Throw in the free agency and for two weeks there has been a constant stream of conjecture and debate via the media and supporters about the future of dozens of players – the experienced and inexperienced, the good and the not as good.

By the end of it all, almost forgotten was the movement of free agents, like James Frawley (Melbourne to Hawthorn), Jarrad Waite (Carlton to North Melbourne) and Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs to North Melbourne).

After all, so much had happened since – most of it at the last minute.

Once again, the question is asked as to whether the trade period is too long.

Granted, it has been reduced throughout the years.

To those on the outside, especially the fans, it does drag on. They want outcomes, not just talk.

At the end of the day, most of the big deals were done.

Paddy Ryder made his way from Essendon to Port Adelaide and Collingwood’s Dayne Beams got his wish with a move to the Brisbane Lions.

And there was still time for plenty of surprises.

So why does it need to go so long when there appears to be so much inaction with nothing more than talk?

The football departments believe the trade period’s time length is spot on.

While it seems there is little happening until the last few days, a week is needed to ensure all due diligence is carried out.

This is not always easy when players are on holidays, often on the other side of the world.

Imagine the outcry at Richmond had Jack Trengove switched from Melbourne without his foot injury being discovered.

Every box has to be ticked.

Most importantly, players have to be happy with their destination. 

They don’t all necessarily get to where they would prefer, but at least they get some say.

Ryder wanted to go to Port Adelaide – nowhere else.

Essendon could probably have struck a better deal with another club, but it would come to nothing as far as the player was

concerned.

With this frenzy done and dusted, horse racing now gets its moment in the sun.

What the Victorian Spring Carnival does that the AFL does not and cannot is capture international attention.

The world’s racing community wants to know all about it.

Once it was just about the Melbourne Cup, and

for the non-racing community, it still is.

For those into racing, it revs up for Saturday’s Caulfield Cup thanks to the domination of international starters, pushes through the WS Cox Plate, and of course to the first Tuesday in November and the great race.

There has already been plenty of drama with early scratchings from the Caulfield Cup and one can be assured this will continue through the carnival. 

And there will be the controversy. This goes without saying.

While this is going on, AFL clubs will get a chance to take a step back from the cut and thrust of the public spotlight and take a deep breath.

In next to no time, they’ll be back for the national draft on November 27.

And football fans and a large swathe of the sporting public cannot wait.

AFL never really goes away completely.

david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au

• Melanie Whelan, who usually writes the From The Press Box column, is on holidays.