Carlton swap Richmond Grigg for Collins
Carlton has secured the services of Andrew Collins from Richmond in the Blues' first trade move of the AFL's exchange period.
Collins, who joined Richmond via the 2006 national draft, was exchanged for Shaun Grigg who had requested a trade.
"We are delighted to welcome Andrew to the Carlton football club, he has already been to Visy Park to see the facilities and it is pleasing to have a young player who is looking forward to playing for the Carlton football club and being a part of our exciting future," said Steven Icke, Carlton's general manager of football operations.
Collins, who will turn 22 in November, played 15 games for Richmond in 2010 to take his AFL total to 25 after making his debut during 2009.
"There is a real Carlton connection as not only was Andrew recruited from Bendigo, the home of many Carlton greats, he is also the nephew of Peter Francis who played in Carlton's 1979 premiership team," Icke said.
"On behalf of the Carlton football club we thank Shaun Grigg for his contributions ... and wish him well in the future."
The arrival of Grigg in exchange for Collins is Richmond's second trade of the week.
Grigg, 22, is a tough, hard-running midfielder, who has played 43 league games since being recruited by the Blues, with selection 19 in the 2006 AFL national draft.
He played eight of the last nine games in an impressive finish to the 2010 season, before straining a hamstring, which forced him out of Carlton's elimination final against Sydney.
In five of those late-season appearances, Grigg gathered 20 possessions or more, with a career-high 29 touches against West Coast at Subiaco in Round 17.
"Shaun is the type of player we are looking to add to our list. He's got some experience, having been in the AFL system a few years, but is still young and will add to our midfield mix," said Craig Cameron, Richmond's general manager of football.
"We believe he will be a good fit for our side.
"He's got a bit of size for a midfielder, is hard at it, and has a really good engine, which will help us next year with the changes to the interchange system."
Cameron reiterated Richmond's philosophy during this trade period.
"It's been a priority for us to protect our selections in the upcoming draft, so we can recruit more young talent," he said.
"But if the opportunity came up to bring in some players who are in the right age and experience bracket, then we'd be interested.
"And, Shaun certainly falls into that category."
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