AFL Trade: The trading period remains open with Essendon, Melbourne, Brisbane on draft pick watch

The player trade period might have ended on Wednesday — but clubs can still make moves for the next few weeks. JOSH BARNES examines the pick swaps which will shape the draft.

As Michael Corleone would say, just as you thought you were out, they pull you back in.

The trade deadline may have passed on Wednesday night but in actual fact, trading is still open.

Some clubs woke up with a deserved celebration hangover on Thursday and the AFL kept the good times going, with the window opened then until November 8 to swap draft picks.

On November 8, the pick swap window will close again, until draft night, when it will be pried open once more.

Every single club moved draft picks in or out during the initial trade period but some are not finished yet.

Ask every list manager and they will all say they are “open to anything” and “very flexible” with pick trades in what has become one of the many trade-time cliches trotted out in October.

Here are the clubs that may back that talk up and keep making calls until the next deadline and then again on draft night.

ESSENDON

Current draft hand: 28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65

The Bombers made one of the smartest moves of the trade period, shipping out pick nine to Melbourne for a future first and bunch of back-end options.

That means the Bombers should be able to cover off a bid for academy goalsneak Isaac Kako with ease.

And once that is done, the Bombers will get to work as one of the main clubs to watch on draft night.

Essendon likely would only lose pick 28 and have pick 31 shuffled back the order into the 60s on a match of Kako so will try and package those third and fourth rounders to move up for someone they like.

With two future firsts in hand, they are a big watch.

Tim Lamb will stay busy. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

MELBOURNE

Current draft hand: 5, 9

List boss Tim Lamb said the Dees would look at how many vacancies they leave before planning a draft strategy.

With just two top-10 picks, they are well placed for top talent, but have nothing else in the cupboard.

The Dees don’t have a future first, after giving that to the Bombers to get pick nine, but have three future thirds to get creative with.

BRISBANE LIONS

Current draft hand: 27, 34, 42, 43, 49, 60, 66

Let’s say a bid for Levi Ashcroft comes at No.3.

To match that, the Lions would lose picks 27, 34, 42 and 43 would be sent to the back of the draft.
Once those picks are out, a bid on Sam Marshall would have to come in the late 30s for the Lions to be able to match without going into serious deficit, which is unlikely.

So the Lions probably still need to get some picks in the door through a trade.

Leo Lombard is waiting to get to the Suns. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos

GOLD COAST

Current draft hand: 39, 41, 51, 61, 70, 76, 78

Suns list manager Craig Cameron was pretty confident he has enough points to grab Leo Lombard on November 20.

A bit would have to come in later that pick 14 for Gold Coast to have enough points and that is right on the limit of his range.

It could be tight and the Suns can’t really afford a deficit given they have Zeke Uwland leading another strong academy hand next year.

Do they go back to the three future firsts they hold to try and get one last boost?

NORTH MELBOURNE/ADELAIDE

Roos current draft hand: 2, 62, Crows current draft hand: 4, 64

The Crows and Roos are in tricky spots.

Neither would want to hand over their first pick but the temptation of multiple picks in the first round could be too great.

North Melbourne didn’t want to lose much of its draft hand but did anyway to get Luke Parker, Jacob Konstanty and Caleb Daniel.

Richmond is circling with its six picks between 10 and 24.

So is Sydney (holding picks 19 and 22), St Kilda (7 and 8), GWS (15, 16, 21), and the Western Bulldogs (17, 25, 35).

The phone will be ringing.