GWS Giants and Sydney Swans both lost a high profile starter each on Friday with the confirmation of Toby Greene's move to Geelong and Joel Amartey to Carlton, both of which were highly expected weeks ago.
Both Greene and Amartey were unrestricted free agents due to their lengthy club service, which entitles their former clubs to compensation in the form of draft picks.
The AFL uses an unpublished algorithm to determine a club's level of compensation, determined by the future contract and salary of the departing player as well as their age, with the compensation falling into one of five categories.
The Giants and Swans were both handed 'Band 3' compensation for Friday's moves, which amounts to a second round selection in the 2026 national draft on November 19-20.
As it stands, GWS will receive pick 26 in the draft and Sydney pick 36, with the exact number likely to change between now and then as other trade deals and free agency moves are facilitated.
Sydney reportedly expected to receive Band 2 compensation for Amartey, which would have amounted to a late round one draft pick.
Greene departed the Giants at the top of the club list for all-time appearances with 282, having been a foundation player of the side as pick number 11 in their inaugural draft.
He held the captaincy of the club for four years and won its best and fairest award - a medal which could one day be renamed after him - and was the leading goalkicker of the team in four separate seasons.
Giants Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said on Friday that it "was difficult to see (Greene) go".
“Toby has been an incredible part of this football club for 15 years and we’ll never lose sight of what he’s given to the Giants,” McCartney said.
“While we’re disappointed that his journey with us has come to an end, we’re also incredibly proud of what he achieved and the role he played in helping build this club.
“An inaugural player at the club, Toby arrived at the Giants as a teenager and grew into a remarkable leader who not only performed at the highest level but just as importantly, he helped shape the club into what it is today.
"We respect Toby’s decision to return home to Victoria and we thank him for the enormous contribution he made to the club.
“Toby gave us, and our members and fans, so many great memories and he’ll forever be an important part of the club’s history.”
Across town at Moore Park, Joel Amartey left the Swans after a nine-year stint that included 76 games and 114 goals.
He started 2026 in a strong manner, kicking 3+ goals against five other finalists, before his season came to a premature end because of an Achilles injury.
It was an easy decision for Amartey to make, in small part because of the fact he joins four other former Swans including former housemate Will Hayward.
“From the passionate fanbase to seeing the momentum Carlton got from the middle of this year, combined with knowing the quality people they have at the Club, it made it an easy decision in the end," Amartey said on Friday.
“Off the field I like to bring my energy around the Club, I really want to bring that and earn the respect of not only the players and staff at Carlton but also every Blues fan.
“I have felt so welcomed already, I can already see how great the environment is here and can't wait for pre-season to roll around and get to work.”