BRENDON Goddard became a Bomber while Richmond wasted no time in getting down to business as the Gillette AFL Free Agency Period opened on Monday.
Essendon announced late Monday morning that it had offered a four-year deal to Goddard and it only took a few hours for St Kilda to confirm it would not be matching the offer.
Goddard, the No.1 pick at the 2002 NAB AFL National Draft, departs the Saints after 205 games in 10 seasons. He was awarded life membership of the Saints last month.
St Kilda head of football, Chris Pelchen said in a statement : "We made a significant offer to Brendon that was relative to both his position and other players within the team. While we are disappointed at his decision to leave the Saints, we are absolutely committed to our 'team first' philosophy in relation to player contracts."
Goddard won't be paraded in his new colours any time soon. He is currently overseas on leave, but Essendon coach James Hird will be fronting the media on Tuesday to explain a move that should massively helps the Bombers in 2013.
The Tigers had a great day. They bolstered their midfield stocks by securing Chris Knights from Adelaide and announced their bid for Port Adelaide key defender Troy Chaplin.
Knights was an unrestricted free agent and is already signed and sealed as a Tiger in 2013.
"I spent eight years with the Adelaide Football Club, which has been fantastic to me. Your career is a short one, and you just have to make the most of it, and Richmond gave me that opportunity, so I'm just delighted to be here," the 26-year-old told richmondfc.com.au.
If the Tigers can get Chaplin, 26, over the line, they will take a significantly improved backline into 2013.
It is a busy few days for Port. Joining Chaplin in accepting a bid from a rival club on Monday was midfielder Danyle Pearce, who has signed an offer sheet from Fremantle.
The Power are expected to name Hawthorn assistant Leon Cameron as their new coach, most likely on Tuesday, and the former Bulldog and Tiger half-back will have to make an instant decision on whether to match the bids for Chaplin and Pearce, who are both restricted free agents.
The Western Bulldogs are expected to keep the services of ruckman Will Minson with his manager Dan Richardson telling Gillette AFL Trade Radio that he was likely to remain at Whitten Oval.
"Will will more than likely stay," Richardson said. "At this stage he is uncontracted, but the main reason for that is he has been overseas. He is due back later this week. I just need to sit down with him and have a good discussion."
While Richardson said Minson will likely remain a Bulldog, another of his clients, Geelong's Shannon Byrnes, could be on his way to the Demons.
"It has been well documented that there has been some strong interest from Melbourne," he said.
"I would like to think Shannon, who still has a fair bit to offer as a player, will find a home there."
The first free agency period runs until October 19, while the Gillette AFL Trade Period starts next Monday and runs for nearly three weeks.
Click here for the Gillette AFL Trade Period hub
Click here for Trade Machine
You can follow AFL Media senior writer Ashley Browne on Twitter @afl_hashbrowne.
