The evenness of this year’s top draft talent meant West Coast was willing to trade pick two to secure a pair of prized first-round selections, National Recruiting Manager Rohan O’Brien says.

The Eagles were involved in a complex four-club deal on Monday that delivered the club picks eight and 12 in this year’s draft, plus valuable future second and third-round picks tied to Port Adelaide.

As it stands, the Eagles hold a strong draft hand with four picks inside the top 26 this year, and can continue executing the strategy of replenishing the squad with talented youth.

“We’ve stated all the way through that now is the right time for us to go to the draft and if you’re going to do that you have to do it over a two-or-three-year period,” O’Brien told Trade Radio.  

“We did have the five picks last year with three in the (first) two rounds and we’ve got four inside 26 this year.

“To have the three in the (first) two rounds already next year we think has provided us with a good platform to come out of that period with some good young talent on our list.”

The Eagles are set to take two first-round picks for the first time in 15 years, stretching back to when the club selected Chris Masten third overall and Brad Ebert at selection 13.

O’Brien revealed West Coast was comfortable sliding its first selection this year from pick two to eight given recruiters' confidence in the similar quality of players available.

“We don’t think there’s a big difference, to be truthful. There’s a group of guys maybe in the top 12 to 15 who are fairly even and, more importantly, bring something really good to the table,” O’Brien said.

“There’s potentially a bit of difference between players and we all have to acknowledge that, but to get two of them (first-round picks) instead of one we thought was a really good opportunity.

“Obviously you don’t consider a pick slide unless you are comfortable with a group of players.”

The Eagles, who also added speedster Jayden Hunt as an unrestricted free agent this off-season, are unlikely to be involved in any other trades before Wednesday’s deadline.

Meanwhile, O’Brien confirmed 2018 premiership skipper Shannon Hurn would play on for an 18^th season in 2023 with only the formalities still to be completed.

“Shannon’s just on a break at the minute,” O’Brien said.

“He’s not been in a rush to work through anything but I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to sort all that out and Shannon will be with us next year.”