled draft picks like red and green plastic. It'll be ugly for the next year or two, but watch out when the kids get some games under them. They'll sure be exciting. Importantly, what lessons have they learnt from Gold Coast? Power, Cornes, Brogan are handy pickups who will add some much needed leadership to this team.
Hawthorn was the favoured destination, and the club was also the most active. Gunston could do anything. Every Hawks fan breathed a collective sigh of relief when Renouf packed his bags for Port. Will Lisle be the next Josh Kennedy/Ben McGlynn?
Landed their man Mitch Clark. He will want to perform, seeing as he's possibly the highest paid at the club. Hopefully looks - and plays - interested after signing that big contract and doesn't turn into the AFL's version of Zac Randolph.
North Melbourne Kangaroos:
Usually gets railroaded with a dud player or hefty contract, but Coach Scott has this team heading in the right direction. No conclusion to the McIntosh saga. Sierokowski wanted opportunities with a young team.
Brad Ebert turning down Geelong was like choosing a Great Wall over a Lexus. The Power obviously misread Sportsbag's Un-All Australian selection of Renouf.
Once again all talk and little action. Mitch Morton got the boot and the Tigers didn't land the key defender they desperately need. Maric is an upgrade over Browne and Graham in the ruck. Maybe Dustin Martin scared people off?
Vulnerable. Why didn't club go harder at them? Almost fooled North by getting rid of Gram before the Roos realized he doesn't go out with that smoking blonde anymore. If they re-sign Raph Clarke I'll buy a Saints membership just so I can rip it up like every other member. Fremantle looked at Zac Dawson, then they looked at Sportsbag's Un-All Australian team...
As usual, they take anybody...and, yep they did. Tommy Walsh is still a prospect. Mitch Morton got the lifeline. Let's hope the strong culture can get him out of his funk. Lewis Johnston was a high pick but Sam Reid is their big hope at centre half forward.
Got their boy Josh Hill, but let go of Ebert - a former #13 pick - for next to nothing. Hill couldn't consistently crack the Bulldogs' best 22, how's he going to go at the Eagles?
Tried to sign Matthew Bate to get that strong bodied lead up forward they were after. And also to ensure that Cooney and Liam Jones had some support in the red lid department. No deal. Plenty of picks in the draft to start rebuilding.
By JD - sevensecondsawry.wordpress.com
