Moneyball AFL trades: All the latest news and whispers on potential 2022 player movement
Carlton fans bemoan the fact that this prized draft pick hasn’t been given more midfield opportunity. But his future remains uncertain for a number of reasons.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
As we edge ever closer to AFL trade and free agency the player movement rumbles are building to a roar.
Our footy heads have their noses to the ground, sniffing out the biggest news and whispers ahead of the season after the season.
Here’s what they know in this week’s edition of Moneyball.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Stocks drop
Liam Stocker’s future at Carlton is still up for grabs with the first-round draft pick never able to develop the tank to play serious midfield minutes.
Stocker bravely spoke about his anxiety battles this year in a video for Beyond Blue as he talked about the panic attacks that he has had to endure across his career.
The 22-year-old been named for the Blues this week in what could be a final audition. He’s played 10 VFL games as a small defender averaging 95 ranking points and four AFL games — the most recent in round 18.
Blues fans have always bemoaned the fact Stocker was never given a decent run in the midfield after Steve Silvagni became the first recruiter to use live trading in the national draft to secure him with the No.19 pick in the 2018 national draft.
But unfortunately for Stocker, who admitted on draft night he needed to develop a tank, that aspect of his game has limited the club’s capacity to give him a key on-ball role.
The Blues are yet to offer him a new deal and he faces an uncertain future given they will have to create some draft room to get back into the draft in an aggressive manner.
Stocker plays as a strong-bodied defender in the VFL and while he has a booming kick it hasn’t been the strength he might have hoped for the 22-year-old despite playing 17 of his 26 games in the 2021 season.
As a powerfully-built player the Blues haven’t been able to play him on nimble, quick small forwards so he still needs to find his niche as a player.
It means he might have to wait for a deal, accept a rookie deal or hope list spots go his way later in October.
Carlton has taken only three live picks in the last two national drafts so will have to make some tough decisions on clearing list spots.
Brisbane guns for Hawks’ Jack
Brisbane is keen on Hawthorn veteran Jack Gunston as Daniel McStay’s replacement in the forward line.
The veteran Hawk has attracted strong interest late in the season after kicking two bags of five goals to help boost his contract price.
As a free agent, Gunston could walk to the club of his choice and Brisbane is on the lookout for another marking target to fill the McStay void.
But Gunston, 30, also has a strong sense of loyalty to Hawthorn and could stay on a two-year deal.
Talks were put to the side as he mourned the passing of his father, Ray, recently.
The Lions have also been linked to a move on Sydney Swans’ champion Lance Franklin, who is considering moving his family to Queensland and retiring.
Milkshake May get new deal
Jake Melksham, the Demon at the centre of a mid-year stoush with Steven May, is mounting a solid case for a fresh deal after adapting to a new forward role in the past month.
While Melbourne is likely to wait until the end of their 2022 campaign before deciding whether to recommit to the 30-year-old, Melksham’s role of locking down on opposition defenders in recent weeks has increased his chances of playing on in 2023.
In the absence of an injured Tom McDonald, Melksham has not only worked his way back into the Demons’ AFL side, he has also kicked 5.5 across his past four games.
Importantly, he has played a selfless role in trying to limit the impact of rebounding defenders including Collingwood’s Darcy Moore and Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir since his AFL return in Round 18.
It is understood Melksham, who is out of contract this year, is keen to stay with the Demons.
But he would consider his options at a third club if the club choses to go in a different direction.
Melksham was thrust into the limelight in June after it emerged he had scuffled with May at Entrecote restaurant, resulting in hand surgery that cost him time on the sidelines.
The Demons banned May for one-match and ordered community service work for May and Melksham – who is believed to have come to the support of teammates – after the incident.
Melksham missed out on last year’s premiership success, but is working hard to stay in the Demons’ team as they chase back-to-back flags next month.
Guelfi set to cash in on solid form
Matt Guelfi is on the brink of a new two-year contract after strong progress this week on a deal for the medium-sized forward.
Guelfi was handed only a one-year deal last year but has played excellent footy – including four goals against GWS – and with 17.9 so far has earned the multi-year deal.
He turns 25 on Sunday and has had a career-best season with above-average ratings in disposals, kicking, goals, forward 50 pressure and forward 50 ground balls.
The Dons will likely have to wait another year to make a free agency splash on a key forward – Carlton’s Harry McKay would be their perfect target – but Guelfi has helped filled a small forward void left by the retirement of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
Port plans flex to ward of Mitch suitors
Port Adelaide is confident it will swat away rival interest in Mitch Georgiades when it comes time to extend the young key forward’s contract.
Georgiades is one of the competition’s most promising developing key forwards but was dropped last week as he rounds out only a modest season.
The third-year big man has booted 19 goals from 17 games this season.
While his omission raised interest around the league, the Power spearhead remains a key plank in the club’s future plans as a long-term replacement for Charlie Dixon.
Port will likely attempt to extend his contract before the 2023 season in a bid to lock away the goal kicker before rivals ramp up any efforts to poach him.
Georgiades, 20, is happy in South Australia after being drafted from Subiaco with the 18th pick in the 2018 national draft.
Luke a Shuey in for 2023
West Coast captain Luke Shuey will play on next year as he makes strong progress on a new one-year deal.
Shuey’s career was at the crossroads after repeated hamstring issues but the Norm Smith Medallist has now played 11 games in a row and 15 for the season.
He will likely take a pay cut given the expiring long-term deal came at the top of his market value but he is only 32 and hasn’t ruled out playing on past 2023 if his body can remain intact.
He said in June he wanted to remain an Eagle for life but would consider moving if the club pushed him out.
That won’t happen given he is averaging 22 possessions and has some of his trademark speed and hardness around the contest back as he can increasingly trust in his body again.
Roo will try to put 2022 disaster behind him
Tarryn Thomas is likely to honour his contract at North Melbourne next season after a disastrous 2022 but has been linked to Sydney-based clubs after his recent time out in the Harbour City.
Thomas has played 10 AFL games, averaging 12 possessions, and has recently been building fitness after a 3-4 week stint of personal time up north after his grandmother’s passing.
Most of Thomas’ family is in Sydney after he grew up in Tasmania.
He signed a new two-year deal in February through to 2024, but Sydney-based clubs are sure to ask the question surrounding his availability given his brilliant skillset.
Thomas is at this stage keen to stay at North Melbourne after an excellent 2021 in which he was awarded five Brownlow votes and finished eighth in the Syd Barker Medal.
This year he was left with internal bruising after a round 2 clash, returned to be positioned at half forward where the ball barely went and then battled with the fallout of losing his grandmother.
In football terms, it has been a shocking year, but the hope is he can get an exceptional summer under his belt with a new coach after Mark Robinson justifiably had him at No.50 in his pre-season player rankings.
Jayden won’t have to Hunt for new Dee deal
Melbourne free agent Jayden Hunt will be offered a new deal as his late-season senior call-up into defence has allowed Angus Brayshaw to return to the midfield.
Hunt could move clubs as a free agent but is happy at the Demons and has played 16 games early and late despite five VFL contests in the middle of the year.
The Demons have made an attractive pitch to quicksilver forward Toby Bedford, who has drawn Essendon’s interest.
He has been the club’s super sub in 16 games but in nine of them he hasn’t got out on the park, which would have been frustrating for his career progression.
Melbourne told him those opportunities would flow in coming seasons and is increasingly confident he will stay.
Veteran Demon Michael Hibberd is yet to receive a contract offer but has been a good contributor down back since returning to the side in round 13 after a nagging calf injury delayed his season start.
The 32-year-old inked a one-year deal last October and would be looking at a similar arrangement if Melbourne gives him the green light to go around again.
Dons’ Hurley call looms
A decision on Essendon veteran Michael Hurley’s football future will come within the next fortnight.
Hurley made a brave comeback to the game in the VFL last month after more than 600 days on the sidelines due to a serious hip infection that almost ended his career.
The Bombers are yet to commit to what would be an emotional AFL comeback game before the end of the season for the 32-year-old, who is about to come out of contract.
A decision on whether he tries to chase his 200-game milestone in 2023 (he has played 193 games) or retire is considered a 50/50 prospect at this stage
Saints keen to keep ageing Ryder
Injured St Kilda ruckman Paddy Ryder looks likely to play on for an 18th AFL season.
Ryder will turn 35 just before the start of next season, but it is believed the Saints are keen to see him partner up with Rowan Marshall as part of their two-pronged ruck attack again in 2023.
Ryder hasn’t played since the Round 18 loss to the Western Bulldogs, due to a calf injury. He has most likely played his last match in 2022, with the Saints this week listing him as still being two or three weeks away from resuming on their injury list.
Ryder said earlier this year he wanted to play on again in 2023 and that now seems likely, although a new one-year deal is not likely to come until the end of the Saints’ season.
More Coverage
Originally published as Moneyball AFL trades: All the latest news and whispers on potential 2022 player movement
Free trade tracker: Every player linked with your club
Trade requests, the latest rumours and every player linked with your club. Stay across every big AFL trade story and see who could be on the move in our Trade Tracker.
AFL club rocked as coach collapses at training
Geelong’s final training session has been hit with ‘confronting scenes’ as a coach collapsed before being rushed to hospital.