Cameron McCarthy has been given the chance to restart his career at Fremantle, after the Dockers and Giants finalised a trade deal for him on Tuesday.
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Twelve months after rejecting his request to be traded, the Giants sent McCarthy home in return for pick 3 in this year's draft.
The Dockers also received pick 7, as well as selections in the second and fourth rounds (currently 34 and 72).
McCarthy, who quit the Giants during summer and sat out last season, has signed a three-year contract.
The trade could be hugely beneficial for GWS, given it should enable them to beat early bids for highly rated academy player Will Setterfield, using pick 3 to pluck a player from the general draft pool.
The Giants – with access to one of Hugh McCluggage, Andy McGrath, Ben Ainsworth, Will Brodie and Sam Petrevski-Seton or another top-rated player – will effectively be able to double dip.
While a bid for Setterfield may have come before pick 7, the Giants are far less likely to have to use the points attached to pick 3 to secure the versatile midfielder.
That would only happen in the unlikely event that Essendon and Brisbane – or another club, should the Bombers or Lions trade pick 1 or 2 – decide to place a bid for him.
The Lions and Gold Coast have had similar discussions about Brisbane swapping the No.2 pick for two picks in the top 10.
That would enable the Suns to also beat bids for a well-regarded prospect from their academy, Jack Bowes.
McCarthy was drafted to GWS as pick 14 three years ago and made strong progress in his second season, kicking 35 goals.
He was given permission to do some training with South Fremantle this year.
The Dockers are still pursuing a number of other West Australians: Bradley Hill, Joel Hamling and Shane Kersten.
Geelong forward Kersten nominated the Dockers as his preferred new home on Tuesday. Pick 34 may be flicked to the Cats for him.
Fremantle list manager Brad Lloyd was pleased to have the McCarthy deal done.
"We're really excited about getting Cam to Fremantle," Lloyd said.
"He's a talented young player who is a proven performer at AFL level.
"We are really looking forward to seeing Cam pull on a Fremantle jumper in 2017."
