MELBOURNE has secured ruckman Braydon Preuss in a trade that will see the departure of midfielder Dom Tyson to North Melbourne.
Agreeing to terms on Friday morning, Preuss will wear the red and blue until at least the end of 2021, while the Demons also receive pick No.62 of the NAB AFL Draft in the deal.
Standing at 206cm tall, Preuss is set to add more versatility to Melbourne’s list, able to play in both a ruck role and in the forward line, while also aiding All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn.
“Braydon is a mature body and he’s physically ready to play AFL football,” General Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney told Melbourne Media.
“He has chosen Melbourne so that he can play with, and learn, under Max (Gawn), and our ruck coach, Greg Stafford, which is a good sign of the program we have at the club.
“Max was very keen to get Braydon on board, for both of their benefits. Through competitive work at training, they both believe they are going to improve as players.
Gawn and Preuss went head-to-head in a match in 2017 in Hobart (Photo: Adam Trafford)
“We look forward to Braydon’s development.”
Tyson departs having played 94 games for Melbourne, making his debut for the red and blue in 2014.
The midfielder, who was initially drafted to Greater Western Sydney at pick No.3 in 2011, played 17 games in 2018.
Mahoney thanked Tyson for his valuable contribution to Melbourne.
“Dom has been a very important part of the building of our midfield over the past five seasons,” he said.
“It’s an area that we really had to bolster, and the growth and development of our young players in recent times has meant that he has had some limited opportunities playing as an inside midfielder.
“He sought these opportunities to play in his preferred role elsewhere, and we’re pleased that we can give Dom an opportunity to extend his career further.”
Tyson gets a handball away against the Eagles (Photo: Michael Willson)
Having played eight AFL matches in 2017, Preuss was a dominant contributor to North Melbourne’s VFL team throughout 2018.
Originally from Queensland, the 23-year-old was taken at pick No.15 in the 2015 rookie draft.
