Adelaide - B+
One of the big players of the 2017 trade period, Adelaide, conducted numerous deals and ultimately were left with a plateau of overall list talent. Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron are significant losses both short and long-term, however, with both players demanding trades interstate the Crow's hand was forced, yet managed to achieve favourable deals in doing so. Finally landing Bryce Gibbs was an outstanding addition to the club firmly in their premiership window, regardless of sacrificing top picks, as the gun midfielder will be invaluable in next year's final series.
Brisbane - B+
Finally got their man Charlie Cameron on the final day of the trade period, an important signing to a young club on the rise.
Did have to hand over pick 12 for Cameron, but will be thrilled to land a player who wants to call Brisbane home after the mass departures of young talent over recent seasons.
Also acquired Luke Hodge, who will add invaluable experience and education to the young Lions, setting examples on and off the field and getting the best out of the talent available up north. Josh Schache didn't want to be there, so gaining picks 25 and 40 was an OK deal, leaving the forward line in the capable hands of the ultra-talented Eric Hipwood.
Carlton - B
A busy wheeler and dealer at the trade table, Carlton bolstered their list with young talent and another first round draft selection.
The pain of losing club stalwart and midfield star Bryce Gibbs will be reduced by the incoming Matthew Kennedy and Darcy Lang from GWS and Geelong respectively.
Both players weren't receiving their desired opportunity at their respective clubs and will benefit from playing a more prominent role in a developing side. Go into the national draft with picks 3, 10 and 30.
Collingwood - C
The Pies had a quiet trade period, which if you believe the comments coming out of the club, was expected.
Acquiring Sam Murray could potentially add much-needed dare and rebound from half-back, an area Collingwood struggled with in 2017, but having spent his two years at the Swans playing in the NEAFL, his ability is largely unknown. Failed to address glaring deficiencies in their key position stocks, missing out on Jake Lever, however will go into the draft with pick six.
Essendon - A+
Big winners of the trade period, the Bombers injected pace, skill and game-breaking ability into their already exciting lineup.
Devon Smith and Jake Stringer ooze x-factor both running through the midfield and up forward, giving the Don's one of the most potent and versatile offensive units in the AFL. Adam Saad will join fellow speedy rebounding defenders Connor McKenna and Andrew McGrath to enhance the deadly slingshot football Essendon is capable of playing, and catapult them into the top 4 conversation for 2018.
Fremantle - A+
Fremantle had a spectacular trade period, landing a half-back jet in Nathan Wilson, crafty half-forward Brandon Matera and pick 2. Wilson is one of the most underrated players in the competition, and will be an excellent addition to the Dockers across half-back, with a cool head and elite skills providing them with solid rebound from the backline, not to mention finals experience. Gaining pick 2 from Lachie Weller was an unbelievable deal and should be a huge profit for the club, who now go into the draft with two top-five picks. Matera has the ability to be a handy goalsneak, creating a dangerous forward line alongside the likes of Walters, Bennell and Ballantyne.
Geelong - B+
The Cats brought home their favourite son, Gary Ablett Jr, in a move that will satisfy Geelong fans despite their inability to land targets such as Jake Stringer.
Ablett will immediately solidify the Cat's as a serious contender in season 2018, forming the most formidable trio in the AFL alongside Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield. The loss of Steven Motlop and Darcy Lang will impact their depth, yet have the chance to address such concerns with picks 22, 24 and 35.
Gold Coast - C+
The Suns lost an array of talent during the trade period, featuring the likes of Gary Ablett, Adam Saad and Brandon Matera. Lachie Weller is an impressive young player and one who wants to be at the club, yet pick 2 was certainly overpaying for the Queensland local. Aaron Young should be a handy addition to the forward line, whilst Harrison Wigg provides depth in their defensive stocks.
Greater Western Sydney - C+
The Giant's hand was forced for majority of the period, with Devon Smith, Nathan Wilson and Matthew Kennedy requesting trades from the club. The Giants did well to land Essendon's pick 11, whilst their returns for Kennedy and Wilson were less handsome. Unfortunate circumstances for a side firmly in their premiership window, losing crucial depth as well as genuine elite talent in all three players.
Hawthorn - B+
A largely inactive 2017 trade period for the Hawks, choosing to settle with their list for another season after being heavily involved during last year's trade period. Did manage to acquire Jarman Impey from the Power who will add pace and forward pressure to either side of the ground, and who at 22 years of age has plenty of good football left in him. Go to the draft without a high pick after trading it last year.
Melbourne - A
Landed the top young talent of the trade period, Jake Lever, who will bolster a young lineup on the rise and looking for a finals berth in 2018. Lever will be the Demon's centre-half
back for the next decade, an intercept marking machine who will instantly be one of their top players.
Traded Jack Watts for pick 31, a deal they had to take although they were looking for a higher pick, however with Watts unable to cement his position throughout 2017 it's seemingly not a significant loss. Sacrificed current and future first round picks for Lever, but are looking to push into contention immediately. Harley Balic could also eventuate into a steady contributor.
North Melbourne - C
The Kangaroos were inactive during the trade period after failing in their pursuits to land superstars Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly as free agents. Exchanged future 3rd round picks with the Power to boost their chances of landing potential father-sons in 2018. a savvy move in an otherwise uninspiring period. Head to the draft with pick 4 and 23 to top up their rebuilding list.
Port Adelaide - A
One of the more active clubs during the trade and free agency period, Port Adelaide topped up their list with mature talent, signalling an intent to challenge for the flag over the coming seasons. Tom Rockliff (signed as a free agent) adds elite contested ball winning ability as well as the versatility to play forward, while Motlop and Watts instil firepower into a forward line consisting of Charlie Dixon and Robbie Gray. Did lose some young talent however, most notably Impey and Ah Chee, clearly playing for the now. Ready for an assault at the top 4.
Richmond - C+
The premiers were the most inactive club at the trade table, not daring to tinker with a proven outfit, a wise decision based on the chemistry illustrated from the side all season long. Their only trade was an exchange of draft picks with Brisbane, ensuring the Tigers have the points required to draft potential father-son Patrick Naish, further revitalising their youthful premiership side.
St Kilda - C
After causing a stir on multiple occasions in 2017 with pitches for the likes of Josh Kelly and Adam Tomlinson, the Saints had an underwhelming trade period. Brought in young backman Logan Austin, but failed to add any ready-made talent to make a serious push for September action next season. Will head into the national draft armed with picks 7 and 8, a superb opportunity to top up on young talent.
Sydney - C+
The Swans had an extremely quiet trade period, with their only exchange being the final day transaction with Collingwood, sending rookie-listed Sam Murray to the Pies and moving up to the second round of next year's draft. It's commonly believed in draft circles that 2018 is a stacked draft brimming with talent, so the Swans have done well to move up the potential super draft whilst only losing an uncapped rookie.
West Coast - B
West Coast didn't cause too much fuss over the 2 weeks, with most of their activity being exchanges of various draft picks for the 2017 and 2018 national drafts. Brendon Ah Chee was a value pickup, moving back from the third to the fourth round of next year's draft to acquire the 23-year old. Ah Chee has the ability to win contested ball as well impacting the scoreboard and will likely rotate through midfield and half-forward for the Eagles.
Western Bulldogs - B+
The Dogs had an intriguing trade period, acquiring key position talent at either end of the ground, whilst losing the man dubbed 'The Package'. The Dogs hoped for a first round pick return for Stringer but eventually had to settle for picks 25 and 30, an underwhelming return for a player they hoped would be a 10-year gun.
Landing Josh Schache could go either way, the former number 2 pick has undoubted talent but concerns surrounding his competitiveness dissuaded clubs from having a serious tilt at him over the period. Jackson Trengove and Hayden Crozier address needs down at the Kennel, with Trengove's ability to lockdown key forwards potentially significant for the club.