BRISBANE'S rise up the ladder this season will equate to a massive advantage over QClash rivals Gold Coast during the upcoming NAB AFL Trade Period, following a risky deal that slipped under the radar last year.
The two fierce local rivals, who meet at the Gabba on Saturday evening, swapped a bevy of early draft selections during the frantic final day of the Trade Period.
As part of the deal, Brisbane boldly handed Gold Coast its future first-round draft pick, barely two months after a rocky campaign where it finished fourth-bottom on the AFL ladder.
In return, the Suns relinquished last season's pick No.19 – which the Lions then used as part of a trade to get Lachie Neale to the club – as well as a future second-round pick and third-round selection that came via the Hawks.
However, Brisbane's rapid improvement this year – combined with a run of 15 straight Gold Coast defeats, plus Hawthorn's inability to make finals – has meant the trade has turned into one of the last exchange period's most lopsided deals.
Gold Coast's future second-round pick is almost certain to be the 19th selection, just three after where Brisbane was set to initially draft, while Hawthorn's selection will be the 43rd pick.
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Meanwhile, Brisbane's position in third on the ladder means Gold Coast is set to only receive pick No.16 in this year's draft in return.
It means that as things currently stand, Brisbane's haul from the trade will account to 2274 Draft Value Index (DVI) points, more than double that of what Gold Coast will receive (1067).
Brisbane will benefit from those selections both during both the upcoming trade period, and the NAB AFL Draft, adding a bit of extra spice to this weekend's QClash meeting.
WHAT THE TRADE LOOKS LIKE NOW
Brisbane gets: Pick No.19 (last year), pick No.19, pick No.43
Gold Coast gets: Pick No.16
DVI POINTS TALLY
Brisbane: 2274 DVI points
Gold Coast: 1067 DVI points
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