The 2023 AFL season was quite the rollercoaster. From the roaring successes for several sides to the drastic underachievement of others, it was been one to remember. It had been a long time since there's been a finals race so close towards the end of the season, and it proved to be one of the most entertaining in recent memory.
For clubs who missed the eight, looking towards the trade period and the draft was the next step. Similarly, those in the eight were already be on the lookout for ways to improve their lists and make the jump to premiership glory.
The trade period can be such an advantageous time of year for any club, however, most moves usually don't work out for both sides. It's common for a side to end up with something better than the other in trades - especially regarding picks - but have there been trades where both clubs come off as beneficiaries?
We put together a list of nine trades that worked out for all those involved.
2. 2015 - The Blues bag their best forward since 'Fev' for a superstar Bulldog
Carlton was going through serious struggles in the mid-2010s. After making a finals appearance in 2013 due to the Essendon drug scandal, everything seemed to be on the up for the club. However, that wasn't the case. The side was consistently in the bottom six, even 'winning' the award no club wants - the wooden spoon - in 2015 and 2018.
With all the top draft picks in the world, a trade for Pick 11 in 2015 was one to remember. The Blues gave up Picks 20, 21 and a future Round 4 draft selection to the Bulldogs. Carlton took Charlie Curnow with that earliest draft pick, and he has been one of the best forwards in recent memory, currently adding another stellar year to his rรฉsumรฉ in 2023. The forward has been selected for the All-Australian side once in 2022 and is expected to be selected once again in 2023. With a Coleman Medal in 2022 also and as of Round 22, sitting in the lead for a second one, Carlton has found a superstar.
It took a while for Curnow to find his groove after suffering plenty of injuries and setbacks early in his career. The key forward missed all of 2020 with a recurring knee injury and almost all of 2021, not making his return until Round 20 of that year. Since then, he has been a force to be reckoned with up forward for the Blues and a key reason why the club is finally reaching the success the fans have craved for so long.
On the other side of the deal, the Western Bulldogs managed to use their draft picks from Carlton and acquire star midfielder Josh Dunkley. Despite being the son of ex-Swan Andrew Dunkley, the club decided not to match via a father-son bid, sending Dunkley to the Dogs.
Dunkley was a part of the Bulldogs' 2016 premiership side and won a Charles Sutton Medal (Bulldogs best and fairest) in 2022.
At the end of the 2022 season, Dunkley requested a trade and was sent to the Brisbane Lions. Although leaving the Bulldogs, the club got plenty out of him - a flag doesn't come around often, especially at the Western Bulldogs - and his services have been greatly recognised by the club.
The Lions are loving having Dunkley at the club whilst Carlton is flying, however, Dunkley's time at the Dogs was special.
