THE FIRST deal of trade week has been struck with Greater Western Sydney agreeing to a deal with Richmond that will see West Adelaide defender Steven Morris in the yellow and black in 2012.
Morris, 22, is the son of former Richmond player Kevin and has nominated for the national draft in previous years.
Therefore, the Giants have been able to pre-list him as part of their list establishment rules, and have traded him to the Tigers - with their first round draft selection (No.15) - for Richmond's No.14 pick.
Morris, a former Western Jet, was granted permission to train with the Tigers in late August as a potential father-son recruit.
His father Kevin played 110 games for Richmond - and 71 games for Collingwood - between 1971 and 1981.
Had the Tigers taken him as a father-son selection, it would have cost them a second-round pick, given Port Adelaide was also keen on securing his services.
The midfielder joined West Adelaide in 2008, playing a running role off half-back in 2011, with his strong performances earning an invite to this weekend's state screening.
He averaged more than 18 touches a game in the SANFL this year, and was ranked in the top three in the competition for rebounds.
He was also named in the SANFL's team of the year.
"Steven's got a really strong, mature body. And, even though he's just 22, he's played senior footy for quite a while now at a good standard," Richmond’s general manager of football Craig Cameron told the club's website on Monday.
"He's tenacious and courageous and gives it everything he's got.
"Another plus with him is his versatility. He can also be used in the midfield, or as a defensive forward.
"We believe that he’ll blend in really well with our playing group and help boost our depth."
The official paperwork was lodged with the AFL on Monday afternoon, which confirmed the exchange as the first of the 2011 trade period.
No trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Monday, October 17.
Follow our complete coverage of the 2011 AFL exchange period from October 10-17. Join the AFL trade conversation on Twitter: use #tradeweek in your tweets
