Collingwood strengthened its hand in the 2012 national draft tonight when it agreed to trade Chris Dawes to Melbourne in exchange for a first round draft pick and a swap of later round selections.
 
Collingwood and Melbourne officials met this afternoon to settle on the deal, which will see the Demons hand over picks 20 and 45 for Dawes and selection 58. The agreement is expected to be ratified by the AFL on Wednesday.
 
Dawes played 71 matches for the Magpies in a career as a tall forward that reached its peak with his role in the side which won the 2010 premiership. Current Melbourne coach, Mark Neeld, was an assistant coach at Collingwood at the time.
 
The 24 year-old played 23 matches in 2012, kicked 16 goals and finished the campaign bravely taking his place in the preliminary final against Sydney at ANZ Stadium despite a painful knee injury. It was to be his last appearance in black and white.
 
"Chris can be proud of his contribution to Collingwood. He played some good football for the club, where he has been a popular figure, and shared in the 2010 premiership," Collingwood director of football, Geoff Walsh, said.
 
"In his time with us, Chris always gave what he had and for that we thank him. We wish him well."
 
By agreeing to trade Dawes, Collingwood concluded its third deal of the free agency/trade period.

Former West Coast forward Quinten Lynch joined the Magpies as an unrestricted free agent two weeks ago and in an unrelated trade former Collingwood mid-fielder Sharrod Wellingham joined the Eagles in exchange for a first round national draft selection, currently pick 17.
 
If, as expected, the in-principle agreement is approved by the AFL on Wednesday, the Magpies will hold picks 17, 18 and 20 in the first round of next month's national draft. Not since 2006, when defenders Ben Reid and Nathan Brown were selected with picks eight and 10, has Collingwood held such a position in the first round.