AFL Trade Period 2023: West Coast Eagles’ No.1 pick set to take centre stage in cross-club dealings

For all the noise around Clayton Oliver and Taylor Adams, it is the battle for the No.1 draft pick that has the most potential to shape the AFL trade period.

West Coast hold the top selection, almost certain to be used on Victorian teen sensation Harley Reid by whichever club ends up with it.

The Eagles are open to handing over the pick during the trade period, which starts on Monday, in a deal that would land them multiple high-end selections in return.

West Australian top-five prospect Daniel Curtin is on their radar as they weigh up whether Reid presents any sort of flight risk with a move interstate.

For his part, 18-year-old Reid - from Tongala, about 25km from Echuca in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley region - says he will “be happy anywhere”.

At 185cm and 85kg, Reid has been likened to Dustin Martin and is regarded by some club recruiters as a generational talent.

North Melbourne and Hawthorn are among the clubs interested in landing the No.1 pick, but must satisfy the Eagles in a trade.

The Kangaroos are in best position, helped by their AFL assistance package and looming compensation for losing free agent Ben McKay to Essendon, while the Hawks have WA product Tyler Brockman determined to move back to his home state.

Melbourne and GWS also have strong draft hands that could be used to tempt West Coast into a trade.

As negotiations play out, Collingwood stalwart Adams’ possible move to Sydney could prove to be the biggest bombshell of the trade period.

The Swans are keen to add more grunt around the contest, while extra midfield time would appeal to Adams.

The 30-year-old was forced into extended stints at half-forward after Tom Mitchell’s arrival at the Magpies this year and eventually missed their premiership through injury.

The Swans are also the likely destination for former Mapgie Brodie Grundy, who is on the way out of Melbourne after the dual-ruck experiment with Max Gawn failed.

And Fremantle’s key defender Joel Hamling has nominated the Swans, who missed out on Ben McKay and West Coast’s Tom Barrass.

Port Adelaide have tall defenders Esava Ratugolea (Geelong) and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon) in their sights as they seek to bolster their back-line.

Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet has requested a trade to the Power, while St Kilda are eyeing Fremantle wingman Liam Henry and have also been linked to Dylan Shiel (Essendon) and Paddy Dow (Carlton).

Sydney’s Dylan Stephens and Carlton’s Zac Fisher could end up at North Melbourne, and Melbourne’s James Harmes has attracted interest from the Western Bulldogs.

Hawthorn’s Jacob Koschitzke (Richmond), Adelaide’s Shane McAdam (Melbourne) and Gold Coast’s Mabior Chol (Hawthorn) have requested moves, while Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg appears set to join brother Harry Himmelberg at GWS.

The Suns are open to offers for contracted former top-10 draft pick Elijah Hollands, who could join brother Ollie Hollands at Carlton.

Oliver, who is contracted to Melbourne to 2030, is staying put after the Demons quashed trade speculation and vowed to help the 26-year-old through his “personal circumstances”.