2001:
In: Mark Porter, Pick 14, Pick 30
Out: Corey McKernan, Pick 23, Pick 39

2003:
In: Corey McKernan
Out: Digby Morrell, David Teague

>> VISIT THE TRADE & DRAFT HUB

The trade of Corey McKernan in 2001 signified something of the end of an era for North Melbourne, with one of the players most integral to the premierships of the 1990’s being moved on.

Mark Porter came in for the star ruck, and acquitted himself well in North colours as he played 55 games for the club, with Ashley Watson (7 games) and Rod Crowe being selected with the picks that came to North as part of the trade.

McKernan thrived in his first season in navy blue, winning their best and fairest and leading goalkicker awards in 2002.

But after 41 games and 60 goals for Carlton, the versatile 197-centimetre big man came home, returning to North in exchange for Digby Morrell and David Teague.

Teague would go on to play 50 games for Carlton, with Morrell playing 32 games in navy blue.

Some trades mean more than the games played, goals kicked and accolades won by the players involved, and McKernan’s return fits that billing.

An absolute champion of Arden Street, it would have almost been unfair for the two-time premiership player to end his career anywhere else.

Arguably the greatest ruck in Kangaroos history, and certainly the best of his generation, he returned to the club he called home for so long on the eve of the 2004 campaign.

Playing 14 games in his final season, his glorious playing career ended in a far less auspicious fashion than it should have, with his final game resulting in a 113-point loss against the Lions.

With 14 disposals, 21 hitouts and a goal in that performance though, the 237-game veteran bowed out with a reminder to fans he was by no means a fading star.

He finished his career with 77 Brownlow Medal votes, two premierships, an AFLPA MVP and an All-Australian guernsey.