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Well trade week is done and dusted for another year and there were some surprises for the Tiger faithful.

Our first surprise, though not entirely unexpected with media speculation leading into trade week, was Richard Tambling being offered up for trade. In the first completed trade of trade week, Bling was traded to Adelaide for their (Nathan Bock to Gold Coast) compensation pick* and 2010 draft pick #50. Link: Richard Tambling looking for a fresh start

In a much bigger surprise late in the week, it was revealed that Carlton had told the Tigers they were interested in Andy Collins as a trade for the Blues’ Shaun Grigg (who had indicated early on that he wished to wear the Yellow and Black). In what appeared to be a very quick move, Collins (an outside midfielder/mid-sized forward) was traded to Carlton for Grigg (a tall, hard-running inside midfielder). Link: Carlton swap Shaun Grigg for Richmond’s Andrew Collins

In the 2010 season, Collins had shown some very promising signs and had endeared himself to Yellow and Black Army and yet, as Football Director Craig Cameron said of the trade “…you have to give up something decent to get something decent”. I will personally miss Andy, wish him all the best and hope that he is not too disappointed with being traded to Carlton. I would, though, like to welcome Shaun Grigg aboard – welcome to the best club in the AFL. Can’t wait to see you roar on-field.

Grigg, 22, went to Carlton with pick #19 in the 2006 draft and, though he managed only 8 games for the Blues late in season 2010, he played some very good football highlighted by a 29-disposal match against West Coast in Round 17. Grigg was overlooked by Carlton selectors in their elimination final against Sydney. He has played 43 career matches.

Collins, 21 (22 in November), was picked up by Richmond also in the 2006 draft at pick 73. Collins played 15 games for the Tigers in season 2010, highlighted by his miraculous comeback from being knocked unconscious against Sydney in Round 14. After his return to the field, he went on to kick 3 last quarter goals to seal the win. Collins has played 25 career matches.

Bachar Houli, who resigned from the Bombers at the commencement of trade week, publicly stating his desire to move to Tigerland was the subject of much trade talk yet, at the close of trade week, a deal could not be struck between the Tigers and the Dons. Of the inability to close a deal, Craig Cameron has said “I think the difficulty was that both Essendon and ourselves finished so close together on the ladder…So trying to do a deal, even something like swapping picks, didn’t really make much sense to either party”. The Tigers and Houli’s management will now sit down to work out how they can best get Bachar to Tigerland through either the Pre-Season Draft or the National Draft. Link: Bachar Houli set to join Tigers in draft

Brad Miller, delisted by the Demons at season’s end at the age of 27, has reportedly been thrown a lifeline by Richmond and the Tigers’ recruiters are looking to work out a deal with Miller and his management to secure the him for the 2011 season. Though no deal has yet been finalised, the signs are positive that Miller will be slotting into the team as a mature-age rookie. Link: Tigers Through Miller a Lifeline

A late rumour, circulated by none other than David Cloke, held that his son Travis would like to move from Collingwood and certain former Richmond player suggested that he might like to move to Richmond, though in the end (as I expect was the plan all along), a deal was struck with the Magpies and Travis remains in the Black and White. Link: Tiger Legends Call on Richmond to Lure Cloke

So at the end of trade week, despite losing two promising players, our prospects appear bright:

Draft Picks in-hand:
• * First-round Compensation Draft Pick (from Adelaide, given to them for Nathan Bock’s move to the Suns; available to be used between now and 2015; may not be used in the first-round in 2010 or 2011; certainly more useful in 2012 or as currency in trade week next year in my opinion)
• Picks number 6, 29, 46, 50, 63, 80, 97, 114 & 131 in the 2010 Draft

New players:
• Shaun Grigg (Carlton)

Players being courted:
• Brad Miller (Melbourne)
• Bachar Houli (Essendon)

Players Traded:
• Richard Tambling (to Adelaide)
• Andy Collins (to Carlton)

– Ian Kenner