AFL draft 2024: Dons ‘weighing up’ first-round draft trade; Vic rival ‘open’ to splitting pick

Essendon is reportedly contemplating a bold draft night trade to re-enter the first round, while a Victorian rival is thought to be considering splitting its top-10 choice.

The Bombers currently hold Melbourne’s future first-round selection following a trade that saw Essendon shift out of its initial No. 9 spot in order to avoid having it eaten by a matched rival bid for incoming NGA graduate Isaac Kako.

In addition to a first-rounder next year, the Dons acquired Picks 28, 40, 46, 54 and 65 this year from the Demons to assist their acquisition of the electric small forward prospect — but their first-round activity might not end there. Essendon is considering trading back into the first round if a contending bid for Kako comes early enough, according to Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark.

If a rival made a play for Kako at around the No. 1o slot on November 20, the Bombers could seek a trade partner to snag another pick in the 10s. They would prospectively use Melbourne’s future first-rounder as the centrepiece of such a deal. Alternatively, if the Bombers stand pat on draft night, they won’t make their second selection until No. 28.

In the trade period, Essendon offloaded veteran forward Jake Stringer to GWS for Pick 53, meaning, as things presently stand, its hand comprises selections 28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54 and 65.

Meanwhile, Clark reported St Kilda is ‘open’ to splitting one of its two top-10 selections.

The Saints currently hold Picks 7 and 8 in addition to 32 and 47 later in proceedings, and they are said to be assessing the possibility of shipping one out to land two selections at the back end of the first round.

Clark floated Richmond — holding selections 18, 20 and 23 in the late-first-round window — and the GWS Giants — 15, 16 and 21 — as the clubs ‘best-placed’ to strike an agreement.

Pending its aggressiveness on draft night, St Kilda could come away with a sought-after midfield game-changer and two additional highly-touted youngsters.