Selecting the best 23-man team from the 2023 AFL trade and free agency period

We’ve named a side made up of players who have now moved clubs for 2024.

STAFF WRITER | October 19, 2023 - 8:01am

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With all the moves of the 2023 AFL Trade Period done and dusted, we saw some big players change clubs. Some shock decisions alongside some deals that seemed to be done weeks ago were finalised ahead of Wednesday's deadline.

Nevertheless, teams have done what they can to build up their side in the hopes that 2024 might be the year that takes them a step closer to the ultimate glory of winning the flag.

But if we took all the players involved during this period, what is the best team that we could create out of those players?

Here we have named our best 23-man side consisting of players moved in the free agency and trade period.

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2. Midfield

MID: Elijah Hollands (CB),Taylor Adams (SS), James Jordon (SS)

Former Collingwood player Adams starts our midfield. While it seems he could be a better fit at half-forward, his run could be useful in the midfield knowing he can also hit the scoreboard. The same applies to Hollands, quick on his feet but more time in the middle would see his skills flourish. Jordon does plenty of work once the ball is on the ground. Being around the contest more will allow him to work on that craft and become a reliable member of his new team, the Sydney Swans.

FOLL: Brodie Grundy (SS), Jade Gresham (ES), James Harmes (WB)

2023 was a tough year for Grundy, with barely any opportunities to showcase his skills in the ruck, but in this period he was the best ruck on the market. A new landscape for him might be the spark that gets him going back into conversations as one of the best rucks in the competition. Gresham has been switching between a forward midfield role over recent years. His stats show that he can play midfield with 87 clearances in 2019, but he can also kick goals. Hitting the scoreboard as a follower is massive and takes some weight off the shoulders of the current Essendon midfield. Harmes is also a potentially good midfielder. While he might struggle to get in as a follower at the Bulldogs, 2019 showed that he can play that role with 95 clearances to go with close to eight ground ball gets per game.

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