Another GIANT joins the club

On another action packed day in the AFL trade period, the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have again improved their position to bring the best young AFL talent to the club.

With four deals completed on Thursday, the GIANTS have managed to continue adding to their growing number of round one selections in this year’s NAB AFL Draft.

In a trade with the Adelaide Crows, the GIANTS secured pick number 10 in this year’s National Draft. As it stands the GIANTS now hold picks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14 of the first 15 selections, a first for any club.

The GIANTS also received the first round compensation pick the Crows were awarded for Phil Davis, in exchange for the second selection in the GWS GIANTS Incentive Trades, which will be used in the mini draft on Monday October 17 as well as previously nominated player Luke Brown (Norwood).

The GIANTS traded two previously nominated players, Terry Milera (Port Magpies) and Ahmed Saad (Northern Bullants), and pick 25 to St Kilda in exchange for pick 20 in the 2011 draft.

Fremantle received pick 20 from the GIANTS after giving up the end of first round compensation pick the Dockers were awarded for Rhys Palmer.

National Recruitment and List Manager, Stephen Silvagni said that the club was extremely pleased that the trades have delivered further round one draft picks to the GIANTS for both this year and years to come.

“We have a very clear list management strategy around creating sustained success,” he said. 

“We feel we have put ourselves in an exceptional position to work with the best talent coming through the system and importantly, secured the rights to early picks over the next three years.”

In a further bonus for the club, young Bulldogs midfielder Sam Reid has become the fifth uncontracted player to join the GIANTS.

The 22-year-old medium sized midfielder was a member of the AIS/AFL Academy and was noted as one of the All-Australian team’s most valuable players during the squad’s South African tour in 2007.

Reid was selected by the Bulldogs with pick 35 in the 2007 Draft and made his debut in 2008 against the Adelaide Crows.

Unfortunately due to injury setbacks Reid was unable to cement his position in the senior side, playing 10 games for the Bulldogs.

Silvagni said the inclusion of Reid to the young GIANTS list would add the required size and strength the club was looking for.

“Sam is just under 22 years old and he certainly has the potential to have a long career ahead of him. Unfortunately he has had some terrible luck when it comes to injury, which has slowed his career.

“He’s an inside midfielder who can play half back or half forward. He’s the type of player we need that is a little bit older than our new draftees and we believe he can bring with him a hardness and leadership that we need in our playing group.”

Reid now joins former teammate Callan Ward, who was one of the first uncontracted players to commit to the GIANTS in September this year.

Trade Snapshot

1. Trade One
GIANTS give: Trade Incentive Pick two to be used in the mini draft and Luke Brown (Norwood, previously nominated player)
GIANTS gain: Pick 10 in this year’s draft (Round 1), first round compensation pick (awarded to Crows in 2011 for Phil Davis)

Adelaide give: Pick 10 in this year’s draft (Round 1), first round compensation pick (awarded to Crows in 2011 for Phil Davis)
Adelaide gain: Trade Incentive Pick two to be used in the mini draft and Luke Brown (Norwood, previously nominated player)

2. Trade Two
GIANTS give: Terry Milera (Port Magpies, previously nominated player), Ahmed Saad (Northern Bullants, previously nominated player), Pick 25 (Round 1)
GIANTS gain: Pick 20 (Round 1)

St Kilda give: Pick 20 (Round 1)
St Kilda Gain: Terry Milera (Port Magpies, previously nominated player), Ahmed Saad (Northern Bullants, previously nominated player), Pick 25 (Round 1)

3. Trade Three
GIANTS give: Pick 20 (Round 1)
GIANTS gain: End of first round compensation pick (awarded to Fremantle in 2011 for Rhys Palmer compensation)

Fremantle give: End of first round compensation pick (awarded to Fremantle in 2011 for Rhys Palmer compensation)
Fremantle gain: Pick 20 (Round 1)

4. Sam Reid becomes the club’s fifth uncontracted player signing