An AFL draft expert has slammed Essendon’s decision to trade out of its first-round slot back in October.
In the trade period, the Bombers dealt their No. 9 pick and future third-round selection to Melbourne for its future first-rounder and Picks 28, 40, 46, 54 and 65.
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The move was made in anticipation of an early rival bid for Next Generation Academy gun Isaac Kako, for whom Essendon had matching rights.
Draft guru Mick Ablett says it was the wrong move, expressing his surprise at the decision made by new list boss Matt Rosa — with a contending bid for the small forward not coming until Richmond at No. 13 on Wednesday night.
The concern is that Essendon cost itself the ability to pounce on an additional highly-touted talent.
“That’s what I found remarkable; staggering by Essendon to trade out Pick 9,” Ablett told Fox Footy’s national draft coverage on Wednesday.
“They must’ve thought that a bid was going to come for Kako prior to (No. 9); that’s the only reason you would get rid of that selection.
“In all due respect, I didn’t think it (a bid) would come that early, and I just think it’s an absolute blunder by Essendon — and they’re going to have their work cut out for them in this draft to get back in and select some high-end talent.
“If it was me, I would’ve sat there (and) if a club challenged me (I’d say) ‘you go for it — you want to bid on him before 9, go for your life (and) be prepared to take him, we’ll just take the 파워볼 next best and call the other club’s bluff’.
“I think Essendon have had one pulled over them and just given up an elite talent at Pick 9 in what we’ve spoken about as being a super draft.”
Obviously, the Dons matched the Tigers’ bid, snapping up the Calder Cannons goalsneak at No. 13.
The Bombers also attained a third-rounder during the trade period — Pick 53 — in an exchange with GWS that saw veteran forward Jake Stringer become a Giant.
In Wednesday’s first round, the Demons selected left-footed midfielder Harvey Langford (No. 6) and utility Xavier Lindsay (No. 11).