There had been rumours of acrimony at the Whitten Oval for some time, but the news that Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen had requested a trade to Greater Western Sydney caught most by surprise.
Coming just a day after the less monumental but no less surprising plea from Geelong's Allen Christensen to be traded to Queensland, and weeks after the news that Essendon's Paddy Ryder wanted a move from the Bombers, one could be forgiven for a bit of trade shock fatigue.
Ron Barassi created waves when he moved to Carlton at the end of 1964.Credit: File
But football has a long history of trade stunners. Here is a selection of some of the biggest defections in VFL/AFL history.
Ron Barassi (Melbourne to Carlton)
Fifty years on, the Barassi defection is still arguably the most famous. In an era when star players were not prone to transferring clubs, the six-time Demon premiership player said he was leaving the club after an unprecedented offer from Carlton president George Harris to become captain-coach. The decision was made public in late December, 1964, only three months after Barassi had captained Melbourne to the premiership and won the club's best and fairest. The move was a success, with Barassi eventually transitioning out of playing and winning two premierships as Carlton coach.
Ian Stewart (St Kilda to Richmond)
Dual Brownlow medalist and Saints premiership hero Ian Stewart looked to be past his best when he was traded to Richmond before the 1971 season for fellow centreman and star Billy Barrot. While Barrot played just two games, Stewart was revitalised, winning his third Brownlow and a second premiership, this time wearing yellow and black in 1973.
Peter Moore (Collingwood to Melbourne)
The Magpies were this week celebrating the acquisition of Moore's son Darcy, but at the end of 1982, Moore - Collingwood captain and 1980 Brownlow medallist -walked out on the club - with which he had played in five grand finals - to join the lowly Demons. While Moore never played in a final at Melbourne, in 1984 he become just the second man after Ian Stewart to win a Brownlow with a second club.
Chris Judd (West Coast to Carlton)
With an already imposing list of decorations after just six years of his AFL career, Judd was perhaps the game's biggest star when, at the end of 2007, he decided to return to Victoria. After conducting his own tour to various suitors, including Melbourne and Collingwood, the Brownlow medallist, premiership captain and Norm Smith medallist chose struggling Carlton as his new home.
Brendan Fevola (Carlton to Brisbane Lions)
With Carlton at last brought to the end of its tether in relation to the spearhead's antics - his 2009 Brownlow Medal night escapades being the final straw - Fevola was snapped up by the Brisbane Lions a in a landscape-altering trade, which sent Lachie Henderson to the Blues. More dramatically, though, the move of Lions coach Michael Voss to offer up premiership teammate Daniel Bradshaw for trade led to the veteran walking on out his club of 14 years, joining Sydney. Fevola and the 2010 Lions started well but fell away badly, with the mercurial forward sacked the following summer for further misdemeanours.