How every club’s best team could look in 2025 after AFL trade period, free agency
Trade period is behind us and the clear winners and losers have emerged. How will every club’s best 23 look for 2025 after the exchange period? FIND OUT HERE
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For better — or worse?
There are always winners and losers in every trade period as clubs juggle their salary caps, look to fulfil or deny trade requests and try to bolster their lists.
Player power dictates much of the movement in the current landscape and players such as Alex Neal-Bullen, Jack Lukosius, Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming got to their desired clubs during the exchange period.
We’ve examined every list after the trade period and how each team’s best 23 is likely to look for 2025.
Will your club be better or worse off? Scroll down and have your say below.
ADELAIDE
WE SAY: Toughest call here was leaving out Jordon Butts. But the Crows have Josh Worrell, Max Michalanney and Mark Keane who can provide key defensive support for Nick Murray. Matthew Nicks faces a defining call next year on whether he sticks with Rory Laird and Matt Crouch or looks to inject more speed into Adelaide’s midfield. Laird appears the more vulnerable of the pair and might need to settle into defence or even a half forward role. Berry isn’t a perfect player but showed enough late this year to be a senior regular, as did Hugh Bond. Like the versatility Bond brings as a potential backline or midfield stopper. We might have gone one defender too heavy, which left free agency arrival Isaac Cumming on a wing. But the Crows like to use Lachie Sholl as a link man and maybe Cumming will play the same role on the opposite side? A finals side on paper — time to actually deliver the top-eight finish supporters are craving.
THE BIG QUESTION — ARE LAIRD AND CROUCH STILL SENIOR REGULARS AFTER PEATLING’S ARRIVAL?
BRISBANE LIONS
WE SAY: There will be no shortage of headaches for Chris Fagan heading into Round 1 next season. Joe Daniher’s retirement is the biggest, with how to replace him set to take up most of Brisbane’s off-season planning. We’ve gone with Darcy Fort as a ruck-forward option for now, but the Lions have been linked with former Gold Coast Sun Sam Day for depth too. Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner, Tom Doedee and Kalin Lane suffered ACL injuries this year, with four of those jostling for spots in the best 23. Then there’s potential No. 1 draft pick Levi Ashcroft and likely first-round pick and academy star Sam Marshall walking through the doors as well. An embarrassment of riches for the Lions to pick from — but replacing Daniher’s goals will be a huge challenge.
THE BIG QUESTION — CAN BRANDON RYAN OR DARCY FORT REPLACE JOE DANIHER?
CARLTON
WE SAY: Free agency arrival Nick Haynes slots straight into the defence to bring additional height to a defence which badly needs it. The Blues pulled out of the race for Dan Houston during the trade period and will instead go to the draft with pick three after sending picks 12 and 14 to West Coast. The Blues will get a star at pick 3, but there’s no real need for Michael Voss and his coaching team to rush them — especially with the likelihood it’s a midfielder. Carlton badly needs one of Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin to take the next step after sending Matt Owies to the Eagles.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHAT HAPPENS IF JACOB WEITERING GOES DOWN?
COLLINGWOOD
WE SAY: Hard to see many of the kids who got a chance in 2024 featuring regularly if Collingwood isn’t hit by the injury curse again. Tom Mitchell is nearing the end but still warrants a place in the best 23 and Billy Frampton needs to play to support Darcy Moore in defence. The Pies lost Joe Richards to Port Adelaide, but they have an abundance of small forwards anyway. Harry Perryman is set to play as a fulltime midfielder, which should allow Jordan De Goey to spend more time forward and take pressure off his body after he struggled with injuries in 2024. The move to send Josh Daicos to halfback worked but after landing Dan Houston in the trade period, he’s surely heading back to the wing.
THE BIG QUESTION — WILL HARRY PERRYMAN LIVE UP TO THE HYPE AS A FULLTIME MIDFIELDER?
ESSENDON
WE SAY:No new arrivals at The Hangar at only Jake Stringer has headed out after his last-gasp trade to GWS. But still, the Bombers’ line-up is set for a shake-up as Brad Scott draws on the club’s impressive youth. Saad El-Hawli likely would have debuted this year had it not been for an injury which derailed his impressive VFL campaign. Archie Roberts slots straight into the backline role vacated by Dyson Heppell and draftee Isaac Kako — the great hope to finally deliver the Bombers an electric small forward — should play from round 1. If the backline is at full strength, Nic Martin can be released at half-forward or on a wing.
THE BIG QUESTION — DOES BRAD SCOTT TRUST THE KIDS YET?
FREMANTLE
WE SAY: Shai Bolton will step straight into a mid-forward role after arriving from Richmond. The Dockers have impressive depth, with senior regulars from recent seasons such as James Aish, Jaeger O’Meara and Michael Walters likely to spend plenty of time in the WAFL. Neil Erasmus had an impressive WAFL finals series but it’s likely to come down to him or Nat Fyfe at selection in 2025. Erasmus will get his chance, but Dockers champion Fyfe is still likely to edge him out of the Dockers’ best side.
THE BIG QUESTION — IS NAT FYFE STILL IN THE BEST SIDE?
GEELONG
WE SAY: The Cotton On kid Bailey Smith will step straight into the Cats midfield in round 1. Geelong wants to play Smith as an inside midfielder and have him partner Tanner Bruhn and Max Holmes long-term. Cam Guthrie and Sam De Koning are the other inclusions who didn’t feature in the preliminary final at the expense of Jed Bews, Mitch Duncan and Oisin Mullin. Bews and Duncan are more likely to be depth players in 2025. Delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin has been linked but is unlikely to push past Henry, Close, Mannagh or Miers for a forward spot. Geelong looks well placed to mount another challenge and has expertly integrated players 25 and under into its team to shore up its future as well. Eight players selected above fit into that category.
THE BIG QUESTION — WILL A MIDFIELD LOGJAM FORCE TOM STEWART BACK TO DEFENCE?
GOLD COAST
WE SAY: The Suns simply must play finals for the first time in 2025 — anything less will be a huge disappointment in their second year under Damien Hardwick. Richmond’s best-and-fairest Daniel Rioli will reunite with his former coach Hardwick, while Collingwood dasher John Noble has also headed north. The Suns have lost Jack Lukoius, but he became a bit-part player in the latter part of 2024 anyway. The fascination will be where Hardwick uses Mac Andrew after he signed a mega deal to commit to the Suns. Andrew looked brilliant as a forward, but is Gold Coast better served with him in defence? Expect academy star Leo Lombard to feature early in his debut campaign.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHICH END DOES MAC ANDREW SETTLE AT?
GWS GIANTS
WE SAY: Harry Perryman has headed to Collingwood. Isaac Cumming to Adelaide. And James Peatling is also a Crow. The Giants will look very different in 2025. GWS’ big acquisition during the trade period was Essendon forward Jake Stringer. Despite all the outs, this still has the making of a team which should contend for the top-four again after throwing away an opportunity for its maiden premiership this year. Exciting talents such as Joe Fonti, Leek Aleer and James Leake could be set for more opportunities.
THE BIG QUESTION — CAN THEY MAKE ALEER A REGULAR AND WARD OFF RIVAL INTEREST?
HAWTHORN
WE SAY: This is an extraordinarily difficult team to pick — and no-one will envy the Hawks’ match committee come Round 1 next year. Sam Frost makes way for Tom Barrass and Josh Battle arrives as a free agent, allowing Sam Mitchell the flexibility to use Blake Hardwick as a forward and add another weapon to the Hawks’ arsenal of small forwards. Mitchell will have the luxury of being able to swing the magnets and have James Sicily at one end and Hardwick at the other depending on opposition, while Josh Weddle could be pushed to the wing to aid the defensive squeeze. Changkuoth Jiath is another who would be in the mix if his body allows him to complete a full pre-season. Mitch Lewis should get the nod over veteran Jack Gunston when he returns from an ACL injury.
THE BIG QUESTION — HOW MUCH TIME DO SICILY AND HARDWICK SPEND FORWARD?
MELBOURNE
WE SAY: The Demons will be keen to bounce back quickly after a 2024 season where everything that could go wrong, did. But, they will need to do so with the spectre of culture and player satisfaction issues still hanging over the club’s head. The time has arrived for first-round draftee Matthew Jefferson to stamp himself as a target up forward. Harry Sharp should come straight into the team after being stuck on the fringes at Brisbane. A better team than Melbourne’s final ladder position this year suggested, but one with huge question marks too.
THE BIG QUESTION — CAN MATTHEW JEFFERSON ARRIVE AS A FOCAL POINT?
NORTH MELBOURNE
WE SAY: Is this a team that North Melbourne fans can finally get excited about? Luke Parker and Jack Darling bring valuable experience to the front half, while Caleb Daniel will add class and precision by foot at the oppposite end. Jacob Konstanty should get an opportunity to stamp himself as a pressure forward after being thrown into the Parker deal. Daniel’s arrival pushes Zac Fisher to the fringes, while stalwart Jy Simpkin could come under pressure from a batch of emerging midfielders.
THE BIG QUESTION — DOES LUKE MCDONALD STILL HAVE SPOT IN THE BEST 23?
PORT ADELAIDE
WE SAY: Not sure Port Adelaide wants Ollie Lord or Mitch Georgiades playing as a second ruck, so we snuck Jeremy Finlayson in for flexibility. Jack Lukosius will bring a different element to a forward line that looks exciting if Georgiades and Lord stay fit. The big question mark in attack is whether Todd Marshall will play on after being hampered by concussion issues. Where does Esava Ratugolea fit? Port conceded an average of 53 points in the last month of the home-and-away season when he was playing forward. Not completely sold he’s going to start next year in the best side. The top 10-15 is as strong as any team but depth remains a problem for Ken Hinkley’s side.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHERE DOES ESAVA RATUGOLEA FIT IN?
RICHMOND
WE SAY: The Tigers will have a minimum of seven changes (and likely eight) from their round 1 team this year, with Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes, Sam Naismith and Marlion Pickett retired and Dan Rioli, Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham moving on during the exchange period. We also didn’t consider Mykelti Lefau, Tylar Young or Judson Clarke, who are recovering from knee injuries. At least the No.9 draftee from 2021, Josh Gibcus, will be back. Hopefully he’ll get a slice of luck next year. Adem Yze will have no choice but to play the kids and there will be a host of new faces arriving very early in the national draft. Tom Lynch needs to stay upright to hold the forward line together after Jacob Koschitzke booted 12 goals in 14 games in his first season at Punt Road, while Noah Balta will likely have to play forward again after signing his mega deal. It wouldn’t surprise if Richmond throws a lifeline to a bargain free agent or two given the long list of departures and concerningly long list of experienced outs.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHERE DOES NOAH BALTA PLAY?
ST KILDA
WE SAY: Losing Josh Battle to Hawthorn will be a major blow to the Saints’ key defensive stocks after he finished third in the club’s best-and-fairest count. Ivan Soldo’s trade to Moorabbin fell through, but they landed Jack Macrae as an experienced midfield addition. Macrae will deliver an injection of class and experience to a largely one-paced midfield and will have a point to prove to Luke Beveridge — but it’s worth remembering he will be 31 come round 1. There is still a serious shortage of A-graders on the Saints’ list outside Rowan Marshall, but Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Matteas Phillipou, Mitch Owens and Darcy Wilson form a strong core of talented youngsters Ross Lyon’s next generation can be built around. Tackle machine Hugo Garcia showed enough to suggest he should also become a regular in 2025.
THE BIG QUESTION — IS TAKING ROWAN MARSHALL OUT OF THE RUCK GOING TO WORK?
SYDNEY
WE SAY: Recency bias says the Swans need a major shake-up to challenge again next year. But outside their horrible Grand Final performance and a mid-season lull, they were the best team for much of 2024. Regaining Callum Mills after injury wrecked his season will be a huge boost, but issues remain in attack. Sydney’s tall trio came under attack for a goalless Grand Final effort, but the Swans want to back Hayden McLean, Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald as their pillars. McLean in particular is important to provide ruck support for Brodie Grundy, who shouldered a huge load in his first year in the Harbour City. Braeden Campbell and Robbie Fox have a chance to become regulars again after being on the fringes — or used as sub — for much of 2024.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHERE CAN THE SWANS GET THE MOST FROM CALLUM MILLS?
WESTERN BULLDOGS
WE SAY: Predicting what Luke Beveridge is going to do is never a simple exercise. So instead, we’ve gone with what we think the best 23 looks like. Caleb Daniel, Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith have moved on, with the Dogs’ midfield depth taking a hit. Former Blue Matt Kennedy’s arrival will help offset their departures somewhat. Buku Khamis and Alex Keath appear to be down the defensive pecking order behind Lobb, Jones and O’Donnell. Joel Freijah showed huge promise and should become a regular. Ditto top draftee Ryley Sanders, who is too good to be playing VFL most weeks. The Dogs love to look in the state league bargain bin — could VFL best-and-fairest Cooper Craig-Peters be the next Footscray player to graduate to the AFL list?
THE BIG QUESTION — WILL THE DOGS MIDFIELD DEPTH BE STRETCHED?
WEST COAST
WE SAY: Welcome to the ‘Mini’ McQualter era. Jack Graham, Matt Owies and Liam Baker go straight into the Eagles side after crossing the Nullabor during the trade period. Matt Flynn has an opportunity to stamp himself as the No.1 ruckman, which would give McQualter more fleixibility with how he uses Bailey Williams. Tom Barrass leaves a big void in defence, but Harry Edwards has long been groomed as a successor for Barrass and Jeremy McGovern. Elijah Hewett will be a regular if he’s over his foot issues, while mid-season drafte Jack Hutchinson showed late in the season he’s capable of transitioning from the forward line to midfield or a wing.
THE BIG QUESTION — WHERE DOES MR VERSATILE LIAM BAKER FIT IN?
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