Why does Essendon need to get back into this draft? Will they not have enough points otherwise to match an early bid?Bombers have problems in trading-up.
Firstly, they have to find a club willing to do it. Unlikely Demons (5) or Tigers (6) will do it. The opportunity cost of sliding back to pick 9 is too high.
Secondly, even if Essendon do trade-up, they have to get ahead of the Kako bid. It sounds like Demons could potentially bid for Kako as early as pick 5. Imagine if Bombers traded-up to pick 6 and the bid came in at 5. They would be really stuffed.
Trading-up for Essendon is really risky and it burns their future trade capital.
I think Bombers will need to trade-out. But they need to find a club who will trade a F1 AND give them a pick(s) this year that they can use to match the Kako bid. Preferably this pick is before their pick 31 so they can still draft this year.
Tigers have picks this year but won’t trade-out a F1.
Demons may trade-out a F1 and has pick 28.
Saints may trade-out a F1 and has pick 27.
Adelaide may trade-out a F1 and has pick 45.
I doubt NM would trade-out a F1 and has pick 25.
If I was Essendon, and I was trading-out pick 9, I’d want a F1 to be as early as possible and the for the incoming pick this year to be as early as possible.
Saints seem to tick both boxes. But are Essendon rational enough to trade-out? Not sure.