PIES WIELD AXE

Treloar, Stephenson among trade casualties

NEW North Melbourne recruit Jaidyn Stephenson has detailed the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his shock trade, saying he was hurt and blindsided by the Magpies’ decision to punt him for a second-round draft pick.

In a dramatic finish to the AFL’s trade period, the Magpies traded midfield star Adam

Treloar against his wishes to Western Bulldogs and Stephenson and Atu Bosenavulagi to the Kangaroos’ as part of the Pies’ savage salary dump.

Treloar will join forces with Josh Dunkley in an all-star Western Bulldogs’ midfield next season after Dunkley’s move to Essendon fell over. Treloar was traded to the kennel along with picks No.26, No.33 and No.42 in exchange for the Dogs’ pick No.14 and a future second-round selection. Wingman Tom Phillips was also handed to Hawthorn for pick No. 65.

It was still unclear last night what portion of Treloar’s salary the Magpies would continue to pay.

But the Pies say the aggressive moves will put them in a strong position to attack the free agency market next year where Essendon’s Zach Merrett

and a key forward will be priority targets. The last-minute Treloar deal would have been a relief for the Magpies as it avoids the need to repair the broken relationship with the shattered onballer.

Treloar’s manager Tim Hazell said his client was disappointed “to get the tap on the shoulder”. Collingwood has been heavily criticised for the way it handled the messy affair, with former Carlton list chief Stephen Silvagni saying the decisions could haunt the club next season.

Stephenson said he only received clarity on his future when he phoned Buckley and was told to find a new home..

“I heard nothing from the club then I gave Bucks a call myself … and he just said, ‘Look for a trade as aggressively as you want’,” Stephenson said.

“That was the only time I really spoke to anyone in administration at Collingwood.

“He (Buckley) just said he doesn’t know if I allowed myself to open up to the group, which I don’t necessarily agree with. But I’ll definitely be endearing myself to my new teammates and coaches if that’s what he thought my problem was.”

Collingwood list chief Ned Guy said the Pies’ controversial moves was “not a fire sale”.

“We wanted to replenish the list,” Guy said.

“We think a couple of first round picks is pretty handy to get back into the draft.

“The salary cap issue is a bit of a beat up. We don’t think it is as bad as people have put out there.”

Stephenson, who received a five-year deal at North Melbourne on about $500,000 a season, said while he was excited about the next chapter at North, he was stung by the circumstances of his exit.

“To be told in a way you are not wanted, it does hurt,” he said.

Stephenson, 21, also said there were some things “he (Buckley) didn’t like as a footballer which is fair enough because I didn’t have a great year”.

Stephenson, small forward Bosenavulagi and pick No. 39 were traded to North Melbourne in return for pick No. 26, No. 33 and No. 70.

Silvagni said the Magpies needed to get on top of the matter quickly.

“If they don’t get off to a good start we are going to focus on this point and we are going to talk about their culture and we are going to talk about players being demoralised,” Silvagni said.