But is that fair assessment of the Boyd-Griffen deal? Set aside the public relations campaign run by both clubs in the past few days – after taking a moment, of course, to appreciate the byplay, banter and pure entertainment provided by both teams' Twitter feed. Because every club likes to stamp its feet at this time of year. When every club will always do what suits it best.

This trade could change things, for both clubs. The Dogs wanted a key forward, badly. So, so badly. They know you can only get them with top draft picks, and they haven't got close to one in the past few drafts despite their lowly finishes.

They have paid an enormous price for this one, losing pick six and Griffen, but Griffen was the player they would have had to shift out had they wanted to get a big trade done, and he moved for them. They had to sacrifice no one but the faceless pick 6.

Their risk is not in what they have given GWS, but in their commitment to Boyd. The contract is for seven years, and almost $8 million. That's almost Buddy Franklin money, for a high potential but unproven teenager who happens to play the position they've been searching for someone, anyone, to play.

Boyd will not be daunted at all by the pressure, or the idea of being the player this team needs. He is switched on, sensible and savvy. He will enjoy the challenge. It is a lot of money to be paying a highly-talened kid still needing to get into AFL shape and find his place in the game. He's played just a handful of games. But it's impossible not to appreciate the Dogs' aggressive reaction to watching their captain walk out the door.

That said, the Giants aren't the losers here. Spin things their way, and they've gained one of the competition's best midfielders and will go into yet another draft with three of the first 10 picks – possibly No.1 if can talk St Kilda into a swap. They have money coming from the Dogs to help pay Griffen's contract, and have been able to keep their promise to him. They still have Cameron, and (the injured) Jon Patton. Their decision to recruit yet another tall forward, Cam McCarthy, last year, suddenly makes more sense.

The Giants has lost a bit of border control, absolutely. At least it will perceived that way. Boyd was on the list less than 11 months, and they let him leave. But we won't know what if any precedent this has set until the end of next season. The club know others are coming for Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel and others, already. But they (and the AFL) know they need to start winning more games.

Griffen will help them do that. And if the team improves, who knows? Cameron, Treloar and Shiel might want to stay. Other good players may want in.

Which club won? We'll find out in a few years.