Gillon McLachlan confirms AFL will 'review' live trading rules after Swans' draft coup

Tom Naghten

Gillon McLachlan confirms AFL will 'review' live trading rules after Swans' draft coup image

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has confirmed the league will review the rules around live trading following last Thursday's draft.

Sydney caught plenty of people on the hop on day one of the draft when they exploited the new live trading rules to pick up Nick Blakey at a cut price.

The Swans traded out their second-round pick, only to then trade back into the second round once academy product Blakey had been drafted.

Here's the full rundown of the Swans wheeling and dealing.

MORE: AFL Draft: 2018 delivers winners on a broader scale

While what Sydney did was within the rules, questions were raised about whether it should be.

Speaking to AFL.com.au on Tuesday, McLaclan was complimentary of Sydney's nous but confirmed the rules around live trading would be reviewed.

"I think the guys are having a look at that," McLachlan said.

"It was clearly legal and that's what clever, industrious clubs to - they look at the rules and they take advantage if there's stuff possible.

"Whether that's available next year, Andrew Dillon and his team will review but it was certainly legal and it looked clever trading to me."

By trading back into the second round, the Swans were able to pick up Oakleigh Chargers midfielder James Rowbottom.

The youngster joined Blakey and the rest of Sydney's draftees at pre-season training in Moore Park on Monday.

Swans midfield coach Dean Cox told the club website about the contribution the new players have on the club.

"It’s really exciting to see how excited they are to be in an AFL environment," Cox said.

"They get welcomed in really quickly and made to feel like they’re a Swan as quickly as possible."

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.