THE TRADING CHRONICLES 2009: THE WEEK BEFORE

THE TRADING CHRONICLES 2009: THE WEEK BEFORE by The Oracle

THE EARLY BIRDS AND THE BROCKEN-HEARTED

The AFL official exchange period doesn't start until next week but this does not mean that the various clubs' football departments have been inactive. The truth is that for several months they have been putting in the hard yards in preparation for next week's football equivalent of the cattle market.

The activity in contracting existing players, contacting player managers and discussing potential trades always goes on well before the official business commences but this year we've had news that some deals are already done and dusted.

Writing in the Australian on 10 September, Greg Denham reported that "... disgruntled Tigers defender Andrew Raines will attempt to kick-start his career in Brisbane later this year."

He added:

"The first trade deal on October 5 will be between Richmond and Brisbane, which has agreed to exchange a third-round national draft selection for Raines, 23, who has not played for the Tigers since round nine. A spate of injuries and a lack of form has contributed to Raines playing just five games over the past two seasons, after he did not miss a senior game in 2006 and 2007."

A second deal was announced last week and this one was a little closer to home. The Melbourne Football Club announced the departure of midfielder and one time captaincy aspirant Brock McLean to Carlton in exchange for the Blues' first-round national draft selection (11).

The story came out in the midst of grand final week and it barely caused a ripple with the general football public more interested in the premiership aspirants and the antics of a drunken Brendan Fevola both during and after the Brownlow Medal presentation.

In another time the McLean news would have been a bombshell but most Demons supporters took it in their stride. McLean wanted to leave and Melbourne agreed to a trade without blinking an eye. That's what happens these days. The trading of players between clubs has now become business as usual.

But it was only a month ago that McLean made a significant contribution to Melbourne's Debt Demolition Fund. How could this have happened?

Well, it didn't really happen overnight. McLean's star has waned considerably since he almost single-handedly destroyed St. Kilda in an elimination final back in 2006. On the field, he struggled with fitness and form. The player who was never fleet of foot seems to have slowed appreciably, his marking is just so-so and the depth and penetration of his kicking seems to have deserted him as well.

Off the field McLean had his issues as well, starting with some well publicised booze-fuelled fights on a post season tour overseas and ending with his attendance at a gangland figure's funeral. In between, there were some issues with his vehicle and, though none would be considered as indictable offences on their own, they were slowly mounting up and were never going to help his cause in terms of the club captaincy. In an on line discussion among fans on the future of the club captaincy held a week before McLean's departure, he failed to gain a mention.

The lack of enthusiasm for McLean and the club's quick decision to loosen its ties with the still young midfielder would also be connected with the fact that Melbourne holds the first two draft picks at the forthcoming national draft and those selections are likely to be on ball types who are swift and skillful. On top of that, the club has some emerging midfield talent of quality taken with early picks in recent years and coming up through the ranks.

For McLean's sake it is to be hoped that without having the inevitable first tag and with a full pre season behind him, he can fulfil his early potential at Carlton.

The sad aspect of the AFL trades is that players who were once heroes to young kids who proudly wore the club jumper with the number 5 emblazoned on their backs move on without much notice. Brock McLean was a hero to many of us for six seasons and 94 matches and in a few month's time will be wearing a navy blue guernsey and earning our derision and scorn.

And in exchange for McLean who was taken at number 5 in 2003, the Demons have acquired selection 11 in November's national draft. Such is the nature of the trade period that there's no guarantee they hold onto that until Friday week when the AFL cattle market closes.

In between, it's going to be business as usual.

The Oracle's Trading Chronicles continue next Saturday and will right through the exchange period.