AFL trade news: John Noble, Daniel Rioli request trades to Gold Coast Suns

The Suns could be the big players in this year’s trade period, with a Magpie defender and Tigers premiership hero declaring their intentions to move north next year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 03: Daniel Rioli of the Tigers looks dejected after the round 21 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium, on August 03, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Daniel Rioli has again reaffirmed his desire to play for Gold Coast next year, with the Tigers expected to ask for pick six from the Suns if they do eventually agree to trade him.

The Herald Sun revealed last week that Rioli had made clear he wanted to make a fresh start on the Gold Coast, happy for relative Maurice to continue on at the Tigers without his guidance.

At his exit interview on Tuesday he reaffirmed that desire given he wants a new challenge and believes reuniting with premiership coach Damien Hardwick is the right fit.

Contracted to 2027, it means Richmond holds the whip hand in negotiations and could even hold him.

But Richmond is getting its head around the fact it might need to trade Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Rioli to get the maximum value for the trio and then rebuild from there with as many as six draft picks.

Daniel Rioli wants to play for the Suns. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The Suns will expect Richmond to make an ambit claim for Rioli that might even seem demanding more than pick six given his worth to the club.

But it is believed that selection would be the centrepiece of any trade.

Richmond is not interested in securing Suns tall forward Jack Lukosius in any trade, so it would likely be only for draft selections and not players.

The Tigers are also aware that Shai Bolton wants to play for a WA-based club.

The Herald Sun reported last week that he wanted out, with his manager Anthony Van Der Weilen later confirming his request to play in his home state.

Tom Lynch is happy to see out his contract for 2025 at Richmond with the Tigers also aware of his importance in a forward line likely to be bereft of household names next year.

While clubs are asking about Lynch, it would take something extraordinary to see him move to a third club.

Lynch is determined to get back to full fitness and provide a leadership role at the Tigers next year and has shown no inclination to want to move on like many teammates.

The Tigers are aware that Liam Baker and Jack Graham are strong leaders who are likely to move on, so it would be disastrous to allow another leader to move on with Dylan Grimes also retiring.

Lynch hasn’t been on the field much in recent years. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The forward line this year had one of Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton playing alongside at least one tall like Samson Ryan, Mykelti Lefau or Jacob Koschitzke.

Richmond’s only real decision is whether it wants to stockpile picks in this year’s national draft or spread them out over the next two drafts.

Richmond champion Jack Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 last week he believed the right course of action was to stockpile picks.

“Shai’s obviously come out and said that he’d like a trade, (and) if you’re believing the rumours, Daniel (Rioli) is probably in the same boat. And you read the tea leaves and Jack Graham and Liam Baker haven’t signed yet,” Riewoldt said.

“I think this is the most important decision for the football club to make for the next dynasty and the next challenge at a premiership cup, because they have to look ahead as all clubs are.

“Tasmania are coming into the competition in 2028, so the draft will then be diluted again with another assistant package for a team coming in, but also then everyone’s pick goes out by one.”

“There’s changes to the academies and father-sons which will happen, but this year and next year, if you can stockpile and load up on first-round draft picks – which the players we’re talking about are worth picks that are up the top-end of the draft – is they need to make the most of what they’ve got.”

Magpie defender demands shock trade to interstate club

– Jay Clark

Collingwood will target Gold Coast’s pick No. 20 in exchange for John Noble after the speedy defender requested a trade to the Suns on Tuesday.

The man who was left out of the 2023 Grand Final team will pursue a move north to play a key half back running role under Suns’ coach Damien Hardwick.

The decision to leave him out of the premiership team devastated the 27-year-old who admitted this year he was still emotional about the brutal axing.

While Noble is excited about the opportunity and role he could play at Gold Coast, he also wants to be closer to family, including his twin brother, Mark, who lives on the Gold Coast.

John Noble has asked for a trade away. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Collingwood’s first pick is No. 30 which is tied to Hawthorn’s second-round choice from the Jack Ginnivan trade.

A Noble trade would give the Pies an earlier choice in the second-round.

Collingwood Head of Football Strategy, Innovation and List Management Justin Leppitsch said they would work with Noble.

“John today informed us he would like to explore a trade ahead of next season to be closer to family.

“Whilst John is contracted, we understand the importance of family and will take this into consideration as we work through the trade period.”

The 2024 Trade Period commences on October 7.

Originally published as AFL trade news: John Noble, Daniel Rioli request trades to Gold Coast Suns