Let’s look back at the Bulldogs’ trade period from five years ago...

Five years feels like a lifetime ago. 

But Bulldogs fans will remember this as one of the most significant in their team’s history.

Senior coach Brendan McCartney had resigned. 

Captain Ryan Griffen had requested a trade.

A new coach had yet to be appointed.

It was a time of significant change for the Bulldogs.

And in the trade period of 2014 and ensuing draft, the Bulldogs were bold and helped lay a foundation for the ultimate success just two years later. 

Enter Tom Boyd, who went on to play 52 games in red, white and blue.

After one year at the GWS Giants, the number one draft pick joined the Bulldogs – in exchange for Griffen and pick six.

Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney became a Bomber, in exchange for pick 37, and pick 46 made its way to the Kennel from Carlton for Liam Jones. 

Shaun Higgins joined North Melbourne as a free agent, with the Bulldogs collecting a second-round pick as compensation. Delisted Geelong defender Joel Hamling became a Bulldog, playing 23 games before moving on to Fremantle.

And never forget – Shane Biggs made his way to VU Whitten Oval too, where he played 57 games, with the Bulldogs and Swans swapping picks 37 and 39 as part of that deal.

Through trade and free agency, the Bulldogs welcomed three future premiership players – Biggs, Boyd and Hamling – plus pick 46, which became Caleb Daniel. 

Picks 26 and 62 – which the Bulldogs already held in the draft – also contributed to the ultimate AFL success in 2016, as the Bulldogs selected Toby McLean and father-son prospect Zaine Cordy.

2014 AFL Trades/Free Agency

  • Tom Boyd joined the Bulldogs from GWS Giants, in exchange for Ryan Griffen and pick six
  • Adam Cooney was traded to Essendon, for pick 37
  • Pick 37 was traded to Sydney, for Shane Biggs and pick 39
  • Liam Jones was traded to Carlton, for pick 46
  • Shaun Higgins joined North Melbourne as a restricted free agent, with the Bulldogs receiving pick 27 as compensation
  • Joel Hamling joined the Bulldogs as a delisted free agent, via Geelong