The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have completed three trades on a massive final day in the AFL trade period.
At the end of day six, the GIANTS have secured three experienced premiership players, Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes and Luke Power along with a third round selection in this year’s draft (number 56 overall).
In a trade with Port Adelaide, the GIANTS secured two AFL veterans, Dean Brogan and Chad Cornes along with pick number 69.
The GIANTS will also welcome three-time premiership player and President of the AFL Player Association, Luke Power to the club after a trade with the Brisbane Lions.
Hawthorn received previously listed player, Jarrod Boumann (Box Hill) in exchange for pick number 56.
National recruitment and list Manager, Stephen Silvagni said that the trio of Cornes, Brogan and Power would offer invaluable experience to the GIANTS young playing list in the club’s inaugural year.
“We spoke to all three of these players when they retired this year.
“We have had a very clear list development strategy and adding experience to our side is an instrumental part of that. We’re very pleased that we’ve been able to do that today.
“Dean, Luke and Chad have five premiership medals between them and have played 693 games which is a fantastic achievement.”
In addition to playing for the GIANTS next year, Luke Power and Dean Brogan will also be involved with the club in a coaching capacity.
“Power will assist the football department as a forward line coach and Dean Brogan will be involved in ruck coaching.
“This set up will be similar to the playing coach role of James McDonald, which we announced earlier this year. It’s an opportunity for these guys to develop their off field skills while being leaders on the field.
“We believe it’s an innovative concept that demonstrates our commitment to doing things differently to develop a successful football club.”
Trade Snapshot
1. Trade One
GIANTS give: Pick 49
GIANTS gain: Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, Pick 69
Port Adelaide give: Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, Pick 69
Port Adelaide gain: Pick 49
2. Trade Two
GIANTS give: Jarrod Boumann (previously listed player)
GIANTS gain: Pick 56
Hawthorn give: Pick 56
Hawthorn Gain: Jarrod Boumann (previously listed player)
3. Trade Three
GIANTS give: Pick 69
GIANTS gain: Luke Power
Brisbane give: Luke Power
Brisbane gain: Pick 69
Dean Brogan
Dean Brogan is a 33-year-old ruckman from South Australia.
Dean was selected by Port Adelaide Football Club as a rookie from South Adelaide in the SANFL and was elevated to the club’s senior list in 2001. He made his AFL debut in Round 9, 2001 against Melbourne at AAMI Stadium.
After being a member of the Port Adelaide Premiership side in 2004, Dean became the first sportsman to win a premiership in both the AFL and NBL (he was a member of the 1998 Adelaide 36ers squad in the NBL).
In Round 6, 2009 Dean was awarded the Showdown Medal for the best player in the Adelaide v Port Adelaide derby as he continued to develop as a solid force in the ruck.
Dean was named a vice-captain of the Port Adelaide Football Club in 2010 and continued in this leadership position in 2011.
Chad Cornes
Chad Cornes is a 32-year-old AFL veteran who has played the majority of his football with the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Port Adelaide selected Chad with pick number nine and their first selection overall in the 1997 NAB AFL Draft. He made his AFL debut against Adelaide in Round 6, 1999 at AAMI Stadium.
Chad has shown enormous talent and versatility over his AFL career with dominant performances in the forward line, back line and midfield.
In his fourteen years with Port Adelaide, Chad has gathered a multitude of awards and impressive achievements including being a member of the 2004 Premiership side, coming third in the Brownlow Medal in 2004, being selected in the All-Australian side in 2004 and 2007, playing in the 2002 International Rules series and being nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award in Round 10, 2000.
Chad also came second in Port’s Best and Fairest Award in 2007, third in 2002, was awarded the club’s most improved player in 2002 and named their best finals player in 2005.
He was a Vice Captain at Port Adelaide from 2006 until 2008.
Luke Power
Luke Power is a 31-year-old, consistent, elite midfielder who played for the Brisbane Lions Football Club for thirteen years and helped the club to win three consecutive AFL premierships (2001, 2001, 2003). Luke is also the current president of the AFL Player’s Association.
Hailing from Balwyn in Victoria, Luke played his junior football at Balwyn and in the TAC Cup for the Oakleigh Chargers. Luke was a member of the Vic Metro side that won the 1997 Under 18 National Championships and was named in the All-Australian side for his age group in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
The Lions selected him with pick number five in the 1997 NAB AFL Draft.
Luke made a phenomenal AFL debut in Round 2, 1998 against Sydney at the SCG, racking up 19 possessions and 3 goals that earned him a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in his first match. He was nominated for the award again in 1999.
With 282 games and 226 goals under his belt, Luke has been one of the most celebrated and well-liked players in the AFL in recent years.
He has gained a multitude of awards including: All Australian selection in 2004, International Rules selection in 2000, Lions most improved player in 2000, Lions attitude barometer award in 2000, Lions best finals player in 2003 and 2009, Lions most effective tackles in 2003, Lions club champion runner up in 2003 and 2004, Lions team of the decade member in 2006, third in the Lions club championship in 2006, 2008 and 2010, Lions life member in 2007 and Lions members player of the year in 2008.
In 2011, Luke again demonstrated his unwavering consistency, playing 20 senior games and kicking 19 goals. He announced his retirement after the Lions Round 23 clash against the West Coast Eagles.
Off the field, Luke is a clear leader in the football community. After three years in the Lions leadership group as Co-Captain in 2007 and 2008 and Vice-Captain in 2009 and 2010, Luke was appointed as the thirteenth President of the AFL Players Association in 2010.
