With Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning already in the door, Ryan will head to Moorabbin with Sam Flanders from the Gold Coast to make fresh starts in 2025.
The Saints handed a future second-round pick to the Eagles for 29-year-old Ryan, who was a famous part of the matchwinning play in West Coast’s 2018 premiership win.
Ryan’s signing comes after St Kilda’s Graeme Allan declared the club had cash to splash on more ins despite signing superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to the AFL’s first $2m a season deal.
But the Saints did cool on adding GWS defender Leek Aleer after talks stalled.
Aleer had been an early target, but St Kilda has opted to turn its attention elsewhere.
WEST COAST SKIPPER JUMPS SHIP
Oscar Allen has joined back-to-back premiers Brisbane from West Coast after the Eagles elected against matching the Lions’ offer to the restricted free agent.
As compensation for Allen’s exit, the Eagles have received first-round free agency compensation in the form of pick two in next month’s AFL draft.
It means the Eagles currently hold the top two draft selections.
Allen’s switch came soon after two-time premiership winner Brandon Starcevich parted ways with Brisbane to join the Eagles as part of a three-club trade also involving Fremantle.
The Lions received picks 16, 22, 44 and 50, while trading out restricted free agent Starcevich and picks 19, 46 and 52.
Key forward Allen said was “ecstatic about the opportunity to contribute to a really special group”.
“My partner Lorna and I are incredibly excited to join the Brisbane Lions, and it will be an exciting adventure for us moving forward,” he said.
“We’ve already received an amazing amount of support from the club, and we cannot wait to get to know the players and staff.”
Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio said Allen’s arrival in Brisbane was “exciting for the club”.
“We are very pleased to welcome Oscar to the Brisbane Lions and look forward to seeing him get back to his best in 2026,” Ambrogio said.
“Oscar is a talented player who we see bolstering our forward line, and as a former (Eagles) captain he adds further leadership experience.”
Ambrogio also said the club was “disappointed” to lose Starcevich.
“Brandon has been a fantastic contributor to the Brisbane Lions and played a key role in back-to-back premierships,” Ambrogio said.
“He has been a respected and admired figure at the club for the selfless role he played and for the type of person he is off the field.
“However, aside from the free agents we have targeted as acquisitions, our main aim in this trade period is to strengthen our draft hand and we feel this trade has accomplished that.”
Starcevich is returning home to Western Australia after making 132 appearances for the Lions across eight seasons.
“I am incredibly grateful the club gave me a chance to realise my dream as an 18-year-old,” said the 26-year-old defender, a member of Brisbane’s 2024 and 2025 grand-final winning teams.
“I am also very proud to have been part of our journey back to the top. I want to say thank you to all the Lions fans who have been incredibly supportive of myself and the group over the years.”
McVEE RETURNS HOME
Fremantle has got its man.
The Dockers have secured Judd McVee from Melbourne and sent pick 23 in return.
McVee had an offer tabled from the Demons for 18 months but opted to leave at the end of this season.
The Demons have essentially spun a rookie selection after taking McVee with pick 18 in the 2022 rookie draft into a top-25 national selection.
TRADE THAT COULD HELP SUNS LAND PETRACCA
St Kilda will land another recruit and potentially open the door for Christian Petracca to find his new club.
The Saints are set to welcome Gold Coast Sun Sam Flanders in return for its first round pick, which stands at pick 7.
Flanders, 24, showed his interest in a move this season and met with several clubs before electing Moorabbin as his preference.
The Saints have now lured Flanders, Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni and on Monday promised to have “plenty of money to splash” at further recruits.
“Joining St Kilda feels like the right move at the right time,” Flanders said.
“This group has shown it’s ready to take the next step and I’m eager to grow with them. I’m confident the Saints’ environment will bring out the best in me as both a player and a person.
“St Kilda fans are incredibly passionate and loyal. I want to be part of the group that brings them the ultimate reward and success.
“Gold Coast will always be important to me as the place where I started my AFL journey and grew so much, but I’m fired up for what’s ahead in the red, white and black.”
They are the preference of West Coast Eagles premiership forward Liam Ryan and promising GWS defender Leek Aleer.
Flanders, who ironically styled his game on Melbourne star Petracca, will give the Suns a draft hand that could help them land the Norm Smith medallist.
The Suns will hold picks 6, 7, 14 and 17 inside the top 20, with ambitions to land Petracca and top academy product Zeke Uwland.
Gold Coast also said goodbye to Malcolm Rosas Jr, receiving 51 and 69 in return for the small forward and pick 62.
NEW BLUE KICKS OFF TRADE PERIOD
The trade period is officially under way.
Fremantle ruckman Liam Reidy has returned home to Victoria, landing at his preferred club, Carlton.
The Blues have received Reidy as well as picks 53 and 71 from the Dockers, who in return got picks 53 and 68.
Reidy played just three games for Fremantle since he was taken as a mature-age player in 2023, stuck behind twin talls Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
He will provide needed relief at Princes Park after the Blues lost brilliant big man Tom De Koning to St Kilda via free agency.
“A true competitor, we see a lot of promise in Liam,” Carlton list manager Nick Austin said.
“His form in the WAFL in recent years has really caught our eye, with his athleticism and ability to cover the ground a standout. We see him being a significant addition to our ruck group alongside Marc Pittonet and Hudson O’Keeffe.
“We can’t wait to see Liam get to work in the pre-season and are excited to see what he can do at Ikon Park next year.”