I agree. Trades and DFAs are completely different. Trades cost ND currency. DFA’s do not. My argument isn’t that trades and DFA’s are comparable, it’s that trades and draft picks have more with those state picks than DFA’s or rookie picks do.
I don’t much consider Shaw, O'Shea and Mullett an indication of anything other being desperate to cover the immediate loss of Gibbs and Docherty. And SOS would gladly have snafffled Kelly to do the same in the second round, which given the currency, indicates the stronger preference. To suggest he prefered Mullett (DFA) to Kelly (pick 24) is just a nonsense way of looking at things.
I never said Mullet was preferred over Kelly. I'm saying SOS clearly prefers recycled AFL talent to fill out the list over mature age state league talent.