Latest AFL News

The ONE trade your club should make this off-season

Plenty of players and picks are up for grabs this trade period. So what should each club do?

Published by
Jack Jovanovski

Adelaide

Jordan Dawson

The Crows have won the race for Dawson, with the Sturt product nominating Adelaide as his new home of choice.

It's a big coup for the Crows, who will be thrilled to add the elite-kicking 24-year-old to their back-line mix in 2022.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Jordan Dawson of the Swans catches the ball during a Sydney Swans AFL training session at Lakeside Oval on March 05, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

May need to get creative in negotiations with the Swans to get the deal done.

Brisbane

Darcy Fort

The Lions will be looking to add to their talls stocks, with key forward Eric Hipwood to spend a portion of 2022 on the sidelines and out-of-favour ruck Archie Smith requesting a trade out of Brisbane.

First-choice ruck Oscar McInerney would benefit from a decreased workload in the middle, with overlooked Cats ruck-forward Darcy Fort potentially gettable for a reasonably cheap price.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Darcy Fort of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round nine AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

The Lions would likely have to sacrifice one of their third-rounder picks in order to reach an agreement for the contracted 28-year-old.

Carlton

Adam Cerra

Cerra has officially nominated Carlton as his destination of choice. Pick 6 is certain to be sent Fremantle's way for the 21-year-old. The question is whether or not any other picks will be included in the deal.

The Blues are also likely to secure the services of off-contract Swans midfielder George Hewett. However, with Sydney unlikely to match a Carlton offer, the 25-year-old can become a 'Bagger without the arrangement of a trade.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Adam Cerra of the Dockers reacts after his team's win during the 2021 AFL Round 02 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium on March 28, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood

Patrick Lipinski

The out-of-favour Bulldog has officially lodged a trade request to Collingwood, with the Pies likely to fork over a third-round selection from either this year or next year's draft.

Geelong swingman Nathan Kreuger is also likely to find his way to the Holden Centre, potentially through the pre-season draft though, as the Pies will need ample draft points to match an early bid on father-son prospect Nick Daicos.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Patrick Lipinski of the Bulldogs celebrates during the 2019 AFL round 19 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on July 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Essendon

Stockpile picks for 2022

The Bombers seem poised to build from within this off-season after the club's 2020 recruits provided Essendon fans with long-term hope heading into the future.

With Gold Coast Suns forward Ben King coming out of contract at the conclusion of next season, and rumours about the 21-year-old potentially wanting to pursue a move home to Victoria, the Bombers may look to stockpile picks in case the Sandringham Dragons product becomes available.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Ben King of the Suns celebrates a goal with team mates during the round 3 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on June 21, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Fremantle

Jordan Clark

Clark is weighing up a move to the Dockers as his next club, but the Cats are reportedly playing hardball in negotiations for the 20-year-old midfielder.

Pick 27 for the Claremont product makes the most sense for both sides, but Geelong may seek a future pick in addition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Jordan Clark of the Cats celebrates kicking a goal during the round 3 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 05, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Geelong

Trade into the first round

More likely than not, the Cats will receive Pick 27 for Jordan Clark should trade talks between Geelong and Fremantle progress. Including that Dockers pick, Geelong would hold four picks in the second round of November's draft.

Possessing one of the oldest lists in the competition, the Cats should look to package a number of those picks, move up into the first round and nab a premier talent.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats reacts after being defeated during the AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Demons and Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on September 10, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Gold Coast

Trade in ready-made talent for No. 3 pick

The Suns are currently heading into the draft with the most picks (8) out of any club. They have been rumoured to be shopping their first selection (No. 3) with the hope of potentially bringing in later picks and ready-made talent from another club.

Gold Coast currently houses numerous young talents - such as Ben King, Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius - but lack developed, high-level players, which has prevented the club from challenging for the finals since its inception.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 04: Suns head coach Stuart Dew speaks with his players during the round 5 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium on July 04, 2020 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

GWS Giants

Split early pick to bolster future draft hands

The Giants have a strong, maturing list that is ready to contend for a premiership. They also hold two draft picks inside the top-15 (including Collingwood's No. 2 overall pick), and may look to split one of them in order to build their future draft hands.

Strengthening their longer-term draft capital would provide GWS with more flexibility if they were to hunt a big-name, ready-made talent down the track.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 07: Jason McCartney, List Manager of the Giants is seen during the Telstra AFL Trade Period at Marvel Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawthorn

Trade veteran for another early first-rounder

The Hawks already hold Pick 5 at November's draft, but they are understood to be keen to add to their first-round draft hand this trade period.

Arranging a trade for Jaegar O'Meara, Jack Gunston or Tom Mitchell could be mutually beneficial, with rookie senior coach Sam Mitchell expressing his desire to build through the draft.

Jack Gunston during the round 19 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Carlton Blues at Aurora Stadium on July 30, 2016 in Launceston, Australia.

O'Meara or Mitchell may also thrive off a fresh start elsewhere in 2022. Teams like the Suns (Pick 3) or Dockers (Pick 8) may be on the look-out for experienced heads to lead their young brigades.

Melbourne

Pick swap

Fresh off a drought-breaking premiership triumph in Perth, it would be an understatement to suggest that Melbourne's list is solid.

The Demons currently don't pick until the second round of this year's draft (No. 33) and may choose to trade away that second-rounder for a future selection, when it becomes a more required commodity down the line.

Additionally, they likely won't be able to bid on NGA prospect Mac Andrew under the new draft rules.

North Melbourne

Callum Coleman-Jones

The Tigers will open talks with the Kangaroos for ruck-forward Callum Coleman-Jones, who recently requested a trade to Arden Street. If a trade can't be arranged, the 22-year-old could decide to walk to the pre-season draft (where they pick first overall) instead of the Roos needing to dish out a pick to Richmond.

However, with the Tigers likely to pursue a trade with North Melbourne for Robbie Tarrant (to avoid losing their probable Mabior Chol compensation pick), the two sides may be able to come to an agreement on Coleman-Jones' value.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Callum Coleman-Jones of the Tigers kicks during the AFL Community Series match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium on March 05, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

More likely than not, the Kangaroos will fork over Pick 38 in exchange for the Sturt product.

Port Adelaide

Jeremy Finlayson

The Giants key forward was recently brought down to Alberton for a medical ahead of a potential trade with the Power.

Port Adelaide is already home to Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall, Mitch Georgiades and Peter Ladhams (but it is tipped that Ladhams may find a new home this trade period).

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Jeremy Finlayson of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at GIANTS Stadium on August 03, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos via Getty Images )

Finlayson provides another solid tall option among an impressive Port forward-line which also contains the likes of Connor Rozee, Robbie Gray and Zac Butters. The Power may offload a future selection for the Hills Eagles product.

Richmond

Trade for Suns' top pick

Richmond is reportedly interested in trading for Gold Coast's first selection (No. 3 overall), as it looks to rebound in 2022 with a super hand at November's draft with a plethora of picks (7, 15, 26, 28, 40, 44, 80).

The Tigers may be interested in packaging Pick 7, one of their second-rounders, and perhaps a future selection for Pick 3, with exciting midfielders Finn Callaghan, Ben Hobbs and Josh Ward likely to be on the board. The question will be whether or not the Suns, who have an interest in trading down, would bite on such a deal.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 07: Dustin Martin of the Tigers looks dejected after a loss during the 2021 AFL Round 08 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 07, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda

Peter Ladhams

Port Adelaide ruck-forward Peter Ladhams has reportedly been told by officials that he should consider a move elsewhere this trade period.

The Saints, like a lot of teams currently, are looking for depth in their talls department. Trading for Ladhams would allow Rowan Marshall to push forward more often in 2022, instead of having to chop out Paddy Ryder's workload as often. The 23-year-old is also capable of pushing forward and providing another key position option alongside Max King and Tim Membrey.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Jordon Sweet of the Bulldogs competes with Peter Ladhams of the Power during the 2021 AFL Round 09 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on May 15, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda's Pick 9 is too early to deal for Ladhams, so the Saints may look to package their third-rounder this year (No. 46) along with a future selection to entice the Power.

Sydney Swans

Strong return in Dawson trade.

Sydney looks likely to lose Jordan Dawson and George Hewett to the Crows and Blues respectively, and they don't seem to be eyeing off a specific player this trade period due to salary limitations.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Jordan Dawson of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal during the round 17 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium on July 11, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Therefore, they should be hoping for a solid return for Dawson to improve their draft hand this November - the Swans already hold Picks 12, 31, 67 and 85.

West Coast

Sam Petrevski-Seton

The 23-year-old Blue has requested a move to the Eagles after struggling to find his footing after five years at Princes Park.

The Claremont product, who was selected No. 6 overall by Carlton at the 2016 National Draft, will add flair to a West Coast midfield which bid farewell to Brendon Ah Chee, Brayden Ainsworth and Mark Hutchings, and received inconsistent output from Tim Kelly.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Sam Petrevski-Seton of the Blues controls the ball during the round 5 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on July 02, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Pick 29 is likely to be the compensation required from the Eagles to get a deal done.

Western Bulldogs

Accumulate picks/draft points for Sam Darcy

Sam Darcy, son of club legend Luke, is likely to attract a bid inside the top three at November's draft, meaning the Bulldogs will be looking to secure an abundance of draft points.

The Dogs' first selection comes at No. 17, and it will likely be on the trade block in hopes of securing later picks and draft points.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski