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...
8. 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?ย 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.ย 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.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
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
