So what realistic theoretical trades are we willing consider to secure McCarthy AND Bennell this trade period? '15 and '16 first picks are almost guaranteed both used. And we can't secure both McCarthy AND Bennell with draft picks alone, which leaves us to offer player(s).
For me personally, and I know I'm going to go under scrutiny, I would consider:
'15 first draft pick + Barlow for Cam McCarthy, 16' first draft pick for Bennell.
As much as I love Barlow, and being in complete denial with trading him, reality is any trade involving snagging both Bennell and McCarthy is going to hurt us one way or another. I think Barlow has played his role at Fremantle and due to our overflow of talent coming through the midfield his services are going to be somewhat lacklustre at our club, shown by some games throughout the year, derby especially. But I think he still has a lot to offer at clubs who don't have such a dominant midfield like Fremantle do, such as GWS. I don't know, I just found that sometimes throughout our 2015 campaign, we were overflowing with contested ball winners which lead to Barlow playing a more half forward role compared to his usual ball magnet, inside mid role. Truth is, we require more silky skills and less inside grunt, Bennell could replace Barlow in that midfield/forward role and provide us with better kicking efficiency/penetration while still retaining contested ball winning with Fyfe, Neale, Mundy.
I would also love it if McCarthy was handed the great #18 Fremantle Guernsey.