Out of respect for our contracted superstar Shai Bolton, I'll discuss potential improvements to our draft hand in this thread.
We already have a stacked hand in this draft, and are likely to improve it through trading our suite of later picks for first-rounders to the likes of Carlton, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, who all have highly-rated academy kids or father-sons.
Baker seems a big chance to go, delivering us another teens pick and probably a future second-rounder.
Bolton is worth at least a top-3 pick and another first-rounder. Woukd West Coast trade pick 1 and more to get him when they're a long way off contending? If Freo wants him, how do they get the currency required? Whichever side of the 'trade Shai' debate you're on, no number of teens picks (3 x pick 15 for a contracted superstar? GTFO!) is a good trade.
Then there's someone like Short. Potentially valuable to a contender. Taking a spot in our side that we could use to develop youth. Could get us a pick around 20.
Our current draft hand: 4, 24, 32, 41, 42, 50, 60, 62, 72
Let's say Baker goes to Freo. We'll have pick 12 (we won't get pick 6) and your future second, thanks.
What about Short? Brisbane might be interested in a backline kicker to replace Rich, and need to offload their first so they can get Ashcroft for peanuts. Short plus picks 32, 41, 42, 50, 60, 62, 72 for pick 9. Improves their points and gives them Short.
Now we have picks 4, 9, 12, 24.
And Shai.