Trades Unplugged: SuperFooty trade experts look at where the big names will be playing next season
Sam Jacobs, Paddy Ryder, Zac Smith, Todd Goldstein and more. There’s going to be a host of ruckmen up for grabs this off-season. Where will they end up? TRADES UNPLUGGED
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It is shaping up as another massive off-season for player movement.
In anticipation, our trade experts Sam Edmund, Jon Ralph and Jay Clark have worked the phones to deliver you the latest news on where all the big names are at.
Geelong has an interest in Todd Goldstein.
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Goldstein is still yet to sign a new contract at North Melbourne and has been weighing up his future for several months.
St Kilda made an approach earlier this year with an attractive three-year deal before the emergence of impressive youngster Rowan Marshall saw the Saints abort.
But the Cats have come calling as they look to solve their longstanding ruck issues.
With big men Rhys Stanley, Esava Ratugolea, Darcy Fort and Ryan Abbott all tied down, the uncontracted Zac Smith could move, with St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs making contact.
Now resigned to losing Tim Kelly, the Cats have been busy behind the scenes, with Shaun Higgins and Jack Steven also approached.
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BEN KING
Gold Coast prodigy Ben King will reject advances from St Kilda this trade period and remain at the Suns for next season.
The Saints have brought forward their strong interest in King, 19, as part of a bold plan to slot him alongside his twin brother Max for 2020.
The club even tweeted only minutes after the Suns took Ben King at pick No. 6 on the night of last year’s draft “Ben, if you ever want to come home” alongside a winking emoji.
The heist would take some major manoeuvring as the Saints only have one pick (No. 5) inside the first 50 selections of this year’s draft.
But Ben King’s manager Robbie D’Orazio said the gun big man would certainly honour his contract at the Suns and play up north next season.
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TODD GOLDSTEIN
“Ben King will play at Gold Coast next year,” D’Orazio said.
It means the Saints will aggressively renew their interest in Ben King next season if the talented big man holds off on signing a contract extension early next year.
The Suns are desperate for him to re-sign.
The 202cm Ben King had an excellent first season with the Suns this year, slotting 17 goals across 14 games in a key forward role.
BRAD HILL
Overseas on holidays, safe in the knowledge he will get to his destination of choice in St Kilda.
TOM CUTLER
Could be on the move in search of more opportunity after playing only three games with the Lions so far this season. Athletic and versatile, the Lions face a fight to keep Cutler. Carlton and Collingwood sniffing around.
LEWIS TAYLOR
Another Lion who has found it difficult to secure a permanent berth in the senior side. Out of contract at season’s end and weighing up options.
ADAM TOMLINSON
The Stephen Coniglio signing, basically chewing up $7 million over the next seven years, hurts the Giants’ ability to make a deal to keep him at the club.
JACK MARTIN
Flew in to Melbourne at the start of the week for a series of talks with clubs. Met with Carlton chiefs on Tuesday and also due to sit down with the Western Bulldogs.
JOE DANIHER
Dismissed speculation again that he could move to Sydney, but also stopped short of guaranteeing he would remain with Essendon. Watch this space.
OLLIE WINES
Real longshot stuff as the contracted co-captain of the Power.
However, rumours persist of a potential move.
Would he have contacted a former teammate at a rival club to ask him what it’s like there?
TOM PAPLEY
Going to be very hard for the Blues to prise him out of his long-term deal at the Swans. Carlton would love him and the small forward has an interest in coming home but it’s hard to see how this deal gets done.
SHAUN BURGOYNE
Will fly north to tour the Gold Coast facilities this week as he continues to weigh up his future. Going to be hard to knock back a superior three-year offer from the Suns. Likely to head north.
JOSH BRUCE
Contracted for next season at St Kilda but appears to be on shaky ground as Max King zeros in on a Round 1 berth for next season. Clearly, he’s gettable, and the Dogs are monitoring the situation.
HUGH GREENWOOD
Headed to the US on holiday and will return in early October.
Talks on his future not expected to pick up until after the club’s reviews are completed.
His preference is to stay, but whether a besieged Adelaide pony up with the four-year deal he wants is another matter.
PADDY RYDER
Seems almost certain to join St Kilda on a two-year deal. Essendon has put out the welcome mat, but a fresh start at Moorabbin is more likely than an emotional return to Tullamarine.
JACK STEVEN
Everything you hear is Geelong, Geelong, Geelong. Second round pick could get the deal done.
ED LANGDON
In the process of meeting clubs. All signs point to Melbourne but the Demons are adamant no in-principle agreement has been reached.
ALEX KEATH
This year’s Scott Lycett, likely to get a deal of at least three years after one magnificent season. Lycett cashed in on his free agency status and Keath will get three or more years at St Kilda or even the Bulldogs after 49 intercept marks in 18 games.
ZAC SMITH
Unlikely to be at Geelong next year given his club’s interest in Todd Goldstein and the fact fellow Cats ruckmen Rhys Stanley, Esava Ratugolea, Darcy Fort and Ryan Abbott are all contracted.
Zac looks like being left without a chair when the music stops, but the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda have shown some interest.
WYLIE BUZZA
Played nine games at Geelong, but none this year.
Out of contract and out of favour. Will look for a new home.
BRAD CROUCH
Pushing for a five-year deal at Adelaide.
Has been the subject of widespread rival interest for months, with virtually every club having asked the question.
Contracted for next season, but a restricted free agent at the end of 2020, this is the last time the Crows can get something for him in a trade, but his preference is to stay.
ISAAC SMITH
Not being actively shopped around but Gold Coast has knocked on the door and remain interested in the veteran Hawk. It would take an attractive three-year deal but Smith remains a realistic target for the Suns.
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ALLEN CHRISTENSEN
Happy at the Brisbane Lions where talks have just started on a new deal.
ZAK JONES
Has jetted out on a New Zealand holiday with his brothers as he continues to wrestle with whether to stay at the Swans or move back to Melbourne.
Linked with St Kilda, but the 24-year-old is yet to meet with potential suitors.
JON PATTON
Locked in at Hawthorn for next season where he will partner Mitch Lewis in a key forward role. GWS could look for a third or fourth-round draft pick in return. Expected to be a two-year deal.
SAM JACOBS
GWS has strong interest in the Adelaide ruckman after missing out on Paddy Ryder. Should be a straightforward two year deal. Crows won’t get much in return.
DALE THOMAS
Despite his strong finish to the season, Thomas seems genuinely happy in retirement and happy to go quietly into the night. Would take a shock offer to turn him around.
DOUGAL HOWARD
Port Adelaide are determined to keep the 23-year-old and play him as a pure forward next year but are aware of Victorian clubs sniffing around him. Finished in the SANFL but they see him as a star of the future.
BRANDON ELLIS
Carlton pulled the rug out from under him after a season of chasing the free agent hard. The Ellis camp feels let down by Carlton’s process, but other suitors have emerged including Gold Coast. Hawthorn has missed out on Stephen Coniglio. Would they be interested given Jarman Impey’s ACL recovery and their free cap space.
EDDIE BETTS
Popped his head into Melbourne Football Club but it was a friendly catch-up with a mate rather than a serious meeting about next year. Contracted to the Crows and long odds to return to Carlton.
KARL AMON
His manager Liam Pickering had hinted all signs pointed to Amon re-signing at the Power and a new deal was confirmed on Wednesday.
SAM GRAY
Carlton keen on the Port Adelaide goalsneak, who has kicked 20, 21 and 28 goals in his past three seasons. That’s more than any Blues small forward this year. They have missed on Stephen Coniglio and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Sydney are playing hard ball on Tom Papley. Might be a nice fallback option.
SAM POWELL-PEPPER
Everyone now on the same page that he will stay at Port Adelaide despite trade speculation, having played 57 games in three years. The Power are desperate to keep him and despite links to a return home to Perth he will stay put.
BRYCE GIBBS
His last month of footy has seemingly saved his career at Adelaide, with Gibbs set to stay at the club despite being dropped three times this year. He has always been keen to stay, reasoning many players have stints in second-tier competitions before finding their niche again.
Has two years on his contract, and ramped up his tackling and contested work in his final month back in the team.
BACHAR HOULI
The Tigers have lodged an offer with Houli, who was understandably miffed to have little security despite a year in which he has just been awarded All Australian status.
Most likely will only sign a one-year deal, but the likes of Kade Simpson have survived well into his playing career signing single-season deals.
MARLION PICKETT
Has a one-year deal in front of him with the Tigers on set terms as a rookie. Has moved his family over in the past fortnight and will stay in Melbourne over summer. Tigers couldn’t be more impressed with his attitude and professionalism.
SHAI BOLTON
Expected to stay at Richmond despite offers from rival clubs including West Coast. Since joining the Ralph Carr stable, brought in by Dustin Martin, has redoubled his efforts and got himself fit. Loves the Tigers so not keen to leave.
RORY LAIRD
Thrown up by ex-Crow Andrew Jarman as a player clubs are chasing but more than happy as an Adelaide boy to play out his career at the Crows and why would they shop their little defensive star? Not going anywhere.