Now that the dust has settled, we have a proper chance to diagnose the 2017 AFL Trade Period.
Richmond’s 2017 additions Dion Presita, Josh Caddy and Toby Nankervis all played key parts in their premiership, highlighting the importance of recruiting well in the off-season.
The key to a successful off-season isn’t necessarily about assembling the most talented players, but those who fit your needs, profile and play to your strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes, it is the moves you don't make that pay off.
We detail and assess every club’s key 2017 AFL Trade Period changes and grade them on how they went. Note that there are a host of other future draft picks that were dealt during the trade period that have not been included below.
ADELAIDE
Added – Bryce Gibbs, Sam Gibson, picks 12, 39 and 77
Lost – Jake Lever, Charlie Cameron, Harrison Wigg, picks 10, 16, 35, 54, 73 and 91
Adelaide had their hand forced this trade period. The departures of Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron were always going to make them active and they netted good returns for both players.
Their quiet luring of Bryce Gibbs a year after they just missed out on him was kept under the radar. He provides the class they lack inside, complementing the grunt of Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers. Gibbs will be 28 years old when the 2018 season starts and you have to wonder if he is worth two first-round picks with only future second-rounders and beyond coming back. The Crows are clearly in a win-now mindset, but the outs trump the ins.
Grade: C-
BRISBANE
Added – Luke Hodge, Charlie Cameron, picks 15, 18, 40, 44 and 52
Lost – Tom Rockliff, Josh Schache, picks 12, 20, 25, 43 and 75
It was quality over quantity for Brisbane, making arguably the greatest addition of any side this off-season in multi-premiership winning skipper Luke Hodge. His best footy may be behind him, but the pedigree of success and leadership he will bring to a young, up and coming team is massive. It may not be reflected through wins and losses but will vastly add to the culture of the club.
Cameron is just 23 years old and adds great speed to their midfield. With already an array of young talent at their hands, the Lions added even more draft picks. Tom Rockliff needed a change in a win-win for both clubs, while the Josh Schache circus finally ended as the homesick forward was dealt to the Western Bulldogs. Gone are the days where this mob is the bottom dweller of the competition.
Grade: B
CARLTON
Added – Matthew Kennedy, Darcy Lang, Matthew Lobbe, Picks 10, 30 and 73
Lost – Bryce Gibbs, picks 16, 28, 40, 58, 77 and 95
The Blues made some of the smartest moves this trade period. They essentially flipped Gibbs and a bunch of late picks for two talented young players and picks 10 and 30, which means they have two top 10 picks in the upcoming draft.
Matthew Kennedy gives them a future midfield prospect where they are a little thin and Darcy Lang injects speed and ball carry. Although it came as a surprise, trading Gibbs makes a lot of sense for a young, rebuilding team that is discovering its identity.
Grade: B-
COLLINGWOOD
Added – Sam Murray and pick 70
Lost – Future second-round draft selection
After watching Lever walk to Melbourne, Collingwood were uncharacteristically one of the quieter teams during the 2017 trade period. The Pies are seemingly establishing what they have before making any more additions to an already crowded list, with a ton of fringe players.
They failed to sure up their ageing spine and it is strange that they were not keen on Schache, given their perennial need for another key forward. It is being widely speculated that the Pies are biding their time for next year, to try and poach Gold Coast captain Tom Lynch in 2018 free agency.
Grade: E-
ESSENDON
Added – Jake Stringer, Devon Smith, Adam Saad and pick 24
Lost – Pick 11, 25 and 30
Wantaways Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad got their wish and were traded to Essendon, a now destination club that is breathing new life. All three are 24 or younger, adding to an already impressive young core featuring Joe Daniher, Zac Merrett and Andrew McGrath.
The Bombers are set up for the present and the future, fans can dare to dream of what this group might accomplish and the leaps and bounds they will make in 2018. The only questions being asked, are which of the three key additions will make the most impact? Realistically, it could be any of the three.
Grade: A
FREMANTLE
Added – Nathan Wilson, Brandon Matera, picks 2, 40, 66, 71 and 82
Lost – Lachie Weller, Hayden Crozier, Harley Balic, pick 41 and 57
Just when you thought you had seen it all, Lachie Weller gets traded for the second overall pick in the draft. Never before has there been such a lop-sided trade, for a player who simply has not shown enough to warrant such a prized selection. Clearly the Suns were keen.
This provides the rebuilding Dockers with two top five picks in the upcoming draft, putting them in the box seat. Fremantle also acquired Nathan Wilson for pick 57 and a future second-rounder, which is another steal, while Brandon Matera is still just 25 years old and could resurrect his career in purple. The right moves are being made to restore relevance at Fremantle.
Grade: A-
GEELONG
Added – Gary Ablett, picks 24 and 58
Lost – Steven Motlop, Darcy Lang, picks 19 and 53
One of football’s greatest romances was completed as Gary Ablett got his wish and was traded back home to Geelong. The Cats fleeced the Suns by also gaining pick 24 in the process and only giving back pick 19. This is after Gold Coast was originally keen on obtaining Mitch Duncan, Darcy Lang or Steven Motlop in an Ablett trade.
This move gives Geelong an instant chance at contending for a premiership, with one of the greatest trios ever assembled in Ablett, Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield. Dangerfield will spend more time up forward, where he is deadly dangerous. The true success of Geelong’s off-season will largely depend on Ablett’s health in 2018.
Grade: B+
GOLD COAST
Added – Lachie Weller, Aaron Young, Harrison Wigg, picks 19, 41, 50 and 54
Lost – Gary Ablett, Adam Saad, Brandon Matera, picks 2, 21, 24, 26, 37 and 39
It is difficult to make any sense Gold Coast’s off-season changes. They surrendered one of the greatest players of all time in Ablett, a quality young gun in Saad and a second overall pick, and the best asset they got in return for such a haul was Weller. They also gave away a glut of picks to the Eagles for a future first-round selection, but as a result, have just one pick in the opening two rounds of the upcoming draft, which is number 19.
Perhaps they like their core, don’t see much in this year’s draft and are already looking ahead to the reportedly stacked 2018 draft? Regardless, these are not ideal circumstances for a team already deprived of talent, with a new coach, expected to finish on the bottom in 2018. It will only make it harder for them to retain the services of impending free agent Lynch, who they should be fighting tooth and hammer to re-sign.
Grade: F
GWS
Added – Pick 11, 28 and 57
Lost – Devon Smith, Nathan Wilson, Matthew Kennedy, picks 24 and 71
Players continue seeking trades away from GWS and the club has done a tremendous job of ensuring they receive adequate compensation. The Giants could have played hardball better this off-season and outside of these reimbursements, they did not do much to bolster their line up.
Their list is as good as any, but the Giants cannot hide from the fact that they heavily underperformed in 2017. You know what they say, if you are not going forwards, you are going backwards. At least they retained Josh Kelly’s services, for now at least. They will go into 2018 without veteran Shane Mumford too, who announced his retirement.
Grade: D-
HAWTHORN
Added – Jarman Impey, picks 43, 67 and 75
Lost – Luke Hodge, picks 33, 44 and 61
The Hawks are already suffering without their first-round pick this off-season, after giving it to St Kilda last year in a deal that secured them Jaeger O'Meara. Therefore, it is hard to assess if acquiring Jarman Impey was worth surrendering pick 33, given the Hawks will not select until the 43rd pick this coming draft.
Regardless, Impey is a nice young piece who showed flashes of brilliance at Port Adelaide. It may have been worth the Hawks trading away one of their veterans for extra draft picks, given they are going through a mini rebuild of sorts. Or maybe they have big plans for next year.
Grade: D
MELBOURNE
Added – Jake Lever, Harley Balic, picks 31 and 35
Lost – Jack Watts, picks 10 and 66
Although he came at a price, the Demons got their man in Lever, who is just 21 years old and will provide their team with great defensive prowess and flexibility moving forward. He forms an elite backline with the likes of Michael Hibberd, Neville Jetta and the McDonald brothers.
The Jack Watts departure was ugly, but ultimately represents a new era for the Demons under Simon Goodwin, which will not settle for mediocrity. Harley Balic was a steal for just a fourth-round pick.
Grade: B+
NORTH MELBOURNE
Added – Pick 91 and two future third-round draft selections
Lost – Sam Gibson and pick 46
There is not much to calculate here, as North Melbourne struck out with Dustin Martin and Kelly and clearly only have their eyes on a big fish. Questions were raised over Sam Gibson’s dismissal, but clearly the Kangaroos are pushing an all-out youth movement and he would only be occupying a younger player’s spot in the team.
North Melbourne have money in their salary cap to spend, but will wait until their list develops further to do so. They should have their eyes on 2018 and 2019 free agency.
Grade: E-
PORT ADELAIDE
Added – Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop, Jack Watts, picks 33, 46, 59, 61, 63 and 95
Lost – Jarman Impey, Jackson Trengove, Brendan Ah Chee, Aaron Young, Logan Austin, Matthew Lobbe, picks 31, 34 and 67
Boy did the Power get busy this off-season. They went in with a clear strategy to target proven senior players and came out looking much stronger through the additions of Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop and Jack Watts. This is a great example of a team that believes they’re on the cusp of success, using the trade period to their fullest advantage.
Port Adelaide also did a superb job of adding draft picks, ensuring they are well set up for the future. The Power could well be a genuine flag contender next year.
Grade: A
RICHMOND
Added – Picks 20, 25 and 53
Lost – Picks 15 and 52
The premiers could sit back and relax this trade period, knowing they have one of the deepest sides in the competition. The Tigers' unconventional forward line proved you don’t necessarily need two big blokes in attack to be a contender.
They made some crafty moves with Brisbane to ensure they sit well at the draft board, with three top 25 picks. They also re-signed Dustin Martin before he won a Brownlow, Premiership and Norm Smith Medal, so kudos for that.
Grade: D+
ST KILDA
Added – Logan Austin and pick 34
Lost – Picks 59 and 63
The Saints went hard after GWS defender Adam Tomlinson, but could not satisfy the Giants in a trade, so landed Logan Austin as a consolidation prize. They were also keen on Nat Fyfe, Martin and Kelly through parts of the season, but missed out an adding that midfield star power they crave, and frankly need. There is a feeling that this St Kilda side is still lacking something, before they can take that next step into the finals bracket.
Despite all of this, the Saints made some cunning moves last year and occupy two top ten picks in the draft, which has them well placed. They also landed a handy second rounder through a trade with the Power.
Grade: E-
SYDNEY
Added – Future second-round draft selection
Lost – Sam Murray and pick 70
Other than reports they were looking to off-load Kurt Tippett, Sydney were largely inactive this trade period. Watching highly respected assistant coach Stewart Dew take over the senior ranks at the Suns was the most significant thing to happen to the Swans this off-season
They refurbished their team effectively this year with a quality group of youngsters and still possess some of the most elite top-end players in the competition. As such, the Swans didn’t necessarily need to make any significant moves.
Grade: D-
WEST COAST
Added – Brendan Ah Chee, picks 21, 26 and 37
Lost – Pick 50 and a future first-round draft selection
Like a lot of teams, West Coast were quiet during the trade period and put more time into their list management. In a time of change, the Eagles will retool their list through the draft, with five top 40 selections.
A deadline trade landed them some handy 2017 draft picks from Gold Coast, although it did cost them their 2018 first-round pick. Given their likely drop off in 2018, that pick could fall in the top five, in what is already being dubbed a strong draft.
Grade: C-
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Added – Jackson Trengove, Josh Schache, Hayden Crozier and pick 16
Lost – Jake Stringer, picks 25, 28, 30, 40 and 82
The Dogs will be one of the great unknowns of 2018, their recruits all come with question marks. Shache figures to be an important piece for their future and is worth the punt, but has not shown much since his first season.
Despite his recent form woes, Stringer was the greatest asset involved in their exchanges. It is hard to identify a vision for the Bulldogs, are they rebuilding or contending?
Grade: C
