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.

8. 2018 - Two Suns become Dees as young forward heads north

Even before draft night arrived in 2018, all the talk was around the two twins, Max and Ben King. The pair both played together from an early age and it was clear that they would both be high draft picks. With the intention of drafting at least one of them, the Suns bolstered their draft hand and traded away two players to Melbourne in return for Pick 6. With that pick, they gained Ben King.

King had a great first three seasons with the Suns, however, some criticism was thrown towards his goalkicking accuracy. Before the 2022 campaign, King, unfortunately, suffered the same injury as his brother - his right ACL. This kept King out for the entire year. Thankfully, he made his return to AFL footy in 2023 and is really starting to find his form. Contracted until the end of 2024, King has been linked to multiple Victorian clubs, with any departure only set to see the Suns gain a handful of early picks in return.

For the Demons, two defenders were signed after trading away Pick 6. Kade Kolodjashnij was brought in, however, after a series of concussion issues both from his time at the Suns and as a Demon, he was forced to retire in 2020 and the age of 25.

The key signing from the Demons was defender Steven May. May was the skipper of the Suns upon his departure and has been the Dees' best defender since moving over. In 2021 and 2022, May was a member of the All-Australian team, recognised for his defensive talents for his side.

In 2021, May was an integral piece in the Demons' first premiership win in 57 years. Despite having a hamstring injury, May played for the team and ensured a 74-point victory over the Western Bulldogs.