The recently altered trading rules enable draft selections to be swapped without a player being involved, forced mediation when talks break down, and the ability to trade rookies.
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the changes had resulted in more beneficial interaction between clubs.
"I think the fact we've had 23 players find new homes and that we've relaxed the rules to enable more trades to happen more freely is a good thing," he said on Friday, after the official 2pm deadline.
"It means a club that loses a player is getting something in return, whereas free agency talked about not necessarily producing the same result."
He said the current regulations – that don't allow out-of-contract players to negotiate their next contract with rival clubs – are fair and reasonable.
"We think the draft and salary cap have served the competition really well, and are integral as to why we have an even competition and the competitive balance is as it is," he said.
"What we've seen this trade period is the vast majority of players wanting to move have been able to get to a club of their choice."
Anderson conceded St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball could be disappointed with the current rules, given he was denied a trade to his favoured club of Collingwood when the two parties failed to agree on terms.
But, he said the AFL was satisfied overall with how the trade period had panned out.
"I'm not across the details of why that particular trade didn't go ahead," he said. "The fact is, we've had 23 players this trade period find new homes via the trade mechanism."
