CARLTON has the best position in this year’s draft after trading for four picks inside the top 20.

Each pick inside the top 73 at the draft has been given a statistical value by the AFL, with the Blues leading the competition in draft points accrued following the recent trade period.

In addition to holding pick 1 following a last-placed finish, Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni offloaded Lachie Henderson for pick 8, Chris Yarran for pick 19 and traded picks 20 and 21 to the Western Bulldogs for pick 11.

Essendon has the second best draft position after giving away Jake Carlisle and Jake Melksham for picks 5, 24 and 25. That is in addition to its original first selection, which stands at pick 4.

Brisbane and GWS are inside the top six in terms of total draft points, having to trade for an abundance of points in order to gain academy selections.

Both teams are expected to each have two academy products inside the top 20 of the draft, making total points accrued vital ahead of the draft.

At the bottom of the table, Geelong has the worst draft position of all 18 sides following a busy trade period.

The Cats gained Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Selwood, Henderson and Zac Smith and will now start the draft at pick 67 as a result.

Collingwood is only just ahead of them, having to trade for Adam Treloar, James Aish and Jeremy Howe. They subsequently hold only one pick inside the top 65.

TOTAL DRAFT POINTS (COURTESY OF CHAMPION DATA)

1. Carlton (7132)

2. Essendon (5635)

3. Brisbane (4664)

4. Melbourne (4482)

5. Gold Coast (3665)

6. GWS Giants (3267)

7. North Melbourne (2756)

8. Adelaide (2710)

9. Western Bulldogs (2678)

10. Hawthorn (2399)

11. Sydney (2198)

12. St Kilda (1567)

13. West Coast (1544)

14. Richmond (1514)

15. Fremantle (1502)

16. Port Adelaide (871)

17. Collingwood (783)

18. Geelong (69)