Moneyball: The latest trade news from across the AFL

Reilly O’Brien is at ease with his uncertain fate at the Crows, and he may have to wait a while longer as another in-demand ruckman bides his time to decide his future.

Alastair Clarkson might be wondering about the second one that got away after falling in love with Dan Curtin in the lead-in to the 2023 national draft.

The Roos famously beat Gold Coast in the final game of that season to move out of 18th on the ladder, which lost them the rights to Harley Reid.

But when Roos free agent Ben McKay left for the Dons they were able to secure a second top-four pick.

In the lead-in to the draft Clarkson was in Perth for James Brayshaw’s wedding, as the Roos pondered whether to take a key tall.

Clarkson spent months scouring the draft as he took a break with mental health issues, with the Herald Sun reporting in the lead-in to the draft he fell in love with Curtin.

He spent two hours with the big-bodied mid and versatile tall as the club assessed his go-home factor.

Dan Curtin could’ve been a Roo. Picture: Tom Huntley

Some clubs believed Curtin would never thrive as a key tall in the AFL but every club believed he was a first-class character.

Instead of taking Curtin at some stage the Roos secured Colby McKercher (No.2) and Zane Duursma (No.4).

Curtin eventually fell to Adelaide (No.8) after the Giants traded back for extra picks in the draft to allow the Crows to take that selection and swoop in.

He has just re-signed with the Crows and is a Rising Star contender given his full range of skills as a tall wingman.

Duursma, contracted to 2026, has kicked four goals in seven games with reports that he is frustrated with his lack of opportunities at the Roos.

In the 2022 national draft the Roos allowed the Giants to secure Aaron Cadman in a deal that saw them lose Jason Horne-Francis but secure Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw.

This year the Roos have traded away their first-round pick (currently at No.2 on the ladder) for 2024 selection Matt Whitlock (No.27) and Richmond’s 2025 second-rounder.

IRISHMAN EARNS GUARANTEE

Geelong is about to tie down Irishman Oisin Mullin on a new two-year deal that hands him guaranteed money for the first time in his career.

Chris Scott is a huge admirer of Mullin, who has played as a lock-down tagger and small defender but at some stage in the future will use his blistering speed in a more offensive role.

Geelong continues to tie down all of its required talent with a deal for Mullin close.

He arrived at Geelong as a category B rookie in late December and has played six, 12 and 16 games across his three seasons.

While he has had to work on his decision-making he is yet another highly proficient kick of the Sherrin and is taking over from Zach Tuohy, who retired last year.

The Cats still have Ted Clohesy and Rhys Stanley out of contract as well as Mitch Duncan, Jed Bews and Cam Guthrie.

Oisin Mullin is set for security with the Cats. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Oscar Allen could be on the move. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

SUNS ON THE MOVE

Gold Coast is open to moving up the draft order to secure a star talent ahead of its collection of brilliant first-round academy picks.

West Coast is open to splitting a potential No.2 overall compensation pick if Oscar Allen departs for a number of later selections.

But it will very much depend upon where the Power finish on the ladder given the Suns have their own first-round pick and selections belonging to Port Adelaide and Collingwood.

At one stage the Power pick was No.4 overall in the national draft, which gave rise to suggestions the Suns could use that pick on a player in the open draft then match bids for Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson and Beau Addinsall.

Right now that pick is at No.8 and could push back to No.10 before the draft given compensation picks for Allen and Tom De Koning if they choose to leave.

Uwland is set to return from a back injury that has ruined his draft year as early as this weekend against Port Adelaide for the Suns VFL side.

So while the Suns could move up the ladder to secure an extra elite young kid, it might take up too much draft collateral to move from No.10 to No.2.

They have three first-rounders ready to match academy bids after trading out Jack Lukosius last year but if Uwland and lightning quick Patterson get bids early those draft points will quickly be taken up.

So the Suns will assess all options leading into the draft, aware their team is already so stacked academy stars Leo Lombard and Jake Rogers are playing VFL.

GWS KEEN TO LOCK IN PACY FORWARD

Greater Western Sydney’s spectacular retention record is likely to continue with Xavier O’Halloran open to a new contract despite strong interest from clubs including the Western Bulldogs.

The Giants knocked back a trade for the pacy half forward last year despite the Dogs’ strong interest, and they are just as keen this season.

He has played more onball in recent months, winning 27 possessions and six clearances against West Coast in round 17.

He would need at least a two-year deal to stay at the Giants given clubs like the Dogs see him as part of their succession plan when Adam Treloar and Tom Liberatore eventually retire.

O’Halloran has interests from the Dogs and at least one other interstate club, but the Giants so often get their man despite outside interest.

Aaron Cadman has just re-signed on a four-year extension and Leek Aleer is still keen to stay but is being reminded he can set himself up financially if he takes a more lucrative deal.

The Giants only really truly bemoan the departure of Jeremy Cameron to the Cats as the one that got away given their pipeline of talent and the reality they have to let some talent go to keep the rest of their list together.

James Worpel’s movement will determine where Henry Hustwaite lands. .Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

HAWK’S FATE LIES WITH WORPEL

Henry Hustwaite is expected to explore rival interest at year’s end but his future might depend on where Hawthorn teammate James Worpel ends up.

Hustwaite has been given limited minutes as a midfielder by Sam Mitchell and repeatedly subbed off at half time of games.

But he is contracted to next year so Hawthorn is in control of his destiny.

Rivals are interested in the services of the big-bodied midfielder, who racked up 33 possessions and 11 clearances (eight centre square clearances) in the VFL last time out.

If Worpel remains at Hawthorn it is hard to see how Hustwaite gets regular game time.

First-round pick Cam Mackenzie, contracted to 2026, has had plenty of highs this year but was subbed off against Fremantle.

So the Hawks midfield juggle continues to be an area of interest for rival clubs.

O’BRIEN OR DRAPER FOR CROWS

Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien says he is at ease with his uncertain future beyond this season as his rich vein of form looks set to force a revised contract offer from the Crows.

O’Brien earned coaches’ votes for his dominant performance in Adelaide’s win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday with 42 hit-outs (11 to advantage) and a game-high five intercept marks.

Contract talks for the unrestricted free agent were put on hold earlier in the season, with the 29-year-old looking for a longer and more lucrative offer than the two years offered by the Crows.

Will the Crows stick with Reilly O’Brien? Picture: Brayden Chamberlin.

Or will they choose Sam Draper? Picture: Michael Klein

It is understood the initial offer made by Adelaide was influenced by its pursuit of Bombers big man Sam Draper, with O’Brien likely to be kept waiting until Draper has made a decision on his future.

“Obviously I’m out of contract, so we’ll see where that lands. But I’m really comfortable with where that all sits,” O’Brien said after the win over the Bulldogs.

“It’s not really affecting me day-to-day. I’m just focusing on playing with all my teammates, who I love, and this club, which I love.”

The Crows’ 2020 best and fairest could draw interest from Carlton should Tom De Koning choose to depart, while Geelong is also poised to monitor his movements with 34-year-old Rhys Stanley out of contract at the season’s end.

O’Brien said rumours during previous trade periods about his interest in moving clubs for better study opportunities in medicine had been overblown.

He said he would need to study full-time and would wait until the end of his football career to begin.

“At the moment, I just want to play footy for as long as I can,” O’Brien said.

“As long as I’m enjoying it and playing good footy, it’s the best job in the world ­– I love doing it.

“The plan is certainly to play for as many years as I can, and then attack the study after that.”

Originally published as Moneyball: The latest trade news from across the AFL