Carlton thought they had a deal. Adelaide thought they had an agreement, but says it was no deal. It was enough that they both shook hands on, shall we say, an arrangement.

But when the clock started ticking on first round draft night on Wednesday for Adelaide to decide what they were going to do with pick six, the deal Carlton thought they had suddenly changed.

Before the draft Carlton and Adelaide discussed a pick swap involving pick six for pick nine and a future pick.

Top 10 round one draft picks: (back, left to right) Tom Green, Liam Henry, Caleb Serong, Hayden Young, Fischer McAsey, (front) Lachie Ash, Luke Jackson, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Dylan Stephens. Credit:Justin McManus

Adelaide had their eye on two players – Dylan Stephens and Fischer McAsey. If Sydney took Stephens they were open to trading pick six to the Blues for pick nine because they thought they were still a strong chance to still get McAsey with pick nine.