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.
9. 2022 - A premiership Demon heads west
The deal to send Luke Jackson to the Dockers was talked about for almost all of the 2022 season. The boy from WA seemed set to return home, it was just a matter of which side wanted him more. In the end, it was Fremantle that snagged him, but it didn't come cheap.
The Dockers gave up Picks 13, a 2023 first-rounder and a 2023 second-rounder. In return, they grabbed Luke Jackson, Pick 44 and Pick 67. Jackson has been a great pickup for the Dockers and was exactly what they needed. They already had a ruckman in Sean Darcy, however, the versatility of Jackson is what made him such a hot commodity.
For the Dees, having a strong draft hand could come in handy at the end of this season. With Harley Reid all but certain to go Pick 1, could the Demons possibly trade up for him along with some other assets? There's always a chance that could happen, but realistically, a strong draft hand could be used in a number of ways.
With the Dockers' 2022 first-round selection the Demons secured highly-rated forward Matt Jefferson, who looms as a key piece in their future planning.
It's just up to the Demons on who they want to pursue in their hunt for a flag with their early selection this year.
