Chat live with recruiter and list expert Gary Buckenara about your clubs’ 2017 trade period

THE 2017 trade period has just finished but already attention has turned to Tom Lynch’s potential availability next year. The Pies will want him but the Hawks will be in the mix. RECAP GARY BUCKENARA’S CHAT

Jake Stringer in his new colours. Picture: essendonfc.com.au

THE 2017 trade period has concluded on Thursday but already attention has turned to who might be available next year and there is one name on everyone’s mind — Gold Coast star Tom Lynch.

Collingwood has already been heavily linked to Lynch, who will be a restricted free agent next year, but Hawthorn will have the money and appeal to make a huge play according to recruiter and list guru Gary Buckenara.

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The Magpies haven’t made the finals since 2013 and Nathan Buckley’s team’s performance will play a huge role in its ability to attract one of the best young forwards in the game.

And that’s where the Hawks could swoop.

RECAP GARY BUCKENARA’S LIVE CHAT BELOW

“Collingwood won’t be the only club interested in Tom Lynch,” Buckenara said in a live chat with Herald Sun readers.

“Many clubs including Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton, North Melbourne, Richmond and possibly St Kilda will have money to spend a great position for Lynch, not so good for Gold Coast.

Will Tom Lynch leave the Suns next year? Picture: Michael Klein

“But Collingwood will need to make a huge offer to be successful in getting him and their on-field performance may have a big say in Lynch’s decision because from my point of view, at this stage, if I had to choose from those clubs and I wanted to play finals, then I would say Hawthorn would be in the box seat.

“And they will have plenty of money to spend.”

Buckenara said he was “surprised” the Magpies didn’t chase Josh Schache, who ended up at the Bulldogs given a key forward is one of the club’s biggest needs.

Collingwood wasn’t a heavy hitter this trade period, completing just one trade for Sydney rookie Sam Murray.

Josh Schache is now a Bulldog. Picture: Getty

“Obviously the Collingwood recruiting team did not rate Schache as a target therefore they looked elsewhere,” he said.

“But I agree, key position players are a must for Collingwood.

“A deal like that — with sending 6 to the Lions for pick 12 or even 18 — would have been good, they could have filled a need with Schache and stayed in the first round.”

Buckenara said Essendon and Carlton were the big winners during the trade period and said the Bulldogs did well despite losing Jake Stringer.

RECAP GARY BUCKENARA’S LIVE CHAT BELOW

READ GARY BUCKENARA’S LIST ANALYSIS OF YOUR CLUB BY CLICKING ON YOUR TEAM’S NAME

ADELAIDE | BRISBANE | CARLTON | COLLINGWOOD | ESSENDON | FREMANTLE | GOLD COAST | HAWTHORN | MELBOURNE | PORT ADELAIDE | WESTERN BULLDOGS

Please note: Not all clubs have been released as yet. Stay tuned for Richmond, Geelong, GWS, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Sydney and West Coast.