AFL Trade Week has come and gone for another season. After a week of wheeling and dealing, of haggling and negotiating, several clubs will be more than happy with the quality of return on their hard work. However, some clubs might not be as happy as others.

Questions still remain as to the future of players bandied around as possible trade targets, such as Andrew Walker & Bachar Houli, and also whether or not Collingwood will give premiership winning forward Travis Cloke the three year deal he so desperately is after.

Please enjoy FootyDraft.com’s take on AFL Trade Week 2010!

Adelaide

Gains: Richard Tambling, Sam Jacobs, 4^th Round pick (No. 61)

Losses: Jonathon Griffin, 2^nd Round pick (No. 33), 3^rd Round pick (No. 50), 4^th Round pick (No. 67), Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Nathan Bock

Summary: After a disappointing year by Adelaide’s lofty standards and the retirements of key players in McLeod, Edwards, Burton & Goodwin, the Crows were always going to be a player in Trade Week & the Draft this season. The trades of Tambling & Jacobs, whilst only losing Jonathon Griffin, will bolster their weakened side. Will look to take best available at 14.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 14, 61, 84, 101

Brisbane

Gains: Gold Coast pre-listed player Rohan Bewick , 1^st Round picks (No. 5 & No. 25 [from Collingwood]), 2^nd Round pick (No. 27), Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Jarrod Harbrow

Losses: Jared Brennan,  1^st Round pick (No. 10), 3^rd Round pick (No. 48), Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Jared Brennan, Justin Sherman

Summary: Whilst the losses of Jared Brennan, Justin Sherman & Michael Rischitelli (after the Suns listed him as an uncontracted signing from the Lions) will hurt Brisbane initially, the Lions have a lot to look forward to. Upgrading from entering the draft at pick 10 to now pick 5 will help Brisbane bring in a quality midfielder to ease the burden off the impressive Daniel Rich and warhorses in Luke Power and Simon Black.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 5, 25, 27, 31, 65, 82, 99

Carlton

Gains: Andrew Collins, Jeremey Laidler, 2^nd Round pick (No. 33), 2^nd Round pick (No. 41), 4^th Round pick (No. 67)

Losses: Shaun Grigg, Sam Jacobs, 2^nd Round pick (No. 36), 3^rd Round pick (No. 53)

Summary: Carlton’s weak point this season? Their defence. Michael Jamison & Paul Bower battled hard down back last season but were provided little help. Trading for fringe defender Jeremey Laidler from the Cats could turn out to be a master stroke. The young, former rookie-listed Cat has the attributes to make a difference for the Blues. Questions still surround Andrew Walker’s future after failing to work a trade out of the club.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 18, 33, 41, 67, 70, 87, 104

Collingwood

Gains: Chris Tarrant, Gold Coast Pre-listed player Andrew Krakouer, Gold Coast Pre-listed player John Ceglar, 3^rd Round pick (No. 44 [from Adelaide]), 3^rd Round pick (No. 45), 3^rd Round pick (No. 55), 5^th Round pick (No. 78), 6^th Round pick (No. 95)

Losses: 1^st Round pick (No. 25), 2^nd Round pick (No. 43), 3^rd Round pick (No. 55 [from Gold Coast]), Gold Coast 3^rd Round compensation pick for Josh Fraser

Summary: Not content with winning the premiership in 2010, Collingwood added seasoned ex-Richmond midfielder-cum-goal sneak Andrew Krakouer through the Gold Coast’s pre-listing rules. Entering the draft at selection number 44, the Pies have enough young talent to start proceedings later than other clubs. The return of Chris Tarrant from Fremantle surely spells the end for Simon Prestigiacomo. Surely is now a priority to sign Travis Cloke or risk losing him to the Draft.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 44, 45, 60, 77, 78, 94, 95, 111

Essendon

Gains: NIL

Losses: NIL

Summary: Before the appointment of James Hird, no less than 7 Bombers were questioning their futures at Windy Hill. 6 of them re-signed. Bachar Houli still wanted out and his suitors could not work out a trade that appealed to his club. Will he remain at Windy Hill and mend broken relationships, or will he chance the draft system?

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 8, 30, 47, 64, 81, 98

Fremantle

Gains: Jonathon Griffin, Gold Coast Pre-listed player Peter Faulks, 4^th Round pick (No. 61), Gold Coast pre-listed player Tendai Mzungu, 2^nd Round pick (No. 44), 1^st Round pick (No. 25), 2^nd Round pick (No. 43), 3^rd Round pick (No. 55 [from Gold Coast])

Losses: Chris Tarrant, 2^nd Round pick (No. 38), 3^rd Round pick (No. 44 [from Adelaide]), 3^rd Round pick (No. 55), 4^th Round pick (No. 61)

Summary: Fremantle fans will breathe a sigh of relief. For years, the club has been on weaker side of one-sided trades, but not this season. Taking advantage of the Gold Coast’s ability to sign 10 pre-listed players, the Dockers signed ruckman Peter Faulks and 24-year old Perth half back Tendai Mzungu.  Make no mistake, the Dockers officials believe they are on the cusp of greatness.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 20, 43, 55, 72, 89, 106

Geelong

Gains: 1^st Round pick (No. 15), 2^nd Round pick (No. 36), 3^rd Round pick (No. 53), 3^rd Round pick (No. 57)

Losses: Nathan Djerrkura, Jeremey Laidler, 2^nd Round pick (No. 41), Gold Coast middle-first-round compensation pick for Gary Ablett Jr

Summary: The loss of a champion footballer such as Gary Ablett can never be truly healed. And the amount of salary cap that was committed to Ablett made it difficult for Geelong to adequately plan ahead for trade week until Ablett’s future was sorted out. However, with what little time they had, the Cats were able to find homes for fringe players Nathan Djerrkura & Jeremey Laidler, as they have done for fringe players such as Jason Davenport, Brent Prismall & Charlie Gardiner in the past. This is a key draft for the club from Sleepy Hollow.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 15, 23, 36, 53, 58, 75, 92, 109

Gold Coast

Gains: 1^st Round pick (No. 10),  1^st Round pick (No. 25), Jared Brennan, 2^nd Round pick (No. 35), 2^nd Round pick (No. 38), 3^rd Round pick (No. 48), 3^rd Round pick (No. 55), Gold Coast middle-first-round pick for Gary Ablett Jr, Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Jared Brennan, Gold Coast Second round compensation pick for Nathan Krakouer,

Losses: Gold Coast Pre-listed player Andrew Krakouer, Gold Coast pre-listed player Tendai Mzungu, Gold Coast pre-listed player Rohan Bewick, Gold Coast pre-listed player Cameron Richardson, Gold Coast pre-listed player Simon Phillips, Gold Coast Pre-listed player Peter Faulks, Gold Coast Pre-listed player John Ceglar, 1^st Round picks (No. 5 & No. 25 [from Collingwood]) 1^st Round pick (No. 15), 2^nd Round pick (No. 27), 2^nd Round pick (No. 35), 2^nd Round pick (No. 44), 3^rd Round pick (No. 55), 4^th Round pick (No. 61), 5^th Round pick (No. 78), 6^th Round pick (No. 95)

Summary: Without a doubt, the winners from Trade Week. With the raft of concessions handed to the club by the AFL, it would have been hard not to be in a better position than they were before Trade Week. However, playing the role of facilitator and providing other clubs with pre-listed players, the Gold Coast have not only improved their draft position in 2010, but shored up their future by gaining compensation selections handed out as a result of ‘poaching’ players from other clubs! A true masterstroke.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 38, 48, 57

Hawthorn

Gains: David Hale, Kyle Cheney, 4^th Round pick (No. 66)

Losses: 3^rd Round pick (No. 52), 4^th Round pick (No. 71), Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Campbell Brown

Summary: Since the retirement of Robert Campbell due to chronic knee injuries, the Hawks have been low on quality rucks at the club. David Hale, whilst providing that stronger body in the ruck to support incumbent Brent Renouf, has the ability to pinch-hit up forward and cause trouble for defences, as he did against Geelong in 2008 kicking 8 on Matthew Scarlett in his prime. Kyle Cheney provides a tough replacement for the Gold Coast-bound Campbell Brown.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 19, 37, 54, 66, 88, 105

Melbourne

Gains: 3^rd Round pick (No. 52)

Losses: Kyle Cheney, 4^th Round pick (No. 66)

Summary: Melbourne are a club on the rise, and with talent on every line, it was expected that they would only be bit part players. And they were, trading fringe defender Kyle Cheney for not much in return. The Demons come into the draft at selection number 12. Expect them to be on the rise next season and watch out for their burgeoning pool of players who have yet to be exposed to the rigours of AFL football.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 12, 32, 49, 52, 83, 100

North Melbourne

Gains: Ben McKinley, Gold Coast pre-listed player Cameron Richardson, 4^th Round pick (No. 71), Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Campbell Brown

Losses: David Hale, 2^nd Round pick (No. 35), 5^th Round pick (No. 86)

Summary: With the loss of David Hale coverable, given the ‘Roos already have Hamish McIntosh, Todd Goldstein and a returning Drew Petrie, the addition of Ben McKinley was an astute one. Having only given up a 5^th Round pick for him, a productive return in North Melbourne’s goal square would have many wondering why he came so cheap. North also traded a 2^nd Round pick for Bendigo’s dual Best & Fairest winning half-back Cameron Richardson.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 17, 69, 71, 103

Port Adelaide

Gains: Gold Coast pre-listed player Simon Phillips, 2^nd Round pick (No. 35)

Losses: Gold Coast Second round compensation pick for Nathan Krakouer

Summary: Unable to find a home for Daniel Motlop and unable to work out a deal for homeward-bound Andrew Walker. A disappointing Trade Week for a club desperately in need of a clean-out under new coach Matthew Primus.  Whilst shining lights in Travis Boak, Alipate Carlisle & Daniel Stewart remain, actively seeking draft selections would have been a better option for the Power than just simply sitting on their hands.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 16, 34, 35, 51, 68, 85, 102

Richmond

Gains: Shaun Grigg , 3^rd Round pick (No. 50), Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Nathan Bock

Losses: Richard Tambling, Andrew Collins

Summary: With Richard Tambling wanting out after a disappointing start to his AFL career, the Tigers got the best possible deal expected for the maligned 2004 number 4 pick. Shaun Grigg provides another midfielder to the Richmond rotation though foot skills remain questioned. Expect selection 6 to bring in a key forward to eventually take the load of Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 6, 29, 46, 50, 63, 80, 97

St Kilda

Gains: NIL

Losses: NIL

Summary: Surprisingly, the Saints were incredibly quiet during Trade Week. Ross Lyon has shown in the past a penchant for giving players a second chance, however it seems as though St Kilda are sticking the ‘what they do know’ rather than ‘what they don’t.’

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 24, 42, 59, 76, 93, 110

Sydney

Gains: Andrejs Everitt

Losses: Patrick Veszpremi, 4^th Rd Selection (No. 73)

Summary: Another Everitt at Sydney?  Andrejs Everitt follows in his brothers footsteps to the Harbour City. The loss of Patrick Veszpremi and a token draft selection should prove to be a good trade in the long-term, with Everitt’s ability to hold down a key post and create off half-back surely being of value to the Swans.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 21, 39, 56, 73, 107

Western Bulldogs

Gains: Patrick Veszpremi, Nathan Djerrkura, Justin Sherman, 4^th Rd pick (No. 73)

Losses: Andrejs Everitt, 3^rd Round pick (No. 57), Gold Coast End-of-first-round compensation pick for Jarrod Harbrow

Summary: The loss of Jarrod Harbrow was a blow, albeit one everyone saw coming for a long period of time. The additions of Patrick Veszpremi, Nathan Djerrkura & Justin Sherman to the 4^th placed Dogs should do nothing but improve the side. The loss of Andrejs Everitt will not greatly hurt the Dogs, however. Mitch Wallis & Tom Liberatore already committing to Father/Son selections are bargains.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No.  22(F/S), 40(F/S), 74, 90, 91, 100

West Coast

Gains: 5^th Round pick (No. 86), Gold Coast 3^rd Round compensation pick for Josh Fraser

Losses: Ben McKinley, 3^rd Round pick (No. 45)

Summary: Again, not a big player in Trade Week, the Eagles have 3 selections inside the top 3. A quality midfielder, a defender and a forward are the big ticket items expected to head to Subiaco this year. The loss of Ben McKinley hurts, but at the price the Eagles received, it smells of the club doing the right thing by the player at all costs.

2010 Draft Selections:

-          Picks No. 4, 26, 28, 62, 79, 86, 96(F/S)

These views are the views of the author.