Clubs must keep 2018 draft picks unless securing a ready-made superstar, Gary Buckenara writes

RECRUITING expert Gary Buckenara has rated this year’s draft pool but says clubs need to look even further to ensure they don’t live to regret their trade actions given what’s coming in 2018.

Josh Kelly would be worth trading a 2018 draft pick for according to Gary Buckenara. Picture: Michael Klein

THE 2017 draft is shaping up as another even group where not much separates the players in terms of talent and could pave the way for clubs to target positional needs with early picks.

There is a bit for everyone in this draft. In particular there are quite a few tall players — such as taller midfielders — and key position prospects. There are also some clever little small forwards, which some clubs desperately need.

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That’s why I say there is a bit for everybody in this draft and clubs could decide to take the opportunity to recruit for positional needs.

As this is an even draft my top 30 players, including the top 10, could be different to what occurs on draft night because there isn’t much separating the players in terms of talent.

That’s why I believe clubs can pick players based on what their lists will require in a few years, rather than drafting ‘best available.

Darcy Fogarty is considered one of the best players in this year’s draft. Picture: Sam Wundke

As I have always said the rule of thumb for the draft is: What you draft today should be what your list needs into the future and to use the trade period for what your list urgently needs now.

In most drafts clubs will address future positional needs in the second or third rounds or later selections because bypassing a future star because you have plenty of that type of player is a dangerous strategy, especially in a total list rebuild.

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But this year, whether it’s a first-round selection or third-rounder, clubs won’t be afraid to address their needs earlier.

A club, for example, might require a small forward and with their first pick know they can get a good one but there are also a couple of other players there they like but given that club knows it needs a small forward, will just go for it.

Who will be taken with the No.1 pick this year? Cameron Rayner is in the mix. Picture: Getty

The other aspect of this year’s draft occurs a lot sooner than draft night and that’s the trade period.

Trade talks between clubs are about a lot more than blindly offering up a draft pick because it’s easier when you don’t know who that player will be.

Supporters are happy to give up a pick No.6 or No.7 or No.28 or whatever it may be as it’s all hypothetical as to who the club will select with that pick.

But this year there is a difference and it will be interesting to see how clubs approach the trading of future draft picks given the strength of the 2018 draft crop.

In all trade discussions clubs will have an idea of what player or type of player it can get if it accepts a trade for a player in exchange for a draft selection.

Josh Kelly would be worth trading a 2018 draft pick for according to Gary Buckenara. Picture: Michael Klein

This draft is even but next year’s is touted as one of the best in a long time and so 2018 picks — in the first and second round and even the third round — will be hotly sought-after and considered extremely valuable. It looks like, at this stage, the top 50 selections will all be nice players.

If I was sitting at the trade table this year, I would not be trading away a 2018 draft pick — particularly a first-rounder — unless I was getting something special in return. And I mean one of the best players in the competition.

A player of Josh Kelly’s ilk is the type I am thinking.

I wouldn’t be surprised if clubs, particularly those rebuilding, ask for picks in next year’s draft rather than this year’s. Or if list managers and recruiters are smart in their negotiating and trying to get one up on a rival by overselling the importance of a 2017 pick over a 2018.

But clubs should be aware of just how strong next year’s crop is looking and so should be doing all they can to hold on to their 2018 selections.

Read more: All the key events for the AFL Trade Period and what they mean