The AFL’s exchange period is fast approaching.
Free agency kicks off next Friday October 5th, trade commences Monday October 8th, and a huge two-day draft event will begin on Thursday November 22nd.
The AFL confirmed in August this year that the 2018 draft will offer clubs their first taste of ‘live pick trading’.
Already used in a number of sports around the globe, live pick trading will enable clubs more flexibility on draft night by allowing them to shift picks as the draft happens.
It's understood future picks can be traded live up to one year in advance, but once players have been drafted they are off the table and cannot be traded on draft night.
Live trading will also mean there'll be an additional window after the conclusion of the Trade Period for trading of 'selections only' in the lead up to draft night.
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While it’s hard to see any draft reaching the calibre of the 2001 ‘superdraft’, there are strong signs early for the 2018 edition.
GM-Football Graham Wright, formerly Hawthorn’s head of recruiting, believes the young talent will run deep on draft night.
“It seems like a pretty reasonable draft, certainly from what I’ve seen the top five, six, seven picks were really strong, as strong as any year,” he said.
“Then after that it looks like it’s got some depth in it as well.
“I’m not sure it’s a super draft like people have discussed, but I probably haven’t watched it enough.
“We’d certainly like to take some picks into it.”
The Hawks have also been busy in trade period over the last couple of years, bringing in the likes of Jarman Impey, Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara, while bidding farewell to premiership players Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Bradley Hill.
There is plenty of speculation around what players the club might pursue this year but, in true Hawks’ fashion, the Hawks are keeping their cards close.
“We don’t discuss players who are contracted at other clubs, that’s just not the way we do things,” he said, when asked if the Hawks had spoken to Giant Dylan Shiel.
“We try to be pretty respectful around all of those things.
“He’s a high quality player and I’m sure a lot of clubs will be wanting to speak to him.”
