Revealed: Compo for Greene as Cats snare the Giants’ greatest player in free agency coup

It’s official. The Giants’ captain and best player is out the door to Geelong.

GWS confirmed on Friday they would receive a second round draft pick as compensation for the 33-year-old, who is an unrestricted free agent.

“Toby has been an incredible part of this football club for 15 years and we’ll never lose sight of what he’s given to the Giants,” GWS list boss Jason McCartney said.

“While we’re disappointed that his journey with us has come to an end, we’re also incredibly proud of what he achieved and the role he played in helping build this club.

“An inaugural player at the club, Toby arrived at the Giants as a teenager and grew into a remarkable leader who not only performed at the highest level but just as importantly, he helped shape the club into what it is today.

“While again it’s difficult to see him go, we respect Toby’s decision to return home to Victoria and we thank him for the enormous contribution he made to the club.”

It seems Melbourne captain Max Gawn’s meeting with young Hawk Calsher Dear was not enough to prise him away from Dingley.

Dear will instead stay at Hawthorn, inking a two-year contract extension.

The 21-year-old had attracted interest from the Dees, Geelong and Collingwood, and Scoop in September reported during grand final week that Gawn had invited him to his classy wine bar, Motor, to discuss a potential move during trade period.

However, the Hawks confirmed on Friday morning that the son of 1991 Norm Smith medallist Paul Dear would stay in brown and gold.

The first free agency paperwork has dropped, with Carlton making Joel Amartey’s move from Sydney official. He is seen as an ideal replacement for Charlie Curnow, who departed for the Swans 12 months ago. The Swans are waiting to hear what compensation they will receive for Amartey, who is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Blues worth up to $750,000 a season according to industry insiders.

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the AFL free agency period.

Heavyweight deals involving restricted free agents Zak Butters and Ben King will dominate. Will Port and Gold Coast match offers from the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn, respectively, and force trades? Or will they accept the compensation on offer, which in Port’s case is pick five for Butters?

Monday is when the actual trade period starts, with all the clubs gathering at Marvel Stadium for negotiations that in some cases will keep bubbling along until deadline day, which is Wednesday, October 14.

Follow our live coverage each weekday during trade period, along with our daily trade editions of the Real Footy podcast.