If the club is genuinely indifferent between two players, I don't see an issue with that. I just think it unlikely that that would be the case. Even if at some stage the club has had difficulty splitting a couple of players, by the time the draft comes around, they'll have grown attached to their tentative decision (even while knowing that they might have that player snatched from under them by Adelaide or Melbourne - or by GWS if they trade up above pick 5).
I think it's human nature to rationalise things that are taken away from you through no action of your own than by things you contributed to. So if the Swans weren't able to draft the player they wanted due to a club with a higher pick taking them first, that would be easy to get over. It would be harder if they pick swapped with GWS and they then took that player.
Another possible way it could play out is for GWS and the Swans to be aware of which (non-Green) player each was keen on. Assuming it wasn't the same player, the Giants may then be able to persuade the Swans to swap down, if they gave away something of sufficient value. Of course, if the Giants were being deceitful, and then proceeded to draft the very player the Swans wanted, the Swans would likely never accommodate them again. But I very much doubt clubs would revert to such tactics. It won't do them any good in the long run, and recruiting managers rely on positive and constructive relationships with each other.
On the whole, though, if the Swans think Green is the best fit for them at that pick, I think they should bid on him. The academy system does distort the draft. In the case of the northern academies the benefits justify that. Even putting aside the fact it's murkier for the NGA academies, for the system to work, I think all clubs need to bid on players where they would take them if they weren't tied to clubs, and based on genuine need. Side deals, silent nods, agreements to look after other clubs etc etc just corrupt the system further and undermine the premises on which it is based.
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