How did Hawthorn’s final offer for Merrett compare to the Petracca and Curnow deals?
A few quick points first:
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Sydney, Hawthorn and Gold Coast are all likely top-6 sides over the next couple of years, so their future picks will probably be in the late teens.
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The 2027 draft will be heavily compromised because of Tasmania’s entry, meaning even first-rounders could slide into the 20s.
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There’s also the time value of picks — it’s always better to get talent in the door now rather than later, plus there’s more risk attached to future selections.
Curnow trade
Curnow, 31, 42 and a 2027 2nd
for
Hayward, 11, 2026 1st and 2027 1st
This one’s assess because it depends how you rate Hayward. He’s kicked 70 goals over the past two seasons, so he’s a good player in his own right. Let’s be generous and say Carlton basically traded 31, 42 and 2027 2nd for him.
That means, roughly, Carlton got pick 11, a 2026 first and a 2027 first for Curnow (plus the chance to trade for Hayward). As discussed that 2027 first is likely to be in the 20s.
Petracca trade
Petracca, 24, 28 and a 2026 2nd
for
7, 8, 37, 2026 1st and 2027 3rd
Similar to the Curnow deal, 2026 first is more of an upgrade than a straight swap. Value wise, you can view Dees as trading 24 their 2026 second for GC’s 2027 first.
So effectively Petracca and 28 for picks 7, 8 and a 2027 third.
Proposed Merrett trade
Merrett and a future 3rd
for
10, 22, 2026 1st and Hustwaite
The future 3rd pretty much cancels out Hustwaite (while overs. So it’s basically Merrett for 10, 22 and a 2026 first.
Conclusion
If you assume pick 22 this year is about the same value as a 2027 first (given the Tassie draft impact), that’s pretty comparable to the Curnow deal. However Blues did get the added value of Hayward.
Its also pretty close to the Petracca deal when you consider we didn’t have to give any second rounders back.