The AFL Trade Period has officially ended, with several deals coming right down to the wire.
While this year’s movement window hasn’t seen any superstar talent on the trade table, a total of 34 players moved clubs.
Some clubs improved their lists or looked to the draft, while others lost key players to rivals.
So, who are the winners and losers of the AFL Trade Period?
MORE: Deadline Day: All the latest AFL trades
AFL Trade Period 2023: Did your club win or lose?
Adelaide
Ins: Chris Burgess, picks 14 & 20, future second (tied to Melbourne)
Outs: Tom Doedee, Shane McAdam, picks 24 & 27
Adelaide couldn’t acquire forwards Harrison Petty or Mabior Chol, but will look ahead to the draft with its first round selection (pick 10) retained, and a strengthened draft hand.
Questions could be raised over Adelaide’s key position depth with Tom Doedee and Shane McAdam departing, although pick 19 is great compensation for a player the Crows weren’t willing to offer a long contract.
Gold Coast forward Chris Burgess was excellent in the VFL this year and will be a valuable attacking option in his home state.
Verdict: Winners
Brisbane
Ins: Tom Doedee, Brandon Ryan, picks 39 & 54, future fourth (tied to Hawthorn)
Outs: Tom Fullarton, Jack Gunston, pick 61, future second
Brisbane brings in Adelaide's Doedee on a four year contract, despite the defender's undergoing ACL rehabilitation.
When fit, Doedee is strong in the air and can add an extra intercepting presence to the Lions' backline.
Tom Fullarton and Jack Gunston are minor losses, while Brandon Ryan is a decent pickup for attacking depth.
Verdict: Winners
Carlton
Ins: Picks 22, 26 & 28, future third (tied to Essendon), future fourth (tied to Western Bulldogs), future fourth (tied to Fremantle)
Outs: Zac Fisher, Paddy Dow, pick 17, future third, future fourth
It was a busy trade period for Carlton, who joined in a four-team trade and shifted fringe midfielders Zac Fisher and Paddy Dow.
The two former top-ten picks aren’t huge losses for the Blues, though the addition of unproven midfielder Elijah Hollands isn’t an obvious gain, either.
Picks 21 & 25 are an upgrade from pick 17, but a set of late-round future picks swaps aren’t eye-catching.
Verdict: Losers
Collingwood
Ins: Lachie Schultz, pick 33, future second (tied to Hawthorn), future third (tied to Hawthorn)
Outs: Taylor Adams, Jack Ginnivan, pick 39, future first, future second, future third
It’s difficult to grade Collingwood’s trade period.
On one hand, they brought in arguably the most influential player of any club. On the other, they lost two fan favourites in Taylor Adams and Jack Ginnivan.
The trade swaps with Hawthorn tip the offseason moves in the Magpies’ favour, as the excellent management at Collingwood continues.
Verdict: Winners
Essendon
Ins: Xavier Duursma, Todd Goldstein, Jade Gresham, Ben McKay, picks 35 & 61, future fourth (tied to Collingwood)
Outs: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Massimo D'Ambrosio, picks 52 & 73, future third, future fourth
Essendon came into this trade period ready to attack free agency, and picked up three important list editions without the need for trade.
Expectations will be high for defender Ben McKay, who is understood to have signed a six-year deal worth $800,000 a year.
Though it took some late pick swaps, the Xavier Duursma and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher deal should be a win-win for both parties.
Verdict: Winners
MORE: AFL trade 2023: Your club's rating in the player movement period
Fremantle
Ins: Pick 34, future first (tied to Port Adelaide), future first (tied to Collingwood), future second (tied to St Kilda), future fourth (tied to St Kilda)
Outs: Lachie Schultz, Joel Hamling, Liam Henry, pick 25, future second, future fourth
Departures of Lachie Schultz and Liam Henry hurt Fremantle badly and could put hopes for a comeback 2024 season in doubt.
In return, the Dockers will have three first-round picks to work with in 2024, which is great, but it does mean fans will need to stay patient.
Schultz and Henry now join talents like Blake Acres and Adam Cerra to depart the club in recent years, which has left Dockers GM Peter Bell scratching his head.
Player retention becomes the big focus for Fremantle moving forward.
Verdict: Losers
Geelong
Ins: Picks 25, 76, & 94
Outs: Esava Ratugolea
A very quiet trade period for Geelong, which featured just one trade with Port Adelaide.
The Cats were reluctant to lose defender Esava Ratugolea, but an offer of pick 25 and two late picks was enough to release the out-of-contract player.
It’s a good deal for an unproven backman, but the lack of incoming talent is cause for concern for Geelong fans.
Verdict: Losers
Gold Coast
Ins: Picks 24, 26, 27 & 36, future end-of-first, future first (tied to Western Bulldogs), future second (tied to Brisbane), future third (tied to Essendon)
Outs: Mabior Chol, Elijah Hollands, Chris Burgess, pick 4, 11, 18, 46, 51 & 62, future third, future fourth
Gold Coast set out to gather second round picks in its efforts to match bids for four Suns Academy talents, and did so while boosting its 2024 draft hand.
All three departing players spent large periods of time in the VFL this season, and shouldn't hurt the Suns much moving forward.
The host of high-end selections might look concerning on paper, but it's all part of a plan that will see Gold Coast boast its best list since joining the AFL.
Verdict: Winners
GWS
Ins: Pick 40
Outs: Matthew Flynn
With the talent on GWS’ list, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the club sat this trade window out.
On the positive side, the Giants lost only fringe ruckman Matthew Flynn despite recent player retention issues.
They also weren’t able to attract any talent, with the exception of Port Adelaide’s Orazio Fantasia, who should arrive in the pre-season draft.
It wasn't a terrible trade period for the GWS by any means, but not a great one either.
Verdict: Losers
Hawthorn
Ins: Mabior Chol, Jack Ginnivan, Jack Gunston, Massimo D'Ambrosio, picks 44, 47, 49, 62 & 63, future second (tied to Collingwood)
Outs: Tyler Brockman, Jacob Koschitzke, Brandon Ryan, picks 33 & 54, future second, future third, future fourth
Hawthorn is the winner of a like-for-like swap of Jack Ginnivan and Tyler Brockman, although the latter has shown high potential in limited appearances.
Mabior Chol, Jack Gunston, and Massimo D'Ambrosio are excellent depth players going forward, while a trio of late picks should allow the Hawks to match any bids for Father-son Will McCabe
It is a trade period that ticks the boxes for Hawthorn, and they’ll enjoy the entertaining play of Ginnivan for years to come.
Verdict: Winners
Melbourne
Ins: Shane McAdam, Tom Fullarton, Jack Billings, picks 11 & 42, future second (tied to Sydney), future third (tied to Western Bulldogs)
Outs: Brodie Grundy, James Jordon, James Harmes, picks 14, 27 & 35, future second, future third
Melbourne gets its forward line boost in Shane McAdam, and brings in Jack Billings as well as ruckman Tom Fullarton to replace Brodie Grundy.
The Demons’ ruck and midfield depth has taken a hit, with James Jordon and James Harmes moving on, but the draft presents new opportunities.
With pick 11 in hand, Melbourne could be in line to land one of midfielders Darcy Wilson or Caleb Windsor in the draft if needed.
Verdict: Winners
North Melbourne
Ins: Zac Fisher, Bigoa Nyuon, Toby Pink, Dylan Stephens, pick 3, 17 & 18
Outs: Todd Goldstein, Ben McKay, picks 22, 44, & 65, 2x future end-of-first round (AFL assistance)
While North Melbourne was awarded two end-of-first-round picks as part of an assistance package, it's impressive just how much draft capital the club now holds.
With picks 2, 3, 15, 17, 18, 57, and 82 now at their disposal, the Kangaroos are likely to make a play for West Coast's No.1 pick ahead of the National Draft.
Zac Fisher and Dylan Stephens are solid pickups, while there could be a Ben McKay-shaped hole in the backline for Toby Pink to fill.
Verdict: Winners
Port Adelaide
Ins: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Esava Ratugolea, Ivan Soldo, Jordan Sweet, pick 73, two future fourths (tied to Essendon and Carlton)
Outs: Xavier Duursma, future first, picks 41, 49, 76, & 94, future fourth
Port Adelaide acquired four talls to fill their backline and ruck gaps but had to give up nearly everything at their disposal to do so.
As it stands, the Power have just pick 73 in this year's National Draft.
While the club did what was necessary to stay in contention, they could pay the price for a period of lean draft years in the future.
Verdict: Losers
Richmond
Ins: Jacob Koschitzke, pick 41, future second (tied to Fremantle), future fourth (tied to Port Adelaide)
Outs: Ivan Soldo, pick 50
Richmond gains Jacob Koschitzke and a suite of picks, while they lose Ivan Soldo and a late pick.
It’s an efficient trade period for the Tigers, who sacrifice some ruck depth to bring in a young forward.
Negotiations with Port Adelaide over Soldo were particularly impressive, with Richmond forcing the Power to pay overs for the ruckman.
Verdict: Winners
St Kilda
Ins: Liam Henry, Paddy Dow, pick 21 & 40, two future thirds (tied to Carlton and Essendon)
Outs: Nick Coffield, Jade Gresham, Jack Billings, picks 35 & 56, future second, future fourth
Liam Henry and Paddy Dow should slot straight into the Saints' best 22, while the club gains pick 21 as compensation for Jade Gresham.
Overall, it's a solid haul for St Kilda, who lose some wing position depth for two younger midfielders.
Verdict: Winners
Sydney
Ins: Taylor Adams, Brodie Grundy, Joel Hamling, James Jordon, pick 44, future end-of-first
Outs: Dylan Stephens, picks 33 & 46, future second
One of the big winners from this year’s trade period. Sydney brought in four players and a future end-of-first-round pick tied to North Melbourne’s compensation.
Dylan Stephens is a loss, but the additions outweigh his departure. Brodie Grundy could be the only superstar talent traded in this year’s window, although his form has dropped in the last two seasons.
Still, the former All-Australian ruckman is just 29 years of age and could thrive as the no.1 ruck at the Swans.
Verdict: Winners
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West Coast
Ins: Tyler Brockman, Matt Flynn
Outs: Picks 44 & 63
West Coast pick up talented small forward Tyler Brockman and AFL-experienced ruckman Matt Flynn, in return for some late picks.
For the Eagles, any added depth is a massive bonus and both players will get plenty of opportunity to perform at the top level.
All eyes are now on the No.1 pick, and offers from North Melbourne and the Demons.
Verdict: Winners
Western Bulldogs
Ins: Nick Coffield, James Harmes, picks 5, 46, 50, 51, 52, & 56, future third (tied to Gold Coast)
Outs: Jordon Sweet, picks 11, 18, & 40, future first, future second, future fourth
The Western Bulldogs made trades for Nick Coffield and James Harmes, while giving up fringe ruckman Jordon Sweet.
Pick five is the big inclusion, with the Bulldogs set to consider the likes of Colby McKercher, Nick Watson, and Ryley Sanders at the selection.
While there's a lot to like about the club's trade period, there are some question marks around Harmes' fit. Much like at Melbourne, he could struggle to break into a side with excellent midfield reserves.
Verdict: Winners
