AFL Trades 2022: Follow all the moves on day two of the exchange period
With the Daniel McStay free agency deal done, Collingwood can turn its attention to trades — and it has plenty to get sorted. Find out where the key deals are at after Tuesday.
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Collingwood has scored a new weapon for coach Craig McRae, with former Lion Daniel McStay’s signing as an unrestricted free agent.
McStay returns to Victoria after nine years and 161 games for Brisbane to give the Magpies the extra marking target McRae craved all season.
The 195cm forward crosses to the black and white on a lucrative five-year deal that was public knowledge months ago but only official on Tuesday.
The Lions will receive a second-round compensation pick, which is currently No. 35.
“I thank the Brisbane Lions for the past nine years – for those who have nurtured me during my early years and moulded me into the footballer I am today,” McStay said.
“Melbourne is my home, but Brisbane will always hold a special place in my heart.
“Together, my partner and I, decided to move back home to Melbourne and I am so pleased to come to an agreement with Collingwood. It is where I want to be for the remainder of my football career.”
McStay, 27, could replace Mason Cox in serving also as Collingwood’s relief ruckman for No. 1 big man Darcy Cameron, with Brodie Grundy to cross to Melbourne in the coming days.
SCROLL DOWN TO REPLAY OUR LIVE CHAT AND RECAP ALL OF TUEDAY’S BIG DEALS
McStay has never kicked more than 28 goals in a single season but will help ease the aerial reliance on Brody Mihocek, who booted a career-high 41 this year.
The Pies also secured small forward Bobby Hill in a trade from the Giants on Monday for what amounted to a future second-round pick as they prepare to overhaul their attack.
They join a forward mix that includes Mihocek, Jamie Elliott, Jack Ginnivan, Beau McCreery, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Ash Johnson – plus Ollie Henry, if a trade doesn’t occur with Geelong.
Collingwood’s head of football Graham Wright said McStay’s positional versatility was a big part of his appeal.
TRADE TRACKER: FOLLOW EVERY DEAL, DELISTING HERE
“We needed key position help, so that was the reason to go after Dan,” Wright said.
“He’s able to play as a key forward but he can also go back and pitch in, in the ruck.
“That was the reason; that he can play multiple positions and is a free agent, so from that perspective it was attractive and we’re pleased that Dan has made the decision to come across.”
The Magpies are amid a hectic trade period that will also see them secure Adelaide key defender Billy Frampton, while they could also broker deals for Tom Mitchell, Brayden Fiorini and Sam Hayes.
DOCKERS, ROOS AGREE ON DEAL
North Melbourne is expected to land Dockers pair Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker on Wednesday.
Fremantle will send out-of-contract swingman Logue, Tucker and a future third-round selection to North in return for future second, third and fourth-round picks.
The deal was agreed on Tuesday with paperwork to be lodged on Wednesday.
The league granted the first two of those selections to the Roos in mid-September, enabling them to effectively score Logue and Tucker for free.
The AFL is yet to announce the deal officially but News Corp has confirmed the trade details.
Logue is an elite stopper who has a miserly record on some of the best forward in the game and also played this year as a defensive forward when squeezed out of the Dockers backline.
News Corp revealed in April when Logue was dropped that multiple Melbourne clubs were clamouring for his services amid a delay in him receiving a new contract.
He eventually received a $340,000 offer which was then lifted to $500,000 a season later in the year but he decided to move to the Roos for a long-term deal.
Despite reports he could earn up to $800,000 with the Roos that figure has been fiercely denied, with Logue desperate to play key back in a developing team.
He was determined to play under Alastair Clarkson and while that is now uncertain he and Ben McKay will form one of the strongest key back pairings in the competition.
Tucker is keen for more opportunity and, while he has played on a flank at Fremantle, the Roos believe he has the capacity to play as an inside mid.
The 25-year-old was a No. 27 draft pick and helps the Roos age profile as they seek to mature their list after the past season in which they won only two games.
DONE DEAL: JONES RETURNS TO DOGS
Liam Jones’ unlikely homecoming is complete.
The 31-year-old returns to the Western Bulldogs eight years after the last of his 66 games for the club, agreeing to a three-year deal as an unrestricted free agent.
Jones was a talented but erratic forward in his previous life as a Bulldog – kicking 68 goals – but this time will be a key addition down the other end, where he resurrected his career for Carlton in 2017 before stepping away from the AFL after refusing to abide by the league’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate.
“I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to play at the highest level again,” Jones said.
“This club gave me a chance all those years ago and I’m excited by the prospect of returning and helping this group continue to strive for success.
“Having started my career at the club, I feel a sense of belonging in the red, white and blue and can’t wait to meet all the players and staff over the coming weeks.
“I learnt plenty from my time at Carlton and hopefully I can bring some of that knowledge and experience over to the Dogs to help support the great players in our back half.”
Dogs list boss Sam Power said they targeted Jones to bolster their defensive stocks but also for his experience.
“Not only what Liam can bring on-field to our defensive stocks but also the maturity and experience he can bring to our group which is still relatively quite young.”
The AFL’s softening of it’s vaccine stance in July, in line with government guidelines, swung open the door for Jones to play again at the highest level, after he spent much of the year playing for QAFL team Palm Beach Currumbin.
The Blues opted not to pursue him, after he played 95 matches there across seven seasons, but lobbied the league for compensation, which led to him being classified as an unrestricted free agent.
They received a third-round compensation pick for ‘losing’ Jones that currently sits at No. 49.
DONE DEAL: DEES, PORT COMPLETE PICK SWAP
Melbourne and Port Adelaide have completed a pick swap.
Melbourne sends picks 33, 43 and 53 to the Power in return for pick 27.
DONE DEAL: ACRES OFFICIALLY A BLUE
Carlton has secured one of the steals of the trade period, with Fremantle wingman Blake Acres admitting his modest Dockers contract offer played a key role in him moving back to Victoria.
The Dockers were handed only a future third-round selection by the Blues as Michael Voss secured one of the most in-form wingers in football on Tuesday.
The Herald Sun revealed in September Acres was certain to join the Blues on a three-year deal of around $1 million after failing to come to terms on a deal with the Dockers.
The former St Kilda wingman was offered only $180,000 as a base plus incentives and $5000 per match but was instead offered double that figure in guaranteed money by Carlton.
He will be an immediate upgrade for the delisted Jack Newnes as a hard-charging, intercept-marking wingman who plays in the modern style.
On Tuesday he said he was thrilled to head back to Victoria given he had enjoyed his time at St Kilda and his partner was from the state.
But amid criticism of the Dockers’ modest return he said they couldn’t ask for more given their contract offer for him.
“I am copping a bit on socials but for what the club offered me it was around the mark. I don’t see how I could be worth much more if that is the contract I was being offered,” he said.
“I had a few conversations with Vossy and Nick Austin a few weeks out at the back end of the season because obviously contract talks weren’t going the way I would like at Fremantle.
“It was just to see what was out there and if there were any other potential good fits. I felt like it was a really good fit and my partner is from Victoria. I am pumped to be on board and stoked to get it done really early so I am keen to move back to Melbourne and get to work.
“With how (Carlton) started the season I suppose Freo was pretty similar to them. The difference was Fremantle was able to keep their continuity in the season and Carlton missed that and had a few injuries so they lacked a bit there but it’s a great experience for the group.
“Hopefully I can add to that. Their best is clearly good enough and hopefully I can add a bit and we can look to finals next season.”
Acres showed his courage in the finals loss over Collingwood by battling a knee injury but still winning 27 possessions despite time off the ground having his injury assessed.
Acres said the Fremantle culture was outstanding and the list of players seeking trades only due to them wanting increased opportunities or better contracts.
And he made a plea for the Dockers to release his good mate Rory Lobb to the Western Bulldogs.
“The conversations he had with them, I feel like he was really ready to move and I suppose he thought Fremantle were on the same page as him, that he would be traded to Victoria.
“He has the house and his partner is living there. I hope for his sake he gets the trade done. I know he is desperate to get to Victoria. I feel for the guy, but he is contracted.”
The Dockers believe they have players who can fill Acres’ position and are keen to secure Gold Coast’s Jeremy Sharp to play that position.
But the Suns have made clear they would only accept a compelling offer for the contracted Sharp, who could be packaged up in a deal with Suns tall Josh Corbett.
UPDATE: HOW CLOSE IS WALLA COMEBACK?
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s manager says his personal circumstances have changed to put him in a better head space and physical condition to make a return to football.
The former Essendon player is considering a comeback to the AFL after walking away from the game in May after several periods of personal leave.
The former Essendon star has family in West Australia and met Dockers coach Justin Longmuir informally two weeks ago in the state.
Essendon also has some interest in him returning, but both clubs would want him to prove he was ready for the rigours of a full AFL season.
Given he retired this year he is still tied to Essendon and would need to go through the draft to be secured by Fremantle in a development that makes his decision more complicated.
But his manager Scott Lucas told SEN Radio he didn’t think the Dons would stand in his way if he could find a new role at the Dockers.
Essendon is about to secure Alwyn Davey’s sons Alwyn Jr and Jayden as father-son prospects in this year’s draft and is also excited about the emergence of Gavin Wanganeen’s son Tex as a goalsneak.
Lucas said new Essendon coach Brad Scott might be keen to meet with McDonald-Tipungwuti to assess his suitability.
“Physically, exactly where is he? How is his wellbeing and mental health, which is a question asked of all players? He is in a much better headspace and the question is physically where if he is up to if he does come back to have a physical impact? They are the relevant questions that will be answered as time goes on.
“Essendon had a conversation a little while ago, saying if you are up for it and keen again and things change we would certainly look at it.
“The fact he is still on Essendon’s list means its an easier path in terms of the logistics around it. But he has had a chat with Freo and he has family in WA. It is possibly of more interest but the path is more difficult around AFl rules with delisting and draft. There is a fair bit to play out in that regard.”
SWANS SET TO SECURE AARON FRANCIS
Sydney’s success resuscitating the fortunes of former No. 1 overall pick Paddy McCartin will see them attempt a similar feat with top 10 pick Aaron Francis.
Francis has chosen the Swans as his trade destination despite some modest interest from clubs including Port Adelaide.
The Dons will be happy to broker a trade, likely involving a late pick, for a player drafted at pick six in the 2015 national draft.
Francis has always been a strong intercept marking defender but this year played only four senior games kicking four goals as a forward.
As a swingman he has versatility but has managed only 54 senior games in his seven seasons.
Sydney was caught out for lack of marking power in the Grand Final and also threw Paddy McCartin forward in desperation late in the heavy loss to Geelong.
Francis would need to get into elite shape to give him the best chance at winning a regular spot but as a risk-free acquisition with some upside it is a clever trade for the Swans.
SAINTS’ PLAN B AFTER MISSING DE GOEY
St Kilda needs more “guns of the competition” and wants to stockpile prized draft picks after narrowly missing out on the hottest free agent in Jordan De Goey.
The Saints were told at 9pm last Thursday night they had missed out on the Collingwood superstar, who announced on Friday he had signed a five-year deal to stay at the Pies.
They are searching for tall players in the trade period but do not expect to lose contracted midfielder Hunter Clark and are set to heavily invest in the draft.
List boss James Gallagher said the Saints were short on A-graders and the ongoing football review, led by ex-North Melbourne coach David Noble, was helping shape their strategy.
“We’ve got some emerging guns of the competition, we’ve got one or two that are there at the moment, but we need more,” Gallagher said on Monday.
“Hence the really strong interest in De Goey. Typically your gun midfielders, your champion and your star midfielders, come in the first four, five, six picks of the draft.
“So we need to find a way to bring one or two of them in over the next couple of years.”
The Saints hold picks No. 9, 28 and 46 in this year’s draft. Last year they drafted Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager in what appeared a solid haul.
They were “all in” on De Goey, which has opened up salary cap space.
“We certainly gave him plenty to think about, it was pretty close at the end of the day,” Gallagher said.
“For a player like that you need to be all-in. We were and we make no apologies about that, we thought he could have a significant impact for us on-field.
“We’d love to bring in two or three more kids at the pointy end of the draft to play with Naz (Wanganeen-Milera), Mitch and Marcus, plus our other young talent, for a number of years.”
Gallagher spoke to Clark, who is in Europe, last week and was confident he would stay despite interest from North Melbourne.
He said the Saints were “hoping to squeeze the absolute best out of Hunter in 2023 and beyond”.
Bradley Hill is also set to stay despite his inconsistent form, which Gallagher said several Saints had been guilty of.
“We need another tall we think. We’ve lost Paddy (Ryder) to retirement and Darragh Joyce as well,” he said.
“We’ve got some emerging talls there, but a bit of support at either end I think is pretty important for us.
“We’ve got a good group of talls that we’re really confident in, but we’re just a bit skinny I reckon.
“That’s one area I think we can improve.”
Ben Long will be traded to play as a defender for Gold Coast Suns while Gallagher confirmed the Saints wanted a senior figure to steer the football department.
Geoff Walsh has been strongly linked to that role.
“It’s a challenging period of time (with the ongoing review),” Gallagher said.
“We’re really asking questions about the program, the list and the team.
“But what it’s going to do when it draws to a close is we’ll be really aligned on exactly what we need, where we are and where we’re headed from here.”
Originally published as AFL Trades 2022: Follow all the moves on day two of the exchange period
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