AFL contracts: How many list spots your club has going into the trade period
The AFL’s trade period is only days away from starting, so where does your club’s list at and who are they targeting?
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The twists and turns of the trade period are almost upon us and many of the happenings in the next fortnight will shape clubs’ list strategy.
Every club bar Gold Coast can sign as many as 44 footballers for next season, comprising between 36 and 38 on the primary list, four to six category A rookies and up to two category B rookies.
The AFL will allow the Suns to continue listing nine category A rookies until at least the end of the 2024 season, as part of their assistance package, which is gradually being stripped back.
League rules state clubs make at least three draft selections each year, although rookie upgrades count towards this.
Here is where your team’s list sits ahead of the trade period.
ADELAIDE
Arrivals: None
Departures: Luke Brown (retired)
Uncontracted (6): James Borlase, Ben Davis (unrestricted free agent), Billy Frampton, Tariek Newchurch, James Rowe, Brett Turner
Contracted: 38 (no category B rookies)
Draft picks: 5, 23
The Crows will bring in Gold Coast forward Izak Rankine, so that leaves only three list spots available, at least two of which will be used at the draft. Borlase and Newchurch are category B eligible, so are separate from the 42. Frampton will join Collingwood, so Davis, Rowe and Turner are competing for a maximum of one spot. But the Crows could choose to draft an extra footballer, or open more spots by trading a contracted player.
BRISBANE
Arrivals: None
Departures: Mitchell Cox (delisted), Dan McStay (free agency), Mitch Robinson (retired), Ely Smith (delisted), Deividas Uosis (delisted)
Uncontracted (4): Tom Berry, Tom Fullarton, Ryan Lester (unrestricted free agent), Connor McFadyen
Contracted: 35 (no category B rookies)
Draft picks: 15, 34, 45, 70
Jack Gunston’s arrival as a free agent will soon be official, while Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley requested a trade to the Lions. They will also bring in father-son prospects Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher in the draft. But Berry, younger brother of midfielder Jarrod, will depart in a trade to Gold Coast in search of greater senior opportunities. Irishman James Madden will need to be upgraded from a category B rookie. Factoring in Gunston, Dunkley and the two draftees leaves three list vacancies for Fullarton, Lester and McFadyen, unless Brisbane opts to draft more players.
CARLTON
Arrivals: None
Departures: Will Hayes (delisted), Oscar McDonald (delisted), Jack Newnes (delisted), Luke Parks (delisted), Liam Stocker (delisted), Tom Williamson (delisted)
Uncontracted (2): Ed Curnow (unrestricted free agent), Will Setterfield
Contracted: 37 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 10, 29, 63, 65
Blake Acres will join the Blues in the trade period on a three-year deal, while category B rookie Matt Owies must be upgraded and the older Curnow will be on the list in 2023. That will leave the recently re-signed Dom Akuei as their sole category B rookie. What happens with Setterfield will determine whether Carlton can make three or four selections at the draft, although Paddy Dow may find a new home in the trade period and open another spot.
COLLINGWOOD
Arrivals: None
Departures: Callum Brown (delisted), Tyler Brown (delisted), Isaac Chugg (delisted), Mark Keane (retired), Liam McMahon (delisted), Jordan Roughead (retired)
Uncontracted (3): Ollie Henry, Jack Madgen, Caleb Poulter
Contracted: 36 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 16, 43, 48, 49
The Magpies already enjoyed a win in retaining Jordan De Goey. They will be one of the major players in the trade period, with Dan McStay, Bobby Hill, Billy Frampton, Brayden Fiorini and Tom Mitchell all potentially wearing black and white by the end of it. At the same time, Brodie Grundy is expected to cross to Melbourne in a trade that will ease Collingwood’s salary cap stress and open a list spot. Ollie Henry also wants to join his brother Jack at new premier Geelong. The Pies will enter the exchange period with up to seven vacancies and how that looks by Wednesday week could determine Madgen’s and Poulter’s future.
ESSENDON
Arrivals: None
Departures: Tom Cutler (delisted), Tom Hird (delisted), Michael Hurley (retired), Garrett McDonagh (delisted), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (retired), Devon Smith (retired)
Uncontracted (7): Cody Brand, Josh Eyre, Aaron Francis, Brayden Ham, Jye Menzie, Cian McBride, Alec Waterman
Contracted: 33 (no category B rookie)
Draft picks: 4, 22, 41, 59
Brad Scott’s appointment as Ben Rutten’s replacement should get the ball moving for the Bombers, who have a lot of list flexibility after delistings and retirements. The new coach has already met with Gold Coast’s Jack Bowes, and they have also been linked with Jack Bytel and Will Setterfield. Francis wants a fresh start and could be Sydney’s next reclamation project. Essendon has up to nine list spots to fill, not including the maximum two category B slots. Irishman McBride is expected to get another year as a category B rookie.
FREMANTLE
Arrivals: Ultan Kelm (international rookie)
Departures: Connor Blakely (delisted), David Mundy (retired), Luke Valente (retired), Joel Western (delisted)
Uncontracted (4): Blake Acres, Mitch Crowden (unrestricted free agent), Sebit Kuek, Griffin Logue
Contracted: 36 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 13, 73
It will be a busy fortnight for list boss David Walls and football boss Peter Bell. Acres (Carlton), Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs), Logue (North Melbourne), Darcy Tucker (North Melbourne) and Lloyd Meek (Hawthorn) have all requested trades. The Dockers are again refusing to trade Lobb. Meek is also not certain to move but wants to get to the Hawks for greater opportunities, with Melbourne ruckman Luke Jackson set to land at the Dockers. Gold Coast’s Jeremy Sharp and Josh Corbett could also be headed to Freo. Kuek will score another year to prove himself, while Ireland’s Kelm, a category B rookie, was signed in late 2021 but wasn’t on this year’s list.
GEELONG
Arrivals: None
Departures: Luke Dahlhaus (retired), Francis Evans (delisted), Shaun Higgins (retired), Oisin Mullin, Quinton Narkle (delisted), Joel Selwood (retired), Nick Stevens (delisted), Paul Tsapatolis (delisted), Zane Williams (delisted)
Uncontracted (4): Zach Guthrie, Tom Hawkins (unrestricted free agent), Sam Simpson, Zach Tuohy
Contracted: 31 (no category B rookies)
Draft picks: 18, 37, 47, 52, 55, 61
The Cats plan to be busy, even after their brilliant season that culminated in a dominant grand final triumph over Sydney. Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry – brother of Jack – who were both first-round picks two years ago out of Geelong Falcons, both want to make their way to Geelong via trades. The Cats are also involved in the Jack Bowes salary dump sweepstakes, which comes with the bonus of Gold Coast’s pick seven. Irishman Conor McKenna is tipped to join the premiers as well. On the flip side, contracted but out-of-favour big man Esava Ratugolea has met with Port Adelaide. Geelong has 11 open spots, plus two category B openings, but Zach Guthrie, Hawkins and Tuohy should all continue at the Cattery. Simpson is still waiting for a contract offer.
GOLD COAST
Arrivals: None
Departures: Matt Conroy (delisted), Jez McLennan (delisted), Patrick Murtagh (delisted), Rhys Nicholls (delisted)
Uncontracted (9): Chris Burgess, Levi Casboult (unrestricted free agent), Charlie Constable (unrestricted free agent), Josh Corbett, Oskar Faulkhead, Oleg Markov, Hewago Paul Oea, Izak Rankine, James Tsitas
Contracted: 35 (no category B rookies)
Draft picks: 7, 25, 32, 35, 44, 53, 68, 71
There is a bit going on the Suns. Ben Long and Tom Berry will arrive via trades to fill specific half-back and small forward needs, respectively, while Izak Rankine (Adelaide), Jack Bowes and Brayden Fiorini (Collingwood) will go the other way. Bowes is owed more than $800,000 next year because of deferred payments, so Gold Coast has offered pick seven as a sweetener for whichever club Bowes chooses. Oea (category B), Burgess, Casboult, Constable and Faulkhead are expected to continue at the Suns. They encouraged Corbett to look elsewhere and he has a level of interest from several rivals, including Fremantle, Essendon and Melbourne, potentially as a delisted free agent.
GWS GIANTS
Arrivals: None
Departures: Jarrod Brander (delisted), Matt de Boer (retired), Zach Sproule (delisted), Jake Stein (delisted)
Uncontracted (5): Tanner Bruhn, Bobby Hill, Xavier O’Halloran, Will Shaw, Tim Taranto
Contracted: 36 (no category B rookies)
Draft picks: 3, 21, 40, 58, 60
The Giants’ list will look quite different by Wednesday week, with all of Bruhn (Geelong), Hill (Collingwood), Taranto and Jacob Hopper (both Richmond) expected to be in new colours. Demon Toby Bedford requested a trade to them and will add to their small forward stocks. They still have decisions to make on O’Halloran and category B rookie Shaw. Callum Brown will need to be upgraded after four seasons as a category B rookie. But GWS has a lot of spots to fill, so could be active in trying to recruit players during the trade period and in delisted free agency.
HAWTHORN
Arrivals: Karl Amon (free agency/Port Adelaide)
Departures: Jackson Callow (delisted), Connor Downie (delisted), Jack Gunston (free agency), Kyle Hartigan (delisted), Daniel Howe (delisted), Ben McEvoy (retired), Tom Phillips (delisted), Liam Shiels (retired)
Uncontracted (2): Seamus Mitchell, Jack Saunders
Contracted: 35 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 6, 24, 50, 62
The Hawks already signed star Power wingman Amon as an unrestricted free agent in a coup after Melbourne and St Kilda also tried to win his signature. Fremantle ruckman Lloyd Meek also requested a trade to Waverley Park. But Gunston will sign with the Lions despite having a two-year offer from Hawthorn. List boss Mark McKenzie confirmed the Hawks were one of several clubs keen on the Gold Coast package of Jack Bowes and pick seven. Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell is linked with a move to Collingwood but is yet to officially make a trade request. Hawthorn still has up to 10 spots available at present for primary or category A-listed players.
MELBOURNE
Arrivals: None
Departures: Mitch Brown (retired), Majak Daw (retired), Fraser Rosman (delisted)
Uncontracted (6): Oskar Baker, Toby Bedford, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt (unrestricted free agent), Luke Jackson, Jake Melksham
Contracted: 34 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 33, 42, 51, 64, 69
The Demons will lose young ruckman Luke Jackson to Fremantle but expect two first-round selections, including one in the top 10, in return. They wasted no time seeking a replacement, with Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy set to partner fellow All-Australian Max Gawn in the ruck next season. The Pies could pay as much as $300,000 of Grundy’s deal annually until it expires in 2027. Hunt is seriously considering a move to West Coast but veterans Hibberd and Melksham are tipped to score new one-year deals. Bedford requested a trade to the Giants despite having a three-year contract from Melbourne. Contracted defender Adam Tomlinson is open to joining another club, too, but it remains to be seen if he has any takers, with the Dogs not pursuing him.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Arrivals: None
Departures: Kyron Hayden (delisted), Tom Lynch (retired), Matt McGuinness (delisted), Patrick Walker (delisted)
Uncontracted (4): Jed Anderson, Atu Bosenavulagi, Kayne Turner (unrestricted free agent), Josh Walker (unrestricted free agent)
Contracted: 36 (no category B rookies)
Draft picks: 1, 56, 67
The Kangaroos are on the hunt for mid-20s talent and have so far secured commitments from Fremantle duo Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker. They have also registered their interest in contracted Saint Hunter Clark but St Kilda list boss James Gallagher said he was “reluctant” to let Clark go. Bradley Hill also appears likely to stay at the Saints, while Tanner Bruhn is Geelong-bound and Demon Toby Bedford wants to be a Giant. The Roos are keen on securing Gold Coast’s Jack Bowes and pick seven. Splitting the top selection to gain multiple high picks is a live option and may be required to bring in Logue. It promises to be a hectic trade period for Alastair Clarkson’s new club.
PORT ADELAIDE
Arrivals: None
Departures: Karl Amon (free agency/Hawthorn), Robbie Gray (retired), Sam Mayes (delisted), Steven Motlop (retired), Taj Schofield (delisted), Sam Skinner (delisted)
Uncontracted (3): Trent Dumont (unrestricted free agent), Martin Frederick, Jed McEntee
Contracted: 34 (no category B rookies)
Draft picks: 8, 27, 54, 57
The Power scored a second-round compensation pick – currently No.27 – for losing free agent Karl Amon to Hawthorn. Free agency is still ongoing, so that could change once other signings occur. Port missed out on Josh Dunkley to Brisbane, while Jack Graham opted to stay at Richmond. But Junior Rioli requested a trade to Alberton and Geelong big man Esava Ratugolea toured the facilities as he weighs up his future. Delisted Cat Francis Evans is also expected to sign. The Power has 10 list openings, so could be active in the trade period. Dumont and McEntee are both expected to be on the list next year.
RICHMOND
Arrivals: None
Departures: Josh Caddy (retired), Shane Edwards (retired), Kane Lambert (retired), Matthew Parker (delisted)
Uncontracted (5): Jake Aarts, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Will Martyn, Bigoa Nyuon (unrestricted free agent), Sydney Stack
Contracted: 35 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 12, 19, 31
The Tigers have targeted GWS midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper on seven-year deals but still need to broker a trade with the Giants. They will inject serious quality into Richmond’s on-ball brigade, but will wipe out the best of club’s draft hand. That is the least of the Tigers’ concerns, given the pair should instantly place them in flag contention. Damien Hardwick’s squad also retained Jack Graham after he flirted with a move to Port Adelaide. Rookie-listed Nyuon is expected to go around again after making his senior debut in 2022 but there are decisions to be made on Aarts, top-20 pick Collier-Dawkins, Martin and Stack.
ST KILDA
Arrivals: None
Departures: Jarryn Geary (retired), Dan Hannebery (retired), Darragh Joyce (delisted), Dean Kent (retired), Josiah Kyle (delisted), Paddy Ryder (retired)
Uncontracted (3): Jack Bytel, Jarrod Lienert (unrestricted free agent), Ben Long
Contracted: 34 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 9, 28, 46
The Saints missed out on Jordan De Goey, so will have significant cash to splash if another opportunity arises. That could mean absorbing Jack Bowes’ enormous contract, with the benefit of scoring Gold Coast’s pick seven as reward. Long requested a trade to the Suns, so that could be tied in, but Bowes will pick his destination. Hunter Clark and Bradley Hill were both on North Melbourne’s radar but St Kilda list boss James Gallagher expects both to remain at Moorabbin. Bytel has interest from Essendon, which appears to be in the market for a lot of reinforcements. The Saints want to bring in a tall swingman, so watch this space. After four retirements, there are double-digit list spots up for grabs.
SYDNEY
Arrivals: None
Departures: Josh Kennedy (retired), Barry O‘Connor (delisted), Colin O’Riordan (retired), Callum Sinclair (retired), Lewis Taylor (delisted)
Uncontracted (7): James Bell, Ryan Clarke, Harry Cunningham (unrestricted free agent), Will Gould, Jake Lloyd (unrestricted free agent), Sam Naismith, Ben Ronke
Contracted: 33 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 14, 17, 36, 72
Nothing in the next fortnight is likely to top the Swans extending Tom Papley for five years until 2028 but they will also hope to lock away Lloyd soon. The delay in him re-signing is reaching curious levels, although he is still expected to remain in red and white. Gould and Clarke are as good as locked in for next year and it would be a surprise if Cunningham didn’t continue, but Sydney has decisions to make on several players. The Swans’ hunt for defensive cover has reached Bomber Aaron Francis, who wants to leave Essendon, so that could be a trade to look out for.
WEST COAST
Arrivals: None
Departures: Hugh Dixon (delisted), Tom Joyce (delisted), Josh Kennedy (retired), Patrick Naish (delisted), Jackson Nelson (delisted), Jack Redden (retired)
Uncontracted (3): Shannon Hurn (unrestricted free agent), Junior Rioli, Connor West
Contracted: 35 (no category B rookie)
Draft picks: 2, 20, 26, 39
Redden’s surprise retirement leaves the Eagles with nine list openings, one of which they hope will be used on Demons dasher Jayden Hunt. Rioli will find his way to Port Adelaide despite West Coast’s disappointment at his decision – but the return is still to be determined. Hurn is yet to officially commit but all indications up to now were that he planned to keep playing, while West is also expected to get a new deal. Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett remains confident they can land agile Melbourne big man Luke Jackson or another A-grade talent to fast-track their rebuild.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Arrivals: None
Departures: None
Uncontracted (7): Louis Butler, Zaine Cordy (unrestricted free agent), Josh Dunkley, Stefan Martin (unrestricted free agent), Charlie Parker, Josh Schache, Mitch Wallis (unrestricted free agent)
Contracted: 37 (one category B rookie)
Draft picks: 11, 30, 38, 66
Ex-Blue Liam Jones will return to the Bulldogs as a free agent after sitting out the season due to the AFL’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate. Jones’ signing might be what is holding up Cordy from accepting the two-year deal he has in front of him. The Dogs could also add strong-marking Docker Rory Lobb in the trade period, assuming Fremantle softens its stance on not giving him up. But club champion Dunkley requested a trade for the second time in three years and is expected to join Brisbane. Lachie Hunter is also exploring other opportunities despite having two seasons to run on his contract. Category B rookie Buku Khamis needs to be upgraded to the main list but Martin may retire and Schache is looking elsewhere.
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