We preview every club’s potential trade targets and trade bait ahead of the exchange period
HAS Geelong’s pursuit of Gary Ablett stalled? What will the Dogs get for Jake Stringer? The trade period is about to open with a host of big names on offer. EVERY CLUB’S TRADE PREVIEW
Trade HQ
Don't miss out on the headlines from Trade HQ. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THIS could be the biggest trade period yet.
After 2016 broke a host of records, 2017 could surpass it with a host of big names on offer.
DEPT OF TRADE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE TRADE NEWS
ONE STOP SHOP: EVERY CLUB’S TRADE AND FREE AGENCY MOVES
YOUNG TALENT: EVERY CLUB’S 2017 DRAFT PICKS
We’ve previewed every club’s potential trade targets and who’s on the block ahead of the annual exchange period.
Can Geelong snare Gary Ablett, will Essendon be able to complete a trade hat-trick or will the Bulldogs hang onto Jake Stringer and will Melbourne be able to pry Jake Lever out of Adelaide?
Hold on for an explosive two weeks.
ADELAIDE CROWS
GONE: Scott Thompson (retired), Troy Menzel and Dean Gore (delisted)
IN PLAY: Jake Lever will be bitterly traded to Melbourne, where he will pocket about $3 million over the next four years. Adelaide is likely to get pick No.10 and a sweetener for Lever. The club told him to skip Friday night’s best-and-fairest, where he surprisingly finished outside the top 10. Queenslander Charlie Cameron wants to be traded to Brisbane Lions, but is under contract and the Crows are reluctant to offload their preliminary final star.
Recent trade acquisitions Troy Menzel and Dean Gore (Geelong) were delisted on Saturday.
THE TARGETS: The Crows will again come hard for Bryce Gibbs, but does the Carlton star still want to return home to South Australia? And has his value gone up or down? Gibbs is a year older, but enjoyed a golden season. Aaron Francis has asked Essendon to trade him back to Adelaide. Francis is contracted until 2019 and the Dons want to keep him, so even his camp thinks a deal is unlikely. But the 20-year-old utility would help replace Lever. Crows might make a late play for free agent Steven Motlop.
DRAFT PICKS: 16, 34, 52, 71, 89, 107, 125
BRISBANE LIONS
GONE: Ryan Harwood, Jono Freeman, Jarrad Jansen, Josh Clayton, Blake Grewar (delisted)
IN PLAY: Tom Rockliff is a restricted free agent who has declared Port Adelaide as his preferred destination. The Lions will not match the Power’s offer. Stefan Martin and Josh Schache are constantly linked to moves to Victoria, but the Lions have heard nothing official from either player.
THE TARGETS: Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge is the big one and he has committed to joining the club on a two-year deal. Hodge’s signature should be massive for a young squad eager to improve. Crow Charlie Cameron wants to come but Adelaide will play hardball, potentially asking for the 12th pick in the draft currently held by the Lions. With Mason Cox rejecting overtures the Lions have now switched their attention to fringe Port Adelaide ruckman Matthew Lobbe.
DRAFT PICKS: 1, 12, 18, 41, 73, 91, 109
CARLTON
GONE: Denis Armfield, Daniel Gorringe, Matthew Korcheck (retired); Kristian Jaksch, Liam Sumner, Andrew Gallucci (delisted)
IN PLAY: The Blues told Bryce Gibbs weeks ago that they won’t be trading him, but so far no request has been made 12 months after he wanted out. Dylan Buckley and Nick Graham face uncertain futures, while Rhys Palmer is contemplating retirement.
THE TARGETS: GWS midfielder Matthew Kennedy last weekend requested a trade to the Blues. But Carlton was beaten by Port Adelaide to Tom Rockliff and lost out to Essendon on Adam Saad and Devon Smith. Not interested in Jake Stringer.
DRAFT PICKS: 3, 38, 56, 75, 93, 111
COLLINGWOOD
GONE: Jesse White (retired)
IN PLAY: Lachlan Keeffe and Ben Sinclair are free agents who are still without contracts for next year. Jackson Ramsay, Jarryd Blair and Henry Schade are among others who are also uncontracted.
THE TARGETS: The Magpies have key position players at both ends firmly on their shopping list. They were in the market for Adelaide’s Jake Lever, but he has nominated Melbourne as his preferred destination. Jake Stringer also looks set to play elsewhere, leaving limited options for Collingwood.
DRAFT PICKS: 6, 36, 54, 59, 78, 96, 114
ESSENDON
GONE: Jobe Watson, James Kelly, Yestin Eades, Brent Stanton (retired); Heath Hocking (delisted)
IN PLAY: Aaron Francis has requested a trade home to a South Australian club after a disappointing second season at Tullamarine. The 2015 No.6 draft pick was secured as part of the Jake Carlisle deal but has played only five games. The powerful defender is contracted for two more seasons at Essendon but his departure could help the Bombers facilitate other deals.
THE TARGETS: Destination club. That’s what we’re calling Essendon now as it zeros in on Jake Stringer (Bulldogs), Devon Smith (Giants) and Adam Saad (Gold Coast). It’s a clear signal of intent from Essendon as it looks to challenge the top-four next season. They all have exciting offensive capabilities, but list guru Adrian Dodoro faces a huge challenge finalising deals for all three. They have picks No.11, 28, 46 and 65. That’s where another top-20 pick for Francis will help.
DRAFT PICKS: 11, 28, 46, 65, 83, 101, 119
FREMANTLE
GONE: Zac Dawson, Garrick Ibbotson (retired); Jon Griffin, Zac Clarke, Sam Collins, Josh Deluca, Matthew Uebergang (delisted)
IN PLAY: Inconsistent tall forward Matt Taberner, 24, has struggled to nail down a regular spot in five years at the Dockers. He suddenly has options after glimpses of his contested-marking best this season. Enigmatic forward Hayden Crozier looks headed to the Western Bulldogs, while talented youngster Harley Balic wants to return to Victoria after a season ruined by personal issues.
THE TARGETS: The Dockers, who are already without a second-round pick after giving it away last year, will have to trade out to find some draft picks to secure GWS defender Nathan Wilson and Gold Coast forward Brandon Matera. They will also be keen to secure a back-up ruckman.
DRAFT PICKS: 5, 40, 55, 58, 77, 95, 113
GEELONG
GONE: Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie (retired); Josh Cowan (delisted)
IN PLAY: Reportedly as many as 10. What we do know is that Darcy Lang has been sucked into the Gary Ablett debacle, but doesn’t fancy a move to the Gold Coast. Steven Motlop is flying all around the country meeting potential suitors.
THE TARGETS: The Cats could again be major players. The Ablett deal appears to have made little progress, with the Suns determined to land a best-22 player in return. Geelong also has an interest in Jack Watts and Jake Stringer.
DRAFT PICKS: 20, 33, 51, 70, 88, 106, 124
GOLD COAST
GONE: Keegan Brooksby, Jarrad Grant, Mitch Hallahan (delisted)
IN PLAY: Potentially the biggest fish in the trade period is former captain Gary Ablett who wants to return to Geelong. The Suns also have a fight on their hands to keep Adam Saad who seeks a return to Victoria to be closer to his family and also his Mosque. Saad, Trent McKenzie, Brandon Matera, who wants to join Fremantle, and Rory Thompson are all possible departures. The Suns have a strong hand at the draft.
THE TARGETS: The Suns are into Port Adelaide’s Aaron Young and are also interested in Jarman Impey. Steven Motlop has toured the Suns’ facilities and is a potential restricted free agent acquisition. The Suns’ opening request from the Cats in a potential trade for Ablett was midfielder Mitch Duncan. The Cats’ flatly refused, but will have to budge on the value they attach to “Gaz” to get the deal done.
DRAFT PICKS: 2, 19, 22, 24, 35, 37, 74, 92, 110
GWS GIANTS
GONE: Steve Johnson, Tendai Mzungu, Tom Downie, Joel Patfull (retired)
IN PLAY: Devon Smith, Matt Kennedy and Nathan Wilson have all asked to be traded. Smith is likely to choose Essendon and Kennedy is leaning towards Carlton. But speedster Wilson looms as the biggest loss ... and Fremantle’s gain. Adam Tomlinson is in St Kilda’s sights – but don’t be surprised if another Victorian suitor emerges, perhaps Collingwood. The Giants face big decisions on veterans Shane Mumford and the contracted Heath Shaw.
THE TARGETS: The Giants are hunting an early draft pick and should have no trouble tracking one down given the looming departures. A ruckman – maybe Tom Hickey – is a focus, as well as perhaps retaining Tomlinson. You get the feeling the club’s concentration this season was on retention – and that earned a pass mark when Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper re-signed and then Lachie Whitfield extended his existing deal.
DRAFT PICKS: 23, 25, 63, 69, 87, 105, 123
HAWTHORN
GONE: Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson, Jack Fitzpatrick, Luke Surman (retired)
IN PLAY: Luke Hodge retired, only to shock the footy world by declaring he wanted to play on at the Brisbane Lions under former Hawks footy manager Chris Fagan. The Hawk great is poised to sign a two-year deal that allows him to dip his toe in the coaching water. Must be traded for, or drafted by, the Lions.
THE TARGETS: Rumoured to have had some interest in Tom Rockliff, while there were some whispers about Christian Petracca. Has been something of a front runner for dashing Port Adelaide defender Jarman Impey, but now faces competition from the Western Bulldogs, who snared Impey’s housemate Jackson Trengove.
DRAFT PICKS: 32, 42, 60, 79, 97, 115
MELBOURNE
GONE: Heritier Lumumba (retired); Jack Trengove, Jake Spencer, Mitch White, Liam Hulett, Ben Kennedy (delisted)
IN PLAY: Jesse Hogan’s name keeps bobbing up, but Melbourne says he is a required player. The spearhead experienced a difficult year with his father’s passing and Hogan’s battle with testicular cancer. Fremantle, which has pick No.5, is certain to ask about Hogan when the club meetings begin at Etihad Stadium. Jack Watts is also on the move to most likely either Geelong, Port Adelaide or Sydney. Melbourne will target a second-round pick in exchange for Watts.
THE TARGETS: There is some serious tension between the Demons and Crows over Jake Lever. Melbourne has offered him a four-year deal on about $750,000 a season. But the Crows are demanding two first-round draft picks for Lever. Melbourne is prepared to give picks No.10 and 27 for him. The stand-off may continue long into the trade period. Melbourne is also chasing Dockers’ hard-nut Harley Balic.
DRAFT PICKS: 10, 27, 45, 64, 82, 100, 118
NORTH MELBOURNE
GONE: Sam Gibson, Will Fordham, Lachie Hansen, Matthew Taylor (delisted)
IN PLAY: Jarrad Waite, Aaron Mullett and Corey Wagner are all without contracts for next year, their futures uncertain. There had been speculation about one of contracted ruck pair Todd Goldstein and Braydon Preuss moving on but both now look likely to stay at Arden St.
THE TARGETS: The Kangaroos made massive plays for Richmond’s Dustin Martin and Greater Western Sydney’s Josh Kelly during the year but failed to lure either. Going to the draft for some more youth now looks the most likely scenario as the club continues its rebuild.
DRAFT PICKS: 4, 21, 44, 62, 76, 94, 112
PORT ADELAIDE
GONE: Nathan Krakouer (retired); Jackson Trengove (restricted free agent, Western Bulldogs)
IN PLAY: Jackson Trengove, 26, was allowed to walk to the Dogs on a three-year deal. Trouble is, he is a close mate — and housemate — of Jarman Impey, who the Dogs are also after. Impey is contracted and so Port holds the aces as Hawthorn also circles. Aaron Young is likely to be seek greater opportunities elsewhere, while a host of players including Angus Monfries, Brett Eddy and Jesse Palmer could be delisted.
THE TARGETS: Tom Rockliff looks set to join as a free agent, eliminating the No.30 compensation pick currently slated for losing Trengove. Aaron Francis wants to come home and Port has said it will happily take him, although the sticking point will be that he is contracted at Essendon until 2019. Jack Watts toured Alberton last month and would be a fine addition, while free agent Steven Motlop has long known coach Ken Hinkley and would also add class up forward.
DRAFT PICKS: 29, 47, 66, 84, 102, 120
RICHMOND
GONE: Ivan Maric, Chris Yarran (retired)
IN PLAY: Midfielder Reece Conca is contracted for next year but has been linked to a move home to Perth. Anthony Miles, Ben Lennon and Jake Bachelor are all out of contract and spent most the year in the VFL. Sam Lloyd looks set to stay despite also playing mostly VFL this year, the forward still with one year to run on his contract at Punt Rd.
THE TARGETS: The Tigers are unlikely to be much of a trade player this year, all but certain to retain their first two picks which they hope to use to snare a young key forward. Pick 15 might yet secure father-son selection Patrick Naish.
DRAFT PICKS: 15, 17, 50, 53, 72, 90, 108, 126
ST KILDA
GONE: Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster (retired); Nick Coughlan, Joe Baker-Thomas (delisted)
IN PLAY: Not too much. Jason Holmes is likely to be moved on and fellow ruckman Tom Hickey would appeal at other clubs given his lack of opportunity this season. Expect inquires to come for Paddy McCartin and for them to surely be shutdown. It is a fairly settled list at the Saints after mass re-signings in recent seasons.
THE TARGETS: Adam Tomlinson is contracted to the Giants until the end of 2019 but is on the Saints’ radar. Still, the priority has to be an A-Grade midfielder. They’ve been wanting one for several years and have watched as Josh Kelly, Nat Fyfe or Dustin Martin all stayed put. The Saints would surely package up picks No.7 and 8 if it meant adding the star they crave. If nothing eventuates they will happily take both picks to the draft, where Jayden Stephenson would be hard to ignore. Rory Sloane is a free agent in 12 months and would be a very snug fit.
DRAFT PICKS: 7, 8, 43, 57, 61, 98, 116
SYDNEY SWANS
GONE: Brandon Jack, Tyrone Leonardis, Michael Talia (delisted); Jeremy Laidler, Shaun Edwards (retired)
IN PLAY: Kurt Tippett may be on the way out. Seemingly out of favour and with Swans assistant Stuart Dew appointed new head coach at the club who wanted him years ago — Gold Coast — could Tippett head north?
THE TARGETS: The Swans do their best trade work by stealth and they’ve emerged as the bolter in the race for Melbourne’s Jack Watts.
DRAFT PICKS: 14, 31, 49, 68, 86, 104
WEST COAST EAGLES
GONE: Matt Priddis, Sam Mitchell, Drew Petrie, Sam Butler, Jon Giles (retired); Simon Tunbridge, Paddy Brophy (delisted)
IN PLAY: The Eagles have quashed speculation about a move for Andrew Gaff, saying the prolific wingman is going nowhere despite inquiries from St Kilda. The careers of Sharrod Wellingham, Josh Hill and Tom Lamb all hang by a thread. Each has been told he is free to look around and must wait until after the trade period to find out if there will be a contract extension or not.
THE TARGETS: The Eagles have signalled they see themselves remaining in flag contention next season and are after an “A-grade midfielder”. They are also chasing Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo, who has a year remaining on his contract, and fringe Port Adelaide midfielder Brendon Ah Chee, who is keen to move for more opportunity.
DRAFT PICKS: 13, 30, 48, 67, 85, 103, 121
WESTERN BULLDOGS
GONE: Matthew Boyd, Bob Murphy (retired); Josh Prudden, Declan Hamilton, Tristan Tweedie (delisted)
IN PLAY: The Dogs dropped a bombshell when they put powerhouse forward Jake Stringer up for trade, but things have become complicated since. Stringer is expected to nominate Essendon as his preferred new home, but there will be some argy bargy at the negotiating table. The Dogs want pick No.11, but Essendon only wants to part with No.28. Hopefully they find some middle ground. Geelong is also in the mix. Stewart Crameri and Mitch Honeychurch could also move if they are not offered new contracts at the kennel.
THE TARGETS: The Dogs have been busy adding Port Adelaide free agent Jackson Trengove as a flexible ruck option. Luke Beveridge will love that he can play anywhere. The next moves will be harder to orchestrate. Jason McCartney is trying to nab contracted Port Adelaide forward Jarman Impey and Fremantle high-flyer Hayden Crozier for some extra speed and spark inside 50m. They need help getting a score on the board.
DRAFT PICKS: 9, 26, 39, 80, 81, 99, 117
Perryman, Neal-Bullen, Baker? The trend taking over AFL trade period
It’s usually a throwaway line in a club press release after a deal is done. The story of a player going back to his childhood club. Now, it’s no longer something to scoff at.
Trade state of play: Verdict on 18 key names
After a slow first week of trading, a huge list of names are still working to find a new home. Get the latest on Dan Houston, Clayton Oliver, Liam Baker and plenty more.