AFL trades: West Coast Eagles’ Tom Barrass joins Hawthorn in final 20 minutes of trade period

It was “long-winded” with “twists and turns” and left until the final minutes of the trade period, but West Coast and Hawthorn at last agreed to a deal for Tom Barrass.

A deal was agreed upon with less than 20 minutes to go in a tense end to this year’s trade period.

West Coast will receive a future first, future second and future third-round pick all attached to Hawthorn, in exchange for Barrass and a future fourth-round selection.

It means the Eagles are banking on Hawthorn - last season’s surprise risers - finishing lower than Carlton in 2025 after having the option between future selections attached to the two clubs.

“It was long-winded, and probably could have been done a bit easier,” Barrass’ agent Paul Connors said in the wake of the trade.

“West Coast get some really good picks next year.”

Barrass, 29, departs the Eagles after 150 games in 11 seasons, having been drafted with pick No.43 in 2013.

“Since Tom requested a trade our sole aim has been to receive adequate compensation for a contracted player of his quality and experience,” Eagles list boss Matt Clarke said.

“There were some twists and turns as with many negotiations but we are pleased to have secured three future draft picks from the Hawks to strengthen our draft hand for next year.

“We currently hold two first-round selections, two second-round and two third-round picks in the 2025 draft which gives us plenty of flexibility going forward.”

A John Worsfold medallist in 2022, Barrass was a key part of the Eagles’ backline that claimed the 2018 premiership and departs the club despite having three years still to run on a deal.

It comes after a tense negotiations between the two clubs, with the Eagles wanting two first-round picks for the star defender.

Barrass is believed to have joined the Hawks on a four-year deal with the option of a fifth, having been contracted until the end of 2027 at the Eagles.

Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie said the club was excited to welcome Barrass to the brown and gold.

“Tom is clearly a player of high talent and character who we know will play a key role in our defensive unit in 2025 and beyond,” McKenzie said.

“He has not only shown how well he can shut down dangerous opposition forwards but also how well he can intercept and set up crucial passages of play.”

“As one of the premier defenders in the league, we are excited to have Tom in the brown and gold in 2025.”

Hawthorn threw the negotiations into chaos when they traded out pick No.14 — which was set to be the focal point of the Barrass deal — to Carlton for a future first and future second round pick to Carlton.

The Barrass move triggered a frantic final 20 minutes of trading, with a host of players including Bailey Smith (Geelong), Jake Stringer (GWS), Matt Kennedy (Bulldogs), Luke Parker (North Melbourne) and Jack Macrae (St Kilda) all finding new homes.

James Peatling also got to Adelaide, while Caleb Daniel will be a Roo next year.

Earlier in the day, Fremantle staked their claim to be a genuine contender in 2025 by bringing in Richmond’s Shai Bolton.

The Dockers gave up picks 10, 11, 18 to get Bolton and Richmond’s pick 14 in the deal.