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The finals are only a week away but the end of the season also signals the silly season, with trades, free agencies and drafts.
It’s especially relevant for clubs looking to re-build, stock up and generally improve their playing lists.
Before the finals kick into full swing it’s timely to look at who’s available, who’s on the move and what clubs might be willing to offer the right price to get what they need.
There are actually few free agents still available on the market, with all the focus on James Frawley and Shaun Higgins.
Higgins is rumoured to have generated interest from at least four clubs, with Geelong and North Melbourne believed to be most interested. Higgins has had a patchy career, mostly due to injuries, but does offer potential suitors a player in the prime of his career with silky skills and an x-factor about him.
He can play forward, midfield and off half back. So who is in the box seat to snare him? He would be a valuable additional for the Kangaroos to add further versatility and goal scoring options. The Bombers could use him to add more midfield depth and to cover Paul Chapman’s eventual exit, and Jason Winderlich’s goals up forward.
Frawley is the most talked about of the two, and a number of clubs, including Geelong, Hawthorn, Gold Coast and Collingwood, have expressed an interest. Melbourne could be a big winner from this with a potential extra first round pick in a strong draft. With ageing backlines Geelong, Hawthorn and Fremantle would be good fits and would provide Frawley with an opportunity to play finals.
Jarrod Waite, James Gwilt and Ryan O’Keefe lead a small list of other potential free agents who could attract interest. Brisbane have a number of talented tall forwards coming through but may benefit from a player such as Waite to lead a young attack for two years and then exit to allow the youngsters to flourish.
O’Keefe has been linked to Melbourne but could offer some real value for a season at St Kilda, who have struggled to find a small forward option since Stephen Milne retired. A season from O’Keefe to mentor players such as Eli Templeton before settling into a coaching role would be a good fit.
Gwilt may not attract too much attention and is a strong chance to stay at the Saints, although teams light on for defenders such as Melbourne may seek some experience.
Outside free agency the trade period has the potential to be either a dull affair or throw up a number of surprises. There are a few quality players who have yet to sign, headlined by Kristian Jaksch and Jono O’Rourke from Greater Western Sydney.
As former first round draft picks they could provide plenty of interest. Assuming the Saints finish last, they could potentially position themselves to pocket some real quality players to help re-stock their list. With Jaksch wanting to return to Victoria and out of contract, the Saints could get their hands on him via the pre-season draft.
A three or four year contract could snare Jaksch without having to give up anything at the trade table. This would open the door for the number one pick to snare one of the most talked up midfielders in Christian Petrecca. A swap of their second round pick (around number 19) for the Swans’ out-of-contract Tim Membrey also provides a mid-sized lead up forward who adds some much needed goal kicking to their squad.
Melbourne have already raised the option of trading their second round pick. A deal involving Tom Mitchell and Sam Reid and the Swans first round pick (with Nick Malceski signing as a free agent) could be a win for both clubs, especially if the Dees have a first round compensation pick for Frawley.
Port Adelaide may be in the market for another tall forward, but are they willing to trade anyone from their emerging group? Perhaps they should look across town at Lewis Johnston as a secondary forward option. They would also benefit from a second ruck option and could find a player such as Luke Lowden useful.
Jack Watts has had a tough time at Melbourne. Is there a team out there that believes they may be able to get the most out of this enigmatic player? Could Melbourne and Carlton trade players in an attempt to get the most out of them? Watts for Matthew Watson and Mitch Robinson could be a unique swap.
Will GWS or the Suns look to top up on one or two more experienced players? Will players such as Tayte Pears, Jeff Garlett or Mitch Brown seek more opportunities at other clubs?
The Bulldogs are the other club constantly linked in a search for a tall forward. Can they wait to snare a quality youngster and build the team around them? Maybe they could swap their first round pick with Melbourne to secure the best tall forward on the draft, Patrick McCartin. Shaun Higgins could move across and the Dogs could secure Melbourne’s second round draft pick and pick two.
I would be interested to hear everyone’s thoughts on any rumours or ideas on how your club can get the players or draft picks they need to be competitive.
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