Stephen Silvagni has defended clubs who don’t actively pursue deals during the AFL Trade Period, saying “sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing”.
The 2021 off-season has been one of the quietest in recent memory, with many clubs competing with bulging salary caps and choosing to focus entirely on the draft.
Critics say that clubs who don’t make moves during the trade period fail to sell any hope and optimism to fans on how they will improve next year.
However, Silvagni believes simply targeting the draft is a sound tactic.
“I’m not one to say I’ve got to do something in the trade period,” he told AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade.
“Sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing and go to the draft.”
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Fellow The Late Trade co-host Damian Barrett challenged Silvagni that going to the draft was “the safe option,” suggesting Melbourne won the premiership off the back of its recruitment of Ben Brown.
But the veteran list manager says teams benefit more from drafting.
“No, it’s not (the safe option). I’ll tell you what it is, it’s actually the smart option because the bulk of your list and the bulk of your good players are generally the ones you pick in the draft,” Silvagni said.
“The thing is, (Melbourne) also went to the draft over a number of years as well … so their best four or five players would have been players they drafted.
“So, it doesn’t mean you have to do something every year at the trade table.”
However, the Carlton great says a team cannot exclusively be made up of draftees, and trading is required for young clubs.
Geelong is one such example who have topped up on mature-age recruits to keep themselves in the premiership window, while also giving their youth time to develop.
“But even so, even clubs that are on rebuilds, often they get criticised for bringing this player in for one or two years … they did that to protect someone else, to let the VFL team be a bit stronger,” Silvagni said.
“Going to the draft and having 10 selections of 18-year old’s, it doesn’t work out, because then your list, particularly VFL, they are babies.
“So, you need to be able to get some proven strength and older players on your list to actually help your VFL team, so these kids don’t get smashed.”
The AFL Trade Period concludes on Wednesday at 7.30 pm, but clubs can trade draft picks right up to and during the AFL National Draft on November 24 and 25.
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