McKernan signs with Saints, back-up talls in demand
The annual rucking merry-go-round looks set to accelerate as clubs positioned themselves to secure back-up talls during the trade period, with the Saints signing former Essendon ruck-forward Shaun McKernan as a delisted free agent on the final day of free agency.
McKernan, who has played 87 games since his debut in 2009, has joined the Saints to lend support in both the ruck and inside 50 as the club look to give key forward Max King and young ruckman Rowan Marshall the chance to develop properly.
The Bombers may also lose their back-up ruckman Andrew Phillips to Melbourne, with the Demons meeting the 29-year-old as they search for a potential back up to Max Gawn who could step in if the star ruckman was injured.
Shaun McKernan has signed with St Kilda. Credit:Getty Images
Phillips is yet to receive a contract offer from the Bombers, as they wait for certainty around list sizes and total player payments, and is open to another move after playing 46 games at the Giants, Carlton and Essendon since making his debut in 2012, with the Demons set to trade Braydon Preuss to the Giants.
He is not the only player who will potentially join a fourth club in this trade period, with the Swans discussing with the Eagles the possibility of Tom Hickey joining Sydney.
Sources from West Coast said they are more than happy to keep the contracted 29-year-old as back up to Nic Naitanui, however if the right deal can be struck between the two clubs they would be prepared to make the trade.
Hickey played three games for the Eagles in 2020 but the shortened game time made it less necessary for clubs to play two ruckmen. West Coast have rated him as a good performer since he joined the club at the end of 2018 and won't let him leave unless they are satisfied with what Sydney have on offer.
Essendon have also been discussing securing Peter Wright from the Gold Coast. Suns list manager Craig Cameron told AFL Trade Radio that talks with the Bombers were progressing well. Gold Coast are after future picks for Wright to use the points next year with academy graduates.
The future of contracted Collingwood wingman Tom Phillips remains of intrigue, with the Magpies open to trading him in the hope of gaining a future pick that could be used to secure next year's father-son prospect Nick Daicos.
His manager Alex McDonald from Hemisphere Management said last week that Phillips was best suited to the wing, with the Magpies' Josh Daicos now filling that position. The Hawks shape as a logical destination after they lost Isaac Smith to Geelong and Ricky Henderson retired.
The Brisbane Lions also traded pick 43 and their future fourth round selection to Melbourne for pick 53 and a future third round selection.
AFL trade 2020: Never miss a move
Jake Niall is a Walkley award-winning sports journalist and chief AFL writer for The Age.
Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.
Peter Ryan is a sports reporter with The Age covering AFL, horse racing and other sports.