Hawthorn’s lopsided swap of draft picks with St Kilda baffles rival clubs

THE AFL has ticked off on St Kilda’s draft heist of Hawthorn because both clubs agreed to the deal “with their eyes wide open”.

Hawthorn recruit Jaeger O’Meara. Picture: Alex Coppel

THE AFL has ticked off on St Kilda’s draft heist of Hawthorn because both clubs agreed to the deal “with their eyes wide open”.

Up to eight rivals were bewildered at the swap of picks, which is guaranteed to net the Saints a minimum win of 848 draft points.

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If the Hawks follow Fremantle’s unexpected crash down the ladder next season, the Saints could end up 2863 points in front — nearly the equivalent of a No. 1 draft pick for free.

In a deal short on fanfare but big on industry interest, Hawthorn last Friday swapped picks 23, 36 and its first pick in next year’s draft for picks 10 and 68.

The Herald Sun reported last year that a discrepancy of more than 200 points would trigger alarm bells and was unlikely to be accepted by the AFL.

But the AFL said that because the deal wasn’t tied to any other and with it evident the Hawks were targeting pick 10 to land Jaeger O’Meara, it was comfortable with the lopsided trade.

“It was a commercial decision for St Kilda to get involved,” a league spokesman said.

“Hawthorn didn’t have to go through with it, but they did.”

Pick 10 was traded from St Kilda to Hawthorn then to Gold Coast as part of the Jaeger O’Meara deal. Picture: Alex Coppel

One club official suspected there were more “dodgy deals” done this year than ever before.

“Ken (AFL integrity officer Ken Wood) can query you when you’re out 25 points and moving from 65 to 67,” a list manager said.

“And all of a sudden this (Saints-Hawks trade) goes through — 1000 points different. I couldn’t understand it.

“The AFL brought in the points balance system to give value to picks and regulate trading and they go and let this happen.

“We’re not annoyed … it’s more bewilderment.”

Wood was absent from AFL House last Friday, but was involved in internal talks before the deal was approved.

AFL analyst Kane Cornes said that if the Hawks didn’t land O’Meara it would have been “one of the worst trades ever”.

Clubs were also left questioning the generosity of Carlton, which effectively brokered the O’Meara trade in the dying minutes by gifting Hawthorn a future selection.

The Blues traded Greater Western Sydney’s second-round selection next year for three picks — 48, 66 and 70.

The trio of late selections is the equivalent points of pick 40-41, a third-round selection.

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Hawks list manager Graham Wright admitted there was some miscommunication with Gold Coast, when the O’Meara deal remained in limbo despite the acquisition of No. 10.

One club said the Hawks had “sold the club’s future for two years” just to land the Suns’ midfielder and struck the deal with St Kilda out of desperation.

Hawthorn does not enter next month’s draft until pick 88 and they have already punted their first two picks in next year’s draft.

They are scheduled to enter the 2017 talent pool with the Giants’ second-round pick.

A STUNNING SWAP

HAWTHORN secured picks 10 + 68 = 1454 points.

ST KILDA secured picks 23 + 36 + 2017 pick 1-18 = between 2302 and 4317 points.

If Hawks win 2017 flag, Saints win trade by 848 points (equivalent of pick 22 for free).

If Hawks finish fifth in 2017, as they did this year, Saints win trade by 1024 points (equivalent of pick 17).

If Hawks get 2017 wooden spoon, Saints win trade by 2863 points (equivalent of pick 1-2).

The Herald Sun reported last year that a discrepancy of more than 200 points would trigger alarm bells with the AFL and could be rejected.