The GC SUNS were quick off the mark, exchanging their number two selection in the 2012 National Draft to the GWS Giants for the first selection in the 2012 Mini Draft, a draft made up of the best 17 year olds in the country.
The club then had little hesitation in nominating prodigiously talented Western Australian teenager Jack Martin as their selection.
Martin, at 184cm who possessing a line-breaking run and damaging skills, is an excitement machine and will spend the 2013 season developing his body and craft in the GC SUNS NEAFL side.
He will replicate the same program that Jaegar O'Meara and David Swallow successfully undertook in 2010 and 2012.
With Martin safely in their keepings, the GC SUNS turned their attention to adding more experience to the 2013 playing list, and signed free agent Tom Murphy (Hawthorn), and traded for Fremantle's Greg Broughton.
Both players will significantly bolster the defensive unit. Murphy was desperately unlucky to miss selection in Hawthorn's Grand Final side in 2012, whilst Broughton was third in Fremantle's Best and Fairest in 2011.
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With Josh Caddy and Tom Hickey both indicating their desire to head to Victoria, the GC SUNS were accomodating in their requests, whilst at the same time ensuring they received adaquate compensation.
The GC SUNS traded Josh Caddy to Geelong in return for a first round compensation pick which can be used in either of the next two seasons, and Tom Hickey to St Kilda in return for pick 13 in the 2012 National Draft.
GC SUNS General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft said the GC SUNS had been able to deliver on its objective of adding both experience and future elite talent to its list.
This year’s exchange period has been extremely successful.
"The experience that Greg and Tom bring to our group will help on and off the field as we look to build on the momentum we generated in the second half of last season," said Ashcroft.
Jack Martin is an exciting prospect for the future, and we have the opportunity to add another elite player to our list with pick 13.
"Pleasingly we also still hold three first round compensation picks to be used in the coming years.”
INSJack Martin, 17 years of age, (Selection 1, 2012 Trade Incentive)
Tom Murphy, 26 years of age, (Hawthorn)
Greg Broughton, 26 years of age, (Fremantle)
Round One, Compensation Selection (tied to Geelong’s finishing position) to be used by 2014
2011 Compensation Selection End Round One (R Palmer) to be used by 2015.
Round Three Selection (currently number 59).
Round One Free Agency Compensation Selection (currently number 13) Round Two Selection (currently number 37) *later on-traded
Round Three Selection (currently number 57).
Round Three Selection (currently number 60)
OUTSJosh Caddy
Tom Hickey
Round One, Selection 2, 2012 NAB AFL Draft
2010 Compensation Selection End Round One (J Brennan).
Round Two Selection (currently number 26) and
On-Traded Round Two Selection (currently number 37).
Round Four Selection (currently number 69)
