2024 Trade News & Rumours

How your club is feeling after the 2023 AFL free agency and trade period

We assessed every club from ‘very happy’ to ‘very unhappy’ based on their off-season dealings.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski

This year's free agency and trade period is officially closed following an October window that saw a multitude of players and draft assets change hands, and with that, premiership intentions for next season.

While the off-season's strongly mooted moves, such as Brodie Grundy's Sydney swap and Shane McAdam's Melbourne transition, came to fruition, we also saw some unexpected exchanges lodged at AFL House; including Taylor Adams' shock relocation to the Harbour City and Lachie Schultz's surprising Collingwood switch.

While there was some doubt over Essendon and Port Adelaide's ability to complete their considerable amount of business, they did just that, as Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Xavier Duursma swapped allegiances on the final day of dealing.

However, while we were witness to a bevy of deals across the competition, there were some deals that didn't quite get over the line, including Elliott Himmelberg's eagerness to get to GWS to join forces with his brother; established defender Harrison.

In any case, what's done is done, and now we're left to review all that went down.

Instead of undergoing the mundane process of labelling each team's off-season with a letter grade, we assessed how happy every club is on a scale of 'very happy' through to 'very unhappy' after October's festivities.

Adelaide Crows

While the Crows lost Tom Doedee to the Brisbane Lions, they gained healthy compensation for a player who didn't participate in the majority of Adelaide's strong 2023 campaign.

Overseeing the emergence of Max Michalanney, Josh Worrell, Nick Murray, and James Borlase this year likely instilled confidence in the Crows' bosses that Doedee was an expendable asset this off-season.

Adelaide arguably offset the loss of Shane McAdam to Melbourne by dealing for Gold Coast's Chris Burgess, while it hung onto wantaway tall Elliott Himmelberg, whose plans to unite with brother Harrison at GWS didn't come to fruition this year.

How are they feeling? HAPPY.

Brisbane Lions

The Lions, unfortunately, lost key defender Marcus Adams to retirement as a result of persistent concussion issues, but they didn't rest on their laurels in filling their defensive hole, adding Adelaide Crows free agent Tom Doedee.

Brisbane also made an unexpected surge for Hawthorn Mid-Season Draftee Brandon Ryan, parting with a veteran Jack Gunston and a handful of picks for the tall utility.

Overall, the Lions' off-season recruiting should be looked favourably upon, having only lost Tom Fullarton - who wasn't afforded many senior opportunities anyway - to the Demons and Gunston to the Hawks.

Add in the fact they were Grand Finalists this year and have a good chance of going again next season, coupled with the retention of Deven Robertson, and you'd think Brisbane's bosses are pretty pleased going into the pre-season.

How are they feeling? VERY HAPPY.

Carlton

The Blues did good business in converting wantaway forward Zac Fisher and an early selection into a pair of early picks.

They also attained their number-one trade target, Gold Coast midfielder Elijah Hollands, in a favourable trade with the Suns.

Carlton also helped facilitate a four-team trade that saw onballer Paddy Dow depart for Moorabbin; a move that was mooted for a considerable period of time.

How are they feeling? HAPPY.

Collingwood

Even after securing this year's premiership, the Magpies reached another high during the trade period, nabbing impressive Fremantle forward Lachie Schultz, who requested a surprising move away from Cockburn in the lead-up to the player movement window.

In a somewhat corresponding move, Collingwood offloaded fan-favourite forward Jack Ginnivan to Hawthorn; the club he supported as a young child.

Ginnivan, whose time at Olympic Park was something of a rollercoaster ride, saw his opportunities decrease in 2023 despite playing in the club's flag win over Brisbane, and that lack of opportunity was only set to increase once Schultz's switch was confirmed.

From a Magpies perspective, though, they would likely think they upgraded their forward line.

Collingwood also farewelled Taylor Adams to the Sydney Swans in what was another unexpected development, as the veteran saw his midfield minutes decrease in 2023.

How are they feeling? VERY HAPPY.

Essendon

Essendon, along with Port Adelaide, did an immense amount of business throughout the October player movement period, acquiring Ben McKay and Todd Goldstein from North Melbourne, as well as St Kilda's Jade Gresham as free agents.

The Bombers also traded for the Power's Xavier Duursma, sending wantaway defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher to Port Adelaide along with some late draft selections.

Essendon should be pleased with its additions, having acquired the assets it set out to at the beginning of the period.

The club also managed to pick up two late draft selections for young flanker Massimo D'Ambrosio, who potentially could have walked to Hawthorn as a delisted free agent if a deal couldn't be agreed to.

How are they feeling? VERY HAPPY

Fremantle

The Dockers lost multiple of their key contributors from this season, reluctantly farewelling Lachie Schultz (Collingwood) and Liam Henry (St Kilda) in trade deals, as well as depth defender Joel Hamling (Sydney Swans) as an unrestricted free agent.

While Fremantle subsequently gained an additional pair of future first-round selections, it didn't see any player arrivals to a list that struggled mightily at points in 2023.

How are they feeling? UNHAPPY.

Geelong Cats

While the Cats drove a hard bargain for Esava Ratugolea before finally allowing him to depart for Alberton, they had reportedly set their sights on potentially bringing in Essendon's Darcy Parish and Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith. However, Geelong acquired neither and hasn't brought any players in as yet.

Further, while Ratugolea was likely always going to leave Kardinia Park after officially requesting a trade, his departure is still a loss for the Cats, who consequently lose a key piece of defensive depth.

How are they feeling? NEUTRAL.

Gold Coast Suns

The Suns split Pick 4 into enough later selections and points for this year's draft while also adding two future first-round picks to their hand from North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

Their draft hand is ready for several early rival bids for their Academy stars and is also strengthened for 2024.

They did part with trio Elijah Hollands, Chris Burgess and Mabior Chol which mostly broke even across the trio of transactions.

How are they feeling? HAPPY

GWS Giants

The Giants lost support ruckman Matt Flynn via free agency to West Coast in their only player move of the off-season.

They are expected to bring in Orazio Fantasia, potentially for free as a delisted free agent, with the Power forward likely to join his third club in a matter of time.

The Giants were hopeful of bringing in Elliott Himmelberg from Adelaide, but could now move for the Crows forward in 12 months time when he's eligible for free agency instead.

How are they feeling? NEUTRAL

Hawthorn

The Hawks managed to get all of their deals done, with Mabior Chol, Jack Ginnivan and Jack Gunston all heading to Waverley.

Ginnivan replaces the departed Tyler Brockman, while Chol and Gunston join Sam Mitchell's squad following the departures of Jacob Koschitzke and Brandon Ryan.

The Hawks still have their first-round picks for this year and next and could still make a play for Pick 1.

A deal with Essendon for Massimo D'Ambrosio was reached, with a pair of late selections heading to the Bombers.

How are they feeling? HAPPY

Melbourne

The Demons moved on Brodie Grundy for a pair of picks that ended up pocketing Shane McAdam and Tom Fullarton, with Simon Goodwin now having access to more fire power.

The Demons did lose James Jordon to the Swans via free agency and James Harmes to the Western Bulldogs, but did add Jack Billings to their midfield depth and would also strengthen their place in the draft order.

How are they feeling? NEUTRAL

North Melbourne

The Roos were winners as soon as Pick 3 was confirmed as compensation for free agent Ben McKay, who departed to Essendon early in the piece.

The Roos also lost Todd Goldstein but added height in the form of Bigoa Nyuon and Tpby Pink.

Dylan Stephens and Zac Fisher also landed at Arden Street in good moves for the Roos, who will carry five first-round picks into this year's draft.

How are they feeling? VERY HAPPY

Port Adelaide

The Power brought in all of Ivan Soldo, Jordon Sweet, Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher to hit their targets before the deadline.

They rejuvenate their ruck stocks for the coming years with the additions of Soldo and Sweet, who both have points to prove at senior level.

While they might've paid more than what they would've liked for Ratugolea, they still got their man for a second-round selection and some late picks.

The Zerk-Thatcher deal went down to the wire and it did mean they lost Xavier Duursma, however the Power managed to add multiple draft picks in that trade package.

How are they feeling? HAPPY 

Richmond

While they haggled with Hawthorn over the acquisition of key-position goalkicker Jacob Koschitzke, the Tigers eventually welcomed the out-of-favour Hawk to Tigerland for a late draft selection; a move that boosts Richmond's forward stocks, even if it's incremental.

'Kozi' figures to partner with established spearhead Tom Lynch -- who missed the vast majority of the 2023 campaign -- next season.

Richmond also facilitated the departure of defender 'Biggy' Nyuon to North Melbourne in exchange for a late pick.

How are they feeling? NEUTRAL.

St Kilda

The Saints did well not to part with any of their first-round picks to acquire Liam Henry from Fremantle, but could've done more in the four-club trade that saw them land Paddy Dow and bid farewell to Nick Coffield.

Pick 21 landed in their lap for the loss of Jade Gresham, while a future third-round pick was acquired from Melbourne in a trade that saw Jack Billings depart a decade on from joining the club.

How are they feeling? HAPPY

Sydney Swans

The Swans got their business done early, acquiring Brodie Grundy, James Jordon, Joel Hamling and Taylor Adams early into the window while also holding their first-round picks.

They got both Jordon and Hamling in for free via free agency and didn't cough up too much for either Adams or Grundy in the end too.

They lost Dylan Stephens to North Melbourne but have overall strongly improved their list and have a good draft hand.

How are they feeling? VERY HAPPY

West Coast Eagles

West Coast made multiple sneakily impressive moves bringing players into the club, acquiring off-contract pair Tyler Brockman and Matt Flynn from Hawthorn and GWS, respectively.

Flynn's arrival signals an upgrade in the ruck contest, while Brockman figures to join forces and wreak havoc alongside the likes of Liam Ryan and Jamie Cripps.

The Eagles should end up doing most of their damage at the upcoming National Draft, where they project to possess a slew of selections, particularly early on in proceedings, and especially if they ultimately deal the No. 1 overall pick.

How are they feeling? NEUTRAL.

Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs moved toward the front of the draft queue in a deal that saw them part with three first-round picks for Pick 4 (now Pick 5) from the Suns.

That move has allowed them to get into the count early before a bid comes for father-son prospect Jordan Croft, who they'll be able to match an offer for.

They were also able to bring in Nick Coffield in a deal that didn't cost them much at all, while Jordon Sweet departed after a year in the VFL.

How are they feeling? HAPPY

Published by
Jack Jovanovski