How every club’s best team could look in 2025 after AFL trade period, free agency
Trade period hasn’t even started and already there are a host of big moves pending among AFL clubs. We’ve predicted how every team will line-up in 2025 once the trade period, free agency and drafts take place.
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For better — or worse?
There are always winners and losers in every trade period as clubs juggle their salary caps, look to fulfil or deny trade requests and try to bolster their lists.
Player power dictates much of the movement in the current landscape and players such as Alex Neal-Bullen, Jack Lukosius, Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming have nominated clubs they wish to join for 2025 and beyond.
We’ve examined every list, the likely trade, free agency and draft changes and what they mean for the best 23 next year at each club.
Will your club be better or worse off? Scroll down and have your say below.
ADELAIDE
WE SAY: Toughest call here was leaving out Jordon Butts. But the Crows have Josh Worrell, Max Michalanney and Mark Keane who can provide key defensive support for Nick Murray. Matthew Nicks faces a defining call next year on whether he sticks with Rory Laird and Matt Crouch or looks to inject more speed into Adelaide’s midfield. Laird appears the more vulnerable of the pair and might need to settle into defence or even a half forward role to continue being a senior regular. The arrival of James Peatling, who has asked to be traded to Adelaide, only adds to the midfield squeeze. And, he hasn’t left GWS to play half forward. Sam Berry isn’t a perfect player but showed enough late this year to be a senior regular, as did Hugh Bond. Like the versatility Bond brings as a potential backline or midfield stopper. We might have gone one defender too heavy, which left free agency arrival Isaac Cumming on a wing. But the Crows like to use Lachie Sholl as a link man and maybe Cumming will play the same role on the opposite side? A finals side on paper — time to actually deliver the top-eight finish supporters are craving.
THE BIG QUESTION — ARE LAIRD AND CROUCH STILL SENIOR REGULARS AFTER PEATLING’S TRADE REQUEST?
BRISBANE LIONS
WE SAY: There will be no shortage of headaches for Chris Fagan heading into Round 1 next season. Joe Daniher’s retirement was confirmed on Thursday, presenting the biggest headache for the AFL’s premiership coach about how to replace Brisbane’s spearhead. We’ve gone with Darcy Fort as a ruck-forward option for now, but expect the Lions to get active in the trade period. Tom Lynch would be a great stopgap for a few years. Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner, Tom Doedee and Kalin Lane suffered ACL injuries during the season, with four of those five players jostling for spots in the best 23. Then there’s potential No. 1 draft pick Levi Ashcroft and likely first-round pick and academy star Sam Marshall walking through the doors as well. An embarrassment of riches for the Lions to pick from — but replacing Daniher’s goals will be a challenge.
THE BIG QUESTION — CAN BRANDON RYAN OR DARCY FORT REPLACE JOE DANIHER?
CARLTON
WE SAY: The Blues’ list management team will be working overtime to try and find a deal which satisfies Port Adelaide for Dan Houston. He’s not exactly what Carlton needs but his class will certainly help. Matt Kennedy has been told he can explore his options but seems likely to stay. Matt Owies is the notable omission after not being offered a new contract. If Houston arrives along with free agent Nick Haynes, it will put pressure on Lachie Cowan and Brodie Kemp – although the defence again looks like it could be exposed for height. Oliver Hollands needs a big summer as he vies for a wing role with Blake Acres and Sam Docherty. Don’t be surprised if Ashton Moir becomes a regular after some impressive late-season cameos. The Blues forward line relies too much on Curnow and McKay and Moir provides a point of difference as a third tall.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHICH DEFENDER MISSES OUT IF DAN HOUSTON ARRIVES?
COLLINGWOOD
WE SAY: Hard to see many of the kids who got a chance in 2024 featuring regularly if Collingwood isn’t hit by the injury curse again. Tom Mitchell is nearing the end but still warrants a place in the best 23 and Billy Frampton needs to play to support Darcy Moore in defence. Might lose Joe Richards to Port Adelaide, but the Magpies have an abundance of small forwards anyway. Harry Perryman will join as a free agent on a big-money deal and with the promise of playing as a full-time midfielder. That should allow Jordan De Goey to spend more time forward and take pressure off his body after he struggled with injuries in 2024. The move to send Josh Daicos to halfback worked and with John Noble heading to Gold Coast, it’s likely to become full-time unless Craig Macrae uses Scott Pendlebury or Steele Sidebottom there.
THE BIG QUESTION — WILL HARRY PERRYMAN LIVE UP TO THE HYPE AS A FULLTIME MIDFIELDER?
ESSENDON
WE SAY: It’s not inspiring reading for Bombers fans hoping to get value for money from their skyrocketing memberships next season. The backline is due for yet another shake-up after adding Ben McKay last season, with Dyson Heppell and Jake Kelly retiring. Elijah Tsatas might set sail for Richmond, and even if he doesn’t he’s unlikely to be best 23 to start the campaign. Assuming he stays, Nick Bryan will press his claims to be the No. 1 ruckman with support from Sam Draper. The Bombers will be sweating on the fitness of injury-riddled top-10 pick Zach Reid and fellow backman Jordan Ridley, with only the untried Lewis Hayes for insurance after Kaine Baldwin’s delisting. Impressive small forward Isaac Kako likely comes straight into the side ahead of Alwyn Davey Jr, Matt Guelfi and Jye Menzie, while mid-season draftee Saad El-Hawli can play as a rebounding defender or wingman and should line up in Round 1 after an impressive finish to the VFL campaign. Jake Stringer’s trade options are narrowing by the day and he might have to accept staying on a one-year deal.
THE BIG QUESTION — DOES BRAD SCOTT TRUST THE KIDS YET?
FREMANTLE
WE SAY: Shai Bolton is the only player likely to force his way in if his trade from Richmond gets completed. James Aish, Cooper Simpson, Patrick Voss, Corey Wagner and Neil Erasmus are on the edge of this side, while veterans Jaeger O’Meara and Michael Walters are likely to spend plenty of time in the WAFL. Erasmus had an impressive WAFL finals series but it’s likely to come down to him or Nat Fyfe at selection in 2025. Erasmus will get his chance, but Dockers champion Fyfe is still likely to edge him out of the Dockers’ best side early in the campaign — pending fitness of course.
THE BIG QUESTION — IS NAT FYFE STILL IN THE BEST SIDE?
GEELONG
WE SAY: The Cats are certain to land Bailey Smith, although it’s going to involve plenty of haggling with the Western Bulldogs. Geelong wants to play Smith as an inside midfielder and have him partner Tanner Bruhn and Max Holmes long-term. Cam Guthrie and Sam De Koning are the other inclusions who didn’t feature in the preliminary final at the expense of Jed Bews, Mitch Duncan and Oisin Mullin. Despite being linked with a move after being left out of the Cats’ finals side, De Koning is going nowhere. Bews and Duncan are more likely to be depth players in 2025. Delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin will arrive as a free agent but is unlikely to push past Ollie Henry, Brad Close, Shaun Mannagh or Gryan Miers for a forward spot if he signs on. Geelong looks well placed to mount another challenge and has expertly integrated players 25 and under into its team to shore up its future as well. Eight players selected above fit into that category. We have left Clayton Oliver out as a trade with Melbourne looks incredibly hard to make happen. The Cats lose legendary goalkicker Tom Hawkins but have Shannon Neale as a ready-made replacement — who kept Hawkins out of the side in finals.
THE BIG QUESTION — WILL A MIDFIELD LOGJAM FORCE TOM STEWART BACK TO DEFENCE?
GOLD COAST
WE SAY: The Suns simply must play finals for the first time in 2025 — anything less will be a huge disappointment in their second year under Damien Hardwick. Richmond’s best-and-fairest Daniel Rioli will reunite with his former coach Hardwick, while Collingwood dasher John Noble also wants to move to the Gold Coast. The Suns will lose Jack Lukosius who wants to move to Port Adelaide after spending time on the outer in 2024. The fascination will be where Hardwick uses Mac Andrew after he signed a mega deal to commit to the Suns. Andrew looked brilliant as a forward, but is Gold Coast better served with him in defence as an interceptor? Elliott Himmelberg should arrive from Adelaide but is likely more a depth player, at least at the start of the season.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHICH END DOES MAC ANDREW SETTLE AT?
GWS GIANTS
WE SAY: Harry Perryman is heading to Collingwood. Isaac Cumming and James Peatling are off to Adelaide. Nick Haynes will become a Blue. And fringe swingman Wade Derksen wants out. The Giants will look very different in 2025 with a host of players set to depart western Sydney. GWS has shown some interest in Jake Stringer, but for now we’ve named a best 23 without the in-limbo Bombers forward. Despite all the outs, this still has the making of a team which should contend for the top-four again after throwing away an opportunity for its maiden premiership this year. Exciting talents such as Joe Fonti, Leek Aleer and James Leake could be set for more opportunities, especially if Peatling and Xavier O’Halloran – who has been linked to the Bulldogs – join the GWS exodus. Jake Riccardi and Lachlan Keeffe are interchangeable in the key forward/ruck support role.
THE BIG QUESTION — CAN THEY MAKE ALEER A REGULAR AND WARD OFF RIVAL INTEREST?
HAWTHORN
WE SAY: This is an extraordinarily difficult team to pick — and no-one will envy the Hawks’ match committee come Round 1 next year. Sam Frost makes way for Tom Barrass and Josh Battle arrives as a free agent, allowing Sam Mitchell the flexibility to use Blake Hardwick in attack and add another weapon to the Hawks’ arsenal of small forwards. Mitchell will have the luxury of being able to swing the magnets and have James Sicily at one end and Hardwick at the other depending on opposition, while Josh Weddle could be pushed to the wing to aid the defensive squeeze. Changkuoth Jiath is another who would be in the mix if his body allows him to complete a full pre-season.
THE BIG QUESTION — HOW MUCH TIME DOES SICILY SPEND FORWARD?
MELBOURNE
WE SAY: The Demons will be keen to bounce back quickly after a 2024 season where everything that could go wrong, did. But, they will need to do so with the spectre of culture and player satisfaction issues still hanging over the club’s head. Despite finishing 14th, Melbourne defeated half of this year’s finalists and went within a goal of three others, so the club will trust it can contend again with the core of their 2021 premiership side still in red and blue. If Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca return to full fitness and the club adds a quality player at pick No. 5 (or trades for a ready-made star) it will make the injury-hit team of 2024 much stronger. That’s of course if Oliver’s wish to head to Geelong isn’t granted. We suspect the Cats’ trade capital won’t be enough to tempt the Demons — at least this year. Adelaide-bound Alex Neal-Bullen is the only notable omission so far. Wade Derksen would provide much-needed back-up for Max Gawn if he arrives from GWS Giants. Matthew Jefferson will have two full seasons at VFL level behind him and with the Demons crying out for a reliable target up forward, they can’t keep a goalkicker taken at pick No. 15 in the 2022 draft at Casey any longer. He just edges out Daniel Turner, who was a backman until King’s Birthday when he emerged as an unlikely forward saviour.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHO FILLS THE MIDFIELD ROLE IF CLAYTON OLIVER LEAVES?
NORTH MELBOURNE
WE SAY: Is this a team that North Melbourne fans can finally get excited about? Barring a surprise twist, Luke Parker and Jack Darling will come into Alastair Clarkson’s side, while dual All-Australian Dan Houston would be a huge coup after requesting a trade to Victoria. He would prefer to get to Carlton but North Melbourne has the trade capital to satisfy Port Adelaide. Another pre-season should mean more growth from the likes of Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma, Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw, the nucleus of the Roos’ next finals side. Mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle did enough to retain his spot as Tristan Xerri’s back-up and whoever North selects at pick No. 2 will be pushing for an early-season debut. The big omission from our side is co-captain Luke McDonald, who recorded numbers below his career averages for disposals, tackles, and metres gained in 2024. He is no longer guaranteed a spot in the best 23. The last spot probably comes down to Zac Fisher or Eddie Ford, depending on who North takes with its No. 2 draft selection and the position Clarkson has in mind for them.
THE BIG QUESTION — DOES LUKE MCDONALD STILL HAVE SPOT IN THE BEST 23?
PORT ADELAIDE
WE SAY: Not sure Port Adelaide wants Ollie Lord or Mitch Georgiades playing as a second ruck, so we snuck Jeremy Finlayson in for flexibility. Jack Lukosius will bring a different element to a forward line that looks exciting if Georgiades and Lord stay fit. The big question mark in attack is whether Todd Marshall will play on after being hampered by concussion issues. Port will lose Ivan Soldo to St Kilda, Dan Houston to a Victorian club and possibly fringe defender Tom Clurey to West Coast. Where does Esava Ratugolea fit? Port conceded an average of 53 points in the last month of the home-and-away season when he was playing forward. Not completely sold he’s going to start next year in the best side. The top 10-15 is as strong as any team but depth remains a problem for Ken Hinkley’s side. Can the kids step up or does Port need to top up for another tilt?
THE BIG QUESTION — WHERE DOES ESAVA RATUGOLEA FIT IN?
RICHMOND
WE SAY: The Tigers will have a minimum of seven changes (and likely eight) from their round 1 team this year, with Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes, Sam Naismith and Marlion Pickett retired and Dan Rioli, Liam Baker and Shai Bolton all heading for the exit door during the trade period — plus Jack Graham, who missed the round 1 game through injury. We also didn’t consider Mykelti Lefau, Tylar Young or Judson Clarke, who are recovering from knee injuries. At least the No. 9 draftee from 2021, Josh Gibcus, will be back. Hopefully he’ll get a slice of luck next year. Adem Yze will have no choice but to play the kids and there will be a host of new faces arriving very early in the national draft – but at this stage we’re giving some of the youngsters already on the list a crack. Tom Lynch needs to stay upright to hold the forward line together after Jacob Koschitzke booted 12 goals in 14 games in his first season at Punt Road, while Noah Balta will likely have to play forward again. It wouldn’t surprise if Richmond throws a lifeline to a bargain free agent or two given the long list of departures and concerningly long list of experienced outs.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHERE DOES NOAH BALTA PLAY?
ST KILDA
WE SAY: Losing Josh Battle to Hawthorn will be a major blow to the Saints’ key defensive stocks after he finished third in the club’s best-and-fairest count. Ivan Soldo has asked to be traded to Moorabbin, while Jack Macrae wants to join him in becoming a Saint. Macrae will deliver an injection of class and experience to a largely one-paced midfield and will have a point to prove to Luke Beveridge — but it’s worth remembering he will be 31 come round 1. There is still a serious shortage of A-graders on the Saints’ list outside Rowan Marshall, but Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Matteas Phillipou, Mitch Owens and Darcy Wilson form a strong core of talented youngsters Ross Lyon’s next generation can be built around. Tackle machine Hugo Garcia showed enough to suggest he should also become a regular in 2025. Soldo’s arrival will give Lyon more flexibility with how he uses Marshall. There has been some talk about trading Max King, but key forwards capable of kicking 52 goals in their third season are about as rare as trophies in the cabinet at Moorabbin. King needs a decent run of fitness, a big summer in the gym and the belief that he can dominate AFL games. Unfortunately, as Lyon once said, ‘there’s no confidence shop’.
THE BIG QUESTION — IS TAKING ROWAN MARSHALL OUT OF THE RUCK GOING TO WORK?
SYDNEY
WE SAY: Recency bias says the Swans need a major shake-up to challenge again next year. But outside their horrible Grand Final performance and a mid-season lull, they were the best team for much of 2024. Regaining Callum Mills after injury wrecked his season will be a huge boost, but issues remain in attack. The Swans were linked to Jake Stringer but have ruled out a play for the Essendon forward. Sydney’s tall trio came under attack for a goalless Grand Final effort, but the Swans want to back Hayden McLean, Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald as their pillars. McLean in particular is important to provide ruck support for Brodie Grundy, who shouldered a huge load in his first year in the Harbour City. Braeden Campbell and Robbie Fox have a chance to become regulars after being on the fringes — or used as sub — for much of 2024. The Swans want to strengthen through trade and free agency but don’t need significant changes to challenge again.
THE BIG QUESTION — IS AMARTEY, MCLEAN AND MCDONALD REALLY THE RIGHT MIX?
WESTERN BULLDOGS
WE SAY: Predicting what Luke Beveridge is going to do is never a simple exercise. So instead, we’ve gone with what we think the best 23 will look like. Caleb Daniel and Riley Garcia should be in the best side if they choose to stay at Whitten Oval. Buku Khamis and Alex Keath appear to be down the defensive pecking order behind Lobb, Jones and O’Donnell. Joel Freijah showed huge promise and should become a regular. If Daniel and Garcia leave during the trade period, along with Jack Macrae, the Dogs will need to get busy to bolster their depth. Or, alternatively, go to their happy hunting ground and pluck talent from state league football to bolster their list. Could VFL best-and-fairest Cooper Craig-Peters be the next Footscray player to graduate to the AFL list?
THE BIG QUESTION — CAN LOBB CONTINUE HIS CAREER RESURGENCE IN DEFENCE?
WEST COAST
WE SAY: West Coast are in for a busy trade period. The Eagles are poised to secure Tigers duo Liam Baker and Jack Graham. Shai Bolton is more likely to head to Fremantle but hasn’t publicly declared his preference yet after asking Richmond to join the western exodus. Jack Darling will leave for North Melbourne and Tom Barrass is contracted but keen to join Hawthorn. The mail is West Coast could effectively end up getting Baker and a late pick for Barrass, with pick 13 moving from Hawthorn to Richmond via the Eagles. Harry Edwards looks primed to step into the Barrass void, while Matt Flynn can claim the No. 1 ruck mantle from Bailey Williams. Andrew McQualter faces a big task to rebuild the Eagles.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHERE DOES MR VERSATILE LIAM BAKER FIT IN?
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