Port Adelaide and Hawthorn premiership list guru Chris Pelchen has provided his thoughts on the three trades that were made official yesterday.
After a quiet start to the NAB AFL Trade Period, three deals were struck on Thursday, and Pelchen told SEN Breakfast he believes there is little downside for any club who found themselves in negotiations.
Demons get: Jake Lever, pick 35, 2018 third-round pick
Crows get: Pick 10, 2018 first-round pick, 2018 fourth-round pick
Pelchen’s Melbourne analysis: “Melbourne has gotten a player who has a 10 year future. He came with some injury worries and that’s why he slipped in the draft in the first place, and to Adelaide’s credit they took the risk on him and they benefited. Melbourne should have a player for 10 years that really does complement their back half. He is a ripping young man, so I expect they would be very happy with the result.”
Pelchen’s Adelaide analysis: “I think Adelaide did a really good job. A guy who wanted to come home backed them into a corner, and it was very public that he only wanted to go to one club. It made their negotiating position really difficult and to end up with two first round draft selections, one next year, which I believe is a better draft, I think they’ve done particularly well. Adelaide should be applauded under the circumstances.”
Bombers get: Devon Smith, pick 24, 2018 second-round pick
Giants get: Pick 11, 2018 third-round pick
Pelchen’s Essendon’s analysis: “The Bombers did the right thing by pulling the trigger, because ultimately there were other clubs that would have circled for Devon Smith in the coming days, especially if they missed out on other trades. The Bombers could only hold for so long and I think by shoring up Devon, and then getting some second round picks in the process, I think they’ve down extremely well.”
Hawks get: Jarman Impey, pick 67
Power get: Pick 33, 61, 2018 fourth-round pick
Pelchen’s Hawthorn analysis: “He is better to what they would get equivalent in the draft this year. I think they’ve done the right thing by bringing in a recognised player, a player who can go straight into their best 22, and really complement what they’re lacking. He can play both ends of the ground, but having said that, he does need to develop his footy further, he is only a 12-possession a game player. Hawthorn have had such limited draft access, they’ve had one top 20 selection since 2010. To me, it’s a bigger picture issue that really confronts Hawthorn, that they need to get back into the draft.”