AFL trade live: All the news from the opening day of the 2024 free agency as trade period looms
AFL free agency begins today, with the trade period less than 72 hours from kicking off. MATT FORREST examines the biggest names on the move. FOLLOW LIVE
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Collingwood’s renewed offer to land free agent Harry Perryman is set to hand the Giants a strong draft pick in this year’s deep pool of recruits.
Perryman had been linked strongly to Port Adelaide all off-season as he entered free agency, but flipped his preference late to the Magpies as they upped their offer.
The dual-position player, who spent time in the midfield and back line for GWS this season, will sign a six-year deal at Collingwood that is expected to be worth about $900,000 per season.
The Magpies have high hopes that Perryman will be a valuable addition to their midfield which struggled for consistency in 2024.
Perryman will be one of several deals done early in free agency, with the signing period officially opening on Friday.
He is not the only one to land his soon-to-be former club a first rounder in a deep draft pool, with defender Josh Battle set to trigger a similar compensation pick for St Kilda.
The expected free agency compensation for confirmed and likely departures have been outlined below.
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Delisted free agents like Tom Campbell and Jack Martin, who are expected to find homes early in the free agency period, haven’t been included.
Josh Battle
Landing: Hawthorn
Battle’s exit from St Kilda has become relatively messy, with the defender being told to stay away from the best and fairest count, only to finish third but receive no mention from the club. Hawthorn has offered a six-year deal worth about $900,000 per season, which should net a top-10 pick for the Saints.
Projected compensation: Mid 1st round pick – No. 8
Harry Perryman
Landing: Collingwood
Collingwood has won the race for the wantaway Giant, with Perryman cooling on Port Adelaide late in the piece. The Power had offered about $850,000 per season, but the Magpies trumped their rival with a six-year offer worth about $900,000 per year. He’ll slot into their midfield and provide some relief to the side’s ageing stars.
Projected compensation: Mid 1st round pick – No. 15
Isaac Cumming
Landing: Adelaide
Cumming ultimately settled on Adelaide over Port Adelaide for his home in 2025, with both South Australian clubs eager to land the half back. He was offered similar four-year offers from both clubs, and will add to the Crows’ back six.
Projected compensation: Mid 2nd round pick – No. 35
Jack Graham
Landing: West Coast
Graham has not officially nominated West Coast yet, but after Andrew McQualter’s signing as the new head coach, the free agent is all-but certain to sign at the Eagles. He struggled with injuries this year but still averaged 17.4 touches and 4.4 tackles through 14 games.
Projected compensation: End of 2nd round pick – No. 39
Elliott Himmelberg
Landing: Gold Coast
The Crow was held to his contract last off-season when he tried to move to the Giants, but now he will be out the door with no resistance as an unrestricted free agent. While he’s looking for more consistent game time, Himmelberg is likely to be a depth option behind Ben King and Jed Walter, but the departure of Jack Lukosius does open a spot in the side.
Projected compensation: 3rd round pick – No. 43
Tim Membrey
Landing: TBC
His name has been floated as one that could test the market, with plenty of sides that are in need of a mature-aged key forward. If Joe Daniher decides to retire, Brisbane would be at the front of the queue, while Essendon is eager to add help after Peter Wright’s inconsistent season. He could command a decent deal, albeit short term, despite being 30 years old.
Projected compensation: 3rd round pick – No. 46
Nick Haynes
Landing: Carlton
Haynes fell out of favour at GWS, playing almost the entire season in the VFL despite being one of the Giants’ highest-paid players. He’ll land at Carlton, with the Blues desperate for defensive depth after Jacob Weitering struggled to find a consistent partner down back. It’ll be a one-year deal, with a potential second-year trigger, for Haynes on a heavily-reduced salary, meaning the Giants will not earn any compensation.
Projected compensation: Nil
Adam Tomlinson
Landing: TBC
Tomlinson couldn’t find a home inside Melbourne’s best 22 this year despite the team’s struggles, and is expected to leave the club for greener pastures. He’s an unrestricted free agent and can freely move to a third club, but he hasn’t nominated a team yet. St Kilda and Collingwood are both expected to be in the frame for the utility.
Projected compensation: Nil
Tom Campbell
Landing: Melbourne
Campbell is poised to continue his AFL career into a 13th year — despite never playing more than nine matches in a season. After serving as Rowan Marshall’s back-up at St Kilda since 2022, Campbell has been linked with Melbourne, where he would become Max Gawn’s understudy. The 32-year-old would offer valuable back-up for the Demons’ skipper after they were caught short this year when Gawn was injured, forced to use an undersized Harrison Petty in the middle. The club had high hopes for former Lion Tom Fullarton, but appears to have moved passed him. He would join as a delisted free agent after being cut by the Saints in August.
Projected compensation: Nil
Jack Martin
Landing: Geelong
Martin agreed with Carlton to be delisted in the hope of landing at his third AFL club. The 29-year-old, who was restricted to three matches this year due to injury, weighed up offers from around the country before committing to Geelong. Martin has kicked more than 14 goals in a season just twice during a 151-game career, but who would bet against the Cats getting the best out of him? He’s always had talent but has too often been let down by his body. Martin won’t cost the Cats anything as a delisted free agent.
Projected compensation: Nil
Originally published as AFL trade live: All the news from the opening day of the 2024 free agency as trade period looms
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