The conclusion of the AFL Trade Period has turned the industry's attention to the AFL Draft, which will take place from November 19.
While the big names such as Charlie Curnow have dominated headlines, many clubs improved their draft hand either by increasing the number of points they have to match a bid for tied talent, or advanced their place in the order.
Below is a club-by-club breakdown of how each club is positioned a month out from the AFL Draft.
Collingwood
Draft hand: 39, 45, 56, 61, 77, 95, 113 = 407 points
As it stands, Collingwood is right on the edge of having the points necessary to match a bid for Next Generation Academy key forward Zac McCarthy.
McCarthy is projected as a talent in the 25-40 region of the AFL Draft pool and the Pies are on the edge of being able to match a bid.
Mathematically, as it stands, they would only be able to match a bid at Pick 34 or later - but their picks will become higher once Academy and father-son picks are absorbed, so they should be able to make it work with their current assets. Live trading on draft night will enable them to get creative if need be, and as well as the above picks for this year's draft, the club has a first, second and two fourth-round picks in next year's draft, and a first, second, third and fourth round pick in 2027 it could use to increase its capital.
The club announced ahead of trade period it would not match a bid at the National Draft for Tom McGuane – son of premiership Pie Mick – while if a bid came for Jai Saxena it would be after Pick 54.
