Mick McGuane’s ultimate AFL trade period club-by-club guide
What must your club do at the trade table and through the off-season? Respected footy analyst and Collingwood premiership player Mick McGuane ponders the burning questions for every team.
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The trade period opens on Monday morning, with big names including Tim Kelly and Joe Daniher having already declared their desire to move clubs.
There promises to be a flurry of activity between recruiting teams in coming days as they jostle to get the best deal.
Collingwood premiership player Mick McGuane analyses what every club needs and what their off-season priority will be.
MORE TRADE PREVIEWS:
What would your club’s dream AFL trade period look like?
See which players every club is chasing and who could be on the move this trade period
ADELAIDE
WHAT THEY NEED
Rejuvenation and a focus on forward 50m pressure. The Crows’ forward line in 2017 was a potent strength, but Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, Tom Lynch and Eddie Betts looked pedestrian this year. If they didn’t win the ball, they couldn’t retain it. Adelaide was ranked 15th for forward half pressure and 12th for intercepts won in the forward half. The new coach needs to look at the Richmond premiership model.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Get the right coach. Don't be blindsided by the talk Scott Burns is out. Josh Jenkins wants to find a new home, even if some clubs will be reluctant to pay much of his $700,000 contract. Hugh Greenwood is Gold Coast-bound, Alex Keath wants to play for the Bulldogs and Cam Ellis-Yolmen has become a Lion. Does best-and-fairest winner Brad Crouch stay or chase the lure of Gold Coast dollars?
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Will we finally see some synergy and cohesion from a fragmented and damaged group that played accordingly? As much as club officials tried to paper over the cracks and pretend the camp issues from the 2018 pre-season didn't matter, the fact so many Crows want to leave speaks to the contrary. A priority must be to get your culture right.
BRISBANE LIONS
WHAT THEY NEED
A genuine key forward. The improving Lions generated the second most inside-50s this season, but were ranked 11th for marks inside-50m. The Lions have Eric Hipwood, Dan McStay and Oscar McInerney, but they are still learning their forward craft. What the Lions need is a competitive forward beast like Jonathan Brown. Magpie Jamie Elliott is on the radar as he toured the Lions on Saturday.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
The Swans have shown some interest in one-time Rising Star Lewy Taylor. Tom Cutler is likely to return to Melbourne. Ryan Bastinac looks in trouble, while Josh Walker and Allen Christensen have been under pressure.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Who will be the behind-the-ball organiser the Lions need in 2020? The loss of Luke Hodge will hurt from an organisational point of view. Can Daniel Rich elevate himself to that role? Or does it require Hodge's former teammate Grant Birchall to finish off his successful career in new colours? Birchall still possesses great speed which would help the slow Lions' defence.
CARLTON
WHAT THEY NEED
Having gone hard at three or four drafts, this trade period might be the icing on the cake. The Blues are chasing Tom Papley, Jack Martin and Eddie Betts. I think the fairytale of Betts coming home to the Blues goes against their list philosophy. He will be 33 next month. He's been a very good player, but on this year's form, his best looks to be past him. It might also hinder the development of a younger player.
WHO'S THE TABLE
Ruckman Andrew Phillips has had a medical at Essendon. The Blues might then have to find another big man themselves as Tom De Koning is still developing, we don't know how long Matthew Kreuzer has left and Levi Casboult has reinvented himself as a defender.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can the Blues' three most important defenders stay healthy? Co-captain Sam Docherty returns after a second knee reconstruction, Tom Williamson is looking to overcome back issues and Caleb Marchbank will resume after fractures in his neck. Those three are critical to the team's success and if they can get them back firing again, it might help elevate the Blues further up the ladder.
COLLINGWOOD
WHAT THEY NEED
The Magpies are screaming out for a key forward. Brody Mihocek had a good year and won the club's goalkicking, but had a career-low two disposals in the preliminary final. Mason Cox rated below average in 2019 and Ben Reid's body remains an issue. Collingwood has become too reliant on general forwards such as Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson, Jamie Elliott, Josh Thomas and Callum Brown to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
WHO'S THE TABLE
Jamie Elliott has attracted interest from Brisbane and Melbourne, with the Lions the clear frontrunner. He must be torn as he is a loyal person who knows the Magpies have been good for him through his injury issues. But will the lure of the money and the tenure overtake the bond he has with the Magpies? We’ll soon find out.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
How will Nathan Buckley's team respond to more finals heartbreak? Four of the Magpies' best and toughest mids — Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams and Steele Sidebottom will have to shoulder the burden of their below par performance in a final. I can accept two of them having a bad day, but it's hard to accept it was all four.
ESSENDON
WHAT THEY NEED
Someone to handle the PR car crash that comes from two of their best players — Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia — wanting out. They must also bolster their on-ball brigade with an inside bull in the mould of Josh Kennedy or Ben Cunnington. Talk of an Ollie Wines swap for Fantasia is ludicrous. I'd be stunned if Wines broke his bond with Ken Hinkley. Sam Powell-Pepper might be an option. The Bombers, from Round 15 onwards, were ranked 18th for contested possession differential and 16th for clearances, meaning they play a back half game which isn't sustainable. They need another ruckman, with Andrew Phillips an option.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
So much for 'it was just a catch up with a mentor', Daniher wants out. He has barely played in the past two seasons, but was an All-Australian before that. The Bombers must chase the right deal for him, putting pressure back on the Swans. Fantasia also has a desire to change clubs, with Port Adelaide the most likely option.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Are they a genuine top eight team? The jury is out for 2020. To watch the Bombers at their absolute best, they play exhilarating football. But they rely on a back half game which isn't the right way going forward. Inconsistency shows their brand must change. The other question is whether the succession plan from John Worsfold to Ben Rutten will work. Watch this space.
FREMANTLE
WHAT THEY NEED
An elite ball-winning midfielder. The Dockers have Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, who wins the ball in close better than anyone, plus a consistently good ball user in Michael Walters. David Mundy isn't getting any younger. From Round 14, the Dockers ranked 6th for contested possession differential and ninth for clearance differential. But once they won it, they couldn't use it cleanly. They were ranked 18th for kicking efficiency. They are also searching for a creative defender.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
The Dockers are working on a trade that would get Brad Hill to St Kilda for good draft pick compensation. Ed Langdon could be Melbourne-bound. It's doubtful the Dockers can get Tim Kelly, but others in the frame include Kamdyn McIntosh and Connor Menadue.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can they cover for the loss of Hill and Langdon? It won't be easy. I wonder whether they might entertain Chris Masten, who lives in Perth to play that outside player who knows how to find the ball. They will chase Kelly, but remains outsiders there. New coach Justin Longmuir needs to find a better balance between offence and defence.
GEELONG
WHAT THEY NEED
I'd like to see Geelong take a few more risks. The Cats need to play some more up-tempo footy instead of that slow boundary line style. If I was Chris Scott, I'd provide a greater licence to play fast, and get it into Esava Ratugolea and Tom Hawkins as quickly as possible. When it goes to ground, the likes of Gryan Miers, Tom Atkins, Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Ablett (in his final year) are able to do what they do best, and hunt the ground ball and manufacture goals from this play.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Tim Kelly wants to play for West Coast. Zac Smith is likely to try and find a new home while fellow out of contract Cats Lachie Henderson and Wylie Buzza could be on the table.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Has Gary Ablett gone on one year too long? Gazza is a champion who will be legend of the game in the future. But I'm not sure he has made the right decision to play on. His first final this year showed a few concerns, even if he was better in the second final off the back of his pride being pricked. I just wonder if he can play in the manner that he did earlier in the year given he will be 36 for most of 2020. Let's hope he proves us wrong.
GOLD COAST
WHAT THEY NEED
A miracle. The Suns needs top end talent in the draft. Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson will help. Caleb Serong is another who should be looked at. They also need an elite midfielder. That's why they have been chasing Brad Crouch. Will it happen? Probably not. Hugh Greenwood and Brandon Ellis will help, but aren't miracle workers. The Suns have ranked bottom four in possession differential in every season — except one — and ranked 18th on that measure in the past two seasons.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Jack Martin wants to end up at Carlton, Callum Ah Chee is off to Brisbane, and the Suns are desperate to keep Jack Lukosius and Ben King for the long term.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Is Stuart Dew the answer? There has to be some doubt. His honeymoon period is over. Gold Coast needs a code-defining identity to sell the footy club and drive them into the future. Michael Voss and Jonathan Brown are the type of characters the Suns need. Does that mean coaching? Why not? Both players know how to win a premiership and they know the Queensland market. The Suns need to find that ruthless, winning edge and they need to find it as quickly as possible.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
WHAT THEY NEED
A fit Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward — two massive barometers — to make their returns from injury. Their pressure forward half game can improve, but the Giants' turnover game needs some work too. If they don't win the ball, it comes out too quickly. If there is template they need to look at over summer, it must be their finals win over the Bulldogs. They rank 14th for forward half intercepts and 15th for points from those intercepts.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Adam Tomlinson looks headed to Melbourne, while Jon Patton has nominated Hawthorn as his preferred destination. The release of salary cap pressure will assist in the future contracts for Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield and Zac Williams.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
How much of the Grand Final embarrassment sticks with the Giants? It was one of the most shell-shocked, insipid displays in a Grand Final in modern history. Forget about the excuses about the Giants having to play three hard finals. They were out-hunted and outmuscled by a ferocious and relentless Richmond. There are only two ways they can go. Accept it, or fight back and for Leon Cameron's sake, it must be the latter.
HAWTHORN
WHAT IT NEEDS
A key forward and a key defender. Jon Patton is a deal that will be done, with some quibbling over draft picks. James Frawley is 31, so that shows there is a need for a defender to come through at some point. The Hawks have been looking at Melbourne's Sam Frost.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Grant Birchall is contemplating a possible move to Queensland to rejuvenate his AFL career after an injury-interrupted past few years. Paul Puopolo hasn't yet got a new deal. Isaac Smith looks more likely to stay now.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Will Hawthorn will have the ready-made recruit of the season? Yep. Tom Mitchell is coming back from a serious injury suffered last pre-season but knowing how competitive he is and his extraordinary attention to detail, I am expect him to have a massive 2020. He will make a significant difference to the Hawks.
MELBOURNE
WHAT IT NEEDS
It desperately needs a forward 50m ground ball player. The Demons had the fifth most inside 50s throughout the season but ranked 15th at ground ball differential inside 50s. Guys like Jeff Garlett, Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Alex Neal-Bullen need to understand their role better. Adam Tomlinson needs to improve if he joins the Demons. He has a wooden back, pops the ball when he kicks it and his decision-making isn't good enough. Ed Langdon might be an option if Melbourne can sort a deal.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
There has been genuine surprise the club is prepared to allow Sam Frost to walk to Hawthorn, given he finished in the top 10 of the Demons' best and fairest.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Have the Demons got the character to respond from their embarrassing 2019 fall from grace? It remains to be seen whether they have the will and the want — and the appetite for hard work over summer — to be physically and mentally ready to contend again in 2020.
NORTH MELBOURNE
WHAT IT NEEDS
Ben Brown is the only Kangaroos forward to rank above average or elite in terms of forward 50 ground balls last season. That's an indictment. What are their small forwards doing? Someone needs to assume the role to win that loose footy or chase the ball. How much does Kayne Turner want it? Is it Curtis Taylor's time to become the sort of player the club so desperately needs.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Not much seems to be happening on the trade front with the Kangaroos this year. The club's efforts in keeping Shaun Higgins and Todd Goldstein was important.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
What style will Rhyce Shaw have North Melbourne playing next year? He has a full summer to place his imprimatur on the group. We saw the run and gun style at times but we also saw a far more contested and pressure team since he first took over. He just needs to develop a better balance between the two.
PORT ADELAIDE
WHAT IT NEEDS
Ken Hinkley is crying out for a good, ball-winning, efficient midfielder. As good as Ollie Wines, Brett Ebert and Travis Boak have been, the Power need to find a different type of player. They have ranked bottom four for kicking efficiency since 2011. I am a massive fan of Connor Rozee. He provides a spark as an energetic and dynamic forward who can hit the scoreboard. But he could — in part — be the answer to Port's dilemma in the middle. I like Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma too.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Ollie Wines will stay. Paddy Ryder is off to St Kilda, the Crows are chasing Billy Frampton, Dougal Howard has attracted interest, but will stay at Port. Sam Powell-Pepper's name has been mentioned as a possible swap for Orazio Fantasia.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can Charlie Dixon become the player the Power needs him to be? Possibly. He needs some luck with his body and a massive pre-season. If he can get back to his hulking, aggressive best, he could be the x-factor that could propel Port Adelaide into the eight again.
RICHMOND
WHAT IT NEEDS
To avoid complacency. Everyone will want to take their scalp in 2020, so the Tigers will have to be on their toes. If there is any acceptance of the 'success disease', it won't end well. There must be pressure on for spots, and there will be hunger from those who missed out this year, which includes Alex Rance (who will be back in Round 1), Jack Higgins and Jack Graham, to name a few.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Brandon Ellis has signed with the Gold Coast (the Tigers have pick 39 as compensation), while Kamdyn McIntosh and Connor Menadue have attracted interest from Fremantle. Dan Butler is looking at his options. The Tigers realise Zak Jones could be St Kilda-bound, but should swoop and be a part of that discussion.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
How good could one-game premiership player Marlion Pickett be with a full pre-season? I'm not too sure. Pickett is either very, very good or the competition has slipped. How can a 27-year-old come into the best competition in the country (without a pre-season) and perform so well in the most important game of the season.
ST KILDA
WHAT IT NEEDS
Another intercept defender, as they have seriously missed Dylan Roberton, who hopefully will get some luck in 2020. Brad Hill, Paddy Ryder and Zak Jones have been courted, but they could lose Jack Steven and Josh Bruce. Expect Brett Ratten to use the knowledge he gained in the Clarko schooling, and that's that the game is a front half one. They will be locking it in as best as they can. Importantly, they need some luck too — with Roberton, Paddy McCartin and Jarryn Geary aiming for a change of luck.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Steven looks headed to Geelong and Bruce is off to the Bulldogs.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Will Paddy Ryder's recruitment be good or bad for young ruckman Rowan Marshall? It's hard to see Ryder become the A grade ruckman we have seen in fits and starts throughout his career. But I do hope Ryder's time in the ruck doesn't hinder Marshall's rapid development. I want to see Marshall keep the first ruck slot.
SYDNEY
WHAT IT NEEDS
The Swans were ranked 18th for contested possession differential, which is almost unheard of for them, and 17th for clearance differential. They absorb pressure for while, but the dam wall eventually breaks. They must bolster the midfield and get more hardness around the ball. Josh Kennedy is a star and Luke Parker gives his all. They also need to have a fit and healthy ruckman because it ain't going to cut it having Aliir Aliir in the role.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
Tom Papley wants to go to Carlton, even though the Swans don't want to lose him. Zak Jones seems more than likely to get to St Kilda, whole Darcy Cameron has been linked to Collingwood. On the flip side, Joe Daniher wants to be a Swan.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
How do you fit two power forwards — and left footers — into the same team? The dynamic that will see Lance Franklin and Joe Daniher compete for the same piece of SCG turf will make for interesting viewing. It can work if they are all on the same page, but it won't be easy.
WEST COAST
WHAT IT NEEDS
A ground ball midfielder, and Tim Kelly should be that person if they can get the deal done. The Eagles were ranked 18th for post-clearance contested possession and post clearance ground ball this year. As good as Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden and Elliot Yeo are in that inside 0-2 metre range, once the ball gets loose you wonder if they have the appetite to work as hard as they should, on this year's evidence. We know Kelly can be that sort of player.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
All their trade eggs looks set to be put in the Tim Kelly basket. They must make it happen.
BURNING QUESTION
Are the footy gods finally going to be kind to Nic Naitanui? His influence is very strong and we love how his game is based on his ruck work and his second efforts. He brings an excitement to the Eagles and they are a much better team with him in the side.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
WHAT IT NEEDS
A key defender. That's why the Dogs have been into Alex Keath. Josh Bruce has been earmarked by the Dogs, too, which is interesting given they had 93 goals kicked by key forwards this season, the second most in the competition. Bruce has been a forward at Moorabbin but he started out as a defender, so he can play both roles.
WHO'S ON THE TABLE
It's looking like a very busy trade period for the Dogs, not necessarily in regard to who's going out, but who's coming in. Not sure what is happening just yet with Tory Dickson and Fletcher Roberts.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Cam Tim English, who has all the physical attributes required, become the ruckman the Western Bulldogs desperately need him to be? He has had a taste of it now and has plenty of work left in him. But I think he can become one of the top four or five ruckmen in the competition if he can work at it.
Originally published as Mick McGuane’s ultimate AFL trade period club-by-club guide