Champion Data rates every 2020 trade and free agency target
It’s all well and good to speculate who the best player in free agency is, but Champion Data has crunched the numbers to reveal once and for all who the most sought-after gun should be.
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How do this year’s top trade and free agency targets stack up?
With the help of Champion Data, we take a look at the key players linked to potential moves and tipped to play a role in this year’s free agency and trade period.
Judged on their Champion Data average player ranking points and their team rank for 2020, here’s what this year’s trade movers and shakers are worth.
EVERY MOVE: 2020 TRADE & FREE AGENCY TRACKER
The team ranking has been based on a minimum of four matches for 2020, while the “2020 normalised” measures adjust for the shorter game time this season.
As a point of reference, Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn had the highest average player ranking points in 2020 with 140.
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JOSH DUNKLEY (Western Bulldogs)
Player ranking points (game average in 2020): 104
Team rank: 6
The star Bulldog has been linked to a potential move to Essendon – and what a prize he would be for the Bombers if a deal got done. Champion Data analysis ranks Dunkley among the elite in the competition for ranking points, disposals, contested possessions, clearances, score involvements and tackles.
ADAM TRELOAR (Collingwood)
Player ranking points: 104
Team rank: 6
There is uncertainty over the contracted midfielder’s future at Collingwood, but Champion Data analysis of his season ratings show his strengths. Treloar ranked among the elite in the competition for disposals, contested possessions and clearances in 2020. He was also above average for ranking points, but was below average for kicking efficiency and pressure points in his 10 games this season.
ADAM SAAD (Essendon)
Player ranking points: 98
Team rank: 4
The Bombers’ running defender, who has requested a trade to Carlton, was ranked among the elite in the competition for ranking points, disposals (18.9), uncontested possessions (12.3) and metres gained (409m) in 2020. Saad was also rated above average for intercept possessions and spoils.
SHAUN HIGGINS (North Melbourne)
Player ranking: 95
Team rank: 4
The star Kangaroos veteran has been linked to a move to Geelong after a strong season in an otherwise forgettable year for North Melbourne. Higgins held an elite ranking for disposals, uncontested possessions and metres gained. His ranking points, clearances and pressure points were also above average for 2020 according to Champion Data.
JARED POLEC (North Melbourne)
Player ranking: 89
Team rank: 7
There has been speculation over whether Polec could find himself at a fourth AFL club after his 13-game season with the Kangaroos, in which he was dropped multiple times. According to Champion Data, Polec’s normalised 2020 players ranking points (87 to 89), disposals (23.1 to 24) and clearances (1.9 to 3.1) were up on 2019, but his numbers for metres gained, score involvements and uncontested possessions were down.
ZAC WILLIAMS (GWS Giants to Carlton)
Player ranking points: 85
Team rank: 9
The GWS ace has joined the Blues as a free agent on a bumper six-year deal, but how do Williams’ numbers on-field stack up this year? According to Champion Data, Williams ranked above average in the competition for ranking points, disposals, uncontested possessions, metres gained and tackles, only slipping to average for intercept possessions.
BRAD CROUCH (Adelaide)
Player ranking points: 83
Team rank: 6
He made headlines for the wrong reasons after his off-field indiscretion and wants a fresh start at St Kilda after exercising his right as a restricted free agent. Crouch played 12 games for the Crows in 2020 and his normalised 2020 measures for ranking points, disposals, score involvements and tackles were all down compared to 2019, according to Champion Data. Crouch’s normalised averages for contested possessions and clearances were up.
JORDAN DE GOEY (Collingwood)
Player ranking points: 78
Team rank: 11
Expected to re-sign with Collingwood after the off-contract star tested himself on the market for a reported $1 million asking price. Was he worth it? Champion Data analysis of De Goey’s season, in which he played 10 and kicked 14 goals games, showed he had an elite rating for average goals, score involvements and forward 50 ground ball gets. He was also above average for ranking points, disposals and forward 50 marks.
JACK HIGGINS (Richmond)
Player ranking points: 78
Team rank: 12
The small forward wants to move on from Richmond after a season when he played 10 games. In those matches, Higgins had an elite ranking for disposals and uncontested possessions and was above average for ranking points, marks, forward 50 ground ball gets and score involvements.
TOM PHILLIPS (Collingwood)
Playing ranking points: 75
Team rank: 12
Considering whether to find a new home after being squeezed out of his favoured wing role, Phillips played 15 games for the Magpies in 2020. According to Champion Data’s normalised 2020 measures, Phillips was down on his 2019 averages for ranking points, disposals, metres gained, score involvements and uncontested possessions. Phillips’ tackling numbers had improved this season.
ISAAC SMITH (Hawthorn to Geelong)
Player ranking points: 74
Team rank: 12
After 10 years, 210 games and three premierships with the Hawks, Smith has joined the Cats as an unrestricted free agent. Smith played 10 games for the Hawks in 2020, with an above average rank for disposals, metres gained, marks and score involvements and an elite ranking for uncontested possessions. In 2019, Smith spent 56 percent game time on the wing and 26 percent forward, but in 2020, he was in the midfield 48 percent of the time and 41 per cent forward.
JEREMY CAMERON (GWS Giants)
Player ranking points: 72
Team rank: 14
With an offer on the table to join grand finalists Geelong as a restricted free agent, Cameron is seeking to put a disappointing 2020 season behind him with a fresh start under Chris Scott. After kicking 76 goals in 2019, Cameron booted just 24 majors this year. According to Champion Data, the key forward’s normalised 2020 measures were for ranking points (from 91), disposals, marks, forward 50 marks and score involvements were all down on 2019.
AIDAN CORR (GWS Giants to North Melbourne)
Player ranking points: 71
Team rank: 16
Set to land at North Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent, Corr comes off a 15-game season in which he achieved career-highs for ranking points, disposals, metres gained and marks. His intercept possessions were also an equal career-high.
JYE CALDWELL (GWS Giants)
Player ranking points: 65
Team rank: 22
The emerging midfielder, who has nominated Essendon as his preferred destination, played nine games for the Giants in 2020 with an above average rating for contested possessions, ground ball gets and pressure points. Caldwell’s ranking points, disposals and clearances were rated average by Champion Data this season.
TOM McDONALD (Melbourne)
Player ranking points: 60
Team rank: 15
The key forward, whose future is uncertain at the Demons, kicked seven goals in his nine games in 2020. McDonald’s normalised 2020 figures slipped for ranking points (falling from 71), disposals, contested possessions, marks and score involvements from last season.
ORAZIO FANTASIA (Essendon)
Player ranking points: 57
Team rank: 23
Fantasia, who has nominated Port Adelaide as his club of choice, was restricted to just five matches in 2020 as he struggled with a string of soft-tissue setbacks. But in those games, it was largely a different role for Fantasia, who spent 60 per cent of his time in defence as opposed to the 81 per cent game time he spent forward in 2019.
JESSE HOGAN (Fremantle)
Player ranking points: 57
Team rank: 24
The out-of-favour Dockers forward, who has attracted interest from Greater Western Sydney, played just seven matches in 2020, kicking five goals for the season. But Champion Data ranked Hogan’s output in other areas in those limited games highly. Hogan was rated elite for uncontested possessions, marks and forward-50 ground ball gets. He was also above average for disposals and score assists.
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BEN BROWN (North Melbourne)
Player ranking: 48
Team rank: 27
Linked to a possible move to Melbourne, the key forward’s season ended in Round 10, but before that it was a struggle. After kicking 64 goals in 2019, Brown kicked just eight goals before a knee injury ruled him out for the rest of the year. Battling a persistent knee injury, Brown’s 2020 normalised measures were well down on 2019 for ranking points (from 79), score involvements (6.4 to 3.9) and average goals (2.9 to 1.1).
JOE DANIHER (Essendon to Brisbane)
Player ranking points: 48
Team rank: 31
Has officially landed at Brisbane as a free agent on a three-year deal. The key forward didn’t play until Round 14 after overcoming groin problems and only played the four senior games. But in those he had an elite ranking for marks, contested marks and forward 50m marks. He was also above average for disposals and score involvements, but below average for goals with just three.