Essendon has secured the second of its three trade targets after sending a future second-round pick to Gold Coast in exchange for half-back Adam Saad.
The Bombers can now turn their focus entirely to Jake Stringer and breaking a deadlock with the Western Bulldogs that threatens to drag on until the final day of the NAB AFL Trade Period.
Saad nominated the Bombers as his preferred club early in the Trade Period, with Gold Coast then attempting to work the speedy half-back into a deal for the Bombers' pick No.11.
Greater Western Sydney beat them to the punch for pick No.11, but a deal had since looked likely for a second-round pick, allowing Saad his wish of a return to Melbourne.
The Bombers held two second-round picks in next year's draft after acquiring a future pick from GWS in the Devon Smith trade.
Saad, who was also pursued by Carlton, was selected by the Suns with pick No.25 in the 2014 rookie draft.
The 23-year-old has played the majority of his 48 games at half-back where his pace became a weapon.
A hamstring injury restricted Saad to just 10 games in 2016.
