Cal Twomey explores the potential deal involving Tom Barrass moving to Hawthorn.
Barrass, seen after West Coast’s round 20 loss to Fremantle in 2024, requested a trade to the Hawks earlier this month. According to Twomey, this move could resemble a form of “pick purchasing,” with West Coast potentially covering part of Barrass’ salary.
Pick purchasing, where one club effectively buys a draft pick from another, is prohibited under current AFL rules. However, Twomey suggests that part of the Barrass trade could function as a legal variation of this concept. He believes Hawthorn might offer two first-round picks in exchange for Barrass, with the Eagles sending back a second-round pick.
West Coast, eager to acquire high draft picks for their rebuild, has ample salary cap space. On the other hand, Hawthorn, with premiership ambitions, might be willing to trade draft capital if it means only paying part of Barrass’ salary.
“I think we could see the Hawks offer their first-round pick this year and next year for Barrass, with a second-rounder returning to Hawthorn,” Twomey stated on AFL.com.au’s *Gettable* trade and draft show.
He added, “This could effectively look like a pick purchase. Since Barrass is contracted for three more years, if West Coast pays part of his salary, it could be like buying a pick from the Hawks.”
Twomey predicts that Hawthorn is likely to finish in the top six next season, while West Coast could end up in the bottom six, resulting in a 10-pick slide.
Although paying a player’s salary after a trade isn’t uncommon—recent examples include Brodie Grundy, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara, and Adam Treloar—the idea of pick purchasing has gained support. Figures like Sam Mitchell and Brad Scott have backed the concept, arguing that it would expedite rebuilding efforts.
While AFL player movement boss Ned Guy mentioned in May that pick purchasing was under consideration, it has yet to be formally introduced as part of the league’s trade and draft changes.
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