
Analysis of Major AFL Trades Involving First-Round Picks
The AFL trade period is known for its excitement as clubs engage in significant deals to acquire top talent. Over the last decade, the value of star players has increased, often requiring multiple first-round draft picks to secure a trade.
Since 2017, twelve players have been traded in transactions involving multiple first-round selections, with varying results for the teams involved. One notable trade involved Adelaide giving up Picks 10 and 16 in 2017 to acquire Bryce Gibbs from Carlton. Gibbs, who had a standout season in 2016, played only 37 matches for Adelaide before retiring at 31, making the trade a costly decision for the Crows.
This analysis reviews all twelve trades, highlighting both successful acquisitions and those that turned out to be disappointing for the clubs.