Gold Coast giving pick two to Fremantle for Lachie Weller was universally panned when the trade occurred in 2017, but could they end up winning the deal?
The Suns picked up Weller and pick 41, with the Dockers getting pick two.
Pick 41 turned into Charlie Ballard, who has become an incredibly reliable defender for the Suns and a player who will be in their best 22 for a long time to come.
Weller has gone to another level in 2020, averaging 21 disposals, four marks and four clearances per game and has been a big part of Gold Coast’s overall improvement
On the Fremantle side, pick two became Andrew Brayshaw who is still a young midfielder finding his way.
Tim Watson isn’t ready to make a call on who won the trade, but is a big fan of both young Suns.
“It’s too early to say just yet, but they’ll do okay out of that,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“It doesn’t look as bad as it did. Early last year it looked like Weller had lost his confidence, but it’s all back.
“That pre-season game when he played for the All-Stars against the Victorians that appeared to give him a lot of confidence. I think it’s one of the great reasons why players should always play in those (representative) games.
“Charlie Ballard can play. I was a thumbs up for him last year.”
Garry Lyon agrees and thinks the trade looks good for the Suns in the long-term.
“Freo got Brayshaw and Matera and the Gold Coast got Weller and Charlie Ballard, who is a very nice player in that back-half,” he said.
“He’s a damn fine player Lachie Weller.”
Gold Coast will host Fremantle at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.