The AFL brought in the rule to protect clubs against themselves,but there is room for exceptions if a club wants to trade for a player not much older than draft age.
Carlton,Richmond,St Kilda and West Coast made the fewest first-round selections with three in the rolling four-year period. However,the Blues’ two first-round picks in 2019 will drop off their rolling tally after this year.
The Tigers already parted with their top 2023 pick aspart of the package to secure ex-GWS Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper but can trade next year’s as well if they choose.
Richmond are one of four clubs – Brisbane Lions (Josh Dunkley),Fremantle (Luke Jackson) and Port Adelaide (Jason Horne-Francis) are the others – without a first-round pick this year due to already trading it,with the Giants,Melbourne,North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs all boasting two.
The 2023 draft is considered one of the strongest in years,headlined by potential No.1 pick Harley Reid,small forward Nick Watson,Zane Duursma – brother of Power utility Xavier – and intercept defender Daniel Curtin.
But list managers may need to be willing to give up a first-round selection to bring in elite talent,given this year’s free agency class is fairly shallow,withDarcy Parish,Ben McKay,Harry Himmelberg and Jade Gresham among the best names.