The Sydney Swans have strengthened their position ahead of next month’s draft following the completion of the AFL trade period today.

In the final minutes of trade period, the Swans secured draft picks 9, 19 and 49 from Port Adelaide for picks 14, 17 and 31.

The Swans will now enter the draft with a top 10 pick for the first time since 2009 as well as pick 19.

The Swans will use the picks to bring in some exciting new talent that will complement an existing group of emerging youngsters.

In 2016, the Swans had seven debutants – Aliir Aliir, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, George Hewett, Harry Marsh, Jordan Foote and Jack Hiscox – with five of them featuring in the finals.

Swans coach John Longmire said overall the Club was happy with the outcome of the trade period.

“In the end we’ve ended up with four selections in the top 50, two in the top 20 and one in the top 10 so coming off a Grand Final appearance to be able to add some more exciting young talent to the seven debutants we had this year and some of the other young, exciting players we’ve got on our team, we’re think we’ve ended up OK out of the period,” Longmire said.

“We understood a couple of players have left, in Tom Mitchell and Toby Nankervis in particular they had opportunities elsewhere that we couldn’t match, and they’ve decided to take those opportunities and we wish them all the best but it has allowed us to add to that group of young talent we’ve already got on our list.

“We’ve been thrilled with what Kinnear Beatson and Michael Agresta have been able to do with our younger players they’ve selected already, we’ve seen the impact some of the kids have been able to have in a very short period of time, and to be able to get access to better draft picks and go again with another group and give Kinnear and his team an opportunity to do that is very exciting.”

Summary of 2016 AFL Trade Period 

IN
Pick 9
Pick 19
Pick 46
Pick 49

OUT
Ted Richards (retired)
Ben McGlynn (retired)
Tom Derickx (retired)
Tom Mitchell (traded to Hawthorn)
Toby Nankervis (traded to Richmond)
Kyle Galloway (delisted)

The Swans will enter next month’s draft with picks 9, 19, 46 and 49.