Essendon's dealings with Melbourne and St Kilda in last year's draft could see the club secure three top 10 selections in the 2025 intake.
The Bombers engaged in pick swaps with their Victorian rivals, which helped acquire enough points to secure NGA prospect Isaac Kako 12 months ago, whilst also safeguarding this year's draft planning.
The Tullamarine club sent its Pick 9 and a 2025 third-round selection for the Demons' Picks 28, 40, 46, 54, 64, as well as their 2025 first-round selection. That pick turned out to be Pick 6.
Amongst the furore in between the end of the trade period and the opening night of the 2024 draft, the Bombers, via trades with Brisbane and St Kilda, grabbed Kako, as well as Kayle Gerreyn (Pick 37), Angus Clarke (Pick 39), Rhys Unwin (Pick 61), and Zak Johnson (Pick 70).
But an important feature of these trades was landing St Kilda's 2025 second-round selection, which is currently Pick 30.
Essendon's wheelings and dealings over the past 12 months have seen the club hold Picks 5, 6, 21, 27 and 30, but they are not done with yet.
Bombers list manager Matt Rosa revealed on Gettable Draft Countdown that they are still looking to improve their hand, which has included targeting Carlton's Pick 9, as well as West Coast and Richmond's top-two selections.
"We've been trying to get up the order as much as we can. There's still a bit to play out in terms of where our picks will actually land, and then the exciting part of that is if you do get up (the order), you've got flexibility on the night as well," Rosa said.
"We'll remain open to all our picks and opportunities, but our intention has always been (to) ... get as high as possible and get as much access to the high-end talent as we can.
"West Coast are aware. Richmond are aware that we've been open to moving up."
The Bombers are in negotiations regarding using their last three selections (Picks 21, 27 and 30) to snare the Blues' top pick, while also hoping to receive a late selection to potentially field a bid for NGA prospect Adam Sweid.
But reflecting on the pick swaps from last year with Melbourne, which also was able to draft top prospect Xavier Lindsay, Rosa deemed the deal a "win-win".
"I think the Demons would walk away really happy as well, being able to select a quality player," Rosa said.
"There's no doubt it set us up really well for this year.
"Whether it was going to be Pick 6 or Pick 15, we still felt that was a really good deal for us. It gave us great flexibility in last year's draft as well. We were able to acquire enough points for Isaac, and then we had real faith in last year's crop that it was going to go deep, so we were also able to select some quality players later in the draft."
