Deal: St Kilda receives Howard, Ryder, pick 10 and future fourth-round pick, while Port Adelaide receives pick 12, pick 18 and a future third-round pick.

What it means for St Kilda...

The deal sees St Kilda get a ready-made defender in 23-year-old Dougal 'Doogs' Howard after the former Murray Bushranger played 45 games for Port. At almost two metres in height, Howard will be a substantial addition to the relatively inexperienced, undersized Saints backline. He can also pinch-hit in the ruck and/or forward if required.

They also snared experienced ruckman Patrick 'Paddy' Ryder who joins his third AFL club after nine seasons at Essendon and four at Port. The 31-year-old Ryder has played 243 games and kicked 171 goals.

Pick 10 acquired by St Kilda is widely believed to be used as part of their attempt to recruit Brad Hill from Fremantle.

Ryder told AFL Trade Radio this morning that part of his reasons for joining St Kilda were to reacquaint with Saints ruck coach and former Power ruckman Brendon Lade, plus Ryder's former Essendon teammate Jake Carlisle.

He was also looking forward to assisting the development of young Rowan Marshall, whilst they both function as interchangeable ruck/key forwards.

Grade: B+

What it means for Port Adelaide...

Port was slammed by outspoken former player Kane Cornes on AFL Trade Radio earlier this week, in which he said the deal was "completely botched" by them.

With another three years remaining on his contract and burgeoning 'cult status' amongst fans, Howard was transferred to Port's forward line this year, where he appeared set to remain. It was this shift which Cornes believes pre-empted Howard's move to St Kilda, to instead play as a defender.

“Port Adelaide have been stitched up,” he said.

Howard's manager David Trotter stated, “When Jason Cripps and I sat down and did the four-year deal, 'Doogs' was playing as a key defender.” But he added, "there was a change in coaches, change in mentality."

Meanwhile, Ryder's departure leaves Port Adelaide with one recognised ruckman (former Eagles premiership player Scott Lycett) after young Billy Frampton defected to the Crows this week.

The usage of trade acquisitions 12 and 18 will be crucial to determine the value of this deal for Port.

With picks 10 and 12 effectively cancelling each other out, and a minimal elevation from the future fourth to third-round pick, it basically suggests Howard and Ryder were bundled for a late first-round draft pick.

Could they use picks 12 and 18 as bargaining chips in a multi-club deal involving other trades?

Or perhaps some big names are still in the mix (Hill? Zak Jones? Blake Acres? Joe Daniher? Crows duo Josh Jenkins and Alex Keath?).

Port could potentially become a last-minute, big game, backroom trade player.

It's a case of wait-and-see as to how they truly fare from this deal. They haven't exactly been up front and centre in trade negotiations yet.

Therefore, Port's 'trade grade' is based purely on the numbers.

Grade: B (+/- TBC)