Bears junior Will Brodie has ended his time out west, departing from Fremantle to South Australian club Port Adelaide.
Seeking a fresh start with a lack of selection at the Dockers, Brodie will be reunited with the Power’s new head coach Josh Carr, who was a midfield coach at the Dockers in Brodie’s breakout 2022 campaign.
The 27-year-old played 24 games in that year, averaging 26.8 disposals and scoring 11 Brownlow votes for the season.
However, after playing only five games in 2024, Brodie was unable to break into the senior side in 2025.
Uniquely, Brodie was exchanged to the Power for Pick 103 in this year’s national draft, the first triple-figure pick traded since 2016.
Only 15 times prior have draft selections beyond 100 been used in an AFL deal since the trade period was introduced in 1988.
However, selections as late as the one Fremantle received often rise to as high as the 60s on draft night, with clubs regularly passing on its final picks, making the trade effectively one of a fourth-rounder.
Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps stated his faith in Brodie after the deal was finalised on Monday.
“As a big-bodied midfielder, Will is strong in the contest and will add important depth to our midfield group,” Cripps said.
“Will had his best AFL season in 2022 playing 24 games under Josh Carr as his midfield coach and had the ninth most clearances in the competition.
“We look forward to him making the most of his opportunity as a Port Adelaide player.”