This story originally appeared on afl.com.au

No players traded in

Young player Myles Poholke, who is yet to debut, arrived at the Crows with the pick they received from Gold Coast in exchange for Jarryd Lyons. Poholke has showed promise in the SANFL and has been an emergency a couple of times. The Crows also missed out on doing a deal for Carlton star Bryce Gibbs. Those two moves have allowed the likes of Rory Atkins, Charlie Cameron and Curtly Hampton – who the Crows acquired in the 2015 trade period – to spend more time in the midfield. - Lee Gaskin

Jack Frost (two games): Came from Collingwood as a virtual replacement for retired fullback Daniel Merrett. After missing the opening round through suspension, Frost struggled in his two appearances and was left out in favour of younger players. Still has a big role to play once he regains form.

Picks: The Port Adelaide first-rounder acquired as part of a convoluted deal that saw Pearce Hanley go to Gold Coast might not be as good as the Lions first hoped. With the Power surging, the pick might now be in the 10-14 range. The Lions also have a third-rounder from Collingwood. - Michael Whiting   

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Caleb Marchbank (six games): Is vindicating the Blues' efforts in luring him from GWS, winning a Rising Star nomination for round six. Key defender who reads the game well, excels in intercept possessions and wins plenty of the ball.

Rhys Palmer (one): Broke into the senior team to play in the round three victory against Essendon in wet conditions at the MCG. Knee injury set him back briefly but has performed well at VFL level.

Jarrod Pickett (five): Speedy forward who made his AFL debut against Richmond in round one and showed glimpses of his considerable talent before being dumped in round six. Oozes class and ready to have an impact.

Billie Smedts (three): Played the first two matches, then dropped to the VFL before returning strongly against the Swans last Saturday. Works hard off the ball and tackles hard, but can improve certain parts of his game, particularly disposal and decision-making. - Howard Kotton

Lynden Dunn (one game): The former Melbourne vice-captain was overlooked for senior selection until key defender Ben Reid was rested at the weekend against Geelong, but the almost 30-year-old capitalised on his opportunity by keeping Cats monster Tom Hawkins to just one goal.

Will Hoskin-Elliott (six): The versatile ex-Giant has been a terrific inclusion, averaging almost 19 touches and tallying 8.2 in a variety of roles: wing, half-back and half-forward. A lovely kick, he slotted the winning goal against the Swans in round two. 

Chris Mayne (three): The former Freo star forward has made a sluggish start to his four-year contract with the Pies, producing underwhelming performances in the opening three rounds before being dropped to the VFL. 

Daniel Wells (two): The ex-Kangaroos free agent was slow to gain fitness in the pre-season and then suffered a lingering calf injury, but in the past fortnight he has shown he could help transform the team with his run and class. - Ben Collins

Picks: The Pies have a round-three and round-four pick from the Brisbane Lions.

James Stewart (zero games): The key forward has not yet broken into Essendon's senior side despite some promising performances at VFL level.

Josh Green (four): Green started the season well in round one before a minor hamstring ruled him out for two weeks. The former Brisbane Lion returned immediately when fit and was excellent on Anzac Day with three goals. - Callum Twomey

Joel Hamling (six games) Hung out to dry on Josh Kennedy in the Western Derby but the ex-Dogs premiership backman has been a dependable addition, particularly against his former side when he blanketed Travis Cloke and the Dockers kick-started their season.

Bradley Hill (six) Many wondered how the speedy wingman would perform coming from Hawthorn's powerhouse era but Hill stood up when the going was toughest against Port in round two and is averaging career-best disposals (22.5).

Cam McCarthy (six) A shining light so far, winning over fans with his elite workrate and passion. The ex-Giant endeared himself with the game-winning toe poke against Melbourne and was the only Freo forward who looked dangerous against the Eagles with all three of the Dockers' goals to half-time.

Shane Kersten (six) It wasn't smooth sailing early, with Kersten under the pump after a nervous and fumbly debut against old club Geelong in round one, but the 24-year-old has lifted since. Snapped the match-winner against North and starting to hit the scoreboard with six goals in the past four weeks. – Travis King

Picks: The Dockers have a fourth-rounder from the Suns.

Aaron Black (two games): Had a promising start to the pre-season games but didn't get a call up to the AFL side until round five, where he kicked two goals and had 21 touches against St Kilda. Was quieter in the loss to Collingwood, but wasn't alone. 

Zach Tuohy (six): Is going very well in a role off half-back. Has played every game since crossing from Carlton and averaging over 26 disposals.

Picks: The Cats have a round-two selection for this season they traded in from Carlton, which should land somewhere in the early 20s. - Jennifer Phelan.

Michael Barlow (six games): Has proved an invaluable delisted free agent acquisition from Fremantle, playing a crucial hybrid role between half-forward and midfield. Averaging 25 touches a game.

Pearce Hanley (one): After a great pre-season, the former Brisbane Lion has had a frustrating run. Went back to Ireland to spend the final days with his terminally-ill younger brother and then suffered a heel injury in his first game back in the NEAFL. Not expected to be available until round 10.

Jarryd Lyons (six): Lyons has been a consistent performer since coming from Adelaide. Missed time during the pre-season with an Achilles niggle, and, after a quiet opening fortnight, has been strong in his midfield role.

Jarrod Witts (six): A success story so far. Witts has locked down the No.1 ruck role and been a big influence when the Suns have played well.

Picks: The Suns have three second-round picks coming their way via Hawthorn, Fremantle and Richmond. If current form holds for the rest of the season, those picks should land around 20, 25 and 30 respectively. - Michael Whiting

Brett Deledio (zero games): The former Tiger hasn't been seen after yet another calf injury, and perhaps more worrying, is the fact that the Giants can't or won't put a date on when he'll be ready to play.

Picks: The Giants have second-round picks from Collingwood and St Kilda to use this year, but the way it looks at the moment with the Cats third on the ladder and the Saints just outside the eight, neither will get them a spot inside the top 25. - Adam Curley

There is still no clarity on when Brett Deledio will make his GWS debut. Picture: AFL Photos 

Ricky Henderson (four games): The unrestricted free agent from Adelaide played the first four games of the year across half-back and the wing. Went OK but is now back in the VFL.

Tom Mitchell (six):  Ball-magnet Mitchell leads the AFL with 206 disposals through six games and would be miles ahead in the Hawk best and fairest. Absolutely worth sending Hawthorn's first 2016 draft pick, No.14 overall, to Sydney for. 

Jaeger O'Meara (three): Missed two games because of a bruised knee but has averaged 22 disposals a game in the four he has played. Has showed flashes of brilliance, but still finding his way back after missing two seasons.

Tyrone Vickery (three): Three games and one goal for the former Tiger big man, who is the poster boy for Hawthorn's poor start to the season. Is finding some form at VFL level and will play AFL again soon.

Picks: The Hawks traded their first two picks at this year's draft to help secure O'Meara and might have to swallow hard if they finish near the bottom this year and the boom recruit fails to fire. Their first pick in the draft is the Giants' second-rounder, which will fall over 30. - Ashley Browne

Jordan Lewis (three games): The four-time premiership Hawk was suspended for three matches for striking Carlton's Patrick Cripps in round two. The Demons lost the next three games as a result, but he is back playing now and offering the on-field leadership the club missed in his absence.

Michael Hibberd (two): The former Bomber was hampered by an Achilles injury in the latter part of the pre-season and missed the first month of the season. Returned against Richmond in round five to be the Demons' best and will be a valuable acquisition.

Pat McKenna (zero): McKenna did not play a game in his two seasons at the Giants before he was traded to Melbourne along with an exchange of picks last year. McKenna will be sidelined for the next six weeks with a hamstring injury. - Ben Guthrie

Paul Ahern (zero games): The 20-year-old, a top-10 draft pick in 2014, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee twice last year – in February, then September – while still on Greater Western Sydney's list. Highly unlikely to play before 2018, but plans to be in full training before the season ends.

Nathan Hrovat (six): Hrovat is averaging almost 20 disposals in a midfield role, but was dropped for round five before receiving a late reprieve when Shaun Higgins withdrew. The ex-Western Bulldog played what coach Brad Scott described as his best game for the club in Saturday night's win over Gold Coast and has not missed a match.

Marley Williams (six): Williams joined the Roos from Collingwood, where he had a reputation as an underwhelming kick. But he is going at 81 per cent disposal efficiency with North and produced memorable and timely chasedowns in each of the past two rounds.

Picks: The Roos swapped 2017 third and fourth-round picks with the Bulldogs in the Hrovat deal, so will slide in each round, given its 1-5 start as the reigning premiers look headed for another finals assault. - Marc McGowan

No players traded in

Fifth on the ladder after a 4-2 start, the Power's decision to trade their 2016 and 2017 first-round picks to boost their draft position inside the first three rounds looks to be paying dividends. While youngsters Todd Marshall, Joe Atley and Willem Drew are still developing, midfield bull Sam Powell-Pepper has made an instant impact in his six games, winning the round one NAB AFL Rising Star nomination. The Power also tried to trade Hamish Hartlett out, but the experienced midfielder has been solid across half-back. - Lee Gaskin

Josh Caddy (six games): Numbers are down and hasn't hit his straps as a midfielder playing large periods forwards, but is helping the club's stars at stoppages in a selfless role.

Toby Nankervis (six): Arguably recruit of the year across the competition so far, leading the Tigers' ruck division well with a rare balance of brute strength and mobility. 

Dion Prestia (six): Has looked sore at times and his performances have been up and down, averaging a five-year low of 21.3 possessions and kicking poorly in some games. 

Picks: The Tigers secured a first-round pick (Geelong) and third-round pick (GWS) in this year's NAB AFL Draft. On current ladder positions, those picks would fall at No.16 and No.53 respectively. - Nathan Schmook

Nathan Brown (six games): Fortifying the defence was the Collingwood premiership player's role and he has done that well, with his job on Geelong big man Tom Hawkins in round five particularly impressive.

Jack Steele (six): The former Giant is fifth in the competition for tackles per game and his 187cm frame adds size around the contest.

Koby Stevens (one): Food poisoning during the JLT Community Series set Stevens back but he impressed in his club debut against Hawthorn last week and will be especially important while David Armitage is sidelined after groin surgery.

Picks: St Kilda has Hawthorn's first-round selection this year, which would be pick No.2 if the season ended today. The Saints also have North Melbourne's fourth-round pick. - Dinny Navaratnam

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No players traded in

Picks: The Swans traded up in last year's draft to get picks nine, which turned into pick 11 because of earlier academy bids, and 19 (21), which they used to nab Oliver Florent (four games) and Will Hayward (five). The youngsters have been bright spots in a disastrous start to the season, with their speed and foot skills impressive, and both look to be fantastic long-term prospects in Sydney. - Adam Curley

Sam Mitchell (five games) Started with a bang, picking up 38 disposals on Eagles debut in round one, and has delivered the leadership and experienced head West Coast's midfield badly needed. Was sorely missed against former club Hawthorn but returned in the derby and won game-high 10 clearances despite still struggling with a sore ankle.

Drew Petrie (one) Courageously played on with a broken hand suffered in the opening minutes of his emotional return to face North Melbourne in round one and kicked a late goal in one of the season's highlights so far. Still on the comeback trail.

Nathan Vardy (six) Injury-plagued former Cat might be the latest Eagles big man to succumb to the club's ruck curse, but soldiered on in the derby despite hurting his elbow early. Lowered his colours to Ben McEvoy against Hawthorn but he is a competitor and has adapted impressively to the ruck, averaging 20 hit-outs. – Travis King

Travis Cloke (four games): The former Magpie was having a serviceable first season at Whitten Oval, until he sustained broken ribs in the round four win over North Melbourne. Before injury struck, the 30-year-old had slotted five goals and averaged nearly five marks per game. He also logged handy minutes in the ruck.

Picks: In a deal that saw the Dogs trade midfielder Nathan Hrovat to North Melbourne last year, the clubs swapped third and fourth round selections in this year's NAB AFL Draft. As it stands now those picks would be No.40 and No.58. The Dogs also have a fifth-rounder from St Kilda. - Ryan Davidson




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