Geelong's long search for a key forward has finally borne fruit, with the Cats clinching Brad Ottens from Richmond after protracted negotiations.

The Cats finally landed their big fish as AFL trade week ended with more of a whimper than a bang as a series of mooted trades fell over.

Deals to trade Lance Whitnall, Angelo Lekkas and others could not be negotiated, Joel Smith stayed with Hawthorn, while Essendon missed out on Ty Zantuck in farcical circumstances.

The go-home factor drove the majority of trades, with eight players returning to their original states.

But it was one man that did not want to go home that was the centre of attention as Ottens moved to Geelong in a bid to revive a promising career that had plateaued.

The Cats gave draft picks 12 and 16 to Richmond, having gained the former in a "hard, terrible" decision to send Brent Moloney to the Demons.

"It was getting a bit nervous toward the end of the week, so I'm happy it got over the line," Ottens said.

"The whole reason behind this was to enjoy my footy again, and I see Geelong as a place where I can enjoy my footy and enjoy my life as well down there.

"I was getting pretty frustrated (at Richmond), I wasn't enjoying my footy as much as I would have liked to for a lot of reasons.

"A lot of it was probably my own fault and a lot of other things as well - I just felt a change of atmosphere and a change of club would really benefit my footy."

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