Hawthorn List and Recruiting Manager Graham Wright has hinted at the possibility of live pick trading on draft night, which could be initiated as early as 2018.
“I think it’ll come in next year, that’s my understanding,” Wright said, following the conclusion of the 2017 trade period.
“It hasn’t been fully tested, or [we haven’t been told] how it would work and where we’d all be, whether all the clubs would be at our home bases or actually in one venue.”
“But my opinion is it’ll come in next year, which will be exciting.”
The concept would allow clubs to swap picks in real time on draft night - a tactic that is already a central element to sport in America, including NBA and NFL.
Read: A full trade wrap of 2017 - all the deals that did and didn't get completed
Earlier this year, afl.com.au reported that the AFL's player movement working group (made up of senior list managers, club and AFL officials) had met to discuss the issue in detail.
They also floated the idea of allowing draftees to be traded to another club on draft night, however Wright doesn’t expect this prospect to eventuate as quickly.
“It’ll just be picks at this stage,” he said.
“Trade period will probably work similar to how it is now, so there’ll be picks and players going until around the 20th of October.
“And then I think you’ll be able to trade picks basically after that period of time, and all the way through to the draft and during the draft.”
The 2017 National Draft will be held on 24 November, with Hawthorn set to enter at Pick 43, having traded its second-round pick (32) to secure Port speedster Jarman Impey. The Hawks also hold picks 68, 75, 81 and 99.
