With the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period currently underway, North Media takes a look at some of the most noteworthy trades since the inception of the National Draft.
2002:
In: Pick 2 (Daniel Wells), Pick 18 (Kris Shore)
Out: Wayne Carey
After the incredible success of the late 1990’s, North Melbourne found itself at a crossroads.
While the likes of Brady Rawlings, Drew Petrie and Daniel Harris were making their way through the ranks, those players who were integral to the 1996 and 1999 premierships were approaching the end of their careers.
After leaving the club for the 2002 season, former captain Wayne Carey was on the trade table, and Adelaide pounced on the four-time Syd Barker Medal winner, giving up picks four and 20 for the then 32-year-old forward.
Due to salary cap breaches from Carlton, those selections turned into pick 2 and pick 18.
In the lead-up to the draft there was perceived to be three clear stars amongst the crop of AFL hopefuls, with North poised to select one of Jared Brennan, Daniel Wells or Brendon Goddard.
It would be Wells who made his way to Arden Street, along with 18th selection Kris Shore, in return for Carey, with Wells becoming one of the greatest players of his generation.
He’d go on to play 243 games in the royal blue and white stripes, winning the 2011 and 2013 Syd Barker Medals and the 2004 Goal of the Year.
At his best, Wells was one of the most exciting and unpredictable players in the competition, with the ability to create something out of nothing and turn the momentum of a game single-handedly.
After 14 wonderful seasons at Arden Street, he joined Collingwood via free agency ahead of the 2018 season, while Shore was delisted after three seasons having never registered a senior game.
Carey, on the other hand, never quite hit the heights he did at Arden Street while at the Crows, kicking 56 goals in 28 games across two seasons before a neck injury forced his retirement at the end of 2004.
