Collingwood's General Manager of List and Talent Strategy, Justin Leppitsch, has voiced his desire to see the trade period moved, allowing list bosses across the league to address deficiencies, or cover injuries, in real time.
"I'd prefer it to go somewhere into Round 5 or 6 into the season," he said.
"That's my personal view, because you see all the time, guys get injured throughout pre-season.
"You could potentially make changes; if a ruck goes down in March, you're sort of stuck until mid-season sometimes.
"It would be good to have a bit more flexibility once the ball is bounced to still make decisions."
Hypothetically, the early-season player movement may have dug clubs like Essendon and the Brisbane Lions out of early-season crises in the last two years. Both were decimated with long-term injuries to multiple players in the opening months of their respective campaigns this year. Brisbane endured something similar last season, too, making their back-to-back premierships all the more impressive.
The length of the period as it stands also drew Leppitsch's ire, with the triple-premiership-winning defender placing the AFL's dedicated player movement window in the context of sporting codes globally.
"It's obviously such a condensed period. Other sports around the world, this will go for months, and it's a much more drawn-out process.
"But you have to get it right, given it's such a small window."
More often than not, Collingwood, and Leppitsch have gotten it right.
Leppitsch has made waves in just 11 short months in the list management space, having served as Craig McRae's Head of Strategy and Defence from September 2021, before pivoting to his current role in November of last year, replacing long-time administrator, Derek Hine.
The signatures of free agent Harry Perryman, and Dan Houston, acquired via trade, are the feathers in his cap from his first official free agency and trade period last season, but ‘Leppa' was also heavily involved in the pursuits of Dan McStay, Bobby Hill and Lachie Schultz in the two years prior.
Criticism has been forthcoming regarding the list build at the Pies, given their age demographic, but Leppitsch has a proven track record in acquiring major players when the Pies desire them. The Victorian powerhouse promises to be a major player again this season, having already been linked to Clayton Oliver, after Melbourne officials told the three-time All-Australian he's no longer required at the club last week. Jack Buller, a young key forward currently plying his trade at the Sydney Swans, has also been linked to Collingwood this off-season, in what shapes as an acquisition that may fill the void left by the departing Brody Mihocek.
