Ultimate AFL trade preview: Your club’s trade targets and the players they may lose
The trade period is here. What are your club’s plans for the next two weeks? Check out our ultimate guide to see who is coming and going this off-season.
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The trade period is just around the corner and there is plenty of wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes.
Who is your club targeting, which stars could be poached by rivals?
Here is everything that you need to know about the trade and free agency period.
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ADELAIDE
Draft picks: 4, 23, 37, 59, 63
Delistings/retirements: Tom Lynch (delisted), Daniel Talia (delisted), David Mackay (retired)
What they need at the trade table: The Crows need to add some speed and power to their list through the midfield or forward of the ball. But Adelaide is not expected to be a major player at the trade table.
Who are they chasing: Getting Sydney’s Jordan Dawson to Adelaide is the No. 1 priority for the Crows this trade period. Don’t rule out some pick swaps as well.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Adelaide’s list is pretty much signed up right now, save for Ben Davis and Ronin O’Connor. No. 6 draft pick Fischer McAsey didn’t play AFL in 2021 but the Crows say he is a key part of their future. Could Shane McAdamget some interest from the Western Australian clubs?
Who they will lose: Jake Kelly has joined Essendon, where his ability to clamp down on some of the best small forwards in the competition will help the Bombers.
BRISBANE
Draft picks: 14, 18, 47, 51, 57, 73
Delistings/retirements: Grant Birchall (retired), Archie Smith (retired)
What they need at the trade table: There is a ruck gulf behind Oscar McInerney since Stefan Martin departed, so acquiring an experienced back-up who could play forward – factoring in Eric Hipwood’s knee injury – would work.
Who are they chasing: Geelong’s Darcy Fort and Giant Kieren Briggs have both been linked to the Lions, while Hawk Jon Ceglar could also still be in play after almost making the move two years ago. All three ruckmen are contracted, so a trade would need to be facilitated. Out-of-contract Pie Max Lynch is another ruck option, while delisted Blue Levi Casboult has been speculated about.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Brisbane dodged a bullet when Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale confirmed he was staying at the club. Midfielder Ely Smith was the Lions’ first-round pick three years ago but is yet to play a senior game, so a rival club could come calling.
Who they will lose: There doesn’t seem to be a major concern for Brisbane entering the trade period but that can, of course, change in a hurry.
CARLTON
Draft picks: 6, 25, 61
Delisting/retirements: Marc Murphy (retired), Eddie Betts (retired), Levi Casboult (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: The Blues are on the lookout for some midfield poise to add to their engine room.
Who they are chasing: Fremantle young gun Adam Cerra wants to come to the Blues and a deal is set to include pick No. 6 at the least. Sydney’s George Hewtt is also set to come to the club on a four-year deal. Jarrod Brander could also come from West Coast
Who rival clubs will ask about: Sam Petrevski-Seton wants to go to West Coast while Lochie O’Brien is still without a contract.
Who will they lose: Petresvki-Seton will go while O’Brien may get another chance under new coach Michael Voss.
COLLINGWOOD
Draft picks: 36, 39, 41, 45
Delistings/retirements: Levi Greenwood (retired), Chris Mayne (retired), Anton Tohill (retired)
What they need at the trade table: The Magpies need a reliable marking option in attack more than anything else. They would also like more draft points to match a top-three bid for boom father-son prospect Nick Daicos.
Who are they chasing: Graham Wright is already weaving his list magic at Collingwood, convincing both Western Bulldog Patrick Lipinski and Geelong’s Nathan Kreuger to request a trade to the Pies. Kreuger will play as a key forward at Collingwood. There was some trade chatter about Sam Weideman and Dylan Stephens, but both re-signed at their clubs.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Max Lynch is one of the uncontracted ruckmen across the competition attracting some interest. Hawthorn made a play for Lynch last year and could go again, while the likes of St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane are also in the ruck market.
Who they will lose: It’s hard to imagine a scenario where both Lynch and Cox are in black and white in 2022, but it’s not impossible. Cox fell out of favour this year and turns 31 in March, so that isn’t likely to change.
ESSENDON
Draft picks: 11, 48, 53
Delistings/retirements: Patrick Ambrose (retired), Ned Cahill (delisted), Cale Hooker (retired), Lachie Johnson (delisted), Irving Mosquito (retired), David Zaharakis (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: Coach Ben Rutten spoke about internal improvement hopefully solving their contested ball issues, but left the door ajar to fill gaps across the field.
Who are they chasing: The Bombers signed unrestricted free agent defender Jake Kelly after eight seasons at Adelaide. They were unsuccessful in trying to lure Malcolm Rosas from Gold Coast, but have also inquired about contracted Saint Ben Long. Luke Dunstan and Trent Dumont are potential free agency midfield options.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Clubs needing ruck depth may inquire again about Nick Bryan since Sam Draper has firmly established himself as the long-term No.1 big man. But Bryan re-signed for two years in June and is rated highly internally. Jayden Laverde is out of contract next season and just had a career year down back that may have piqued rivals’ interest.
Who they will lose: The Bombers look like they may keep everyone they want to this time around, a year after losing high-profile trio Joe Daniher, Orazio Fantasia and Adam Saad.
FREMANTLE
Draft picks: 8, 27
Delistings/retirements: Stephen Hill (retired), Brett Bewley (delisted), Reece Conca (delisted), Taylin Duman (delisted), Stefan Giro (delisted) Leno Thomas (delisted), Tobe Watson (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: The Dockers need to add players who will help build the young promising list they currently have into one that is capable of playing finals next year. With only two draft picks this year Fremantle will also need to find a pick to lure speedster Jordan Clark from Geelong.
Who are they chasing: With Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale deciding to stay in Brisbane, and Fremantle not enquiring about GWS captain Stephen Coniglio, the Dockers’ main target this trade period will be Clark. Geelong want a pick between Fremantle’s No. 8 and 27, while the Dockers feel the latter is adequate for him.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Young gun midfielder Adam Cerra wants to go to Carlton while there has been speculation that forward/ruck Rory Lobb could be available if another club offers the right price.
Who will they lose: Cerra will definitely return to Melbourne and join the Blues, is their pick No. 6 enough or will they have to pay a little bit more.
GEELONG
Draft picks: 30, 32, 34, 52
Delistings/retirements: Lachie Henderson (retired), Ben Jarvis (delisted), Josh Jenkins (retired), Stefan Okunbor (delisted), Cameron Taheny (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: The smart alec answer is youth but the Cats are very much still in win-now mode. A dynamic midfielder would be perfect, given the club’s ageing on-ball corps and how rivals exposed them at times for leg speed.
Who are they chasing: Former Crow Daniel Talia is one player the Cats have expressed interest in, with key defender Lachie Henderson retiring. The 30-year-old can sign as a delisted free agent.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Collingwood inquired for the second-straight year whether tall swingman Nathan Kreuger wanted to become a Pie – and this time he said yes. Fremantle wants to broker a trade for Jordan Clark, while Brisbane’s shown interest in ruckman Darcy Fort.
Who they will lose: Trade negotiations for Kreuger have already begun, while Clark is open to a move but yet to fully commit to the Dockers. Fort might be keen for a fresh start if he feels like there’s a smoother path to senior football, and Charlie Constable is another exploring his options.
GOLD COAST
Draft picks: 3, 19, 22, 43, 55, 58, 66
Delistings/retirements: Aiden Fyfe (delisted), Jarrod Harbrow (retired), Jack Hombsch (retired), Jordan Murdoch (retired), Zac Smith (retired)
What they need at the trade table: The Suns would love another key forward in the right age demographic to support Ben King in attack, especially with Sam Day turning 30 next year and after a knee injury ruined his 2021 season. Better ruck depth behind Jarrod Witts is also a priority.
Who are they chasing: Richmond ruck-forward Mabior Chol signed a four-year free agency deal with Gold Coast on Friday. List boss Craig Cameron also mentioned the possibility of recruiting ex-Saint Luke Dunstan as a rookie.
Who rival clubs will ask about: There will likely be a question on King, even though he’s contracted for another season and his agent, Robbie D’Orazio, asked for rival clubs to back off. Essendon wanted to lure Malcolm Rosas south, but he elected to stay for two more years.
Who they will lose: Gold Coast would like to offload contracted pair Will Brodie – a perennial name mentioned at this time of year – and Darcy MacPherson, but there is minimal rival interest at this stage.
GWS GIANTS
Draft picks: 2, 13, 50, 68
Delistings/retirements: Matt Buntine (delisted), Tom Hutchesson (delisted), Sam Reid (delisted), Nick Shipley (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: The Giants could weigh up trading down from No.2 if they believe they can pick their preferred target at a lower selection. But they would likely prefer future picks as compensation since they are limited with list spots.
Who are they chasing: No one. They will re-sign Matt Flynn and Jake Riccardi on two-year deals and the rest of their uncontracted crop – besides the retiring Shane Mumford – on one-season arrangements.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Both Flynn and Riccardi had some interest but will remain at the Giants. There might be an inquiry about young big man Kieren Briggs, who is stuck behind Braydon Preuss and Flynn in the ruck pecking order and is out of contract next year.
Who they will lose: Jeremy Finlayson, who is contracted until 2023, is hoping to land elsewhere, having already met with Port Adelaide. Finlayson’s partner, Kellie, recently gave birth to their first child and they are keen to have more support. If anyone departs, it’s him – but that’s not guaranteed.
HAWTHORN
Draft picks: 5, 21, 24, 56, 62
Delistings/retirements: Shaun Burgoyne (retired), James Cousins (delisted), Keegan Brooksby (delisted), Damon Greaves (delisted), Michael Hartley (delisted), Harrison Pepper (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: With the rebuild now under way under Sam Mitchell the Hawks will be looking for high draft picks to bolster their current hand.
Who they are chasing: Don’t expect many players to come to Hawthorn this trade period, if any, with draft picks the priority. Maybe if Jarrod Brander can’t find his way to Carlton the Hawks could pounce.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Hawthorn might be the most interesting clubs to watch as to who might leave. Tom Mitchell looks to be off the table but what about Jack Gunston, Jaeger O’Meara or even Chad Wingard as the Hawks rebuild well and truly starts?
Who will they lose: Oliver Hanrahan is out of contract and has struggled to get a game while Tim O’Brien, who has met with Port Adelaide, is also without a new deal and could leave.
MELBOURNE
Draft picks: 33, 42, 54
Delistings/retirements: Nathan Jones (retired), Neville Jetta (retired), Austin Bradtke (delisted), Jay Lockhart (delisted),Aaron Nietschke (delisted), Aaron vandenBerg (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: They just won the premiership and look set to contend for the next couple of years, so not a lot needs to be done by the Demons in 2021.
Who they are chasing: Did have an interest in Adam Cerra but he wants to join Carlton instead with the Demons unable to produce a deal that would get him out of Fremantle.
Who rivals clubs will ask about: The Dockers asked for Luke Jackson in exchange for Cerra but the Demons said no way. Jake Melksham fell out of favour and may be open to a third club if one approaches him.
Who will they lose: Outside of the retirements and delistings the Demons will have a settled squad for 2022.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Draft picks: 1, 20, 38, 69
Delistings/retirements: Taylor Garner (delisted), Connor Menadue (delisted), Dom Tyson (delisted), Will Walker (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: The Roos need a ruck successor to veteran Todd Goldstein who can ideally spend time forward and support Nick Larkey.
Who are they chasing: Tiger Callum Coleman-Jones has been on the fringes but kicked multiple goals four times this year, including a bag of four against Adelaide. Coleman-Jones projects as a ruckman long term who can play in attack, but will probably be more of a forward-ruck in 2022.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Could a ruck-needy flag contender ask Goldstein one last time about a move? Richmond already successfully swooped on Robbie Tarrant to bolster its David Astbury-less backline after the Roos initially offered the veteran defender just a one-year deal.
Who they will lose: Tarrant will swap the blue and white for the Tigers’ yellow and black on a two-year contract but it remains to be seen whether he will do so as a free agent or via trade. Unrestricted free agent Trent Dumont is also expected to depart.
PORT ADELAIDE
Draft picks: 16, 60, 70, 71
Delistings/retirements: Tom Rockliff (retired), Hamish Hartlett (delisted), Joel Garner (delisted), Tyson Goldsack (retired)
What they need at the trade table: The big area the Power need to improve is their midfield depth after the Western Bulldogs rammed that home. But there is a belief at Alberton that this will come from the improvement of young guns such as Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma and even Miles Bergman and the plan is to not bring in a midfielder from another club unless they are significantly better than what is at the Power.
Who are they chasing: After Jordan Dawson chose the Crows as the team he wanted to return to SA for the Power have yet to make a call on whether how hard they will chase GWS and Hawthorn forwards Jeremy Finlayson and Tim O’Brien. Port have met with both but Finlayson and O’Brien, but the Giant is not considered a priority during this trade period and O’Brien could even be delisted by the Hawks.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Emerging ruck/forward Peter Ladhams is exploring his options with the Power viewing him as not a No. 1 ruckman yet and has received interest from rival clubs. But Port say it will take something “significant” for the club to part with Ladhams. Tom Clurey couldn’t break into the side for the back half of the season but will most likely be at the Power in 2022.
Who they will lose: Outside of Ladhams if he ends up going don’t expect any other departures from the Power. Hartlett might struggle to find a new club while Jarrod Lienert doesn’t have a new deal yet.
RICHMOND
Draft picks: 7, 15, 26, 28, 40, 44
Delisting/retirements: Bachar Houli (retired), David Astbury (retired), Patrick Naish (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: Despite falling out of the eight, Richmond’s stacked draft hand mean the Tiger’s won’t need too much in the trade period. Some more tall options wouldn’t hurt if the Tigers can find one.
Who they are chasing: Robbie Tarrant will join from North Melbourne, either through free agency or via a trade. If Hawthorn are interested in letting Jaeger O’Meara go, could he help the Tigers get back into the eight?
Who rival clubs will ask about: The players on the periphery of the Tigers best 22/23 should get interest from rivals. Josh Caddy is contracted for next year but would Richmond dig its heels in for him if he got another suitor.
Who will they lose: Callum Coleman-Jones will go to North Melbourne while Mabior Chol has joined the Gold Coast Suns.
ST KILDA
Draft picks: 9, 46, 64
Delistings/retirements: James Frawley (retired), Jake Carlisle (retired) Shaun McKernan (retired), Oscar Clavarino (delisted), Sam Alabakis (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: The Saints would love to add a key defender in the trade period after James Frawley and Jake Carlisle’s retirements. A ruckman should also be on the radar with Paddy Ryder a year closer to retirement.
Who they are chasing: Tom Clurey couldn’t break into Port’s side in the back-half of the year but the Power say he is going nowhere. His teammate Peter Ladhams could help the ruck issue but he may be too expensive for the Saints. They won’t be as big in this year’s trade period as previous years.
Who rival clubs will ask about: The Saints are waiting on Seb Ross to get back to them. He’s got a deal on the table from St Kilda but rival clubs also are circling.
Who will they lose: Luke Dunstan will leave the Saints despite an impressive record of Brownlow votes in his rare appearances for the side over the past two seasons.
SYDNEY SWANS
Draft picks: 12, 31, 67
Delistings/retirements: Kaiden Brand (delisted), Malachy Carruthers (delisted), Sam Gray (delisted), Matthew Ling (delisted)
What they need at the trade table: The Swans would love to bring in a tall defender, given they lost Aliir Aliir last year – largely for salary cap reasons – and co-captain Dane Rampe is 31 and fights out of his height and weight division weekly. A younger ruckman would be ideal, too.
Who are they chasing: It’s unclear who Sydney has targeted, if anyone at all. Players who could fit the Swans’ needs include Port Adelaide’s back-up big man Peter Ladhams and Western Bulldogs swingman Lewis Young. Ladhams is on a back-ended deal that peaks in 2022, so it remains to be seen if Sydney can fit him into its salary cap.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Adelaide and Port Adelaide jockeyed for breakout Swan Jordan Dawson before he picked the Crows, while Carlton targeted George Hewett to add ball-winning and a defensive bent to its on-ball brigade.
Who they will lose: A deal will be done to make Dawson a Crow next year, while restricted free agent midfielder Hewett will sign a long-term deal at Carlton.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Draft picks: 17, 72
Delistings/retirements: Lin Jong (retired)
What they need at the trade table: Recruiting a ruckman is and should be a priority, while the Bulldogs would love more draft points to help match what will be an early bid on their star father-son prospect Sam Darcy.
Who are they chasing: The Dogs are one of the clubs sniffing around contracted Port Adelaide big man Peter Ladhams, who wants to be a No.1 ruckman rather than play second fiddle to Scott Lycett. Collingwood’s Max Lynch is another option but it’s understood he’s not at the top of the Bulldogs’ wish list.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Collingwood and Carlton both showed interest in Patrick Lipinski, while fringe players Lewis Young, Mitch Wallis and Jordon Sweet are others on rivals’ radar. Young, Wallis and Sweet have contract offers in front of them if they choose to stay. Promising ruck-forward Tim English wants to remain at the Western Bulldogs but that probably won’t stop the two Western Australian clubs from at least inquiring for this year or next.
Who they will lose: Lipinski has requested a trade to the Magpies and will find his way there on a three-year deal.
WEST COAST
Draft picks: 10, 29, 35, 49, 65
Delistings/retirements: Brendon Ah Chee (delisted), Brayden Ainsworth (delisted), Jarrod Cameron (delisted), Will Collins(delisted), Mark Hutchings (delisted), Ben Johnson (delisted), Nathan Vardy (retired), Daniel Venables (retired)
What they need at the trade table: A lack of young talent and depth are chief criticisms of the Eagles at the moment after they missed out on the finals.
Who are they chasing: Outside of No. 6 pick of the 2016 draft Sam Petrevski-Seton requesting a trade from Carlton to the Eagles it seems like West Coast won’t be too busy in the trade period.
Who rival clubs will ask about: Jarrod Brander has yet to be offered a new contract and Carlton are interested, which could make a deal for Petrevski-Seton a whole lot easier for the Eagles.
Who will they lose: Brander looms as the one the Eagles will lose this trade period. Don’t expect too many others to follow.
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