St Kilda have landed their primary target of the AFL trade window, signing Essendon's Jake Carlisle despite interest from premiers Hawthorn.
After protracted negotiations, the involvement of Sydney proved the circuit-breaker that allowed Carlisle, 24, to get his wish to move to the Saints.
The Bombers secured pick No. 5, a selection they had demanded in a straight swap for Carlisle, and also snared Swans midfielder Craig Bird, while St Kilda also landed Sydney's first-round pick (No.14) in the deal that involved an exchange of lower draft selections between the clubs.
"We're really pleased to bring Jake in while keeping a pick in the first round," St Kilda football chief Ameet Bains said from AFL House.
"I think everyone's a winner in this deal. There was bemusement at our end that everyone was so keen for us just to hand over pick No. 5 and get the deal done.
"We weren't averse to using that pick as part of this trade but we felt (a straight swap) for Carlisle wasn't the best deal for us ... we needed to get something else.
"Given there was an impasse with Essendon it did involve third parties. After talking to five or six third parties we were able to structure a deal with Sydney that everyone should be happy with.
"We were very confident that Jake only wanted to play with us."
Bains described the Hawks' late play to snatch Carlisle from under their noses as a genuine curveball that forced them to redouble their efforts to land the key tall.
Having secured Carlisle and Collingwood midfielder Nathan Freeman, Bains said the Saints' key tasks at this year's trade period were complete, with only some possible exchanges of minor draft picks to come on Thursday when the trade window closes.
WHO GETS WHAT IN THE CARLISLE TRADE
St Kilda:
In: Jake Carlisle, No.14
Out: No.5, No.24
Essendon:
In: Craig Bird, No.5, No.24
Out: Jake Carlisle, No.23, No.44
Sydney:
In: No.23 No.44
Out: Craig Bird, No.14.
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