Whose trade stock has crashed and whose has soared during the 2017 season?
THE Suns refused to deal Gary Ablett last year but have they cost themselves a big haul in return? Also, what are Bryce Gibbs and Todd Goldstein worth now? See the latest trade values here.
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A WHOPPING 39 trades took place during last year’s off-season, the most in AFL history.
However, there were plenty of players who were linked with moves to rival clubs which never eventuated.
Carlton and Adelaide couldn’t come to terms on a deal for midfielder Bryce Gibbs, who shocked the Blues with his trade request.
The Gold Coast Suns refused to entertain any possible trade for Gary Ablett. Meanwhile Hayden Ballantyne was in strong talks with cross-town rival West Coast before a deal fell through.
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The likes of Hamish Hartlett, Tom Rockliff and Todd Goldstein were just some of the other players whose names came up during the monster trade period.
With the countdown well and truly on to this year’s silly season, a lot of these names will again be up in bright lights come trade week.
In preparation, we’ve taken a look at how the last 12 months has impacted each player’s trade value.
BRYCE GIBBS
Trade stock: Remained strong
Adelaide labelled Carlton’s trade expectations for Bryce Gibbs “unreasonable” after the Blues reportedly wanted two first round draft picks in exchange for the midfielder last year.
Based on what Gibbs has produced in 2017, the Blues won’t be budging on their asking price anytime soon.
Despite having been in the system for 11 years, Gibbs’ trade value has climbed even higher thanks to a monster year.
The star midfielder is averaging more disposals now than at any other time in his career.
He sits inside the league’s top 20 in key stat areas such as kicks, tackles and disposals and he will likely finish the year averaging just under a goal a game.
If he did choose to seek a trade again at the end of 2017, Gibbs could prove to be the perfect fit at a contending club. But they better be prepared to pay up.
TOM ROCKLIFF
Trade stock: From ice-cold to in demand
Tom Rockliff’s trade value hit rock bottom last year.
It had little to do with his on-field performance, with Rockliff instead copping criticism for his leadership style at the struggling Lions.
Despite trade talks, he remained at Brisbane and under new coach Chris Fagan, Rockliff has once again thrived.
Although his disposal numbers are down on last season, he is averaging career highs in clearances and inside 50s and is ranked number one in the league for average stoppage clearances.
Is there a contending team out there that could do with a little extra midfield grunt?
The difference from last year is Rockliff enters this off-season as a free agent, giving him all the control in the situation.
The 27-year-old has been strongly linked to Adelaide but he hasn’t ruled out remaining at the Lions and seeing the rebuild through.
TODD GOLDSTEIN
Trade stock: Taken a hit
It’s been a tough year for Todd Goldstein.
A former All-Australian, the Kangaroos lost patience with the big man and dumped Goldstein to the VFL after the club’s Round 17 loss to Port Adelaide.
He has since been recalled to the seniors but there is no doubt losing your spot in the league’s second worst team is a hit to Goldstein’s trade value.
Across the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the ruckman finished either first or second in total hit-outs for the entire league. This year he is only just inside the top 10.
For average hit-outs per game, Goldstein has dropped from outright second last year to 16th in 2017.
Goldstein’s former teammate Nick Dal Santo has said the Kangaroos should move the big man on at the end of the year.
GARY ABLETT
Trade stock: Remained steady
If the Cats had any hopes of landing Gary Ablett with a bargain basement offer, they have well and truly been dashed this year.
Ablett has been outstanding for the Suns and is averaging a whopping 33 touches a game. Across his glittering 16 season career, he has only topped that number twice (2009 and 2012).
He is ranked in the top five in the league for average clearances, kicks, disposals and inside 50s while coming in at sixth for average score involvements per game.
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing though, with Ablett criticised earlier in the year for appearing to show a lack of intensity on the ground. He has almost missed multiple games with soft tissue injuries.
Ablett himself has said he may not even play on in 2018 and Geelong coach Chris Scott said it would be “unlikely” for a deal to get done.
But we think the thought of a Dangerfield, Selwood and Ablett midfield might change things closer to trade week. The Cats will have to pay up though.
STEVEN MOTLOP
Trade stock: From ice-cold to lukewarm
There is no doubt about it, Steven Motlop continues to frustrate Geelong fans.
After a horror finals series last year, Motlop was put on the trade table but there was little interest from rival clubs.
That came after a year in which he booted 38 goals, the second most in a season for his career.
Motlop returned to training in better condition this year but has failed to top his 2016 efforts.
He is averaging less kicks, goals, tackles, inside 50s and clearances than last year.
Despite that, there appears to be some interest from rival clubs going into this year’s off-season. As previously reported in the Herald Sun, Motlop has already been linked with a move to Port Adelaide.
HAYDEN BALLANTYNE
Trade stock: Taken a hit
It was one of many big shocks during last year’s trade period. After establishing himself as the number one pest in derby clashes for years, Hayden Ballantyne almost joined the West Coast Eagles.
Despite his trade request, the deal feel through and Ballantyne returned to Fremantle where he has had a frustrating year.
A hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines until Round 14. In his first two matches back he averaged two goals and 14 touches but his output has since dropped off.
The difference this year for Ballantyne is that he is a free agent. If he does leave the Dockers, at 30 years of age he is unlikely to attract too much attention from rebuilding clubs but a contender may like what they see from the fiery goal sneak.
He was also on Geelong’s radar last off-season.
HAMISH HARTLETT
Trade stock: Gone down
Plenty of clubs have tried to block trade requests over the years but that was not the case for Port Adelaide and Hamish Hartlett. It was actually the midfielder who decided he wanted to stay at the club and honour his contract despite being shopped around by the Power.
If his name was on the block again, it is unlikely Port Adelaide would be offered anything better than what they were last off-season.
In 2017 Hartlett is down on disposals, inside 50s, tackles and clearances.
He met with Richmond and Essendon last year but has since expressed his desire to remain with the Power and see out his long-term deal.
BRENDON AH CHEE
Trade Stock: Remained steady
He asked for a trade at the end of last season and Brendon Ah Chee is likely to do the same again.
However, Ah Chee’s trade value is hard to judge.
He has failed to cement a spot in Port Adelaide’s best 22 but when he has played, he’s made an impact.
Ah Chee has kicked six goals in four games this year and was impressive against the Hawks, winning 26 disposals.
How much could the Power expect back given they aren’t playing him?
Ah Chee is expected to again seek a trade at the end of the season. He expressed an interested in joining his brother Callum at the Gold Coast last year.
BEN LENNON
Trade Stock: Remained low
It’s been a tough few years for Ben Lennon. After playing nine games in 2015 he played just three the following year and asked for a trade out of the Tigers.
However, there was no interest from rival clubs and he returned to the club in 2017, determined to make his mark on the competition.
After playing a couple of senior games early in the year, he has spent the rest of the season in the VFL.
Interestingly, he has kicked 31 goals for the Tigers reserves. Would a club be willing to take the risk on him?
Originally published as Whose trade stock has crashed and whose has soared during the 2017 season?
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