I found today's "Gettable", on the AFL app, quite interesting.
From about the 12min mark Twomey discusses Trade/FA approach vs the draft.
Top 10 Brownlow 2024 - 1 not drafted by club.
14 club B&F winners drafted by club.
Top 21 vote getters in Players Assoc Award - 17 drafted by club.
Cripps, Serong, Gulden, Butters, McLuggage, Max Holmes, Merrett, Newcombe, A Brayshaw, Noah Anderson and N Daicos (FS but still drafted)
Trade/FA certainly has its place and needs to be done occasionally to fill areas of need, but primarily the best team's lists are built through the draft. Just gotta get the selections right.
On SM-G980F using BigFooty.com mobile app
You certainly build your core of talent through the draft, trades fill a need with known talent