TRADE CAS-KADE

Kolodjashnij joins Dees amidst deadline mayhem

IT was a frantic final day of the AFL trade period for a number of Tasmanians with a pair of former Launceston teammates finding new homes but a one- time Gold Coast priority pick left without a club.

Kade Kolodjashnij — whose career was in serious doubt earlier this year after repeated concussions left him unsure if he would return to the field — landed at Melbourne along with his current Suns captain Steve May.

The Demons handed over pick six for the duo.

It continued the mass exodus of Gold Coast players from the fledgling club, with Tom Lynch (Richmond), Jack Scrimshaw (Hawthorn) and Aaron Hall (North Melbourne) all departing.

The fifth pick in the 2013 draft, Kolodjashnij is believed to have signed a three-year deal with the Demons as he looks to reignite his career having finished runner-up in Gold Coast’s best and fairest in his second season.

Geelong’s Jackson Thur- low, who played alongside Kolodjashnij at Launceston before the pair were drafted, was traded to Sydney in exchange for pick 70.

Taken by the Cats with pick 16, Thurlow was earmarked to replace veteran Corey Enright as a rebounding defender and had solidified his position in the team following a breakout 2015 campaign.

However he missed the entire 2016 season after rupturing his ACL, and played just 17 games in the past two years.

The news was not as good for Mav Weller, who three years after being voted into the St Kilda leadership group, was cut by the Saints.

The former Gold Coast priority selection joined St Kilda via the rookie draft in 2013 after being delisted from the Suns, having played 32 games in four years.

He carved out an important role as a run-with player either in the middle or as a defensive forward but after managing just 13 games in an injury interrupted 2018, the 26-year-old was not offered a contract for next season. Weller confirmed his delisting via an Instagram post.

“My time playing at the Saints has come to [an] end. I really want to thank the football club for letting me play the game I love so much,” Weller posted.

“The relationships and experiences I’ve had at the club are ones I will never forget. Thank you to the players, who I also want to wish all the best for the next year and beyond.

“Thank you to Allan (sic) for the opportunity and guidance over the last five years.”

Weller kicked 55 goals in 89 games at St Kilda, and has played a total of 121.

The Burnie product finished his Instagram post with “hopefully more to come” indicating he is hopeful of continuing his career elsewhere.