Naming the trade deals for 12 of AFL’s biggest movers in 2022

We're less than a month away from the AFL's sign and trade period, and while we have five enticing matches still staged for the remainder of the 2022 season, plenty of attention is being drawn to anticipated off-season moves.

Several key figures in this year's exchange period have already nominated their ideal destinations for next season, while it seems new faces are emerging as potential trade options with each passing day.

Ahead of what is touted to be the busiest trade window in the league's history, we've narrowed the list of potential departures to 12 of the biggest names linked to new homes for 2023, assessing their value on the trade table and the likely packages that might get a deal over the line.

Here are the draft trade deals that could be pivotal to this off-season...

Luke Jackson

Destination: Fremantle 

There's perhaps no player that holds greater value than Jackson among those tied to this year's sign and trade period.

The 20-year-old has been prolific for the Demons across three seasons in red and blue, a stint that includes a fundamental role in the club's drought-breaking premiership run last year.

Boasting the ability to play forward, behind the ball and serve as a first-string ruckman for the years to come is sure to have Fremantle fans salivating.

While the Dockers and their faithful are already rubbing their hands at the thought of Jackson and Sean Darcy pairing in purple next year, there is a long road ahead before the long-haired Demon land at Cockburn.

Melbourne will demand a war chest in return for their prize youngster, a request that will come as no surprise.

Holding just one draft pick among the first 70 selections for this year's draft, you can expect Fremantle to part ways with their first-round selection to acquire Jackson. But it won't stop there.

Their future first-round will also be needed in negotiations, with that selection likely to range in the 14-18 mark in its respective draft.

The pair of picks may be enough to persuade the Demons, but should the Dockers acquire further selections from one of several potentially departing players, Melbourne may be asking for more than two first-round picks.

Trade package: 2022 first-round pick + 2023 first-round pick

Izak Rankine

Destination: Adelaide

It's expected both the Suns and Crows play hardball in negotiations for Izak Rankine, while there looks to be next to no chance the wantaway forward finds himself in the Pre-Season Draft.

Adelaide's Pick 5 is likelt to be part of the deal, if not their future first-round pick. The Suns could open negotiations requesting both, a move you'd the Crows will quickly shoot down.

Gold Coast's attention will be somewhat skewed to strengthening their 2023 draft hand, with Academy selection Jed Walter also in their sights and potentially requiring a significant amount of draft points.

The next step is adding Pick 23 to the deal instead. A package that's perhaps fair for a former Pick 3 who has begun flourishing after four seasons in the AFL.

Don't discount a potential swap of selections later in the draft to help broker a trade, with the Suns home to three second-round picks and two third-round picks.

Trade package: Picks 5 +23

Brodie Grundy

Destination: Melbourne

It can be hard to assess just how much the Magpies rate Brodie Grundy when he's seemingly up for grabs to a new home.

That new home looks destined to be the Demons, with Geelong, Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and GWS seemingly out of the race for the two-time Copeland Trophy winner.

With Grundy supposedly not third-fiddle to Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox, Collingwood has been reported to even be open to paying a portion of the South Australian's salary for the coming years.

So should the Pies be giving up an estimated $1.5 million over the next five years, do they have a leg to stand on in making negotiations hard for Melbourne even though they may want their prized asset out the door anyway?

It's certainly not an unlikely outcome should the Demons and Magpies do business.

In the case the Dees take on Grundy's full pay packet for the remainder of his deal, they may feel his value at the trade table takes a hit.

Currently not holding a first-round pick this year, Melbourne's opening selection for the 2023 draft might be the ideal selection to get this one over the line.

Trade package: 2023 first-round pick

Blake Acres

Destination: Carlton

Like Grundy, it might be hard to assess Acres' exact trade value in the eyes of Fremantle given the Dockers may be open to letting their wingman leave.

The Blues are touted as the front-runners for the former Saint, who won't see a first-round selection cross the Nullabor in his place.

Carlton's second selection of Pick 28 seems to land in a sweet spot for Acres' services, in a deal that might get over the line with some ease.

Trade package: Pick 28

Rory Lobb

Destination: Western Bulldogs

12 months ago might've spelled danger for a club looking to take on Rory Lobb's supposed $700,000-per-year deal while giving up a top 30 pick, but the Dockers' ruck-forward hybrid has proven to be an integral piece in Fremantle's flag push this season.

The Bulldogs, going to break back into the premiership frame next season, are seen as the most likely landing spot for the ex-Giants tall, and currently carry Picks 11, 29, 37, 65 and 83 this year.

11 is sure to be off the table, while 37 may seem too late for Fremantle to hand over a contracted key-position player who is leading their goalkicking this season.

Trade package: Pick 29

Jacob Hopper

Destination: Richmond

Richmond's dealings with Tim Taranto are sure to play a factor in any pursuit of Hopper, with their 2022 selections of Picks 12, 19 and 30 all likely heading to Blacktown, potentially along with their future first-round pick should they follow our suggestions in landing both onballers.

The Cats won't have as much wiggle room in their draft hand should discussions with the Tigers fail to reach a conclusion, however a first and second-round selection should be enough for the 25-year-old to trade clubs and please the Giants.

It will be interesting to see if Hopper and Taranto are packaged together or if a third club is involved to aid negotiations. Two separate deals may show us how highly each club separately rates the pair of midfielders.

Trade package: Picks 12 + 30

Tim Taranto

Destination: Richmond

As mentioned above, the Giants' demands for Taranto are sure to impact those of Hopper, with just how differently they rate the pair yet to be seen.

Pick 19 is rated as highly as a first-round pick, with the power of starting the second night of the National Draft a key pillar in the draft process. Add in Richmond's future first-round selection and the Giant will hold two very handy picks in return for the services of Taranto.

While not exactly matching the pair of first-round picks the Giants are understood to be keen on for Taranto, the deal is likely to please Jason McCartney and his men should they also see Hopper head to Punt Road for the aforementioned selections.

Trade package: Pick 19 + 2023 first-round pick

Lance Franklin

Destination: Brisbane

How high can you value a 35-year-old that has played less than 50 games in the past four seasons? For most, the answer is straightforward. Near nothing.

But just like Lance Franklin himself, this will be no straightforward scenario.

The man puts bums on seats, and very well could be the difference in a flag race. With Brisbane seemingly the only club linked to the 1000-goal forward, we'll attempt to narrow what trading chip the Lions can offer to the Swans to get a deal done.

A friendly reminder that despite signing a stunning nine-year deal in a move to the Harbour City, Franklin actually end this season as a restricted free agent. That'll mean any exit from Sydney will require a trade.

Now the Lions will be moving most of their 2022 selections to the back-end of the draft to acquire as many draft points as possible to land a pair of father-son selections (more on that later), so your best bet is a 2023 draft pick moving south.

The Lions aren't offering their first-round pick. If anything, that too will likely find a new home elsewhere as Brisbane build as much draft capital as they can for this year's count.

So we move on to their next best option, a 2023 future second-round pick. It's not exactly enticing, but it'll be hard to find a pick that really ticks all the boxes.

If you're a Swans fan and perhaps think a later second-round might be short of the mark, just remember between 2017-2020 you're club recruited Tom McCartin, James Rowbottom, Chad Warner and Errol Gulden with second-round picks. Not too bad, aye?

Trade package: Future second-round pick

Junior Rioli

Destination: Port Adelaide

An interesting read on how highly the Eagles rate Rioli. He didn't have the most dazzling campaign that we've seen from the small forward in the past, but perhaps that can be expected after a 700-day spell between games.

What won't help the Power are the frustrations West Coast will be feeling should Rioli formally request a move away after from the club that stood by him through his anti-doping ban.

A second-round selection is perhaps a fitting value for Rioli, but with the Eagles likely wanting a little extra the compensation selection Port Adelaide will receive for the departure of unrestricted free agent Karl Amon might be in their sights.

While the exact bracket of compensation is yet to be confirmed, the Power could be handed a pick at the end of the first round at this year's draft should Hawthorn hand the wingman a lucrative enough deal.

Likely to slide past Pick 20, the compensation selection might just be where the Eagles lay their attention in trade discussions.

Trade package: Karl Amon compensation

Josh Dunkley

Destination: Port Adelaide

The Power are anticipated to face competition from both Brisbane and Essendon, along with the Bulldogs themselves, for Josh Dunkley's signature.

Should the hard-nosed midfielder seek a move away from Whitten Oval for the second time, it's unlikely the Dogs will get close to their previous demands of two early draft picks.

The Bombers won't be looking to move Pick 4 as they begin their planning for the future, with their future selection their only other option - but that too is likely to be another top 10 pick.

The Lions have enough issues of their own at the draft. They'll be looking to part with their opening few picks at this year's draft, and potentially some of their future selections in order to match the bids for father-son prospects Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher.

Ashcroft is a chance to gain a rival bid as early as Pick 1, while Fletcher may also land in the first round, forcing Brisbane to acquire a plethora of picks to land the pair this year.

Perhaps needing to part with their 2022 and 2023 first-round selections, it doesn't seem likely the Lions will have the draft capital to acquire Dunkley.

That leaves us with Port Adelaide, who currently enter the draft at Pick 8. Likely still seeing themselves in a win-now window, the addition of Dunkley is sure to be one that aids their prospects of returning to premiership contention.

A straight swap for a top 10 pick might be the best offer the Bulldogs receive for their out-of-contract midfielder, but don't rule out the Power from offering a later selection to sweeten the deal.

Trade package: Pick 8

Tom Mitchell

Destination: Collingwood

Like the aforementioned Franklin, while Mitchell's name has been tied to the exit, a destination isn't as obvious given the little detail that has emerged on the Brownlow Medal winner's speculated future.

Nevertheless, the Magpies have been named as a suitor monitoring Mitchell's future, with the Hawthorn midfielder understood to be assessing his options ahead of the final year of his contract.

The Hawks have made it clear in recent years they want draft picks through the door at Bunjil Bagora, and while Mitchell's place in his side's engine room may have fallen a little this year, it won't stop them from asking for a decent return from a trade.

Collingwood's opening pick for this year's draft, or an asset acquired from landing Brodie Grundy, might do the trick. The Hawks could look to land the magpies' 2023 pick, hoping they fall out of the top third of the competition next season.

Trade package: 2022 first-round pick

Tanner Bruhn

Destination: Hawthorn or North Melbourne 

Among the harder movers to get a read on.

It seems as though the Giants are resigned to the concept of losing Bruhn, a player they recruited with Pick 12 only two years ago.

The Geelong Falcons product has shown some promise in his 30 games with the club, and perhaps enough to still warrant a draft pick in a similar range to that of which the Giants used to land him.

But with neither the Hawks nor Roos having a pick fall in that bracket for this year, and it being unlikely they do so for next year's draft, attention turns to a second-round pick bidding war.

Hawthorn carry Pick 24 into this off-season, a selection likely to move back once or twice in the order, while North Melbourne's future second-round could fall as early as Pick 19 next year.

It seems both keen suitors may need to get creative should the Giants be looking for a greater return for Bruhn.

Trade package: Pick 24 (Hawks) or future second-round pick (Roos)