Relief and excitement.

These were the two emotions Aiden Bonar was feeling when his trade from GWS to North Melbourne was completed in the dying seconds of the 2019 AFL Trade Period.

“The trade didn’t happen until the last couple of minutes,” Bonar told SEN.

“I was sweating and looking at the AFL app on my phone, but once I saw the royal blue and white and orange, I knew it was going to happen.”

GWS received North’s future third round pick while North added Bonar and the Giant’s future fourth round pick.

“I was so happy the trade went through.

"I’m glad the Giants and the Kangaroos could get something done so I can come back to Melbourne and my home state.”

Though excited about the move to North, Bonar said he did have to briefly think about what would happen if the trade didn’t go through.

“As the trade period was happening, I knew it was either North or I would head back up to Sydney to the Giants,” he explained.

Bonar’s mindset was to put in the effort, regardless of the outcome.  

“I would have packed my bag and gone back up to the Giants and worked hard to crack into the side, but I’m happy that they worked it out.

“The back end of my season with the Giants I knew that opportunities were slim, but it wasn’t just that, I really felt that I needed to come back home to my family and friends and a good support base.

“So coming to North, and coming home is great.

"There’s opportunity at the Kangaroos to play at the higher level. I can’t wait.”

Within 24 hours of the trade, Bonar had already sorted out the move.

“I need to go back up to Sydney to get a couple things, but the club’s been great and I’ll be living with my best mate, Luke Davies-Uniacke.”

With only weeks until preseason begins, the excitement is growing.

“Coming into my third season of AFL I just really want to enjoy it and play at the highest level as much as I can.

“I’m really confident in my body and I’ve worked on good form.

“I’ve played every single game in the last two years and I think that I’ve played pretty well, so it should keep me in good stead and set me up for a good future with the Roos.”

A bittersweet transition, but one that Bonar is confident in. 

“I’ll definitely miss a lot of my mates up in Sydney but at the end of the day I just thought about my career and coming back to Melbourne.

"It will suit me better and I can’t wait to crack into it.”