The GIANTS have received two first-round picks from Essendon in exchange for midfielder Dylan Shiel.

The GIANTS received pick nine in the forthcoming 2018 NAB AFL Draft as well as Essendon’s first-round pick next year, to go with picks 11, 19, 25 and 52. 

The GIANTS sent next year’s future second-round pick (tied to the GIANTS’ 2019 finish) to the Bombers.

An inaugural GIANT, Shiel and the club considered all options available following the conclusion of the 2018 season and the GIANTS ultimately agreed to facilitating a trade to the Victorian club.

With the 25-year-old entering Free Agency at the end of next season, it was deemed a mutually beneficial decision for Shiel to move at this time. 

“While we’d clearly prefer to keep all of our players, circumstance dictates otherwise which is why we’ve worked through this trade and secured an outstanding outcome for the GIANTS,” GIANTS List Manager Jason McCartney said.

“We were clear from the outset on what would constitute a suitable trade and we are excited to take an extremely strong draft hand into both this year and next year’s drafts to continue to build a successful list for the long-term.

“We thank Dylan for his contribution to the club and the way he has helped to build the GIANTS since arriving as a 17-year-old.

“We wish Dylan and partner Georgie all the best in the future.”

The club now holds picks 9, 11, 19, 25, 52 and 89 in the upcoming AFL Draft as well as future first, second and fourth-round picks for 2019.