GRAEME Allan has echoed Paul Roos' thoughts that AFL clubs may soon start trading their star players well before they become free agents.
Free agency is only in its second year in the AFL and compensation picks are a hot issue, with Hawthorn extremely unhappy to only receive the 19th pick in the NAB AFL Draft for losing Lance Franklin to the Sydney Swans.
With compensation picks to be reviewed by the AFL, Roos stated earlier this month he felt clubs would start to trade players before they become free agents, a policy common in American sports.
Roos orchestrated one of the trading period's most hotly debated moves when he sent the second pick in the draft to Greater Western Sydney for Dom Tyson and pick No.9.
Allan, GWS' football manager, believes Roos is right at the forefront of the changing landscape.
"I admire Paul Roos and the way he was able to pioneer it and swap his pick two, take a player and get pick nine," he told SEN on Thursday.
"It is a typical American system and I think with free agency in place now, you're going to find this happening more and more with clubs trading blokes before they get to free agency, similar to they do in the (United) States."
The Giants have been active players in the Gillette AFL Trade Period, with Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw and Jed Lamb all declaring their intentions to come on board.
Shaw was swapped for young GWS midfielder Taylor Adams in a deal that was to be officially lodged with the AFL on Thursday.
Amid some concerns about Shaw's character and what he will bring to GWS, Allan launched a spirited defence of the defender, who he has known since he was born.
Allan stated he had no concerns about any issues on or off the field with the premiership-winning Magpie.
The Giants have been desperate to add some experience to their roster and Allan believes both sides should benefit from the trade, admitting he is also a massive admirer of Adams.
"He could captain that club," Allan said.
"He's an outstanding young man, he's tough, he's as tough a young kid as I've seen play for a long time.
"Collingwood have got a really, really good player there, don't worry about that."
Allan was also asked about GWS' potential forward line, with the Giants to select Tom Boyd first overall in the upcoming draft to sit alongside Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton.
Cameron picked up an All Australian nod this year, while Patton is recovering from his second serious knee injury, and Allan has no doubts all three tall forwards will be able to co-exist.
"Oh god yeah," he said. "I remember Jonathan Brown, Daniel Bradshaw and Alastair Lynch creating havoc for 10 years (at the Brisbane Lions).
"I think we've got something similar there.
"(Patton is) looking really fit and he's actually lost all his puppy fat and has the body of a monster at the moment.
"He's going to be terrific."
