With the 2017 AFL trade period heating up, westernbulldogs.com.au has taken a step back in time to dissect some of the best moves in Club history.
In the first of a two-part series, we look at significant trades from yesteryear - including key pillars from the 1999 trade & draft period.
1999 - IN: Nathan Eagleton OUT: Brett Montgomery + Pick 28
It was the perfect trade, a win-win for both clubs. For Port Adelaide, Montgomery won their best and fairest his first year, played 104 games for the Power and became a premiership player in 2004. While for the Bulldogs, Nathan Eagleton became an important cog in the side – providing dash and skill in his 221 games at the Club.
In an interesting turn of events, Brett Montgomery would finish his career at the Kennel after being delisted by the Power at the end of 2005. Montgomery kicked a career-best four goals in the Bulldogs’ 2006 Elimination Final win over Collingwood.
1999 - IN: Pick 37 (Mitch Hahn) + 66 (Ryan Hargrave) OUT: Leon Cameron
In what proved to be one of the Club’s most successful off-seasons in history, the Western Bulldogs traded Leon Cameron to the Tigers in exchange for pick 37 and 66. While Cameron, a best and fairest winner in 1993, would play 172 games at the Kennel, an investment in youth saw him depart for two selections in the 1999 draft.
Having already drafted Robert Murphy at pick 13 & Daniel Giansiracusa at pick 32, the Bulldogs would select Mitch Hahn at pick 37 and Ryan Hargraves – adding to a draft class that also saw the Club select Lindsay Gilbee and Patrick Bowden. Hahn and Hargrave would play a combined 384 games during a 12-year period.
Hargrave (left) and Hahn (right) played a combined 384 games for the Club. (Photo: AFL Media)
2007 – IN: Ben Hudson + Pick 43 (Easton Wood) OUT: Pick 30 + 38
Heading into the 2007 trade period in need of a ruckman, the Western Bulldogs landed their man when they brought in Ben Hudson from the Adelaide Crows. Labelled the ‘People’s Beard’ for his bushy facial hair, Hudson played 88 games in four seasons at the Kennel between 2008 and 2011 before being traded to Brisbane.
With Ben Hudson came pick 43, which the Bulldogs used to select then-running defender Easton Wood from Camperdown. Making his debut late in 2009, Wood would consolidate his spot in 2010, playing 11 games including the semi and preliminary final.
2009 – IN: Barry Hall OUT: Pick 47
After falling agonizingly short of a Grand Final birth in 2009, the Western Bulldogs identified a key forward as their missing link. Growing up a Bulldogs supporter, Hall always cherished the thought of one day pulling on the red, white and blue. In a swap with pick 47, Hall arrived at Whitten Oval, where he would finish his career.
Whilst Hall only made 39 appearances, he was quick to endear himself to the Bulldogs faithful. Booting 135 goals in just two years, Hall became the first player to kick over 100 goals at three different clubs and was named an All Australian in 2010. Retiring at the end of 2011, Hall stated he wanted to be remembered as a Bulldogs player.
Barry Hall arrived at Whitten Oval in exchange for pick 47 with the Sydney Swans. (Photo: AFL Media)
