In: Matthew Leuenberger (Brisbane Lions), Craig Bird (Sydney Swans), picks 5, 24, 25, 57
Out: Jake Carlisle, Jake Melksham, Jonathan Giles, picks 23, 44 and 62
2015 draft picks: 4, 5, 24, 25, 57, 80, 98, 116
Nathan Schmook – AFL.com.au
Filled a need: With Tom Bellchambers missing the second half of the season with injury, the Bombers turned to back-up big man Shaun McKernan, who did a manful job against the odds. So landing restricted free agent Matthew Leuenberger for nothing was something of a coup. With fellow tall Joe Daniher, it gives the Dons options.
Still to find: The Bombers boast plenty of inside ball-winners but have an urgent need for speed. A Travis Colyer clone would be ideal. They're also on the lookout for another key-position player after the loss of Carlisle and Dustin Fletcher. - Ben Collins
Nathan Schmook’s verdict: One of the biggest winners of the trade period. The Bombers stood firm in their negotiations with St Kilda over Jake Carlisle and eventually got the pick No.5 they wanted. Pick No.25 represents great value for departing midfielder Jake Melksham, and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger comes in at no cost as a free agent. Used the Sydney Swans perfectly to break the Carlisle deadlock, helping the Swans gain more points for their academy players.
Rating: A
The Herald Sun:
Needed to hit the draft this year and picks No.4 and No.5 should bring in a gun midfielder and a key forward, to partner Joe Daniher. It was a nice result given St Kilda initially refused to part with its top choice in exchange for Jake Carlisle, but eventually handed it over. Craig Bird will take some of the heat off Jobe Watson in the centre square and picks No.24 and No.25 give Adrian Dodoro four early picks to help gear the side towards September action.
Rating: 2/3
Matt Murnane – The Age:
Another club forced to deal with players wanting out. They would not budge on St Kilda’s pick 5 and got what they wanted, bringing in Sydney to make it happen and bundling Bird into the deal. Give the controversy surrounding Carlisle, the Bombers might figure they dodged a bullet. They wound up with two cracks a t the best handful of kids in the draft, and in their desperate search for a ruckman, they landed Leuenberger.
