How AFL trade deals get done: No.1 Pick, Taylor Adams, Esava Ratugolea

Bryn Wakefield

How AFL trade deals get done: No.1 Pick, Taylor Adams, Esava Ratugolea image

A number of AFL trade period dominoes are yet to fall, though the offseason movement window is starting to take shape. 

The first overall pick could be on the move, while Sydney and Melbourne are locked in negotiations for ruckman Brodie Grundy.

Plus, The Sporting News looks at how Port Adelaide can acquire its trade targets. 

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Trade race for the No.1 pick and Harley Reid

The biggest name in this year's trade period could be one that's yet to join an AFL list: Harley Reid.

With North Melbourne gaining pick 3 as compensation for Ben McKay's free agency move to Essendon, the club now holds picks  2, 3, 15,18, 21, 25, 56, and 64.

West Coast currently holds the No.1 pick, but has an interest in Western Australian local Dan Curtin and other young talents.

Eagles list boss Rohan O'Brien last week told Gettable that the Eagles would be open to trading Pick 1 in this year's draft. 

"We'll listen to everyone's offers if they come our way… but it's going to have to be something pretty special to turn our heads," O’Brien said.

North Melbourne has exactly that, with five first round picks at its disposal.

The Kangaroos will look to keep at least one of their top-five picks, but have three late first round selections to package for Reid. 

Harley Reid Vic Country | Who is Harley Reid?
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Sydney's Taylor Adams, Brodie Grundy trades

The Swans have a busy trade period ahead as they aim to reunite former Collingwood teammates Taylor Adams and Brodie Grundy in Sydney.

According to The Age, Melbourne has already knocked back an offer of Pick 46 for Grundy, as talks intensify over the wantaway ruckman. 

Sydney currently holds picks 12, 33, 44, 46, and 54, in addition to its future selections. 

With both Adams (30) and Grundy (29) playing lesser roles in 2023, picks 33 and 46 should be able to get both moves done, with later picks and future selections thrown in as sweeteners. 

North Melbourne's trade for young midfielder Dylan Stephens sent pick 44 and a future end-of-first-round pick to the Swans. 

MORE: AFL draft picks: Every club's selections, draft order

Esava Ratugolea trade ramping up

Geelong's hard stance on backman Esava Ratugolea means there's been little movement on the trade front. 

That is until Port Adelaide swapped its future first with Fremantle in return for pick 24 and a future second.

Last year's offer of pick 33 wasn't enough to satisfy Geelong's trade demands, ultimately seeing Ratugolea's move to Alberton fall through. 

Pick 24, along with multiple future second round selections leave Port Adelaide in a much better position to get the deal done this time around.

Esava Ratugolea Geelong
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The price tag of Essendon's Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will also leave headaches for Power list manager Jason Cripps, though a Xavier Duursma deal could be the key to unlocking both defensive acquisitions. 

There is potential for a straight swap for Zerk-Thatcher and Duursma, with Port Adelaide's top pick likely to be used in a Ratugolea trade. 

Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet is expected to be swapped for the Power's pick 48. 

Carlton's Zac Fisher, Paddy Dow trades

A pair of Carlton midfielders are on the move, with Zac Fisher and Paddy Dow seeking trades to Victorian rivals.

Fisher's move to North Melbourne should be a simple one, though Blues list manager Nick Austin revealed the club has already knocked back an initial offer.

“We've been pretty clear that (pick 44) won't get it done,” Austin told AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey on Monday. 

“Zac's got two years to run, and he's been offered a pretty good opportunity at North Melbourne, again to further his football."

The Kangaroos has since moved pick 44 to Sydney for Stephens and pick 25, and could look to split one of its first round picks to make a move for Fisher. 

St Kilda holds picks 13, 34, and 55 as they prepare a play for Carlton's Dow. 

The 23-year-old former No.3 pick played just ten AFL matches this season, which leaves the Saints' pick 34 as a strong starting point for trade talks. 

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.