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The FAILED trades of the 2024 trade and free agency period

A total of 28 players found new homes but some were left stranded.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

The 2024 AFL trade and free agency is complete, and while the dust settles, footy fans will try to decipher if their club has improved ahead of next year.

A total of 28 players found new homes during the last two weeks, with more likely to don new colours in 2025 as delisted free agents or through the pre-season supplemental period.

However, those who failed to swap out their current guernsey for a new one are stranded.

From strong links to outlandish speculation, we take a glance at the FAILED trades...

Adelaide

The Crows attempted to land a few big fishes and ended up with Alex Neal-Bullen, Isaac Cumming and James Peatling.

Throughout the year, the West Lakes club reportedly looked at bringing Patrick Dangerfield back into the fold while it renewed its interest in Harrison Petty.

Gold Coast small forward Malcolm Rosas Jnr was also touted as a potential option.

All three have remained at their respective clubs.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats during the 2024 AFL Round 2 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 22, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jack Lukosius was also a player the Crows wanted but lost to arch-rivals Port Adelaide.

Brisbane

The Lions were more focused on winning the flag than any off-field moves.

But they did express interest in injury-prone Carlton forward Jack Martin, who was looking for a fresh start.

It seems Brisbane was already planning for life after Joe Daniher, but Martin wasn't going to be the answer.

He will sign with Geelong as a delisted free agent.

Carlton

The Blues feel very strongly they have everything they need on their list, but when a name like Christian Petracca comes to light, you stop and consider it.

The long and lucrative deal the Demons star is on made it hard for any team to satisfy Melbourne and was ultimately the sticking point.

Christian Petracca during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Collingwood

The Pies have been clear on bringing in players and not picks, hence their active interest in rival players.

A key defensive option was touted as necessary as the club had a vested interest in Mark Keane, Josh Battle and Tom Barrass to varying degrees.

Keane opted against a move to his former club and remained at Adelaide while the latter pair joined Hawthorn.

Collingwood also looked at bolstering their midfield group with young talent, looking at James Peatling, Bailey Smith, Alex Davies and Ben Hobbs to no effect.

Rory Lobb was also flagged as a potential option before his resurgence, while Jake Stringer was considered.

Deven Robertson will remain at the Lions for another year, although he desired to leave the Queensland club for more opportunity.

Tim Membrey, Jack Hayes and Adam Tomlinson could find their way to the AIA Centre through the delisted free agency period.

Stringer (GWS), Peatling (Adelaide) and Smith (Geelong) also found new homes.

Essendon

The Bombers were adamant about bringing a small forward in, and although they'll secure NGA prospect Isaac Kako in that position, it didn't stop them from targeting established stars.

Enter Tyson Stengle and Ben Ainsworth, along with Joe Richards. The trio were seen as options, with only the latter joining a new club (Port Adelaide).

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Harley Reid of the Eagles celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 10 match between Waalitj Marawar (West Coast Eagles) and Narrm (Melbourne Demons) at Optus Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Harry Perryman was floated but eventually joined the Pies, while Harley Reid is being advertised as a future play, with Essendon keeping a close eye on him.

Brisbane's Jaxon Prior could still find his way on the list, but it would have to be through delisted free agency.

Fremantle

The Dockers would've gladly snapped up Liam Baker but ultimately lost out to cross-town rivals West Coast.

Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett's annual go-home saga popped up again, but no deal was struck.

Fremantle also looked into Jack Martin and Joe Richards but failed to bring them across, as well as Isaac Cumming.

Geelong

The 2022 premiers wanted to bolster their midfield, which came in the form of Alex Davies and Jack Macrae, with the latter traded to St Kilda.

West Coast All-Australian forward Jake Waterman was a player of interest but remained put, signing a huge extension.

Gold Coast

The Suns were strong on bringing ready-made talent to the club, but their interest in a reunion with Jack Martin was trumped by Geelong.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Jack Martin of the Blues celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Carlton Blues and the Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 08, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Isaac Cumming was also identified as a need, although John Noble and Dan Rioli joined Gold Coast instead.

Dustin Martin was heavily linked to the Suns and could still join them but is understood to be enjoying retirement.

GWS

The Giants were too aggressive in the trade space and focussed more on the retention of its stars, which didn't work for Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming, Nick Haynes and James Peatling.

They did bring in Jake Stringer.

Hawthorn

The Hawks landed most of their targets, but interest in Harry Perryman and Bailey Smith was further down the agenda, with the pair signing at Collingwood and Geelong.

Bailey Smith during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Melbourne

The Demons were heavily into Giants youngster Wade Derksen and were keen to bring him across but were unable to do so.

Former GWS players James Peatling and Isaac Cumming were touted as potential options, whilst Jake Waterman was a player of significant interest.

Defensive duo Josh Battle and Harry Edwards were also options.

North Melbourne

The rebuilding Kangaroos wanted to experience but failed to lure Jack Viney, Ollie Wines, Nathan Broad and Jack Henry.

The quartet all remained put.

Port Adelaide

The Power wanted a crafty forward, and Will Hayward and Ben Ainsworth came to mind.

Former GWS duo Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman were flagged as halfback options but to no avail.

Bulldogs forward-mid Riley Garcia was another who Port Adelaide wanted but failed in luring him to South Australia.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Will Hayward of the Swans celebrates after scoring a goal during the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond

The Tigers were more concerned with retaining their stars but ultimately ended up with one of the best draft hands this century, including rivalling the expansion clubs.

They did, however, vest minor interest in Essendon midfielder Ben Hobbs.

St Kilda

The Saints were busy throughout 2024 and held many names as desirable options.

Midfielders Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel and James Peatling were considered by the Moorabbin club, with only the latter making a move.

Jacob Weitering was considered but opted to remain loyal to the Navy Blue.

Other defensive options Jayden Laverde and Adam Tomlinson also crossed the desks of St Kilda's list managers.

Brodie Kemp and Ivan Soldo came late in the piece but were unable to move clubs.

Also, a watch on Luke Davies-Uniacke.

Sydney

Retention, retention, retention.

That's what the Swans worked on, and they had an impressive strike rate, although Chad Warner could opt to leave at the end of next year.

The 2024 grand finalists also considered Jake Stringer, but he joined cross-town rivals GWS.

West Coast

The Eagles were heavily into Tim English but failed to lure him to his home state.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Tim English of the Bulldogs celebrates kicking a goal with teammate Aaron Naughton during the round four AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 09, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Riley Garcia and James Peatling were mentioned in conversations, as was Power defender Tom Clurey, who couldn't strike a move.

Richmond's Shai Bolton elected Fremantle over West Coast as Carlton's Jack Carroll could join the club as a delisted free agent.

Deven Robertson will remain at the Lions for another year, although he desired to leave the Queensland club for more opportunity.

Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs looked at Daniel Houston and Tom Barrass to sure up their back half but failed to make a successful pitch.

The pair joined fellow Victorian rivals, Collingwood and Hawthorn.

GWS mid-forward Xavier O'Halloran was also tipped to make the switch, but a deal couldn't be made.

Published by
Aidan Cellini