MELBOURNE has continued its aggressive and encouraging off-season recruiting campaign, securing key forward and 2010 Collingwood premiership player Chris Dawes on Tuesday night.

The Demons landed Dawes and selection No.58 after exchanging picks No.20 and No.45 to the Magpies.

The deal is expected to be officially lodged with the AFL on Wednesday.

General manager of list management Tim Harrington said Melbourne was delighted to gain the services of Dawes.

“We see Chris as a long-term player for the Melbourne Football Club,” he said.

“He is a premiership player with plenty of finals experience and brings a much needed physical presence to our forward line.

“Chris fills a specific long term need for our club. At 24 years of age, he will grow with the rest of our group and will help build a potent forward line set-up for the Melbourne Football Club.”

Dawes played 71 matches, including 23 in 2012, for Collingwood and kicked 83 goals after making his AFL debut in 2008. He kicked a career best 30 goals in 2010.

Standing at 193cm and weighing 105kg, Dawes will form a potent forward line with another key tall, Mitch Clark, who was Melbourne’s boom recruit last year.

The acquisition of Dawes comes on top of several Melbourne additions in the free agency/trade period so far.

The Demons have also gained dual Geelong premiership player Shannon Byrnes, father/son young gun Jack Viney, outstanding 17-year-old forward prospect Jesse Hogan (he will be eligible to play in 2014) and Northern Territorian speedster Dominic Barry.

Melbourne is expected to remain an active player in the rest of the trade period, which concludes on October 26.