The second last day of AFL trade period was one of action, with haggling and indecision finally replaced by concessions, bold calls and an unfathomable contract.
Greater Western Sydney, one day after declaring Tom Boyd would play for the club next season, relinquished their hold on last year's No.1 draft pick.
Boyd, who had a year to run on the mandatory two-year contract all draftees sign, was traded to the Western Bulldogs.
To make it happen, the Bulldogs handed over pick No.6 and captain Ryan Griffen, who last week asked to be traded to GWS.
The deal was one of six trades rubber stamped on Wednesday, with Collingwood star Dayne Beams joining brother Claye at Brisbane.
Boyd, a behemoth key forward who has played nine games, signed a seven-year contract worth close to $1 million a season.
The 19-year-old will next year earn the relatively bare-bones salary awarded to all draftees before receiving an immense pay rise in 2016.
The Bulldogs will also provide salary cap assistance in relation to Griffen's ongoing contract - an incredibly high price, but one the 'Dogs were happy to pay.
"To engineer a trade like this, out of circumstances that were far from ideal (Griffen walking out) ... is a magnificent outcome," chief executive Simon Garlick told AFL Trade Radio.
"There will be conjecture ... some people think we might have paid overs or given them a bit much.
"But we think it's a really strong, prudent and responsible decision."
Garlick did not comment on Boyd's wage.
Boyd requested a trade earlier this week following his Godfather offer.
GWS chief executive David Matthews was forthright in response on Monday and Tuesday, saying "Boyd will not be traded under any circumstances".
Matthews suggested on Wednesday there were a number of factors that led to the U-turn.
"First, the Bulldogs have made a revised and attractive offer," he said.
"Second, our coach Leon Cameron has consulted the leadership group and they have agreed they want a united and loyal playing group.
"Third ... we are proud to represent western Sydney and Canberra and it's critical that our players share that value. Clearly, Tom doesn't."
The Magpies received Lions midfielder Jack Crisp along with picks No.5 and 25 in exchange for 2012 best-and-fairest winner Beams and pick No.67.
Collingwood then signed North Melbourne midfielder Levi Greenwood by on-trading pick No.25.
A three-way deal involving Collingwood's Heritier Lumumba, Melbourne ruck-forward Mitch Clark and Geelong speedster Travis Varcoe was also completed at the same time.
Lumumba is now a Demon, while the Cats shipped Varcoe off to Collingwood.
"With Dayne and Heritier leaving, our objective was to make sure the team remained in a position to play finals in 2015 ... I think we have achieved that," Collingwood list manager Derek Hine said.
Clark, who retired in April due to depression, will attempt to reignite his AFL career at Geelong.
"There's no pressure on him," Geelong football manager Neil Balme said.
The Cats also recruited Rhys Stanley on Wednesday, swapping pick No.21 in exchange for St Kilda forward and pick No.60.
Carlton received pick No.19 and Giants Kristian Jaksch and Mark Whiley in exchange for pick No.7.
Disgruntled ruckman Paddy Ryder remains on Essendon's books as Thursday's 2pm (AEDT) deadline looms large.
Port Adelaide have offered picks No.17 and 37 for Ryder.
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