The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
The final day flurry of trades also included some deals that only involved draft picks without any players involved.
Here is AFL.com.au's understanding of why those deals went down, as clubs eye extra points for this year's draft and next year's intake with father-son and academy picks coming through.
The trade
- Port Adelaide receives third-round draft selection (No.46 at the time of trade) and a future third-round draft selection. North
- North Melbourne receives two separate on-traded future third-round draft selections (tied to West Coast and St Kilda).
Why?
The Kangaroos have some academy and father-son prospects coming through next year so the extra points will help them in 2018 more so than this season. Tarryn Thomas, a member of the Roos' Next Generation Academy zone in Tasmania, looms as an early selection, while Bailey Scott (son of Robert), Nick Blakey (son of John) and Joel Crocker (son of Darren) will also be eligible to land at Arden Street.
The trade
- The Brisbane Lions receive a first-round draft selection (No.15 at the time of trade) and third-round draft selection (No.52 at the time of trade).
- Richmond receives a second-round draft selection (No.20 at the time of trade) and on-traded second-round draft selection (No.25 at the time of trade).
Why?
This is likely to revolve around the prospects both clubs have available at this year's draft. By trading back their first pick, the Tigers now have No.17, 20 and 25 at their disposal – and a bid for father-son Patrick Naish seems likely to fall in that range. By moving up, the Lions could get their picks in before a bid comes for academy tall Connor Ballenden, meaning they can just use later selections to match that bid.
The trade
- Port Adelaide receives a fourth-round draft selection (No.59 at the time of trade), another fourth-round draft selection (No.63 at the time of trade) and a future second-round draft selection
- St Kilda receives on-traded second-round selection (No.34 at the time of trade) and future on-traded fourth-round draft selection (tied to Adelaide).
Why?
The Saints were keen to reposition themselves to go up in the order of this year's second round and be earlier with their selections at next month's NAB AFL Draft. The trade also meant the Power had more of a presence in this year's draft after pushing out some early selections as part of their busy period.
The trade
- Geelong receives a future third-round draft selection.
- Richmond receives a third-round draft selection (No.53 at the time of trade).
Why?
The father-sons have to come into the clubs' thinking in this deal. Richmond has Naish – a wiry but talented midfielder from the Northern Knights – coming through this season and he could attract a top-20 bid. The Cats have Oscar Brownless, the son of Billy, eligible to join as a father-son pick next year.
