In: Bryce Gibbs, pick 77, 2018 third-round pick (Carlton), 2018 first-round pick, 2018 fourth-round pick (Melbourne), pick 39 (Gold Coast), Sam Gibson (North Melbourne), pick 12 (Brisbane).
Out: Jake Lever, pick 35, 2018 third-round pick (Melbourne), Harrison Wigg, pick 54, 2018 fourth-round pick (Gold Coast), pick 10 (Carlton, on-traded from Melbourne), pick 16, 73, 2018 second-round pick (Carlton), pick 91 (North Melbourne), Charlie Cameron (Brisbane).
The trade period started for Adelaide with football’s worst kept secret going public, with Jake Lever requesting a trade to Melbourne. The Crows managed to receive a decent return for Lever by receiving Pick 10 and a 2018 first round pick among other later picks. Pick 10 was eventually on-traded to Carlton as a part of the Bryce Gibbs trade.
Interestingly, 12 months ago Adelaide refused to part way with two first round picks for Gibbs, citing that it would be ‘irresponsible’ to do so. The Blues also packaged up a future second round pick and a future third to sweeten the deal for the Crows.
Adelaide also took a punt on out of contract North Melbourne midfielder Sam Gibson. Gibson was set to be delisted by the Kangaroos after not being offered a contract before Adelaide offered him a lifeline. The Crows only had to part ways with Pick 91 for the midfielder.
Despite Adelaide’s hard line on refusing to trade contracted forward Charlie Cameron, they eventually accepted the Lions' offer of Pick 12 which was a good return for the livewire forward.
The Crows were one of the busiest clubs in the trade period. After losing two key players to the ‘go home’ factor, the Crows managed to bring in some quality talent on the last day of proceedings.
In: Charlie Cameron (Adelaide), pick 18 (Rockliff free agency compensation), Luke Hodge, pick 44 (Hawthorn), picks 40 (Western Bulldogs), picks 15, 52 (Richmond).
Out: Tom Rockliff (Port Adelaide), picks 43, 75 (Hawthorn), pick 12 (Adelaide), Josh Schache (Western Bulldogs), pick 20 (Richmond), pick 25 (Richmond, on-traded from Western Bulldogs).
While the Lions lost their former captain Tom Rockliff via free agency to Port Adelaide, they netted pick 18 via compensation.
Despite signing a two-year extension earlier in the year, Josh Schache requested a track back home to Victoria. Schache eventually landed at the Bulldogs in the final few minutes of the trade period for picks 25 and 40. The deal was underwhelming for Brisbane considering that just two years ago they drafted Schache with pick No.2.
The Lions did however, manage to bring in two recruits for 2018 in Luke Hodge and Charlie Cameron, which is a great achievement for the wooden spooners. Fresh off kicking five goals in a preliminary final, the Lions gave up pick 12 for Cameron.
Luke Hodge should also prove to be an important recruit as he transitions into coaching.
In: Picks 10, 73, 2018 second-round pick (Adelaide), Matthew Lobbe (Port Adelaide), pick 30, 2018 second-round pick (Western Bulldogs), Matt Kennedy (GWS), Darcy Lang, 2018 fourth-round pick (Geelong).
Out: Bryce Gibbs, pick 77, 2018 third-round pick (Adelaide), pick 95 (Port Adelaide), pick 16 (Western Bulldogs, on-trade from Adelaide), pick 40 (Western Bulldogs), pick 28 (GWS, on-traded from Western Bulldogs), pick 58, 2018 fourth-round pick (Geelong).
The Blues finally got their asking price for Bryce Gibbs, after 12 months ago refusing to trade the midfielder to the Crows, who at the time were not prepared to give up two first round picks. Picks 10, 16, 73 and a 2018 future second-round draft selection got the deal done this time around.
The Blues also continued their tradition of recruiting GWS players, bringing in GWS midfielder Matthew Kennedy in exchange for pick No.28, while they also nabbed former first round pick Darcy Lang from Geelong who will add some good midfield depth and could still prove to be an impressive talent in the future.
In: Sam Murray, pick 70, 2018 third-round pick (Sydney).
Out: 2018 second-round pick (Sydney).
The Pies made just the one move during the trade period, acquiring Sam Murray from the Swans. However, in doing so they have had to move down in the 2018 draft. Time will tell how this deal plays out, but for a player who is yet to play an AFL game, the price appears to be overs.
In: Devon Smith, 2018 second-round pick (GWS), Adam Saad (Gold Coast), Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs).
Out: Pick 11, 2018 third-round pick (GWS), 2018 second-round pick (Gold Coast), pick 30 (Western Bulldogs).
Essendon are arguably the biggest winners in this year’s trade period, having acquired three players entering the primes of their careers and all with plenty of upside.
The most notable of the recruits is former All-Australian and premiership player Jake Stringer. The Bombers managed to pay a low price for the star recruit in the end, giving up picks 25 and 30.
Adrian Dodoro had an admirable trade period, managing to pick up three players with high asking prices. Stringer, Smith and Saad will all add attack and flare to the Essendon side. The Bombers' trio of recruits should see them as an outside contender for the 2018 premiership.
In: Nathan Wilson, pick 71 (GWS), pick two, Brandon Matera (Gold Coast), picks 41, 82 (Western Bulldogs), pick 66 (Melbourne).
Out: Hayden Crozier, 2018 fourth-round pick (Western Bulldogs), Harley Balic (Melbourne), pick 57, 2018 second-round pick (GWS), Lachie Weller, pick 41, 2018 third-round pick (Gold Coast).
Fremantle pulled off the biggest steal of the draft by acquiring pick No.2 for Lachie Weller and pick 41. The asking price of pick two originally seemed ridiculous for Weller, but the Dockers did not budge and eventually Gold Coast obliged. The Dockers now have picks two and five going into next month’s draft, a huge coup for a rebuilding club.
In: Gary Ablett Jr, pick 24, 2018 fourth-round pick (Gold Coast), 2018 third-round pick (Richmond), pick 58, 2018 fourth-round pick (Carlton).
Out: Steven Motlop (Port Adelaide), pick 53 (Richmond), Darcy Lang, 2018 fourth-round pick (Carlton), pick 19 (originally received as compensation for Steven Motlop), 2018 second-round pick (Gold Coast).
It took until the final half hour of the period, but the Cats finally managed to bring their favourite son back home to the Cattery. Geelong acquired Gary Ablett, a second-round selection and a future fourth for pick 19 and a future second round pick. All in all, Stephen Wells did not pay overs for Ablett and was not forced to give up an established player, which the Suns had initially demanded.
The Cats did lose Steven Motlop via free agency and Darcy Lang via trade, but regardless the Cats will now field one of the league's great midfields in 2018 and are in a fantastic position to challenge for the premiership once again.
In: Lachie Weller, pick 41, 2018 third-round pick (Fremantle), 2018 second-round pick (Essendon), Harrison Wigg, pick 54 (Adelaide), 2018 first-round draft pick, pick 50 (West Coast), Aaron Young (Port Adelaide), pick 19, 2018 second-round pick (Geelong).
Out: Pick two, Brandon Matera (Fremantle), Adam Saad (Essendon), pick 39 (Adelaide), picks 21, 26 and 37, 2018 second-round pick (West Coast), 2018 fourth-round pick (Port Adelaide, on-trade from Adelaide), Gary Ablett Jr, pick 24, 2018 fourth-round pick (Geelong).
Gold Coast were heavily involved in the trade period, exchanging multiple players. The departure of Gary Ablett loomed large all year and the Suns managed to acquire a late first rounder for him.
Adam Saad chose to leave for the Bombers, netting the Suns a future second rounder.
However, the Suns appear to be sick and tired of acquiring draft picks only to have their players leave years later. In what was the biggest shock of the day, the Suns parted ways with pick No.2 for Lachie Weller, in a deal that left many in the AFL community gobsmacked.
In: Pick 11, 2018 third-round pick (Essendon), pick 57, 2018 second-round pick (Fremantle), pick 28 (Carlton).
Out: Devon Smith, pick 24, 2018 second-round pick (Essendon), Nathan Wilson (Fremantle), Matt Kennedy (Carlton).
This time every year there seems to be at least one Giants player who is looking to leave the club. Devon Smith and Nathan Wilson are two players who are in the best 22 for GWS, so these departures will put a small dint in their 2018 premiership chances. However, the Giants did receive pick 11 in the Smith deal and a future second in the Wilson deal, which is a decent return.
In: Jarman Impey, pick 67 (Port Adelaide), picks 43, 75 (Brisbane).
Out: Pick 33, 61, 2018 fourth-round pick (Port Adelaide), Luke Hodge, pick 44 (Brisbane).
Unlike recent years, the Hawks were fairly quiet this trade period. They managed to pick up Jarman Impey from Port Adelaide, who will add more important pace, while club legend Luke Hodge back flipped on his retirement plans, to join Brisbane.
In: Jake Lever, pick 35, 2018 third-round pick (Adelaide) pick 31 (Port Adelaide), Harley Balic (Fremantle).
Out: Pick 10, 2018 first-round pick, 2018 fourth-round pick (Adelaide), Jack Watts (Port Adelaide), pick 66 (Fremantle).
Melbourne's main order of business this trade period was acquiring star Adelaide defender, Jake Lever. Job done. Other than that, the Dees brought in young homesick Dockers' onballer, Harley Balic.
Meanwhile, fan favourite and former No.1 draft pick Jack Watts was offloaded with Dees coaching staff finally losing patience with the inconsistent forward.
In: Pick 91 (Adelaide), 2018 third-round pick (West Coast, on-traded by Port Adelaide), 2018 third-round pick (St Kilda, on-traded by Port Adelaide)
Out: Sam Gibson (Adelaide), pick 46, 2018 third-round pick (Port Adelaide).
After being highly involved in the attempted poaching of Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly, the Kangaroos were very quiet during in this year’s trade period.
North Melbourne decided to continue with their ruthless youth policy by axing Sam Gibson and Aaron Mullet. With the former getting picked up by the Crows in exchange for pick 91.
North also got involved in a relatively meaningless exchange of future third round picks with Port Adelaide. The Roos have a number of father-son prospects and academy players that they needed to acquire 2018 picks for.
In: Tom Rockliff (Brisbane), Steven Motlop (Geelong), Jack Watts (Melbourne), pick 33, 61, 2018 fourth-round pick (Hawthorn), 2018-fourth-round pick (Gold Coast), pick 95 (Carlton), pick 46, 2018 third-round pick (North Melbourne).
Out: Jackson Trengove (Western Bulldogs), Jarman Impey, pick 67 (Hawthorn), Brendon Ah Chee, 2018 fourth-round pick (West Coast), pick 31 (Melbourne), Aaron Young (Gold Coast), Logan Austin, 2018 fourth-round pick (St Kilda), Matthew Lobbe (Carlton).
Port Adelaide were one of the biggest winners in this year’s period. The Power landed three established players to help aid their premiership push.
Tom Rockliff and Steven Motlop made their way to the club via free agency while the out of favour Jack Watts was traded to the Power in exchange for a second-round pick. The Power’s most notable losses were Jarman Impey and Aaron Young, but the influx of talent definitely outweighs the departures.
After the Bulldogs and Tigers won unexpected premierships over the last few years, there is a sense among finals contenders that a premiership is well within reach. This is also true for Port Adelaide. They are in win-now mode and have acquired talent that can help them challenge for the flag in 2018.
In: Pick 53 (Geelong), picks 20, 25 (Brisbane).
Out: 2018 third-round pick (Geelong), picks 15, 52 (Brisbane).
The premiers were quiet in this year’s trade period, only exchanging draft picks with the Cats and Lions. Their move with Brisbane to swap picks 15 and 52 for pick 20 and 25 could prove a shrewd one.
In: Logan Austin, 2018 fourth-round pick (Port Adelaide).
Out: 2018 third-round pick (Port Adelaide).
The Saints acquired Port Adelaide defender Logan Austin for a relatively cheap price. Austin was contracted by the Power for 2018 but chose to leave for increased opportunities. Austin was only able to manage two games in 2017.
In: 2018 second-round pick (Collingwood).
Out: Sam Murray, pick 70, 2018 third-round pick (Collingwood).
Sydney managed to move up in the 2018 draft by offloading rookie defender Sam Murray. Talk about return on investment, Murray was drafted at pick 66 in the 2015 rookie draft and is yet to play an AFL game.
In: Brendon Ah Chee, 2018 fourth-round pick (Port Adelaide), picks 21, 26 and 37, 2018 second-round pick (Gold Coast).
Out: 2018 third-round pick (Port Adelaide), 2018 first-round pick, pick 50 (Gold Coast).
The Eagles were also fairly quiet this trade, only bringing Brendon Ah Chee from the Power and also involved in a swap of picks with the Suns.
In: Jackson Trengove (Port Adelaide), Hayden Crozier, 2018 fourth-round pick (Fremantle), pick 16 (Carlton), Josh Schache (Brisbane).
Out: Pick 40, 82 (Fremantle), Jake Stringer (Essendon), pick 28, 2018 second-round pick (Carlton) pick 30 (Carlton, on-trade from Essendon), pick 25 (Brisbane, on-trade from Essendon), pick 40 (Brisbane, on-trade from Carlton).
The Bulldogs made good on their promise to offload problematic star Jake Stringer after growing tired ofhis inconsistency and lack of discipline both on and off the field, while bringing in forwards Hayden Crozier and Josh Schache.
They also acquired Port's Jackson Trengove via free agency.