The trade period gets everyone excited. But when has each club truly nailed it?
The team at AFL.com.au has looked at every player movement window since 2000 to discover not only each club's best traded-in player, but also each club's best ever deal.
Is it the superstar lured on a 'Godfather' offer who has lived up to his billing? Or is it the 'steak knives' player has gone above and beyond? Everything is under the microscope.
Here is what we believe is your club's best trade this century.
Derm? Dipper? Hodgey? Answer these questions to find out which Hawk you are!
Scott Thompson (269 games from 2005-2017)
The Crows offloaded pick 12 in the 2003 trade period to secure Melbourne midfielder Scott Thompson, who went on to be one of the club's most dominant players for more than a decade. He played 269 games for the Crows, won two best and fairests, and was named in the 2012 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team. Thompson retired at the end of 2017 after a total of 308 AFL games. Melbourne offloaded the draft pick to attain midfielder Brent Moloney from the Cats, with the Tigers finishing with the selection which they used to draft Danny Meyer. He played 26 games.
Other candidates: The Crows nabbed Tom Lynch in exchange for pick 37 in a deal with the Saints that has proved strong value, while long-time ruckman Sam Jacobs came at the expense of two picks (34 and 67). - Callum Twomey
Dayne Zorko (169 games from 2012-2020)
Talk about a steal. Zoned to Gold Coast after starring for Broadbeach at local level, the rights to Zorko, along with pick 47, were traded to Brisbane. It cost the Lions just picks 34 and 52 for their part in the three-way deal that involved Melbourne. Zorko has since become the Lions' captain, is a four-time club best and fairest and was named All-Australian in 2017. Not bad for a player overlooked in consecutive seasons by the Suns.
Other candidates: The Lions landed triple flag winner Mal Michael from the Pies, costing them just pick 44 and forward Jarrod Molloy at the end of 2000. Best and fairest and ruck mainstay Stefan Martin arrived from Melbourne for only picks 52 and 71 ahead of 2013. - Mitch Cleary
Heath Scotland (215 games from 2004-2014)
Carlton secured Scotland, who had just played in successive Grand Finals, in a cut-price deal from its arch rivals Collingwood during the 2003 Trade Period. Having landed at Ikon Park in exchange for pick No.35, he went on to play 215 games for the club and became a pivotal and consistent member of its developing team. Able to swing matches both through the midfield and across half-back, he averaged more than 20 disposals per game in eight successive seasons with the club. He capped that fine record with selection in the 40-man All-Australian squad in 2011, before winning Carlton's best and fairest the following season.
Other candidates: Chris Judd (traded with pick No.46 for Josh Kennedy and picks No.3 and No.20) has undoubtedly been the club's best player throughout this era, but you could debate who 'won' the trade between Carlton and West Coast for eternity. Sam Docherty (traded for pick No.33) could end his career as the club's best deal. - Riley Beveridge
Jack Crisp (117 games from 2015-2020)
The great 'steak knives' trade of this era. Crisp was the afterthought in a deal that saw Brisbane land star midfielder Dayne Beams, with Collingwood essentially securing the former rookie along with picks No.5 (Jordan De Goey) and No.25 (on-traded to North Melbourne). However, he has since become an integral member of Nathan Buckley's team. He's proved his versatility with his ability to play both through the midfield and in defence, playing 116 matches since arriving at the Magpies and averaging more than 20 disposals per game in each of his five full seasons with club. He was a key member of the Collingwood side that came within a kick of clinching the 2018 premiership.
Other candidates: James Clement (traded with Brodie Holland and pick No.22 for picks No.8 and No.39) was a dual best and fairest and dual All-Australian and is right behind Crisp. Jordan Roughead (traded for pick No.75) played every game last year and also looks a steal. - Riley Beveridg
Adam Saad (45 games from 2018-2020)
The speedy half-back was one of three Bombers to land at the club in the 2017 Trade Period, alongside Jake Stringer and Devon Smith. But Saad cost the less of the trio, and has delivered plenty in his two completed seasons. The Bombers gave up a future second-round pick to sign Saad from the Gold Coast and it looks a bargain now, with Saad becoming one of the club's most important players. His pace and run and carry from the back half sets up the side and he has finished in the top four of Essendon's best-and-fairest count in the past two years. In February, he was the only Bomber selected to play in the State of Origin for the Bushfire Relief game at Marvel Stadium.
Other candidates: In 2002, Essendon gave up pick 55 to land Adam McPhee, who had a strong impact at the Bombers, including winning the club's 2004 best and fairest when he was named an All-Australian. He was traded back to the Dockers at the end of 2009. - Callum Twomey
Jeff Farmer (131 games from 2002-2008)
'The Wizard' brought his magic from the Demons after he was traded for pick No.17 at the end of 2001. Farmer gave Freo some legitimate star power and went on to kick 224 goals in many match-winning performances, including kicking an unforgettable after-the-siren goal to sink his former side. He was stiff to miss All-Australian selection in 2006 after bagging 55 goals and was also named in the club's greatest ever team. The Dockers haven't had much success with trades, but the relatively cheap price gave Farmer the nod.
Other candidates: Peter Bell (traded for Jess Sinclair, picks No.6, No.8 and No.37) will go down as an all-time great, but they paid plenty to get him back after originally delisting him. Luke McPharlin (traded with Trent Croad for picks No.1, No.20 and No.36) was also edged out due to the hefty deal. The Dockers turned the Chris Mayne compensation pick (No.23) into future Doig medallist Bradley Hill, but he only played 54 games before leaving. - Chris Correia
Patrick Dangerfield (95 games from 2016-2020)
While Dangerfield is clearly the best player they've acquired this century, they gave up a lot to get him. However, his record speaks for itself as an All-Australian in all four seasons and three best and fairests at the Cats. Despite entering 2015 as a restricted free agent, Dangerfield was traded to the Cats because of the threat the Crows would match a free agency bid. The Cats sent pick nine (Wayne Milera), 28 (traded for Troy Menzel) and Dean Gore in exchange for Dangerfield and pick 50 (on-traded).
Other candidates: Brad Ottens won three flags but the Cats coughed up picks 12 and 16 for him. The Cats' essentially only slid down seven spots in the draft (15 to 22 in 2017) to land Zach Tuohy, while Gary Ablett's return has been fruitful for basically a second-round pick. - Mitch Cleary
Jarrod Witts (63 games from 2017-2020)
Witts headed to the Suns from Collingwood at the end of 2016 wanting to secure a No.1 ruck role. He's done that and more at the Suns, now into his second season as the club's co-captain. The Suns gave up picks No.44 and 62 for Witts, which the Pies used in part to grab father-son prospect Josh Daicos at the NAB AFL Draft. Witts took his game to another level in 2019, claiming his first best and fairest after amassing more than 1000 hit-outs across the season for the Suns. He is signed to the club until the end of 2024.
Other candidates: The Suns will be hoping their acquisition of Hugh Greenwood last year from Adelaide will prove to be a hit trade, with big plans for the former Crow in the midfield this year. - Callum Twomey
Shane Mumford (92 games from 2014-2020)
Mumford spilled out from the Swans at the end of 2013 after the club acquired Lance Franklin, and headed to crosstown rivals GWS. The Giants gave up pick 39 to the Swans for the ruckman. He made an immediate impact, winning the Giants' best and fairest in his first year at the club. The Sydney premiership player has not just been a ruckman for the young and growing Giants' midfield; he has been a battering ram, a physical force and intimidating presence throughout his time at the club. He stepped out of retirement to last year help the Giants to their maiden Grand Final. Mumford was important in the Giants' preliminary final win over Collingwood.
Other candidates: In a straight swap, the Giants lost Taylor Adams to Collingwood but gained Heath Shaw, which has been a win-win deal for both clubs. The veteran Shaw remains an important part of the Giants' back half. - Callum Twomey
Josh Gibson (160 games from 2010-2017)
Gibson was a handy defender at North Melbourne but he fit the Hawks' system wonderfully and became critical to his second club's success. Even better was they parted with only picks 25 and 41 for Gibson and selection 69. That's chicken feed once you consider the 189cm backman ended his career as a three-time premiership player, including winning club best and fairests in two of those years, plus receiving All-Australian honours in 2015. Gibson was the master of the third-man-in play.
Other candidates: No club's been better at the trade table this century than Hawthorn. There are plenty of bargains to choose from, including Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake, Shaun Burgoyne, Jack Gunston, Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell and Tom Scully. - Marc McGowan
Jeff Garlett (78 games from 2015-2019)
Garlett's career fizzled out and he was delisted last year but it's easy to forget he kicked at least 40 goals in a season twice for the Demons and 138 overall. They parted with only picks 61 and 79 to Carlton for Garlett and selection 83, so were certainly on the better end of that deal. The small forward led Melbourne's goalkicking with 42 in 2017, and only Jesse Hogan kicked more among Demons than Garlett's 40 in 2015.
Other candidates: Ex-Crow Bernie Vince won the Dees' best and fairest in 2015 and played 100 games for them after being secured for pick 23 (compensation pick for free agent Colin Sylvia), which Adelaide used to draft Matt Crouch. Michael Hibberd was an All-Australian in 2017 after Melbourne swapped selections 29 and 68 with Essendon for him and pick No.59. - Marc McGowan
Jared Polec (23 games from 2019-present)
The Roos have had greater success on the free agent market than the trade table but this was one they did well in. The 2018 deal saw them snare not only Polec but also Jasper Pittard and pick 48 in return for selection 11 and a future fourth-round pick. North, of course, still ended up with a first-round choice because of Adelaide's bid on Academy player Tarryn Thomas, which the Kangaroos matched. Polec's combination of speed, ball-winning ability and kicking is just what the doctor ordered for North, and he finished seventh in last year's Syd Barker Medal.
Other candidates: North paid the Hawks handsomely for Nathan Thompson in 2004 (picks 10 and 26) but would have been fairly pleased with the outcome – consecutive seasons of 50-plus goals. Thompson ruptured an ACL and missed the 2007 season, then played just one more year. - Marc McGowan
Jay Schulz (123 games from 2010-2016)
Schulz had never fully justified his status as a first-round draft pick during a frustrating stint at Richmond, but realised his potential having been traded to Port Adelaide for Mitch Farmer and pick No.71 during the 2009 exchange window. He kicked 275 goals from 123 games for the Power, earning a place in the 40-man All-Australian squad after booting 66 majors in 2014. It came during a period where he enjoyed four consecutive 40-goal seasons, earning recognition as one of the most accurate shots for goal in the competition.
Other candidates: Brad Ebert (traded with pick No.45 for picks No.28 and No.49) was a steal and has gone on to play 171 games for the club. Norm Smith Medal winner Byron Pickett (traded for picks No.13 and No.31), as well as fellow premiership stars Darryl Wakelin (traded with pick No.48 for pick No.4) and Damien Hardwick (traded for picks No.31 and No.47) were also in contention. - Riley Beveridge
Shaun Grigg (171 games from 2011-2018)
After failing to nail down a senior spot in four years at Carlton, Grigg was traded to the Tigers in a straight swap for Andrew Collins at the end of 2010. While Collins' AFL career was over three years later, Grigg became a consistent, durable and dependable player at Richmond. Over 171 games he averaged 22 disposals and played an integral role in the 2017 premiership when he famously played as back-up ruck despite standing at just 191cm. He also selflessly retired early in 2019, which paved the way for the club to recruit Marlion Pickett - and the rest, as they say, is history.
Other candidates: Dion Prestia (traded for pick six and other swaps) could end up being top here, but he has only played 61 games. Lack of games also rules Toby Nankervis out, although he has proven to be a steal for pick 46. Nathan Brown's horrific broken leg ruined his time at the club, while Kane Johnson (traded for pick two and other swaps) was considered after winning a best and fairest and captaining the club for four seasons. - Ben Sutton
Fraser Gehrig (145 games from 2001-2008)
Already a promising forward at West Coast, the 'G-Train' became a bona fide star of the competition at the Saints. He booted 390 majors (sixth most in club history) and won the Coleman Medal in 2004 and 2005. During the 2004 finals series he bagged his 100th goal of the season as the Saints came within a whisker of earning a Grand Final berth. The Saints sent David Sierakowski and pick 18 (Daniel Kerr) to the Eagles for Gehrig.
Other candidates: Farren Ray and pick 48 arrived at the Saints in exchange for pick 31, with the midfielder playing in three Grand Finals among 123 matches. Sean Dempster and Adam Schneider landed for pick 26 combined, while Steven King played in a Grand Final and along with Charlie Gardiner cost the Saints just pick 90. - Mitch Cleary
Josh Kennedy (234 games from 2010-present)
Much like the Hawks, part of the Swans' success since 2000 owes to a series of fruitful trades. The best of them netted Kennedy (and Ben McGlynn) from Hawthorn for only picks 39, 46 and 70. Kennedy is a triple best and fairest winner and finished top three on five other occasions, along with being a three-time All-Australian, playing in the 2012 flag and captaining the club. McGlynn kicked 30 goals for three seasons straight and played in the 2014 and 2016 Grand Finals. A hamstring injury sidelined him from the 2012 triumph.
Other candidates: Ted Richards was the defensive linchpin of Sydney's 2012 premiership after being acquired from Essendon for picks 19 and 50. Barry Hall cost the Swans plenty – they gave up picks 13, 17 and 45 in 2001 – but he made 162 appearances, booted 467 goals and played in the 2005-06 Grand Finals. They also had good returns on deals for Paul Williams, Darren Jolly and Shane Mumford. - Marc McGowan
Elliot Yeo (129 games from 2014-2020)
Already a premiership player, dual All-Australian and two-time best and fairest, Yeo cost the Eagles just pick 28 when he returned home from Brisbane. Despite growing up a Fremantle supporter, the Eagles swooped and found a spot for Yeo across half-back from 2014. However, as he continued to blossom, the 26-year-old transitioned into the midfield where he's become one of the competition's best onballers.
Other candidates: Jamie Cripps and pick 45 arrived from St Kilda in exchange for picks 40 and 43 at the end of 2012 before the WA product became one of the game's hardest running small forwards. Sam Mitchell (pick 52) and premiership ruckman Nathan Vardy (pick 72) also came cheap. - Mitch Cleary
Barry Hall (39 games from 2010-2011)
While Tom Boyd's Grand Final performance puts him firmly in the picture, but the cost was pick six and Ryan Griffen. Barry Hall kicked 135 goals in the space of just two years in the red, white and blue and the Bulldogs only had to give up pick 47. The Dogs made a preliminary final in Hall's first year but lost to the rampaging Saints, but Hall's 80 goal haul in 2010 was the highest for a Bulldog since Simon Beasley in 1988.
Other candidates: Tom Boyd and Jason Akermanis deserve to be in the conversation, while Hayden Crozier has been the best of the recent picks. - Jourdan Canil
