As it happened: Horne-Francis’ Power dream not over, Ratugolea wants out, Corbett joins Freo

A much quieter day today than the first three days of the 2022 AFL trade period with just the one transaction completed.

Gold Coast forward Josh Corbett has been traded to Fremantle in exchange for a future fourth-round pick.

Corbett became the 13th player to switch clubs during this trade/free agency period.

But there were some other developments bubbling away today with Peter Ryan revealing that Geelong big man Esava Ratugolea wants to get to Port Adelaide during this trade period.

Peter also reported that North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and West Coast were still keeping hopes alive of completing their three-way deal.

The complex trade would see North Melbourne net pick 2, and another pick or player, Port end up with Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli, and West Coast gain pick 8 and a future first-round pick (after splitting their pick 2).

Brisbane also confirmed their primary focus is now on securing Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston so they might accrue enough draft picks in order to complete a trade for Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley.

In other news, Gold Coast re-signed key forwards Levi Casboult and Chris Burgess, while Sydney extended the contracts of Ryan Clarke and Will Gould.

Thanks for tuning in today, be sure to come back again tomorrow to find out what happens on the fifth day of the trade period.

The AFL has asked clubs to have an Indigenous specialist present when they interview First Nations youngsters at the upcoming draft combine.

In a memo to the 18 clubs, the AFL “highly recommended” that the clubs have their Indigenous player development manager with recruiting staff when interviewing First Nations players at the draft combine, which begins on Friday and continues on Saturday and Sunday.

In what is clearly a response to the fallout to the Hawthorn scandal involving alleged mistreatment of First Nations players and their partners, the AFL told the clubs that they should have their Indigenous player development manager – or another First Nations member of staff – on the interview panel for Indigenous draft prospects.

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13. Josh Corbett (GC) traded to Fremantle in exchange for future fourth-round pick.
12. Tom Berry (BL), pick 46 (BL) and future second-round pick (BL) traded to Gold Coast in exchange for picks 25, 36 and 56.
11. Ben Long (StK) and future fourth-round pick (StK) traded to Gold Coast in exchange for pick 32.
** Brisbane Lions traded pick 15 to GWS in exchange for pick 21 and future-second round pick.
9/10. Griffin Logue (Fre), Darcy Tucker (Fre) and future third-round pick (Fre) traded to North Melbourne in exchange for future second-round pick, future third-round pick and future fourth-round pick.
8. Zaine Cordy (WB) joined St Kilda as an unrestricted free agent.
** Melbourne traded picks 33, 43 and 53 to Port Adelaide in exchange for pick 27.
7. Liam Jones (Carl) joined Western Bulldogs as an unrestricted free agent. Carlton received pick 49 (AFL) as compensation.
6. Daniel McStay (BL) joined Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent. Brisbane Lions received pick 35 (AFL) as compensation.
5. Blake Acres (Fre) traded to Carlton in exchange for future third-round pick.
4. Jayden Hunt (Melb) joined West Coast as an unrestricted free agent. Melbourne received pick 52 (AFL) as compensation.
3. Tim Taranto (GWS) traded to Richmond in exchange for pick 12 and pick 19
2. Bobby Hill (GWS) and pick 40 (GWS) traded to Collingwood in exchange for pick 43 and future second-round pick
1. Karl Amon (PA) joined Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent. Port Adelaide received pick 27 (AFL) as compensation.

*picks are as they are at time of trades

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Clubs considering trading for Geelong big man Esava Ratugolea have been made aware the 24-year-old wants to get to Port Adelaide during this trade period.

Geelong have been reluctant to let the contracted Ratugolea depart despite him playing just four senior games this season, as they believe he can offer them depth in many parts of the ground and coach Chris Scott is a big believer in his talent.

Esava Ratugolea.Credit: Getty Images

Ratugolea played the first three matches before being demoted to the VFL and then required surgery after hurting his ankle mid-year.

He returned to play the final round but did not figure in the finals.

Port see him playing a role in defence and as a potential ruckman with more senior opportunities likely at Alberton Oval than at the defending premier.

Geelong have a long tradition of giving players opportunities at other clubs after several years in the Cats system if their spot in the senior team is not established, and they could argue for a pick that might give them enough draft capital to facilitate deals for Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry.

Geelong list manager Andrew Mackie told AFL Trade Radio the big Cat remained a required player, although Ratugolea’s position was reasonable.

“We’ve put games into ‘Sav’ and he’s been a big part of our succession plan forward of the footy,” Mackie said.

“Clearly blokes like Sav six years into the system just want to start playing footy, and we’ve had that discussion with him. We’ll continue to try and map out for him how that would look.

“He’s a contracted player. No doubt the coach does love him, we love him, but we totally understand that he’s trying to work out where he’s going to play his footy. We’re pretty clear on how that looks, so that’s where that one sits.”

Collingwood and the Giants are adamant they want fair returns for Henry and Bruhn respectively as they were both chosen with first-round picks two years ago. The Cats are keen to hold on to pick No.7 they will gain in the Jack Bowes deal, so might have to give up a future second-round pick in return.

Port Adelaide are waiting on deals to obtain Jason Horne-Francis from North Melbourne and Junior Rioli from West Coast.

The first trade of the day has been completed, and it results in Gold Coast forward Josh Corbett joining Fremantle.

The Suns have received the Dockers’ future fourth-round selection in return.

Corbett has kicked 33 goals from 36 games since his debut for the Suns in 2019.

Josh Corbett has joined Fremantle.Credit: Getty Images

He enjoyed his best year in 2021, with 23 majors from 16 appearances, but could only manage four matches this year.

The 26-year-old joined the Suns in 2018 as a special assistance signing.

Fremantle head of player personnel David Walls said the Dockers were pleased to recruit Corbett.

“From our meetings with him, it’s clear he’s coming to Fremantle with the desire to work hard and earn his place in the team, and we can see him being a great cultural fit within our group of players who are eager to get the best out of themselves and each other,” Walls said.

“We can see him filling the role left by Griffin Logue, as a hit-up forward who will create a contest and bring his fellow forwards into the game.

“It’s a busy time for Josh as he will be getting married to his partner Mikayla next month, and we welcome them both to the Fremantle family.”

Suns list manager Craig Cameron thanked Corbett for his contribution he made to the club.

“He wasn’t able to break into the team at AFL level consistently last season and was looking for greater opportunity, so we were happy to facilitate a trade that worked in the best interests of both parties,” Cameron said.

“By acquiring Fremantle’s future fourth-round pick, it will also allow us to accumulate valuable draft collateral for next year’s draft.”

Gold Coast key forwards Levi Casboult and Chris Burgess have also penned new deals with their club.

Casboult will be a Sun until the end of next season at least, while Burgess will remain at Metricon Stadium for another two years.

Casboult really stood up this year in the absence of Ben King, kicked a career-high 35 goals and combined well with fellow recruit Mabior Chol (44 goals).

“Both Chris and Levi have been important to the success of our club and are key re-signings as we aim to maintain our depth of tall forwards,” Gold Coast list manager Craig Cameron said.

“Chris was impressive at VFL level and earned a call-up to the AFL team on multiple occasions. He loves the club and we’re pleased to be able to extend him.

“Levi has been a valued acquisition for our club and played an extremely important role for us this season, so we are excited to see his career continue with the Suns.”

Levi Casboult kicked 35 goals in the 2022 season.Credit: Getty Images

Sydney duo Ryan Clarke and Will Gould have both signed one-year contracts with the Swans for next season.

Clarke enjoyed his best season for the Swans since crossing over from North Melbourne in 2020, playing 14 games, including all three finals.

“Ryan has shown this year that he can play a very important role for the team, he works incredibly hard and displays total commitment to the side which we love,” Sydney football manager Charlie Gardiner said.

“He’s a quality young man and has shown great resilience over his career to date. We are looking forward to where he can take his game from here.

“Will’s development has been solid as a key defender and we believe he has a good future at the Swans.

“We are looking forward to seeing what Will can produce in 2023. He’s worked hard on his game over the last three years and was one of our most consistent performers at VFL level this season, so we are pleased that he has recommitted to the club.”

Ryan Clarke is celebrating a new contract.Credit: Getty Images