The compensation picks that have not quite passed the sniff test

The AFL’s compensation system has been questioned in the past and continues to be questioned today.

It has again become the topic of conversation after St Kilda pocketed Pick 8 in exchange for Josh Battle’s move to Hawthorn and GWS landed Pick 16 for Harry Perryman’s Collingwood move.

With that in mind, Sam Edmund has recalled some of the key compo picks that have not quite passed the sniff test.

“The compensation that doesn’t pass the pub or sniff test,” Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio.

“Due to the Colonel’s secret herbs and spices, the picks that have come back to the clubs that have lost them just have not passed the sniff test.

“Not even close really in some cases.

“This year we’ve seen Josh Battle (go to Hawthorn) and Pick 8 land at the Saints. We’ve had Harry Perryman land at Collingwood for Pick 16 back to the Giants.

“Historically, these are some that haven’t passed the pub test for better or for worse.”

• Lance Franklin to Sydney in 2013 - Hawthorn received Pick 19.
• James Frawley to Hawthorn in 2014 - Melbourne received Pick 3.
• Ben McKay to Essendon in 2023 - North Melbourne received Pick 3.
• Steven Motlop to Port Adelaide in 2017 - Geelong received Pick 19.
• Zac Williams to Carlton in 2020 - GWS received Pick 10.
• Scott Lycett to Port Adelaide in 2018 - West Coast received Pick 20.
• Tom Scully to GWS in 2011 - Melbourne received two first-rounders.

It must be noted that Scully was not a free agent at the time of his move to the Giants with the expansion club picking him up after his initial two years at Melbourne.

In relation to the Scully deal, Kane Cornes asked: “So the AFL just made that one up?”

Edmund replied: “I don’t know what the system was back then, but it looks like they did.”

Cornes added: “I tell you what the system was, they just made it up!”

Edmund concluded: “Some of those compensation picks just don’t pass the sniff test.

“We thought there might have been greater clarity on it this year, but I’m not sure there is.”

Listen to the chat below: