Join lead trade reporters Nick Bowen and Nathan Schmook along with Footy Feed hosts Nat Edwards and Matt Thompson for a special edition of the AFL Exchange Podcast. 

FOR NEARLY three weeks in October not a single Sherrin was kicked, but the eyes and ears of fans were glued to AFL.com.au and the AFL Live App as the NAB AFL Trade and Free Agency Period unfolded in real time.

From the drama of Lachie Weller, Charlie Cameron, Bryce Gibbs and others to the tragedy that marred Gary Ablett's eventual move back to the Cats to Jake Lever's seemingly bitter exit from Adelaide – there was so much to talk about. 

And talk we did. 

NAB AFL Trade Radio was on the air for more than 150 hours. Footy Feed produced twice daily video updates. And millions of fans clicked on the dozens of articles ticking through AFL.com.au's news feed.

That's a lot of interest for what ultimately ended up as 28 player moves and a bunch of pick swaps.

So now we've all had a chance to take a deep breath, AFL.com.au's trade team sits down to talk about what just happened.

Has everyone emerged from the AFL's annual swap meet with their integrity in tact?

Is there any way it can be done better?

Should it be shorter? Should it be longer? Could we trade mid-season?

How about that camera in the 'deadline day contract room'?

And what's it like to cover the most frenetic period in footy – outside the game itself?