AFL trade news: Harley Reid draft latest, Jade Gresham, Sam Flanders, Tarryn Thomas and more
Damien Hardwick believes his list has what it takes to go all the way and clearly other clubs agree as they circle some Suns on the fringe. Check out the latest trade news from across the AFL.
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Could Melbourne make an audacious play for the No.1 pick to secure Harley Reid by securing Gold Coast’s No.4 draft selection to add to their own No.5 pick?
North Melbourne’s victory over the Suns and Fremantle’s victory over Melbourne ensured the Eagles won the wooden spoon and meant the Suns’ first pick remained at No.4.
The Suns will trade out that no.4 overall pick to secure maximum points for their trio of academy picks.
Melbourne, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs are all suitors to trade up to No.4.
The Demons not only have their own first-rounder, they have the Dockers first rounder (pick 5) and second-rounder (pick 22) courtesy of the Luke Jackson trade.
The Demons could offer their own first-rounder (currently pick 15), the Dockers second-rounder (24) and their own second-rounder (34) for the Suns for pick four.
It would arm them with picks four and five to trade to the Eagles for pick one, and give the Suns an extra 460 draft points to secure their academy players.
The Demons might ask for a later pick back from the Eagles, but it would allow West Coast two absolutely elite draft picks and the Demons could secure Reid.
North Melbourne still believes it is a chance to trade up to the No.1 pick given it has pick two and seems destined to secure pick 3 as compensation for the departing Ben McKay.
Their advantage is the Eagles would retain pick 2 and could secure the second-best kid in the land, which would allow them to secure local kid Daniel Curtin or one of midfielders Zane Duursma, Colby McKercher or small forward Nick Watson.
The Dogs could offer up their picks 9 and 17 (from the Josh Dunkley trade) for pick 4, which would be an identical amount of points as the Demons range of picks.
Adelaide has pick 10 and two second-rounders linked to Gold Coast and North Melbourne so also has an excellent hand to get up to pick 4 overall.
TWIST IN GRESHAM FUTURE
The pendulum might have swung back in favour of Jade Gresham remaining at St Kilda given his excellent recent form.
The Saints had postponed talks on contracts for many of their mid-tier players, which is why Hunter Clark is still a person of interest for rival clubs despite a solid year.
But while Hawthorn and Carlton have both been linked to mid-forward Gresham, St Kilda is now very keen to re-sign the restricted free agent.
His recent form playing some more midfield time has allowed him to finish the year strongly with contests including his 22-possession, three-goal outing against Richmond.
He is averaging nearly two direct score assists in the past six weeks and his score involvements are up.
St Kilda seems happy to go back to the draft with their early picks and could secure another selection for Dougal Howard, with Moneyball revealing last month he could be on the move.
But given Gresham would be unlikely to trigger first-round compensation if he left, the smart play is to re-sign him rather than see him leave for an early-30s draft selection.
TOBY TOSS-UP
Western Bulldogs’ playmaker Toby McLean faces an uncertain future at the kennel as he looks for more opportunity.
McLean, 27, is keen to stay in red, white and blue but has managed only six senior games this season on the back of a second knee reconstruction.
The premiership ballwinner has some exciting traits in the forward half but he remains without a deal for next season.
McLean was recalled for the win over Geelong on Saturday night but his hopes of a big September were extinguished when the GWS Giants upset Carlton to steal the Dogs’ spot in the eight.
The goal kicker, who was a regular between 2016-2019, is eager to continue his career but it remains to be seen whether his best chance is with the Dogs.
McLean, who had 15 touches and six tackles against the Cats, is set to face a nervous few weeks as the Dogs finalise their list.
He could attract some interest from rivals but would have to pass checks on his knee after a pair of heartbreaking ACL injuries.
DOG CLOSES ON NEW DEAL
Bailey Williams is closing in on a deal of three or four seasons at the Western Bulldogs as he signs away his free agency status.
Williams is loyal to the club and while he is keen for some security in his contract the 25-year-old South Australian has no plans to return to his home state.
The Dogs’ poor finish to the year has raised hopes from rivals that contracted stars Aaron Naughton and Tim English might consider overtures.
But the firm friends, both WA products, are certain to see out their contracts for 2024.
Neither are likely to jump on early contract extensions, and by the time the CBA goes up they could easily attract million dollar offers.
But they seem relatively happy at the Dog despite murmurings of discontent and have no plans to look around.
The Dogs are absolutely certain father-son Jordan Croft will commit to them ahead of November 20’s draft as the son of former defender Matthew.
The challenge will be attempting to secure an early pick by trading up with their two first-rounders (they have the Lions pick).
But they would love to take an elite young midfielder with an early pick before clubs bid on exciting forward Croft in the mid-teens.
ROOS TO PLAY HARD BALL ON THOMAS
North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas is a required player and the Kangaroos are expected to play hard ball on any attempts to lure the midfielder out of Arden St before his contract expires at the end of next season.
Thomas, 23, has made more headlines off the field than on it this year after a series of controversies left him exiled from the AFL team for a period.
But the midfielder’s form in the second half of the season - he played the last 12 matches of 2023 - highlighted how important he could be to the team’s future success as coach Alastair Clarkson looks to 2024 and beyond.
Thomas is contracted to the club until the end of next year, having signed a two-year extension off the back of his elite end to the 2021 season.
He appeared likely to move earlier this year as his off-field issues kept him out of football, but the Kangaroos are hopeful he can now become the player it has long thought he would be.
North Melbourne co-skipper Jy Simpkin ran straight to Thomas to celebrate with him following the final siren last Saturday in what was the club’s first win in 20 matches, and Thomas’ first victory since Round 2 last year.
Sydney has previously been interested in Thomas, who has family members in the Harbour City, and the Swans are tipped to be a serious player in the trade window this year.
CAT’S NEXT MOVE A WAIT-AND-SEE
Geelong midfielder Brandan Parfitt could still stay at the Cats to fight for midfield time as he assessed the trade market.
Parfitt played only nine games in 2023 after coming into the Cats premiership team at the last minute, and was often used as the sub.
But he showed what he is capable of against the Western Bulldogs with more midfield time securing 26 possessions to go with eight clearances and 10 score involvements.
The constant message from clubs is that list spots will be tight - so the contracted Parfitt might not have as many potential landing spots as in other years.
It means the smart play could be to see out his contract at a club keen to bring in some fresh midfield talent after the retirements of Isaac Smith and the farewell of Sam Menegola.
SUN’S TALKS PROGRESS
Victorian clubs chasing Gold Coast midfielder Sam Flanders might be rebuffed as talks continue over a four-year deal.
The 22-year-old from Fish Creek in Gippsland finished the year with a superb fortnight, racking up possession tallies of 36 (five clearances) and 29 (two goals).
The deal is not done yet but the Suns believe they are in a good position on that deal given he is getting serious midfield time in a team about to welcome Damien Hardwick.
Elijah Holland could move back to Melbourne despite being contracted, while clubs will surely ask about Chris Burgess (contracted to 2024) given his 51-goal VFL season from only 17 games.
SUNS ACADEMY STOCKS RISE
No wonder Damien Hardwick believes the Suns have 80 per cent of their talent needed to win a flag on their list given the perfect ruck succession plan.
The Suns will secure 202cm Gold Coast academy ruckman Ethan Read with an early pick, but many good judges believe he will start his career as a centre half back.
The most hyped ruckman in the VFL this year is Ned Moyle, who was taken by the Suns in the 2021 mid-season draft.
He is still only 21 0 and played two AFL games this year _ but has totally dominated the VFL so by the time Jarrod Witts hangs up the boots he will be ready to take over the No.1 ruck role.
By then Read can hand him support but might also be playing as a defender who can succeed Sam Collins, a hugely popular key defender who gives his all but turns 30 next year.
Gold Coast will secure key position forward Jed Walter and 172cm Touk Miller clone Jake Rogers but will also secure a fourth Suns academy selection.
Palm Beach Currumbin’s Will Graham is a 186cm midfielder who will likely go later in the draft but the Suns would like to draft him.
Their investment in their academy means they have created what Lions legend Jon Brown _ who now lives on the Gold Coast - calls a pipeline of talent that will stock the club’s list for years to come.
EX-DON HOPES FOR NEW HOME
AFL journeyman James Stewart is desperate to continue his AFL career after being delisted by the Dons with a season remaining on his contract.
The Dons are one of many clubs who are tight for list spots given a young list and determination to bring in a handful of draftees in November.
So he has been pushed out, but he has been paid out what is an admittedly modest deal for 2024.
It means clubs could sign him up as a rookie and basically have him play for free.
His manager Peter Jess is urging clubs to consider the 197cm swingman given he is over the injury issues that plagued his 2023 season.
Adelaide is one of a number of clubs looking for cheap back-up defenders in case their injury issues worsen, with Tom Doedee and Nick Murray facing delayed starts to 2024 with ACL issues.
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