New Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy says he didn't want to leave Collingwood with five years to go on his lucrative AFL contract, but the club made it clear he needed to move on.
The Magpies offloaded Grundy to Melbourne, where he will partner fellow All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn, on Tuesday in exchange for pick No.27.
Collingwood were determined to part ways with Grundy and his mammoth contract, signed in 2020, to relieve pressure on their salary cap.
The Pies pulled off a similar trade in 2020 when Adam Treloar was controversially forced out despite having five years left on his deal.
Grundy never formally requested a trade but saw the writing on the wall after 177 games at Collingwood and identified a spot alongside Gawn following premiership tall Luke Jackson's departure to Fremantle.
"When I signed my contract in 2020, my dream was to be a Pie for life," Grundy posted on Twitter.
"My desire to remain at Collingwood did not change this year.
"However, after recent conversations with the club, this dream could no longer be a reality."
Grundy said it was "time to dream a different dream" with Melbourne.
Gawn has been All-Australian for the past five seasons, while Grundy was named alongside him in the AFL's best 22 in 2018 and 2019, when he also claimed Collingwood's Copeland Trophy.
"While decision-making relating to list management can be difficult, we have a duty to make decisions that best positions our club," Magpies football boss Graham Wright had said in a statement.
Collingwood signed Brisbane Lions free agent Daniel McStay last week and traded for GWS small Bobby Hill to fill a void up forward, while fringe Adelaide tall Billy Frampton has joined for a future third-round pick.
Later on Tuesday, Richmond locked in another part of their midfield rejuvenation by sealing a deal for tough Giants on-baller Jacob Hopper.
Ruckman Ivan Soldo had originally been expected to be a part of the deal but the Tigers ultimately only paid up their 2023 future first-round pick and pick No.31 in exchange for Hopper and picks No. 53 and 63.
Hopper, 25, will reunite with fellow ex-GWS midfielder Tim Taranto at Punt Road, who joined earlier in the trade period.
Geelong have reaped the benefits of Gold Coast's salary dump, landing pick No.7 and midfielder Jack Bowes in exchange for a future third-round draft pick.
The incredibly lopsided deal is because the Cats are taking on the remaining two years of Bowes' hefty five-year Suns contract.
Geelong are still working to secure Collingwood youngster Ollie Henry and Wright confirmed on Trade Radio the Magpies had rejected the offer of pick No.25.
Brisbane have replaced McStay with three-time Hawthorn premiership star Jack Gunston.
Gunston will fit straight into Brisbane's powerful forward line alongside fellow talls Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood.
The Lions gave up pick No.48 and a future fourth-round draft selection for Gunston, who has kicked 430 goals in 225 AFL games.
Brisbane will look to top off their trade period by securing Western Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley before Wednesday night's deadline.
The Dogs' reigning best-and-fairest winner wants a move north, but negotiations between the clubs have been messy.
