The AFL draft will continue on Friday with industry insiders and fans alike still trying to figure out who ‘won’ the blockbuster Carlton-Adelaide trade that dominated day one.
The Blues claimed Geelong Falcons star Sam Walsh with the No.1 pick at Marvel Stadium, but it was their bombshell trade with the Crows that stole the show.
With live trading in effect for the first time, Carlton shipped next year’s first-round pick to Adelaide, who gave up pick No.19 on Thursday night and their own first-round pick next year.
Blues list boss Stephen Silvagni pulled the trigger on the risky trade to take Sandringham Dragons midfielder Liam Stocker.
If Carlton struggle again next year and Adelaide bounce back into the finals, the deal will be a steal for the Crows.
The SA club could conceivably win the flag and have the No.1 pick at the 2019 draft if the Blues take the wooden spoon again.
“That’s all speculation – what happens if we finish on top of the Crows? It is what it is,” Silvagni said.
“The season will take care of itself and what we do know is we’re really happy to bring a good player through the door.
“… This is going to happen more and more – if you travel to the (United) States, this happens a lot.
“I’m comfortable, because I know I’ve got a good player.”
All the talk about Adelaide’s draft intentions had them trading up to try to snare one of South Australian duo Jack Lukosius or Izak Rankine, who went to Gold Coast second and third respectively.
But after taking Tasmanian midfielder Chayce Jones (No.9) and Geelong firebrand Ned McHenry (16), Crows list boss Justin Reid sent the 19th overall selection packing.
“There’s always a bit of risk but with that also comes reward,” Reid said.
“… I guess you can’t (judge it) until you get to 12 months time and we know what positions we sit in in the draft.
“Time will tell.”
In all, 22 players were taken in the first instalment of AFL’s new format, with the remaining rounds of the national draft and the rookie draft to be held on Friday.
West Coast will kick off proceedings at pick No.23 after the premiers – with Hawthorn, Melbourne and Essendon – were onlookers on day one without a first-round pick to spend.
