Tim Taranto has made his way to Richmond on a seven year deal.
(AFL Photos)
The AFL Trade Period has approached us once again, with some saying that it will be one of the biggest trade periods in league history. So I’ve decided to have my say on what will happen, assessing the needs of each club, and working out what deals will get done.
Adelaide
Deals that should get done:
- Izak Rankine
- Billy Frampton to (Collingwood)
Who should they go after?
State of Play:
Out of the deals that are basically set in stone, the Crows are in for a quiet trade period. Izak Rankine will find his way to the club even if it takes some time, similar to Billy Frampton’s trade to Collingwood. St Kilda could make a last-minute offer for Matt Crouch, but apart from that, not much is set to happen on the trade table.
Brisbane
Deals that should get done:
- Jack Gunston
- Dan McStay to (Collingwood)
- Tom Berry to (Gold Coast)
Who should they go after?
With Daniel Rich’s career nearing the end and a decent crop of young running defenders, Brisbane needs another experienced half-back who can take over from Rich when he departs. Being a club which has little salary cap, Brisbane should make a play for Daniel Howe. While he might not be of the same calibre as Rich, Howe was a handy player at Hawthorn before he was delisted this season. The Lions are also known for giving players second chances.
State of Play:
The big deal of the trade period for the Lions should be the acquiring of Josh Dunkley, but with Will Ashcroft coming into the club next year and a tight salary cap squeeze, it’s going to be tough to get it over the line. In other moves, Jack Gunston will replace Dan McStay as the third tall, while Tom Berry looks destined for their Queensland rival.
Jack Gunston.
(AFL Photos)
Carlton
Deals that should get done:
- Blake Acres
Who should they go after?
Carlton seems well-rounded on the field but could use a prominent small forward to compliment McKay and Curnow. Toby McLean is a cheap option who knows where the goals are. Meanwhile, Luke Dahlhaus has just retired, but could potentially be lured out of retirement if the Blues put together a lucrative offer for the ex-Cat.
State of Play:
Blake Acres will get to the club first thing Monday morning for a future third-round pick, otherwise Carlton should remain tight-lipped over the next fortnight. Keep an eye on the Blues though for potential salary dump deals, with Harry McKay out of contract in 2023.
Collingwood
Deals that should get done:
- Bobby Hill
- Dan McStay
- Billy Frampton
- Brayden Fiorini
- Brodie Grundy to (Melbourne)
- Ollie Henry to (Geelong)
Who should they go after?
Collingwood need a backup ruckman in what will be the second-consecutive year that a ruckman has departed the club. Sam Hayes’ (Port Adelaide) name has been thrown around as a potential replacement, and I think minus the lack of experience, would be the best and cheapest option to take over from Grundy.
State of Play:
The Pies are set for a busy trade period, being linked to half a dozen players. Bobby Hill and Dan McStay should be wearing black and white on the opening day, with Fiorini following suit later in the week. It seemed like the Billy Frampton deal was signed, sealed and delivered, but I reckon it might take a bit of back and forth to get the trade done. Tom Mitchell to Collingwood could be the biggest story of the Trade Period, but would seem to be too much considering De Goey is staying and Fiorini is set to come in.
With an influx of players arriving, it goes without saying there will be players set to leave. Brodie Grundy seems to be the unlucky casualty, looking all but certain to join the Demons. Ollie Henry has also requested a trade to Geelong and while the Pies won’t give him up too easily, expect the Cats to pay whatever price Collingwood name.
Brodie Grundy.
(AFL Photos)
Essendon
Deals that should get done:
- Aaron Francis to (Sydney)
Who should they go after?
Essendon desperately need an experienced tall defender who can play on the league’s best forwards. Griffin Logue should be on the radar for the Bombers as he has shown that he can do that at Freo, he has just been starved of opportunity.
State of Play:
As Brad Scott has only recently been appointed as Essendon’s coach, it remains unclear as to its intentions for the trade period. Aaron Francis could be on the way out though, after Sydney has shown interest.
Fremantle
Deals that should get done:
- Luke Jackson
- Blake Acres to (Carlton)
- Darcy Tucker to (North Melbourne)
- Griffin Logue to (North Melbourne)
- Rory Lobb to (Western Bulldogs)
Who should they go after?
With Matt Taberner being injury prone and Rory Lobb on the way out, Fremantle are in desperate need for a key forward. Sam Weideman is out of contract next year, but the Dockers should make a ‘too good to refuse’ offer to the out of favour key forward.
State of Play:
Freo are set to be the biggest players in this year’s trade period with several players on the trade table. Blake Acres has found a new home in the Blues and will go there first thing Monday morning for a future third-round pick. Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker are North Melbourne bound, while Rory Lobb should get to the Dogs even though the Dockers have been persistent to keep him. For their troubles, Fremantle should win the battle for 2021 NAB Rising Star, Luke Jackson who will be a handy understudy for Sean Darcy.
Geelong
Deals that should get done:
- Jack Bowes
- Ollie Henry
- Tanner Bruhn
- Esava Ratugolea to (Port Adelaide)
Who should they go after?
It’s always hard to pick a need for the recent premiers. Usually I would say a ruckman, but if Stanley wasn’t performing, Blicavs was able to do a job. With Joel Selwood leaving the club, another inside mid would be handy, making Brayden Fiorini a viable option as Gold Coast is willing to pay part of his salary.
State of Play:
Geelong seems to have this drawcard about them that allows them to get what they want. The Cats have gone after established stars in the past few years, but this trade period is set to see them bring in three young guns that could be within the top echelon in years to come. They lead the race for Jack Bowes who should come to the club along with pick seven. Tanner Bruhn should sign the dotted line towards the back half of the trade period, while Ollie Henry is almost certain to get there, but the club will have to pay a hefty price.
Gold Coast
Deals that should get done:
- Tom Berry
- Ben Long
- Izak Rankine to (Adelaide)
- Brayden Fiorini to (Collingwood)
- Jack Bowes to (Geelong)
Who should they go after?
Although they are not getting the results, the Suns have got a well-rounded side. I would love to see what Will Setterfield would bring to the team. His running ability would be a dangerous weapon if selected.
State of Play:
Not as high profile as Collingwood’s in 2020, but the Suns are set to engage in a fire sale, with Jack Bowes and Brayden Fiorini set to be part of salary dump deals. While, Izak Rankine has requested a trade to Adelaide and is certain to get done. Tom Berry and Ben Long should find their way to the club though, after expressing interest to play on the Gold Coast in 2023.
Ben Long.
(AFL Photos)
GWS
Deals that should get done:
- Toby Bedford
- Ivan Soldo
- Bobby Hill to (Collingwood)
- Tanner Bruhn to (Geelong)
- Tim Taranto to (Richmond)
- Jacob Hopper to (Richmond)
Who should they go after?
State of Play:
GWS will have to start from scratch next season with three of their better players requesting moves from the club. Richmond will acquire Tim Taranto at the beginning of the trade period, with Jacob Hopper to follow suit shortly after. Meanwhile, small forwards Bobby Hill and Tanner Bruhn have requested moves to Victoria and won’t be denied. On the flip side, Toby Bedford wants to join the club, while Ivan Soldo should help with their ruck issues.
Hawthorn
Deals that should get done:
- Jack Gunston to (Brisbane)
Who should they go after?
State of Play:
It is expected that Hawthorn have finished acquiring players for this trade period, with Karl Amon joining the club on Friday. Jack Gunston is on his way to Brisbane, while Tom Mitchell could still get to Collingwood late in the period.
Melbourne
Deals that should get done:
- Brodie Grundy
- Luke Jackson to (Fremantle)
- Toby Bedford to (GWS)
- Jayden Hunt to (West Coast)
Who should they go after?
State of Play:
If I said in 2019 that in three years, Melbourne would be home to both All-Australian ruckmen, you would be laughing for days on end, but as time continues to elapse, the chances continue to grow stronger. Grundy looks set to join, with Luke Jackson heading back to WA. Expect both of these moves to be completed on the final day, as there are still a few pieces that need to be worked out. Toby Bedford and Jayden Hunt are on the outer and will seek moves elsewhere.
Jayden Hunt.
(AFL Photos)
North Melbourne
Deals that should get done:
- Griffin Logue
- Darcy Tucker
- Jason Horne-Francis to (Port Adelaide)
Who should they go after?
Experience is key. North Melbourne have too many young players and any experienced heads have just about past their prime, so they are of little value to the team. Mitch Robinson has hinted that he wants to play on after being pushed out of the door by Chris Fagan. Thus, leaving an opportunity for Robinson to continue his career.
State of Play:
With newly appointed coach Alistair Clarkson missing from the club indefinitely, those who initially requested a move to the club might have second thoughts. Brad Hill will most likely stay at St Kilda for this reason. Freo pair Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker are almost confirmed to join the Kangaroos. The move that will raise eyebrows is Jason Horne-Francis to Port Adelaide. Despite any efforts North will put up to keep him, Horne-Francis can’t wait to jump ship.
Jason Horne-Francis.
(AFL Photos)
Port Adelaide
Deals that should get done:
- Esava Ratugolea
- Junior Rioli
- Jason Horne-Francis
Who should they go after?
Port Adelaide have lost some leg speed with Karl Amon joining Hawthorn. As mentioned with Gold Coast, Will Setterfield would be a viable option, potentially creating a deadly duo with Willem Drew.
State of Play:
Karl Amon has already departed for Hawthorn and could be replaced by 2021 number one draft pick Jason Horne-Francis, after Cal Twomey reported the move on Sunday night. North Melbourne might ask for a haul of picks, but it would be in the best interest of the Roos to part ways with Horne-Francis. Junior Rioli has requested a trade to the Power to be close to family and Geelong big man, Esava Ratugolea should also make his way to South Australia.
Richmond
Deals that should get done:
- Tim Taranto
- Jacob Hopper
- Ivan Soldo to (GWS)
Who should they go after?
Noah Balta was a swingman in 2022, making it hard for him to play his best football on a consistent basis. With intentions for him to play forward, Richmond need to invest in a long-term key defender to compliment Josh Gibcus. Jarrod Brander was delisted from GWS after one season but proved at West Coast (and in glimpses at GWS) that he can be a solid key back.
State of Play:
Tim Taranto joined Richmond for picks 12 and 19 on Monday, but the Hopper deal will take some more time to get done. Early reports suggest that GWS will receive pick 30 and a future-first for Hopper, while Ivan Soldo will go the other way in some capacity. Meanwhile, Jack Graham will stay at the Tigers, despite touring Port Adelaide’s facilities last week.
Jacob Hopper.
(AFL Photos)
St Kilda
Deals that should get done:
- Ben Long to (Gold Coast)
Who should they go after?
The Saints have the cash but have nothing they are saving up for. Although it might seem crazy, St Kilda need to go after someone who is out of contract next year like Shai Bolton. This will help to solve the missing piece of the puzzle at Moorabbin. If not, Quinton Narkle could get some valuable opportunities at the Saints.
State of Play:
A quiet trade period would seem disappointing for the Saints who are in desperate need of some reinforcements, but after missing out on Jordan De Goey, it looks like that will be the case once again. Ben Long will receive his trade wish, while Hunter Clark and Brad Hill should stay put.
Sydney
Deals that should get done:
- Aaron Francis
Who should they go after?
The Swans are arguably the most complete team in the competition, but you only have to look at the Grand Final to see the lack of depth in the key forward position. With Franklin and Reid nearing retirement, Logan McDonald needs a partner and that could be Esava Ratugolea. With Cameron and Hawkins dominating for the Cats, Ratugolea could get some game time for the Swans.
State of Play:
It’s set to be a quiet trade period for the Swans who managed to re-sign Lance Franklin and Tom Papley. Francis could get to the grand finalists though after being out of favour at Essendon.
Aaron Francis.
(AFL Photos)
West Coast
Deals that should get done:
- Jayden Hunt
- Junior Rioli to (Port Adelaide)
Who should they go after?
West Coast also need talls with Josh Kennedy retiring, as well as Jack Darling and Nic Naitanui not far behind. Luke Jackson is a suitable replacement but if that fails, Ratugolea could also be an option for the Eagles.
State of Play:
The Eagles are in a two-horse race with their crosstown rival for Demons’ ruckman, Luke Jackson. However, it seems that they will lose out for his services. Even without Jackson, the Eagles will acquire someone with fellow Dee Jayden Hunt set to move across the Nullarbor. Junior Rioli will leave the club after requesting a trade to Port Adelaide.
Western Bulldogs
Deals that should get done:
- Liam Jones
- Rory Lobb
Who should they go after?
It’s no secret the Bulldogs need a key defender and with Liam Jones set to join the club on Monday, the club fulfil this role on a short-term basis. Someone like a Griffin Logue would help to hold down the position long-term.
State of Play:
As mentioned before, Liam Jones should get to the club via free agency early into the trade period. The Rory Lobb move will be more complicated, but surely the Dockers don’t reject Lobb’s request once again?
The biggest talking point for the Dogs this trade period though is reigning Charlie Sutton Medallist Josh Dunkley requesting a trade to Brisbane. However, I don’t believe the deal gets done. Luke Beveridge saying that the Lions will need to “pony up” only heightens my doubt in this deal getting done. Dunkley’s denied trade request to the Bombers in 2020, makes me think that the same will happen this season.
Rory Lobb.
(AFL Photos)
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