- CARLTON
To the naked eye, The Blues had a very Carlton-esque trade period. They brought in some unheralded players from other clubs, mainly GWS again, shipped out a few of their better players and acquired some draft picks.
However, this was exactly the trade period that they needed.
Most importantly, they now have not only the number one pick in the draft, but two subsequent first round picks to help the team build a good bunker of young talent.
They also brought in young talents from other clubs, as well as some depth – important to any team.
Steven Silvagni did a fantastic job at Greater Western Sydney, and coming back to the club where he made his name, there was no way he was going to fail in this assignment.
So far, he has started off well.
- SYDNEY
Sydney were always going to have a hard time in the trade period given the restrictions placed on them by Eddie McGuire – sorry, the AFL. That considered they did a fantastic job with what they had to work with.
It was no secret the Swans desperately needed a ruckman in the trade period this year, and they managed to secure the young and talented Callum Sinclair for the departing Lewis Jetta.
They also secured medium defender Michael Talia from the Western Bulldogs, ideally, to replace the retiring Rhyce Shaw, and gained enough points to secure top rated academy prospect Callum Mills.
All in all, the Sydney Swans once again nailed the trade period.
- MELBOURNE
Another underrated trade period, the Demons did well to make some good acquisitions this off-season, and get good return for their departing players.
They brought in Ben Kennedy, Jake Melksham and Thomas Bugg, aged 21, 24 and 22 respectively, and they are all full of potential. They will all create competition for spots at Melbourne, something they have not had in a while.
They also brought in picks three and seven, meaning they will pick twice in the top 10 in a top-heavy draft.
In return, they only lost Jimmy Toumpas, pick 6 and the departing Jeremy Howe. Not bad considering what they brought in.
- ESSENDON
Considering what a wretched year Essendon had, it was good to see the club start to head in the right direction again this offseason.
They did fantastically well to hold out for pick five for talented key back Jack Carlisle, meaning they will now have five picks in the top 25. Excellent work for a club in their position.
They also brought in Matthew Leuenberger and Craig Bird, who will both come straight into the starting side and add depth, similar to Carlton and Melbourne’s additions.
Despite losing Carlisle, their backline still looks fine, and losing Jake Melksham and Jonathan Giles will not keep the club up at night.
They could well move even higher on the off-season ladder if they have a good draft.
- COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood fans would have thought they were in a two week long dream this trade period, managing to secure Adam Treloar, James Aish and Jeremy Howe.
All are fantastic additions considering the position of the club, and Magpie fans will have high hopes for the finals next year with the class they’ve added to their best 22.
On the surface, they look like they paid a heavy price for their off-season additions. Leaving the club are Nathan Freeman, Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman and pick seven.
However, considering the additions, giving up fringe players will hurt little.
Losing pick seven will string a bit more, but again, considering the quality of the additions, the seventh pick will soon be forgotten.
- GEELONG
Geelong only had one job this off-season, and that was to acquire Patrick Dangerfield by any means necessary.
They did so, and they get an A+ for that. But then they added Lachie Henderson. Then Scott Selwood. Then Zac Smith.
Only one year out of the eight and the Cats have already added enough quality all over the park to put themselves not only back into finals contention but also perhaps into premiership contention.
Their losses included Jarrad Jansen, Josh Walker, Dean Gore, pick nine, pick 28, next year's first round pick and of course Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Matthew Stokes who were all delisted, before Johnson found his way the to the Giants.
Some would suggest they threw away their future by losing several high draft picks, however, it's not a bad price to pay for the names they brought in.
