When West Coast traded away their 2019 and 2020 first-round draft picks to secure Tim Kelly from Geelong, they potentially traded their future for the present.
For a team that lifted the premiership cup in 2018 and looked like serious contenders in 2019 until they blew their top-four chance with a shock loss to Hawthorn in Round 23, it seems like a relatively well thought out move.
They are bringing a mature-age midfielder that has just won All Australian selection back to Western Australia. Plus there’s the expected return of Nic Naitanui, although we are yet to see what impact two knee reconstructions will have on a 201cm, 110kg ruckman, who relies on his leap to dominate ruck contests, factoring in he has only played 35 games in the last four seasons.
In securing Kelly from Geelong, the Eagles parted with three picks in the 2019 draft (first and second round to Geelong and third round to Essendon) and their 2020 first-round pick. They did receive a 2019 third-round pick from Essendon and a 2020 third-round pick from Geelong as change for their payment.
In a competitive market where teams look for any advantage they can get, it seems in their desperation to land Tim Kelly for much more than they could have traded away for him in 2018 when Geelong’s demands were only one top ten pick. In 2018 the Eagles could not deliver as their offer of picks 20 and 22 fell way short to both Geelong and other clubs as third parties, and may have cost the Eagles far less than they eventually gave up.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
This is where we ask, should the other clubs now hold the West Coast Eagles to ransom?
In August 2015, AFL Counsel Andrew Dillon announced regulations that require clubs to select a minimum of two first-round draft picks in every four-year period.
With the Eagles having selected only one first-round draft pick in the last three national drafts (Jarrod Brander at 13 in 2017), unless they can secure a trade for another club’s first-round draft pick in 2020 – or the less likely option, another club bids on one of their next generation academy prospects (there are eight of them) or a father/son eligible player inside the first round and the Eagles match that bid – then they stand to feel the wrath of the AFL.
The trade for Kelly may end up costing the Eagles. The punishment is yet to be seen, but it would be the first of its kind under current AFL regulations, and thus would probably be harsh to ensure a strong precedent.
The rule was introduced by the AFL to prevent clubs from continually trading away first-round draft picks for ready-made players. Its purpose was to equalise the competition by stopping power clubs from trading for the best players, but also to prevent clubs from putting themselves into a hole both financially through total player payments and age, by ensuring a constant injection of youth.
So did the Eagles pay overs for Kelly? The real payment might come as they try to trade their way into the first round of the 2020 draft. Clubs will target top-end talent. Players such as Andrew Gaff could be forced out of the club.
Kelly’s trade demand (2263 draft value index points in 2019 plus a 2020 first-round pick to come) represents a shift in the last two years, with clubs recognising the value of ready-made players over draft picks.
Essendon sit in the same position as the Eagles, having used no first-round draft pick in the period from 2017 to 2019. The Bombers do however still hold their first-round pick in 2020, ensuring them at least one selection. They just need to find a second one.
The ace up their sleeve could be Joe Daniher wanting to leave for Sydney again, or next generation academy player Cody Brand from the Calder Cannons.
A potential trade for Daniher is likely to net at least one first-round draft pick should he return to his All Australian form from 2017, and any bid on Brand in the top 19 picks would also secure another first-round pick. Don’t be surprised to see Adrian Dodoro try and turn the Bombers’ first-round pick into possibly two.
Antony Pincombe
Roar Rookie
Joe Daniher had better spend at least 18 matches on the park and be a star mate. If he doesn't spend a great deal of time on the park his value decreases incredibly. As for the Next Gen Academy player. The rest of the Comp could do the same to them as they could do to the Eagles. The fact is Dodo plays tough and there are a lot of scores to be settled.
Steve J
Roar Guru
Freo received zilch from the AFL when they entered. The AFL were fearful of creating another West Coast so they absolutely hamstrung Freo Freo travel as much s West Coast don't forget. Freo has played the second most games n the comp in Launceston, and overall 1 more game in Tassie than West Coast BTW West Coast and Freo alternate each year with who gets the first round game, it has nothing to do with where they ended up last season. This year Freo plays away to Essendon in round 1, last year they were at home to the Roos
The Dom is good
Roar Rookie
punish West Coast? really , so we haven't had enough crap since conception you still want the club to cop more? outrageous
Steve
Guest
The trade for Kelly may end up costing the Eagles. The punishment is yet to be seen, but it would be the first of its kind under current AFL regulations, and thus would probably be harsh to ensure a strong precedent. It says it right there in the regulations you linked in the article..... "Clubs must make at least two first-round selections in each four-year period. If they don't, they will face restrictions from trading any further first-round draft picks." That's the "punishment"
Gerard Klomp
Guest
Good Comment WCE.
Dan
Guest
There is no penalty. They just can't trade their next first rounder if they don't satisfy the previous 4 year criteria.
Matt
Guest
WOW. I know this is a fan forum and not written by a professional journalist but jeez talk about 'a long bow'! Feel the wrath of the AFL? What punishment will be handed down? For real? If the AFL didn't approve the deal would not have happened. Hawthorn do this more than anyone and the Eagles traded a 1st rounder to Gold Coast and got four 2nd rounders back with one being two picks later than the one traded. The AFL will hand out zero punishment and this won't even get a mention.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
We have been through this at the trade period time. yes it is good to have Tim Kelly at the Eagles. But I believe the Eagles could of done a better deal. Told Geelong to take a hike and did a better deal with another club and still got Tim Kelly and keep out picks. No the Eagles should not be punished. But they have made a big mistake because of some retirements at the Eagles, with may be Kennedy, Schofield, Hurn and Naitanui. The Eagles should of got a deal done to still get ready made young players to take over from our retiree's this year. Go the mighty Eagles.
Neville M
Guest
The ol' why did we play away frist round red herring again. Freo and WC take turns playing round 1 at home and it wasn't WC's year. Why play in Brisbane? Why not!
RT
Roar Rookie
On the other hand, I think it is terrible that Richmond had to travel so much early in 2019; it could have totally derailed our season. Outrageous treatment.
RT
Roar Rookie
Travelling fresh to Brisbane for round 1 rather than any other time in the season sounds like an advantage to me.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think most Eagles fans would argue the AFL is already holding the Eagles to ransom and has been ever since 1987
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
not sure if you realize but we didnt get Kelly as a gift, we took a chance and lost mega picks for him now you want to punish us? why dont you write a story about punishing the AFL for gifting Richmond idiotic amounts of home games in a row ? isnt that worse considering the glaring obvious nepotism ?
WCE
Roar Rookie
give me a break! West coast have always put up with idiotic disadvantages since conception including with only being allowed 35 players in the side compared with 55 for every other team through to today where we are the most traveled side in the comp. 2018 we won the flag then our first game in 2019 was the longest trip in footy to Brisbane !! why wasn't our fist game at home ? look at the history and the sweet gifts that given to other clubs before the conversation even starts about punishing the Eagles . So what if we got Kelly , we lost mega picks to get him , it wasnt a gift!
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Ridiculous premise, won't happen, shallow analysis, look at the 2018 premiership side and it's pretty well smoothed over the entire draft including rookies and I'm pretty sure you'll see similar with Richmond.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Stevens may be a work in progress but I was talking about the young midfielders stepping up. I am not denying that he is a loss but “two steps back”?
Tommy
Guest
Absolutely no need to apologise cracka, you speak English far better than the majority of Australians speak another language
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I didn't know that regulation existed. Yes that appears right, 3 in 5 doesn't equal 2 in 4. So why hasn't the AFL acted on it? The AFL is obviously trying to do everything in its power to keep the competition from being dominated by power clubs.
Josh
Expert
My understanding of these rules is that they only pertain to whether or not a club is allowed to trade their future picks, ie, if you haven't used at least two first rounders in the last four years, you're not allowed to then trade your future selections. Even then the AFL will grant exceptions if clubs apply for them, and WCE, being a well-run and generally successful club, would almost certainly get one of they asked, I suspect. Of course, this is only my understanding on the rules - the AFL has never really offered a great deal of clarity about how they work. At any rate, I doubt WCE would get into any kind of serious trouble. If nothing else they could make the argument that they may not have used a first rounder in the 2019 draft, but did use four second-rounders, which should be considered more than equivalent.
Jim Prideaux
Roar Rookie
I’m assuming as they used 2 in 2015, that counted as their 2 for 15, 16, 17 &18. They were then required to used at least one in 19, and one in 20.