AFL 2022: All the key trade period and free agency players rated
It is going to be one of the biggest trade periods in AFL history. But is your club getting value for money? See how the top targets really stack up.
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Port Adelaide would be getting one of the best midfielder/forwards in the game if they can lure Josh Dunkley to South Australia, while soon-to-be Richmond recruit Tim Taranto is elite for disposals and tackles.
The action’s hot on the field as the finals move into their second week, but it’s blazing off it as teams gear up for the trade and free agency periods.
With stats from Champion Data from the regular season, we look at the top trade targets and what their potential new clubs are going to get.
Which players have hit the elite brackets? And which of the players potentially on the move need to lift if they are to find a new home?
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ELITE
Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs)
Age: 25
Out of contract, midfield/forward
The Power and Brisbane are right in the mix for the gun Bulldog, with Luke Beveridge saying the club is desperate to re-sign Dunkley. His suitors believe that there is a strong chance that Dunkley will look for a fresh start elsewhere. Whoever Dunkley chooses will get one of the games best midfield/forward players after his 2022.
Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
Age: 26
Out of contract, midfield/forward
Was in incredible form in the qualifying final loss to Geelong, to further press his case of getting a new deal at the Pies. St Kilda and now Essendon are pursuing De Goey, who is continuing to improve in his midfield/forward role and could be the matchwinner they need.
Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
Age: 22
Out of contract, small forward
Wants to go to the Crows, and there has been a lot of debate around whether Rankine is worth the big-money contract that has been banded around. His forward 50 groundball gets are first for small forwards and his score assists and score involvements per game are sixth but critics will point to his disposals at 20th and goals at 13th to suggest the Crows might be overpaying for the soon to be ex-Gold Coast Sun. But Rankine is rated as elite based off the AFL Player Ratings for his position, which will no doubt have Crows fans ecstatic.
NOT CLASSIFIED
*DIDN’T PLAY ENOUGH GAMES
Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
Age: 28
Signed to 2027, ruck
While the potential fit with Melbourne does seem a little bit strange, with captain Max Gawn already at the Demons, Grundy’s stats suggest that prior to his season ending injuries he was getting back to his best. From Rounds 1 to 6, he was elite in rucks for contested possessions, clearances and centre clearances. Collingwood is willing to pay some of his big salary, and if Grundy can continue to get back to his best it could be a steal.
Jacob Hopper (GWS)
Age: 25
Signed to 2023, midfielder
Still has a year to go on his contract at the Giants but is expected to join Geelong. Was out for a fair chunk of time this year with multiple knee injuries and didn’t set the world on fire in his final six games of the season.
ABOVE AVERAGE
Tim Taranto (GWS)
Age: 24
Out of contract, midfield/forward
Is about to sign with Richmond on a huge seven-year deal. The length of the deal the Tigers are offering the 24-year-old has been questioned, but Richmond will be getting a player ranked elite for disposals and tackles in the midfield/forward category.
Karl Amon (Port Adelaide)
Age: 27
Out of contract, wing
Will exercise his free agency rights to join Hawthorn. While his kicking at times can be a bit wayward the Hawks are going to get one of the better wingmen in the competition with Amon’s 2022 ranking him extremely high. He is first for uncontested possessions, metres gained, inside 50s and score involvements among wingmen in the competition.
Cam Zurhaar (North Melbourne)
Age: 24
Out of contract, general forward
Is set to recommit to the Roos in what will be a big tick for incoming coach Alastair Clarkson. Is elite in a couple of categories as a general forward and above average in two more, which the Roos will be looking for him to improve on.
Rory Lobb (Fremantle)
Age: 29
Signed to 2023, key forward
Wants to move to the east coast, the Western Bulldogs are interested in Lobb to provide them with a pinch-hitter for Tim English as well as some height in their forward line. When he is on Lobb is on but consistency has been an issue for him.
Bradley Hill (St Kilda)
Age: 29
Signed to 2025, defender
Clarkson could be interested in again working with his former Hawthorn player in Hill. Hasn’t had the impact that the Saints thought he would when they got him from Fremantle and gave him a big deal. But he can still play some good footy, even though some of his key stats are on the decline.
AVERAGE
Dan McStay (Brisbane)
Age: 27
Out of contract, key forward
Is set to go to Collingwood, where he would be the Magpies key forward. McStay has played a bit of a selfless role at times for the Lions, which can explain his stats. But if the Magpies are willing to give him a five-year deal then they will be looking for his goals to improve significantly.
Luke Jackson (Melbourne)
Age: 20
Out of contract, ruck
Is set to declare his intention of returning to Western Australia to play for Fremantle. One of the most exciting prospects in the game, Jackson has made some nice improvement in 2022 but the hitout to advantage rate decline is interesting.
BELOW AVERAGE
Matt Crouch (Adelaide)
Age: 27
Signed to 2023, midfielder
Dropped three times by the Crows this year, Crouch could look for a move away from Adelaide but is there interest from rival clubs. He is elite when it comes to uncontested possessions, while his disposals are above average as he continued to get a lot of the footy at AFL level. But his metres gained is below average and his clearances are average.
Tanner Bruhn (GWS)
Age: 20
Out of contract, midfield-forward
The 12th pick of the 2020 draft is set to return to Victoria with Geelong and now North Melbourne interested in him. Bruhn hasn’t shone in Sydney, but the Cats and Roos will be banking on the talent that is there.
Bobby Hill (GWS)
Age: 22
Out of contract, small forward
Set for a move to Collingwood after a failed attempt last year. His stats don’t exactly fly off the page, but he has been battling testicular cancer.
Toby Bedford (Melbourne)
Age: 22
Out of contract, small forward
Has been the Demons medical sub on a lot of occasions this season. May look for more opportunity at another club and could be a solid small forward for another club, but not much should be expected.
Originally published as AFL 2022: All the key trade period and free agency players rated
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