Gold Coast's bold trade for Richmond's Daniel Rioli may come as a shock to most, given they handed over Picks 6 and 23.
But for a club that's ready to make the jump into premiership contention - after years of false promises - it was the right move.
The Suns are littered with academy talent and high-end draft picks throughout the entire list, with more expected to join over the next 14 months.
In the 2024 crop, Leo Lombard leads a trio of academy prospects, with Nelson Beikoff-Smart and Lachlan Gulbin also hoping to realise their childhood dreams in November's National Draft.
Dylan Patterson, Jai Murray and Zeke Uwland are set to follow in their footsteps in being promoted from the academy, with the latter an early tip for Pick 1 in 2025.
Pending all six players get selected, combined with the four (Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Jake Rogers and Will Graham) from last year, it would make 10 local-grown talents playing at the elite level.
But what that means for the Suns is the lack of need for high-end picks that these players would demand on draft night.
Instead, garnering enough draft capital to satisfy the bids placed by rival clubs is a part of the main objective.
Gold Coast's first selection in the 2024 National Draft comes at 39, which is followed by 41, 51, 60, 76, and 78, equating to 1,291 points, or roughly Pick 12.
Craig Cameron's shrewd list management also saw the club secure two future first-round selections (Port Adelaide and Collingwood) during the trade that saw John Noble head to the Queensland club.
Compelling from the expansion club that is desperate for finals, that has sat idly by, watching fellow younger brother GWS' consistent September appearances.
Coach Damien Hardwick is steadfast on the club's premiership aspirations and, given his history, is entrusted with hand-picking required players, hence the acquisition of Rioli and Noble.
Hardwick delivered and developed a game style at Richmond that dominated the competition for several years, of which rivals have made their own version of the organised chaos system in seasons gone to great effect.
Something the three-time premiership coach is seemingly prepared to do again.
But before the AFL changes its trade and draft rules that will see clubs pay a fairer price for academy and father-son prospects, the Suns are cashing in.
The 2025 model will render Picks 55 onwards useless in regards to draft points, stripping nearly 10,000 points from one year to the next.
And with crafty pick swaps and trades, they'll still get their future stars, guaranteeing their time ahead.
But not for the now.
Cameron and Gold Coast's willingness to pay overs for Rioli, targeting a specific need Hardwick has identified, is readying the club for a tilt at the 2025 flag.
With the future locked and loaded with a smattering of young stars, both already at Carrara and prepping to be, established talent, is the right play.
And albeit in a strong draft, two first-round picks for Rioli is a bold but necessary move.
Clubs need to be daring with their list management, doing it their own way as opposed to following the status quo.
Think Collingwood ahead of 2023. Richmond after 2018. Hawthorn during its three-peat.
All clubs had differing ideas of what a premiership team should look like, and were right.
They pushed all their chips in.
Now, it's Gold Coast's turn.
