Champion Data analyses every club’s trade acquisitions and where they fit ahead of the 2019 season
DAYNE Beams is more than just another gun midfielder, Dylan Shiel is exactly what Essendon needs and the Bulldogs might have secured the steal of the trade period. Champion data analyses every club’s trade and free agency recruits.
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THE trade and free agency periods are all about improving clubs immediately, whereas the draft is more looking to the future.
So, did your club successfully trade for needs during the October player exchange period and thus improve its list heading into the 2019 season?
Champion Data crunches the numbers.
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ADELAIDE
Tyson Stengle was ranked as the No.1 ground ball winner inside 50 in the VFL last season, also ranking No.1 for score involvements of any general forward. Adelaide were already strong at ground level inside 50 last season, ranking third.
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BRISBANE
Have been a poor contested possession team since 2004, but Lachie Neale should help improve this, ranking sixth for contested possessions last season. Dayne Beams was an elite goalkicker for a midfielder, but Neale was still impressive rating above average.
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CARLTON
Will Setterfield averaged 116 ranking points, 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions and one goal per game in his 2017 season in the NEAFL and should improve the Blues midfield. Mitch McGovern’s marking is his number one strength, rating above average for marks last season. Also showed at the end of the season he could play as an intercepting defender, taking seven intercept marks in his final two matches.
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COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies midfield is filled with ball winners, ranking as the No.1 team for disposals last season. Beams’ ability to impact the scoreboard is his biggest asset to the Magpies, averaging the sixth-most goals of any midfielder. Jordan Roughead showed during 2013-2015 he could play as a negating key defender.
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ESSENDON
The Bombers midfield didn’t perform in the opening eight weeks of the season, but were on fire for the remainder of the year, resulting in them winning 10 of their last 14 matches. Dylan Shiel rated above average for disposals, metres gained, score involvements and was an elite score assist player.
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FREMANTLE
Ranked 16th for contested possessions last season, losing the sixth best contested possession player in Lachie Neale isn’t ideal. Reece Conca rated poor for contested possessions last season. Jesse Hogan’s main strength is his ability to win the ball around the ground, rating elite for disposals, uncontested possessions, ground ball gets inside 50 and score involvements. Rory Lobb’s best season was in 2016 when he spent most of his game time as a key forward.
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GEELONG
Luke Dahlhaus was an elite forward-half pressure player when playing as a permanent small forward to begin his AFL career, and could team up well with Brandon Parfitt who is already an elite forward-half pressure player.
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GOLD COAST
Corey Ellis, Anthony Miles and George Horlin-Smith will help improve the weakest midfield in the competition. Both Tom Lynch and Steven May rated above average last season and will obviously be significant losses.
GWS GIANTS
The midfield has been their strength for years, but losing Dylan Shiel and Tom Scully will impact the numbers on the outside. Both aren’t high contested possession winners, so this might not impact their ranking as the third-best contested possession team last season.
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HAWTHORN
Only Tom Mitchell ranked in the top 35 per cent for contested possessions last season, but the addition of Chad Wingard will help matters; he ranked in the top 35 per cent last season. Tom Scully will impact their outside game, which has always been a strength of the Hawks.
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MELBOURNE
At times last season, Melbourne got opened up defensively, ranking 15th for conceding a goal from an opposition inside 50. May should help this issue, which will free up Max Gawn to be used elsewhere. Jesse Hogan is a loss but the Demons only lost one of five matches that Hogan didn’t play.
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NORTH MELBOURNE
Significantly added to their midfield. Jared Polec was rated an above average wingman last year as was Dom Tyson. Aaron Hall’s best year came when he played as a centre bounce midfielder, and Jasper Pittard could become the ball winning defender the club needs.
PORT ADELAIDE
Port Adelaide ranked 16th for contested possession differential from Round 17 onwards last season, and the results showed. Have lost elite contested possession winners in Jared Polec and Chad Wingard who rated above average.
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RICHMOND
Gaining Tom Lynch was significant. Over the last two seasons he has rated above average for every measure for a key forward. His best came in 2016, where he averaged three goals per game.
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ST KILDA
Dean Kent was an above average goalkicker and rated above average for score involvements. He could add to the Saints’ talented small forward half group of Jade Gresham, Jack Billings and Jack Lonie. Dan Hannebery’s best season came in 2016, where he was a high contested possession winner — an area the Saints ranked 11th last season.
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SYDNEY SWANS
Sydney’s midfield struggled at times last season, and the Swans could potentially see Ryan Clarke coming in to help things in the middle. He was drafted as a ball-winning centre bounce midfielder, averaging 30 disposals and five clearances in his final TAC Cup season.
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WEST COAST
They lose Scott Lycett who was rated as the 18th-best ruckman last season, but acquire Tom Hickey who was rated as the seventh best ruckman.
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WESTERN BULLDOGS
It was only seven matches at AFL level last season, but on average Sam Lloyd was the No.1 rated wingman in the competition and could work alongside Lachie Hunter nicely.
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