Liam Pickering has hailed Port Adelaide’s pick swap with Brisbane that saw the Power secure another first-round draft selection.
Port Adelaide received picks 16, 52, 55 and 72 with the Lions gaining 29, 71 and a future first-rounder in exchange.
The Power now hold three first-round picks – 12, 16 and 18 – which will help them secure father-son prospect Jackson Mead.
“Port Adelaide may have very well done that for Jackson Mead, who is a very good player,” Pickering told SEN SA Breakfast.
“I think they have got a nice suite of picks now; I think they will be happy with that.
“I think that’s a smart move, personally. I’d rather have the picks this year.
“I would think 16 in this draft would be more valuable than 16 in next year’s (draft).”
Pickering, a prominent AFL player manager, believes this year’s draft is much stronger than the 2020 crop at this point in time.
“Personally, I’d rather have a pick this year because I don’t think the draft is anywhere near as strong next year – reckon next year’s draft is going to be very thin on what I’ve seen so far,” he said.
“I’ve watched them in the under 16s and it was slim pickings. I don’t think it’s going to be a very strong draft at all next year, this is a much stronger draft … and a lot deeper.”
The AFL Draft takes place on the 27th and 28th of November at Marvel Stadium.
Listen to Liam Pickering discuss Port Adelaide’s pick swap and the 2019 draft in the player below