Opinion
Adelaide – Scott Thompson (269 games from 2005-2017)
During the 2003 trade period, the Crows exchanged pick 12 for Melbourne midfielder Scott Thompson. Thompson would proceed to have a decorated and stellar 13-year career with the Crows, quickly becoming one of the club’s most important players across this period.
Widely regarded as one of the competition’s toughest midfielders throughout that time, he would play 269 games for the Crows (playing at least 21 games in 11 of his 13 AFL seasons), winning consecutive Malcolm Blight Medals (Adelaide’s best and fairest award) in 2011 and 2012, and earning selection as Ruck Rover of the 2012 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.
This was a massive trade “win”, as Melbourne would then utilise pick 12 to help secure midfielder Brent Moloney from Geelong, with the Tigers eventually using the pick 12 selection to draft utility Danny Meyer – who would only play 26 games across two clubs.
Other candidates: Utility Tom Lynch came from St Kilda in exchange for pick 37 (Jack Newnes) in a deal which provided great value to the Crows, whilst mainstay ruckman Sam Jacobs was traded to the club from Carlton for picks 34 (Patrick McCarthy and 67 (Andrew McInnes).
Brisbane – Dayne Zorko (210 games, 210 goals from 2012-current)
This is the AFL trade definition of daylight robbery. Originally zoned to the Gold Coast Suns after dominating for Broadbeach at state league level, Zorko was traded to Brisbane along with pick 47 – Patrick Wearden. In exchange, the Lions parted ways with picks 34 (Shane Kersten) and 52 (Josh Tynan) in a three-way deal that also involved Melbourne.
Joining the Lions in the 2011 off-season, Zorko has since won four best and fairest awards, became club captain in 2018, and was also named on the half-forward flank in the 2017 All-Australian team. This has been quite the career (so far) for someone once labelled “too slow, too small and too unfit” to succeed at AFL level.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Other candidates: Triple premiership player and star fullback Mal Michael arrived from Collingwood in exchange for Jarrad Molloy and draft pick 44 in the 2000 AFL draft, whilst Stefan Martin was traded from Melbourne for picks 52 (Matt Jones) and 71 (Daniel Nicholson) in the 2012 trade period.
Carlton – Heath Scotland (215 games from 2004-2014)
Having just played in consecutive Grand Finals, Scotland was traded to Carlton from arch enemies Collingwood during the 2003 trade period in a deal which saw the Pies receive pick 35. With this selection, Collingwood elected to draft Brent Hall – who would play a solitary game in 2005 for the black and white.
Renowned for his ability to influence games both in the midfield and across half-back, Scotland would proceed to play 215 games for the club across 11 very consistent seasons – averaging more than 20 disposals per game in eight successive seasons.
His finest achievements in the navy blue include winning the club’s best and fairest award in 2012 and earning selection in the 40-man All-Australian squad in 2011.
Other candidate/s: Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd arrived at the end of 2007 with pick 46 (Dennis Armfield) in exchange for star full-forward Josh Kennedy, pick 3 (Chris Masten) and pick 20 (Tony Notte), and was unquestionably the club’s best player throughout that period, however, both clubs could argue they “won” the trade given the on-field contributions of Kennedy and Masten for the Eagles.
Collingwood – Jack Crisp (159 games for Collingwood from 2015-current)
Referred to as the ‘steak knives’ deal of this era, Crisp was merely the accessory of a deal during the 2014 trade period which saw Brisbane secure prolific midfielder Dayne Beams, in exchange for Crisp, pick 5 (Jordon De Goey) and pick 25 (which was on-traded to North Melbourne who selected Daniel Nielson).
Since arriving at the club, Crisp has been anything but an accessory, becoming an incredibly consistent and reliable performer – playing 159 consecutive matches and averaging more than 20 disposals per game in every season excluding 2020 (which had reduced quarters due to COVID).
Crisp’s ability to perform in both and through the midfield remains a valuable asset to Collingwood’s lineup. The Murray Bushrangers product’s high level of performance was acknowledged in 2021, winning the club’s best and fairest as well as leading their Brownlow Medal count with 11 votes.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Other candidates: James Clement – traded from Fremantle alongside Brodie Holland and pick 22 (on-traded) in exchange for pick 8 (Daniel Motlop) and pick 39 (Adam McPhee) at the end of 2000, was a two-time best and fairest winner and dual All-Australian and was a close second when it came to the Pies’ best trade “win” of the 21st century.
Part 2: Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast
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