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DEFENDER Sam Frost has been traded from Greater Western Sydney to Melbourne in exchange for selection No.23 in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft, with the Giants sending picks No.40 and No.53 back to the Demons.
The deal was confirmed with only 10 minutes remaining in this year's NAB AFL Trade Period, with Melbourne opting to trade for the 21-year-old rather than select him in the pre-season draft.
Frost, who stands 194cm, played 16 games for the Giants in 2014 and is seen as a replacement for departed free agent James Frawley in the key defensive posts.
He would have been all but guaranteed passage to the Demons through the pre-season draft if a trade couldn't be arranged between the two clubs at Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
Melbourne has also recruited Heritier Lumumba (Collingwood) and Jeff Garlett (Carlton) during this year's exchange period, and still holds prized selections No.2 and No.3 in the upcoming draft.
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney, however, said the club wasn't willing to risk not securing him.
"There was a bit of interest from St Kilda," Mahoney said as the Demons left Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
"We just think there's an advantage in bringing him in as a developing player, the extra month of training would have made a difference for him."
"As a result we've slid back 17 spots and got another pick … at the end of the day we've brought in players we need and kept picks No.2 and No.3."
Melbourne has also recruited Heritier Lumumba (Collingwood) and Jeff Garlett (Carlton) during this year's exchange period.
