Club-by-club guide heading into second week of AFL trade period
IT HAS been a trade period full of bombshells so far but not many deals have been completed ... yet. Catch up on the state of play as we head into the final days of the trade period.
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IT HAS been a trade period full of bombshells but not many deals have been completed ... yet.
Expect talks and paperwork of completed trades to ramp up on Monday as we head into the second week of the AFL trade period with a number of players set to find new homes before Thursday’s 2pm deadline.
‘TURMOIL’: CHAMP SAYS LEWIS TO DEMONS A DONE DEAL
GOING HOME: HAMLING REQUESTS TRADE TO FREMANTLE
Who’s chasing who? And who’s going where? All the latest in a our club-by-club guide.
ADELAIDE
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
The Crows made a splash on the opening day of the trade period, announcing Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs was keen on a move home to South Australia. However, in trying to force the Blues’ hand, they’ve buggered it up. Now Carlton has reportedly called off trade talks and the Crows could end the trade period without the quality midfielder they so desperately need. However, there could be redemption for Adelaide if they are able to secure Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff. On the other hand, it could get worse for the Crows if archrivals Port Adelaide are able to swoop in and claim Gibbs.
BRISBANE LIONS
GAINED: Picks 3, 16
LOST: Picks 2, 31, 51, 60
At first glance it doesn’t look good for Brisbane. Captain Tom Rockliff’s future is in serious doubt and star Irishman Pearce Hanley is suffering “losers fatigue” and will be traded to Gold Coast. However, when you look at the picks the Lions will take to November’s draft it starts to look a little rosier. At the halfway mark of the AFL trade period the Lions hold picks 3, 16, 19 and 21 and will snare more premium picks for Hanley and possibly Rockliff. Throw in the rumour Billy Hartung could arrive as part of the Jaeger O’Meara/Pearce Hanley trade and you’re pretty happy as a Lions fan. Defenders Jack Frost and Lynden Dunn should come cheap.
CARLTON
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
The Blues were stunned on the opening day of the trade period when star midfielder Bryce Gibbs and the Crows dropped a bombshell — that he wanted to head home to South Australia. Carlton isn’t keen on losing the former No. 1 pick unless it can secure another gun onballer. Zach Tuohy has also requested a trade and wants to join Geelong, with the Blues eyeing Darcy Lang in an exchange. Caleb Marchbank should get his wish to land at Ikon Park but what that deal looks like is unclear. The Blues don’t want to part with pick 5 but could give that up if fellow Giant Jarrod Pickett is included in the deal. If Gibbs is traded to the Crows in a deal that includes Adelaide’s first pick, No. 13, then they could pass that on to GWS for Marchbank. Have also been linked to another Giant, forward James Stewart.
COLLINGWOOD
GAINED: Daniel Wells, Chris Mayne
LOST: Nathan Brown
The Pies have secured Daniel Wells and Chris Mayne via free agency but there’s still plenty of action to come at the Holden Centre, with Travis Cloke and Jack Frost certain to be traded to the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions respectively. The Pies want Giant Will Hoskin-Elliott but are yet to talk with GWS, while Jonathon Marsh wants to move back to Western Australia but the Dockers and Eagles aren’t keen. The club’s backline stocks took another hit at the weekend with Nathan Brown heading to St Kilda as a free agent. The Pies said on Sunday they wouldn’t match the Saints’ offer. And ruckman Jarrod Witts is bound for Gold Coast. Marley Williams does not have a contract offer in front of him from Collingwood but interest from rival clubs in the defender has been limited. Were linked to Lions captain Tom Rockliff and reportedly offered up midfielder Levi Greenwood as part of a deal, but that was rejected.
ESSENDON
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
Were not expected to be huge players this trade period in the lead-up and that’s what’s happened so far. Will seal a deal with Melbourne to exchange Michael Hibberd for a second-round pick, whether it’s in this year’s draft or next year’s remains the sticking point. Have reportedly shown interest in Giant James Stewart. Missed out on Jaeger O’Meara but are keeping a close eye on talks between Hawthorn and Gold Coast and are ready to swoop should the deal break down. Were in the mix for Koby Stevens but he opted for St Kilda.
FREMANTLE
GAINED: Bradley Hill, Cam McCarthy, picks 7, 34, 72
LOST: Chris Mayne, pick 3
Poised to be one of the big winners out of this year’s trade period, the Dockers have already secured targets Cam McCarthy — sliding just four spots in the top 10 to get him — plus Bradley Hill. Were resigned to losing Chris Maybe but effectively got Hill in exchange for him after sending that compensation pick to Hawthorn for the wingman. Cat Shane Kersten should also get to the Dockers to play alongside McCarthy. Will also get Bulldog premiership hero Joel Hamling to slot into defence but doesn’t have interest in Magpie Jonathon Marsh. Hayden Ballantyne looks like he’ll stay despite being interested in a move, but Michael Barlow looks done.
GEELONG
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
The Cats are working feverishly behind closed doors to get deals done to get Brett Deledio and Zach Tuohy, but are facing an uphill battle with little to offer in draft picks and a tight salary cap. Josh Caddy’s name has been thrown up in the Deledio deal and he’s said to be open to a move if Geelong want to trade him, but they’re not keen on parting with required players. The Blues want Darcy Lang in exchange for Tuohy but the youngster has shown glimpses. The Cats’ first pick in this year’s draft is No. 38.
GOLD COAST SUNS
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia are the big names leaving the Suns and holding up other trades as we enter the second week. The Hawks have now got hold of St Kilda’s pick No. 10 which will likely feature in the O’Meara deal, but Gold Coast also want a player. Luke Breust, Liam Shiels, James Sicily, Billy Hartung and Will Langford have all been thrown up as possible targets. The Suns want Richmond’s pick No. 6 in return for Prestia and are likely get it as talks ramp up, although Prestia is open to staying should the deal fall over. Pearce Hanley is expected to bolster the midfield and half-backline but a deal with the Lions probably won’t be done until the O’Meara trade is completed. Magpie Jarrod Witts should be added to the list in exchange for a second or third-round draft pick. Port Adelaide’s Brendon Ah Chee wants to join his brother Callum at the Suns and could be acquired cheaply. Showed interest in Hamish Hartlett but he now wants to stay at the Power. Also missed out on Lin Jong as the midfielder opted to stay at the Bulldogs.
GWS
GAINED: Picks 2, 31, 51, 60, 2017 second-round pick
LOST: Jack Steele, picks 3, 16.
Have been busy already and there’s more to come, with deals likely to send Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett (both want to join Carlton), Will-Hoskin Elliott (Collingwood), Paul Ahern (North Melbourne) and James Stewart (Carlton or Essendon) to new homes. That will add to the Giants’ stockpile of draft picks, with a pick swap completed already to move up one place on November 25 to pick 2 with the aim of snaring junior star Andy McGrath as well as academy guns Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman and Harrison Macreadie.
HAWTHORN
GAINED: Tyrone Vickery, Tom Mitchell, picks 10, 23, 57, 68
LOST: Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill, picks 23, 36, 52, 70, 88, 2017 first-round pick
Wow. Sam Mitchell is a big out but Tom Mitchell is a big in. So are the Hawks big winners or losers? It all hinges on Jaeger O’Meara and Jordan Lewis. If the Suns star arrives and Lewis stays, Graham Wright will be hailed a hero. If O’Meara falls into the pre-season draft and Lewis wears red and blue in 2017, the Hawks’ dynasty is in danger of collapsing. The second week of the trade period will be a nerve-racking time for Hawks fans.
MELBOURNE:
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
A trade for Essendon’s Michael Hibberd was expected to be one of the first of the trade period. Both sides have publicly said they will play nice and the Dees’ pick 29 is a fair price, so it’s not clear what the holdup is. Maybe the Dees are busy trying to get a trade over the line for Hawthorn champ Jordan Lewis, who met new Demons coach Simon Goodwin after coach Alastair Clarkson suggested he explore his options. The Hawks now say Lewis is a “contracted and required player” but he is far from secure at Hawthorn, with manager Liam Pickering confirming on Saturday he is speaking to both clubs. At 30, Lewis doesn’t fit the Dees’ age profile but his experience would be ideal for a rising Melbourne team that should challenge for finals in 2017. Lynden Dunn to Brisbane should also happen before Thursday’s 2pm deadline.
NORTH MELBOURNE
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Daniel Wells
The Kangaroos’ disastrous end to the season continued into the trade period as star midfielder Daniel Wells walked away in free agency, signing a rich deal with Collingwood. We can’t knock the Roos for not signing Wells on big money, he does have a history of injury. However, it’s another star gone. Have their eye on Bulldog Nathan Hrovat and untried Giants talent Paul Ahern while Drew Petrie could play on at West Coast.
PORT ADELAIDE
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
Port Adelaide finished the season ninth and were making lots of noise heading into the AFL trade period, with a range of players on the trading block including vice-captain Hamish Hartlett. However, after visiting several clubs, Hartlett backflipped on a move away from Alberton and the Power could end up with egg on their collective faces. Port wanted picks to reinvest in the draft — it currently holds picks 9, 49 and 67 — and at the moment all they’ve got is hot air. The second week will be very interesting to see if they can not only cut some of the fat but also snare some valuable draft picks to rebuild a clogged list. One player who could leave is Brendon Ah Chee, who wants to play with his brother at Gold Coast.
RICHMOND
GAINED: Pick 27
LOST: Tyrone Vickery
Should land Dion Prestia from Gold Coast despite some wobbles late in week one. Look certain to hand over pick 6 but hope to get one of the Suns’ grab-bag of draft selections back in return, possibly pick 30. The other item on the agenda is a potential trade for club champion Brett Deledio to Geelong. The Tigers have asked for Josh Caddy but the Cats aren’t keen on handing him over in a straight swap. Deledio is contracted and might stay put, although that could be awkward with talks progressing this far. The Western Bulldogs have flatly denied rumours they are chasing the 29-year-old. Lost Ty Vickery to Hawthorn in the first free agency move and have to be happy with the compensation which gets them back into the second round of the draft. Might get Swan Toby Nankervis for a late pick. Reece Conca is set to re-sign and Ben Lennon is exploring his options, but not generating a lot of interest so far.
ST KILDA
GAINED: Jack Steele, Nathan Brown, picks 23, 36 and Hawthorn’s future first-round pick
LOST: Pick 10, 68, future second-round pick
Quietly going about their business, targeting two big-bodied midfielders to add depth and some physical presence to help the likes of Seb Ross and Jack Steven. The first, Jack Steele, is already at Seaford after a deal with GWS for a future second-round draft pick. The second, Koby Stevens, will follow soon most likely for one of the two second-rounders this year the Saints received in a smart pick swap with Hawthorn on Friday. The Saints have also bolstered its backline by signing Collingwood premiership player Nathan Brown as a free agent. St Kilda isn’t planning on giving anyone up, with list boss Ameet Bains knocking on the head rumours surrounding David Armitage, Billy Longer and Tom Hickey.
SYDNEY SWANS
GAINED: Pick 14, pick 52
LOST: Tom Mitchell, pick 57
Losing Mitchell is a blow but one the Swans were prepared for, with pick 14 a reasonable price. The focus is on retaining players like uncontracted back-up ruckman Toby Nankervis, who is likely to move to Richmond or the Bulldogs. Dean Towers is in a similar boat but there hasn’t been a lot of reported interest. Trading Kurt Tippett has been floated as a way to ease salary cap pressure but the Swans say that definitely isn’t happening. The Swans aren’t targeting any top-line talent and will back in draft guru Kinnear Beatson.
WEST COAST EAGLES
GAINED: Sam Mitchell, Picks 54, 72
LOST: Picks 52, 70, 88
The focus is on what’s happening at Hawthorn but the massive winners are the Eagles, who just had a champion midfielder fall in their lap. Mitchell is 34 but just played arguably the best season of his career and will top up an onball brigade already boasting Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff. When Nic Nat returns, look out. In the meantime, the Eagles are looking for a ruckman, with Nathan Vardy, Drew Petrie and Will Minson on the short list. Despite the rumour mill going into overdrive on Friday, list boss Craig Vozzo says they aren’t chasing Kangaroo Todd Goldstein. A mooted cross-town trade for Hayden Ballantyne seems to have fallen over. Mitch Brown is returning home to Victoria and there is interest in Eric Mackenzie.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
GAINED: Nil
LOST: Nil
No paperwork yet but set to be very active in the closing days. Koby Stevens has requested a trade to St Kilda, which will get done probably for pick 36 or 50. Premiership defender Joel Hamling has requested a trade to Fremantle after agonising over the decision, the Dockers’ pick 43 sounds about right as a swap. The Dogs are also set to lose Nathan Hrovat to either Carlton or North Melbourne for a late pick. One of those selections will head to Collingwood in return for Travis Cloke. Marcus Adams has requested a move home to WA for family reasons but with Hamling leaving the Dogs are unlikely to let the contracted defender go. Will Minson could get a lifeline at the Eagles but the Dogs won’t get anything for him.
Confirmed Joel Hamling will play for Fremantle next year. Has made the tough call to leave the Dogs. Marcus Adams will have to stay put.
— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) October 15, 2016
Freo's offer to Joel Hamling too good. First premiership player to go in 62 years. Money saved can help Dogs re-sign his mate JJ next year.
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 15, 2016
Originally published as Club-by-club guide heading into second week of AFL trade period
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