Brandan Parfitt, Finlay Macrae would likely not come cheap on the trade market

They can’t get a game at their current club, but what would these two mids be worth on the trade table? It might be more than you’d think.

Trade buzz: Parfitt and Macrae

Jack Silvagni’s knee injury means St Kilda list manager Steve Silvagni might have less reason to front up in person against a Carlton outfit that made him a Hall of Fame legend then sacked him.

But make no mistake, St Kilda are one of many clubs scrutinising the form of the player Silvagni drafted at No. 3 in the 2017 national draft.

Paddy Dow has made something of a comeback in recent weeks despite almost exclusively being used as a sub.

Steve Silvagni still clearly holds a candle for Dow, but what interests rival clubs is that he could be secured as a delisted free agent.

The Blues would have to drop him off their list first but given their list squeeze it is a real possibility.

It means like several midfielders across the competition he could be secured as a zero-risk., high-upside onballer who at worst fills a gap and at best ekes out 80-plus games.

Out-of-contract Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch’s brilliant fortnight puts him exactly the same bracket as clubs scrutinise his worth.

So with only a month remaining in the home-and-away season which are the best value options who are effectively free to a good home?

And which value midfielders could also be on the market, albeit at a cost.

FIVE MIDFIELDERS CLUBS COULD CHASE

1. PADDY DOW (CARLTON)

Dow had made a great fist of his limited appearances so far this year – including 12 possessions against Collingwood as the sub, a full game against West Coast and 84 minutes (15 possessions) against Port Adelaide.

Allowing Carlton to delist him gives him status as a free agent which then means he can move to his club of choice, hopefully on a multi-year contract.

But the challenge for Dow is using that pace and poise to take an extra second with his disposal to hit targets.

Of Dow’s 10 kicks against Collingwood, five were ineffective and five were long bombs forward with limited effect.

One up-and-under from a clearance still bounced and bobbled inside 50 until Charlie Curnow finally snapped his third goal.

But too many were scrappy kicks from a pack to Collingwood or were to the advantage of Curnow’s opponent despite him having time to measure up.

Against West Coast there was one lovely hit-up to a leading Curnow but seven ineffective kicks and two clangers from 15 kicks.

So with Adam Cerra and Sam Walsh hamstrung, Dow has the opportunity to hone that areas of his game given he has done so much hard work to get back into the side.

Dow has struggled to keep a spot in the Carlton side. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

2. MATT CROUCH (ADELAIDE)

What a bounce-back for Crouch, starved of opportunities at Adelaide and seemingly serving time on his career.

The 28-year-old’s past fortnight has been exceptional against quality sides – back-to-back 10 score involvement games with seven and 12 clearances respectively.

We knew he could rack it up but he has been damaging with ball in hand with 71 and 75 per cent disposal efficiency.

He says he would like to stay at Adelaide but how could he believe he will get regular chances after only 14 games since the start of last season?

Finish the season strongly and surely he has suitors as a Tom Mitchell-style clearance specialist at a contending club or as a strong body with a club on the rebuild.

Crouch has made a strong comeback to the senior team. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

3. JADE GRESHAM (ST KILDA)

Gresham put together three improved games as a restricted free agent from rounds 16-18 before a quiet 11-possession showing against North Melbourne saw him used as the sub last week.

He still found a way to have an influence – 19 possessions, a goal, two score assists and four score involvements.

After a below-par year it seems more likely he will be on the move and his free agency status gives Carlton the chance to swoop without sacrificing a draft selection.

Rivals might enter the race but Carlton seems a strong favourite a month out from the end of the home-and-away season.

The Blues are keen on the Saint’s services. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

4. SAM MENEGOLA (GEELONG)

The unrestricted free agent does want to play on and has now built fitness with five successive VFL games coming back from a knee injury.

He is 31 so would only fit in as a short-term fit but his last two full seasons saw him amass 445 possessions and 16.5 (2021) and 533 possessions and 12.12 (2022).

With Geelong likely to transition to a younger midfield a club could do worse than seeing if he had another 45 games of strong football on a wing.

Menegola has not had a look in at the Cats. Photo by Michael Klein

5. LOCHIE O’BRIEN (CARLTON)

O’Brien is contracted for 2024 but his six games this year have mostly been as the sub and only one has been since round 6.

Allowing O’Brien to leave would free up valuable salary cap room for the Blues, and he did play 19 games in 2022 averaging 18 possessions and 368 metres gained.

If a club wants someone for the specialist wing role he would come at the right price.

AND TWO MIDFIELDERS WHO MIGHT NOT COME CHEAP

1. BRANDAN PARFITT (GEELONG)

The contracted Parfitt is keen to stay at Geelong but so far has been starved of chances (five AFL games) while playing excellent VFL footy.

Last week in the VFL he had 40 possessions (14 contested), with 10 score involvements and six tackles.

Geelong would need to strongly show its hand by playing a younger midfield for him to stay and even then they likely have Tom Atkins, Tanner Bruhn, Cam Guthrie, Jack Bowes, Patrick Dangerfield and Jhye Clarke ahead of him.

Geelong will want to retain him so forcing a trade as a contracted player might be more difficult given the Cats have shown their hand with the likes of Tim Kelly and Esava Ratugolea that they are prepared to hold contracted players.

2. FINLAY MACRAE (COLLINGWOOD)

Macrae is contracted and required at the Pies so it would take a compelling offer for them to consider moving him on.

But he is too good to continue playing VFL in a Collingwood team that has so many star mids head of him.

Originally published as Brandan Parfitt, Finlay Macrae would likely not come cheap on the trade market