With live trading in effect for the first time, Carlton shipped next year's first-round pick to the Crows, who gave up pick No.19 on Thursday night and their own first-round pick next year.

Blues list boss Stephen Silvagni pulled the trigger on the risky trade to take Sandringham Dragons midfielder Liam Stocker.

If Carlton struggle again next year and Adelaide bounce back into the finals, the deal will be a steal for the Crows.

The SA club could conceivably win the flag and have the No.1 pick at the 2019 draft if the Blues take the wooden spoon again.

"That's all speculation - what happens if we finish on top of the Crows? It is what it is," Silvagni told reporters at Marvel Stadium.

"The season will take care of itself and what we do know is we're really happy to bring a good player through the door.

"... This is going to happen more and more - if you travel to the United States, this happens a lot.

"I'm comfortable, because I know I've got a good player."

All the talk about Adelaide's draft intentions had them trading up to try to snare one of South Australian duo Jack Lukosius or Izak Rankine, who went to Gold Coast second and third respectively.

But after taking Tasmanian midfielder Chayce Jones (No.9) and Geelong firebrand Ned McHenry (16), Crows list boss Justin Reid sent the 19th overall selection packing.

"We're really rapt with the two players we've got in Chayce and Ned and an opportunity presented itself," Reid said.

"There's always a bit of risk but with that also comes reward.

"... I guess you can't (judge it) until you get to 12 months time and we know what positions we sit in in the draft.

"It's a calculated decision and there's some risk with that but hopefully some reward as well.

"Time will tell."

In all, 22 players were taken in the AFL's new draft format, with the remaining rounds of the national draft and the rookie draft to be held on Friday.

Sandringham Dragons key forward Max King had long been linked with St Kilda and the lifelong Saints fan got his wish, joining the club at pick No.4.

Another SA lad rounded out the top five, Connor Rozee staying in his home state after Port Adelaide claimed the versatile utility.

Gold Coast used pick No.6 to claim King's twin brother Ben who, like his brother, cuts an imposing figure at 202cm and is capable of filling a key post forward or back.

Premiers West Coast, Hawthorn, Melbourne and Essendon were interested onlookers on Thursday night as they didn't have first-round selections, although the Eagles did a pair of trade with the Swans for late picks in this draft and next year's.

Australian Associated Press