In a surprise twist capping off the first week of the AFL trade period, Essendon and Melbourne are reportedly close to finalising a deal that would see the Bombers trade away their prized Pick 9.
As first reported by Tom Morris and Cal Twomey, the deal would secure Essendon a future first-round pick and selections 28 and 40 from Melbourne, along with potential minor pick adjustments. The Demons would then hold both Pick 5 and Pick 9, positioning themselves strongly for the upcoming draft.
Morris initially hinted at this development, suggesting that Essendon's Pick 9 - previously speculated as likely to head to Gold Coast - was now on the table for Melbourne in exchange for the Demons' future first-rounder and second-round pick.
“There could be more picks involved, but [this] is the basis for these discussions,” Morris shared on Twitter.
Just minutes later, Twomey confirmed the imminent agreement, adding that Essendon would also receive Pick 40 in the swap, giving the Bombers a stronger hand for the 2024 and 2025 drafts.
Essendon's motivation to trade down appears tied to concerns over a possible early bid for NGA prospect Isaac Kako, with the club keen to bolster its draft options without sacrificing future opportunities.
The Bombers' strategy, according to Twomey, would enable them to secure three first-round talents over the next two years—a significant boost for the club's ongoing rebuild.
Meanwhile, Melbourne's new draft assets signal an aggressive approach to secure top talent for 2024. Holding both Pick 5 and Pick 9 will give the Demons flexibility, allowing them to target elite young players or make a late play for a big fish.
As the trade period continues, clubs like Sydney, Western Bulldogs, and Collingwood remain in the mix, also eyeing Gold Coast's Pick 13. The Suns have made it clear they won't be using this selection, given their strong academy talent set for next year.