AFL trade: Dozens of AFL players’ futures on hold due to depth of talent in AFL draft
This year’s AFL draft is being praised for its incredible depth, putting the futures of dozens of AFL players on hold, including three key position Magpies.
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Collingwood trio Charlie Dean, Nathan Kreuger and Reef McInnes are all waiting to be told if they are required by the Pies as the draft’s phenomenal depth puts dozens of AFL players in limbo.
The trio has not been delisted by Collingwood, instead told the club will not be able to make a call on them until after the trade and free agency period.
Across the competition players who would in normal circumstances be recontracted could be pushed out given the frantic rush to get into this year’s super-draft.
Rivals are not interested in trading for them because they are aware there is a real prospect they will be available as delisted free agents.
Clubs are also prepared to move on players who have played strong roles in their 2024 teams given the desperate rush to take multiple picks in this year’s draft.
Carlton’s Sam Durdin, Richmond pair Noah Cumberland and Kamdyn McIntosh and Hawthorn’s Denver Grainger-Barras are also in that position as the trade period approaches.
Cumberland is hopeful he can play a medium forward role with Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton moving on, while McIntosh has played 65 games in the past three seasons but still has his future up for grabs.
Durdin’s spot on the Blues list is in jeopardy given incoming free agent Nick Haynes will play back, but if Lewis Young finds a third home he might hang on.
Collingwood’s Dean played eight games as full back this year after finally overcoming foot issues as a back-up when Nathan Murphy retired because of concussion.
The Pies need to find another key back given Adelaide’s Irish defender Mark Keane, formerly of Collingwood, declined the chance to return to his first AFL club.
Kreuger kicked seven goals in six games, while McInnes kicked 13 goals in nine AFL games.
The Pies have entered the market for GWS free agent Harry Perryman and their point of difference to the Giants defender is their offer of midfield time.
Perryman has been offered six and seven-year deals across the competition but clubs like GWS and Port Adelaide have elite midfields that would be hard to crack into.
The Pies continue to come hard and while they might need to match the Power’s six-year $850,000 offer – potentially with a seventh-year trigger – it would be a coup for a club that has traded away its 2024 first-rounder.
Justin Leppitsch is the club’s new list boss while the Pies are still attempting to find a new football boss.
Port Adelaide’s long-time football boss Chris Davies is a contender despite rebuffing the AFL’s advances in recent years, while Brisbane’s Danny Daly has also been approached.
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