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We’re three quarters into the season, and with the top eight settled, at least ten clubs will be turning their attention to 2017 as their priority.
Roll out the cliches – everyone will be “blooding the youngsters,” “getting games into the kids,” “having season-ending surgery so you can be ‘cherry ripe’ for pre-season,” “rapt to bring in young talent by the draft.” You get the idea
Amidst all this is the AFL trade period following the conclusion of the season, a time to either send shivers down the collective spines of fans and clubs, or whoops of joy when a new hope comes into potentially improve a team.
The rise of the trade period (it now even has a sponsor) also signifies another ‘Americanisation’ of our game and it is a great conversation starter for fans around the water cooler or over a beer down at the local.
Complicating the trading period is the entire recruitment back-drop – the draft, free-agency, restrictions on free-agency and new provisions to trade future draft picks. Throw in academies, priority picks and mature-aged rookies, and it is a very complex scheme in the name of attempting to create parity.
Worst possible fears are now being realised for fans as players or their agents have the ‘temerity’ to talk to other clubs during the season – exemplified by Lin Jong’s somewhat bizarre tour of Collingwood. This was beautifully captured in Josh Elliot’s piece around free agency and trading.
The slightest indiscretion can also see the media jump on a somewhat illusionary bandwagon that poor behaviour warrants a trade. Alternatively, an indication from a player he is unhappy with his teammates, coach or even medical services and suddenly numerous clubs are in the hunt to land the services of the disaffected player. Cue Tom Boyd, and anyone playing decent footy north of the Tweed.
Furthermore, the alarm bells ring in full force when a player states ‘I am putting contract talks on hold until the end of the season to concentrate on my footy’. Take a bow Tom Mitchell.
So, who may find greener pastures? Below is a quick analysis across each club around who potentially will leave their side, and who it may be worthwhile to chase and bring in. There are a few rumours and innuendos obviously below, and a couple that will provoke some debate.
Adelaide
Going
Brad Crouch. Lots of discussion on the potential for the highly-rated Crouch to go. The ‘Dangerfield replacement’ is still biding too much time in the SANFL.
Chase
An inside midfielder to replace Scott Thompson – Michael Barlow could be an interesting short-term proposition. Note the irony with the above speculation on Crouch.
Brisbane
Going
Tom Rockliff. Whether warranted or not, there have been some pretty negative things said about Rockliff recently in the press, raising further attention on the plight of the Lions and that of their coach.
Chase
Anybody could help, right? Apart from the need to chase a coach, a play for Brett Deledio is what they need. Deledio could play some decent footy in his twilight across half back in a quarter-back role. The downside for the Lions is Brisbane does not have the image of “destination club” written over it at the moment, and a big fish simply may not want to land.
Carlton
Going
Hard to see. Some players such as Andrejs Everett have fallen down the chain. Having watched the Carlton rebuild in action against the Swans, I will rule out Matthew Kreuzer, who is un-contracted beyond this season. I was impressed in how his ruck tandem with Andrew Phillips is starting to come together nicely. That leaves Levi Casboult, but the Blues will be also keen to retain the key forward.
Chase
Jaeger O’Meara. Bring a young Rolls Royce into an up-and-coming team, if his knees can withstand the heat in the big time. 12 months ago I would have said bring in key defenders, but kudos to the defensive unit Brendan Bolton has built.
Collingwood
Going
Travis Cloke. Whether or not the scrutiny has been completely over-zealous, Cloke could potentially offer another club two to three years of 40 goals a season.
Chase
Michael Hurley to lock down a key defensive post.
Essendon
Going
Michael Hurley. He’s the big remaining talking point of the suspended Bomber cohort. Essendon will move heaven and earth to sign him, and have tabled him an offer.
Chase
Given the injection (pardon the pun) of key players returning following their WADA suspensions, the Bombers could consider Majak Daw. Having a player of Daw’s versatility and athleticism will give support to the Essendon ruck stocks with Mark Jamar surely retiring and Tom Bellchambers an unknown quantity with the year off.
Fremantle
Going
There are a few, but I think the most interesting one is Chris Mayne, a solid lead-up forward/utility who is yet to re-sign with the Dockers. He’d be useful as a utility in a contending side.
Chase
Cam McCarthy. Almost a certainty to end up at the Dockers to replace Pavlich. Tyrone Vickery could also be another interesting prospect which the Dockers could land with some of their potential currency.
Geelong
Going
Nathan Vardy. With too many cooks in the kitchen in the context of ruck/forward spots at the Cattery, and having had a horrid spate of injuries, Vardy would be an interesting gamble at another club.
Chase
Michael Barlow. Suiting their current ‘re-tooling’ strategy, Barlow would add some further depth and bring a country Victorian boy home. The Cats have traded away a lot of their picks for Dangerfield and the large player haul from last season.
Gold Coast
Going
David Swallow. The romantic notion has it that he would be a terrific fit with his brother and captain Andrew at North. Close second is Jaeger O’Meara.
Chase
Draft picks. If the player exodus continues, they need to focus on the draft for the next two years to rebuild around an exciting and tall forward line. Ironically, one might suggest they have a look at the ‘fringes’ on the GWS list.
GWS
Going
Cam McCarthy. No chance he will grace Flemington markets or the streets of Blacktown anytime soon.
Chase
No one. While they may wish to bring in another key defender, their list is solid to say the least for the next few years. The priority is more around list protection.
Hawthorn
Going
Angus Litherland. This is based purely on the chance for opportunities elsewhere. Hawthorn have a wonderful player retention rate, and who wouldn’t want to stay while still in the window?
Chase
Tom Mitchell. A good time to transition a midfielder coming into the peak of his career while the Hawks’ fab-four enter their twilight. Mitch Brown from West Coast could also be an interesting one for key-stock depth.
Melbourne
Going
Chris Dawes. Like Cloke, a maligned key forward with the potential for a short-term start elsewhere. I cannot see his future at the Demons.
Chase
Mitch Brown or Michael Hurley. The need for a second key defender is apparent in their rebuild.
North Melbourne
Going
Majak Daw. Behind in the pecking order with a fully-fit Todd Goldstein and the Daintree rainforest that is the North forward line, one would expect Daw to seek opportunities elsewhere. Again, this could be contingent on Drew Petrie’s intentions for 2017. Ditto Aaron Black.
Chase
Nathan Brown. They need some support for an ageing defence. David Swallow as mentioned previously.
Port Adelaide
Going
John Butcher. Played his first game yesterday against GWS, but is 25 and there have been more sightings of the Loch Ness monster than Butcher at senior level. Was only offered a one-year deal this season and it’s hard to see him part of Ken Hinkley’s future plans.
Chase
Tyrone Vickery. Key forwards don’t grow on trees, and while Vickery is not A-grade, Port need to cover the ageing Jay Schulz and the lack of development from the aforementioned Butcher.
Richmond
Going
Brett Deledio. Time to cash in on while Deledio still has some currency before free agency. Definitely the most radical suggestion so far. Tyrone Vickery has lived for many years on the dreaded P word (potential), and he has some currency that would assist the next Richmond rebuild.
Chase
Midfield and key defensive posts. Sam Reid or the Brown brothers could help down back and, let’s face it, Alex Rance needs all the help he can get. A play for Jaeger O’Meara would be worth it to help Dustin Martin take the next generation forward.
St Kilda
Going
Billy Longer. The former Lions ruckman may be seeking a third club. Ruckmen are always in demand and there is still potential for this young one to make his mark at the top. He is at the back of a significant queue at the Saints in this position.
Chase
Brad Crouch. A second lease of life could be just what Crouch needs and he’d give the Saints some more midfield grunt. Aaron Black could be another interesting prospect as key forward cover for the ageless Nick Riewoldt and the uncertainty around Paddy McCartin.
Sydney
Going
Tom Mitchell or Sam Reid. It’s clear that the Swans are off the mark on the remuneration tabled to Mitchell, and his value would be tremendous to multiple clubs. Sam Reid is another one who could look for opportunities away from Sydney. Unfortunately, like his brother Ben, injuries have battered a promising career.
Chase
Chris Mayne. Mayne would be the perfect fit for the Swans – a strong leading and high-workrate third tall option. Rumours suggest the Swans are after Tom McDonald, but I don’t see how they could offer adequate remuneration, and McDonald’s language in no way suggests he wants a shift away from the Dees.
Western Bulldogs
Going
Lin Jong tours aside, Koby Stevens is one the Dogs will be keen to remain at the club, and he could certainly offer a contender a ready-made inside midfielder.
Chase
Nathan Vardy, Toby Nankervis or Billy Longer. With Will Minson at the end, the Dogs need some ruck/forward depth to support Tom Campbell. They may need to target key defensive posts as well, with some glittering careers also coming to a close for some defenders at the kennel. The aforementioned Brown brothers may offer something as would Sam Reid.
West Coast
Going
Mitch Brown. Injuries and pecking order have curtailed his career to date. He still has some currency, though.
Chase
Cam McCarthy could be on the cards, but I still believe Freo are in the box seat. The jury is still out on the Lewis Jetta trade from last season so West Coast may be reluctant to take another punt. Clancee Pearce could be a handy snipe from their fellow Western Australian rivals to provide some run off half-back.
I’d welcome your thoughts as always, Roarers.
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