IT'S OFFICIAL – Brendan Fevola is a Brisbane Lion.
The Fevola trade was completed just after 11am on Friday – the final day of trade week – with the Blues sending the spearhead to Brisbane along with their second-round pick (No.27 overall).
In return, Carlton gains promising youngster and Victorian Lachlan Henderson, along with pick No.12 in next month’s NAB AFL Draft.
Trading Fevola has enabled the Blues to get back into the first round of the draft after they earlier traded away pick 11 in exchange for former Demon Brock McLean.
But the Brisbane Lions and their remarkable trade week booty is the big story.
Just 24 hours earlier the Lions had offered Carlton Daniel Bradshaw and midfielder Michael Rischitelli in exchange for Fevola.
Rischitelli’s reluctance to move back to Victoria thwarted that deal, and it looked as though the Lions' option was off the table for the Blues.
But Henderson, the No.8 pick in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, saved the day.
Fevola’s move north now gives Lions coach Michael Voss a forward line the envy of any side in the competition.
He joins champion Jonathan Brown in attack, while Bradshaw – who also has experience in the backline – remains in Lions colours.
In 2009 the trio booted 232 goals in the home and away season, and filled three of the top-10 positions on the league goalkicking table.
Adding Fevola, a two-time Coleman Medallist, along with a host of recycled players, will give Voss confidence his team can push from the lower rungs of the top eight into the top four and be a legitimate premiership threat in 2010.
Carlton president Stephen Kernahan confirmed the decision to trade Fevola was made by the board after consultation with the football department and management and did not involve the players.
“Prior to the AFL exchange period we announced that we had made what was a difficult decision for everyone at Carlton, that we would be seeking to trade Brendan Fevola, and following discussions with Brendan during the last week he agreed he needed a change of environment for his future and his preference was to be traded rather than return to Carlton,” Kernahan said.
“This decision is based on what we believe is best for the Carlton Football Club, importantly the playing group or individual players were not involved in the decision, it was a matter for the club and not just an on-field issue."
Fevola has been at Carlton for 11 seasons after being recruited with selection 38 overall in the 1998 National Draft. He made his debut in round 17, 1999 and has played 187 games and kicked 575 goals.
“We wish Brendan all the best and we hope the move to Brisbane will provide him with the opportunity to continue his career in a new environment,” said Kernahan.
Carlton coach Brett Ratten said he was keen to meet Lachlan Henderson and discuss what he could offer to the club.
“We look forward to officially welcoming Lachlan to the Carlton Football Club," Ratten said.
"It is great to add a young key position player to our team for 2010. Lachlan was a top 10 draft selection just two years ago, his opportunities have been limited in Brisbane and we believe he will be an important power forward for Carlton for many years to come."
Fevola joins former Eagle Brent Staker, Swan Amon Buchanan, Saint Xavier Clarke and Tiger Andrew Raines as players who will call the Gabba home from next season.
Carlton can also be well pleased with its return from the deal.
Henderson, still just 19, is certain to one day fill a key post for the Blues.
The former Geelong Falcon played seven matches this season for a total of 15 since debuting in 2008.
He made one appearance in the opening nine rounds this season, before playing five games in a row from rounds 10 to 14.
Henderson missed three matches from rounds 17 to 19 with a foot injury. He returned for the final round of the home-and-away season, but did not play in the Lions finals campaign this year.
The 2009 AFL exchange period runs from October 5-9. No trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Friday, October 9
