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AFL clubs are constantly scouting the country looking for the best possible targets to bring into their club. At the pointy end of 2016, here are the potential trade/free agency targets for your club.
Adelaide
As good as the Crows have been in 2016, they still have a few holes in the list that require attention. The defence needs another boost and could look at luring Mitch Brown from West Coast or his twin brother Nathan Brown from Collingwood.
Both players would add valuable experience to a young defence as their younger defenders continue to develop. The club would also benefit from adding another classy midfielder to the list and have been heavily linked to Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff. Rockliff would be a big inclusion for the Crows and would help ease the burden for Rory Sloane.
Brisbane
After trying unsuccessfully to prize away power forward Josh Jenkins away from Adelaide, the club is obviously in the hunt for a key forward. Inklings across the media are suggesting Ty Vickery could be the player the Lions acquire to fulfil their need.
Vickery has the ability to kick goals and act as a second ruckman and would appeal to the Lions. If Vickery decides to re-sign with Richmond or join another club other than Brisbane, Nathan Vardy, Shane Kersten and Travis Cloke could be potential targets.
Carlton
The Blues still lack a genuine key forward and need to add some more height to the backline. They may look to find that forward and develop him in the draft or they will make a serious play for Ty Vickery or Adam Tomlinson.
The club has also been linked to GWS defender Caleb Marchbank and at this stage would be 90 per cent chance of getting him across to Ikon Park. The GWS/Carlton trading relationship looks set to continue.
Collingwood
The Pies still need to find young key defenders and key forwards. They may look at trading in Caleb Marchbank if Carlton can’t get him and will also be right in the hunt for Ty Vickery.
It all depends whether Travis Cloke remains at the Pies in 2017. They could also look at adding some depth in the form of young utility Tom Lamb and Lin Jong.
Essendon
With the number one draft pick in their arsenal, it will be interesting to see whether they use it to lure across a star player. That player could be Jaeger O’Meara. The club is also heavily linked to Lions midfielder Lewis Taylor and small forward Josh Green and are a big chance of luring the latter across.
The Bombers will also keep a keen eye on Tom Mitchell and his contract negotiations.
Fremantle
Key Forwards are the priority for the Dockers and will do everything in its power to secure Cam McCarthy. The Dockers may also bring in talented forward Shane Kersten from the Cats and Hawks wingman Bradley Hill.
If the Dockers are adventurous enough it can still retain a first round draft selection and bring in this trio. There are also rumours that Rory Lobb could be heading back to WA, and the Dockers would be first in line.
Geelong
After the Cats splurge in last season’s silly season, it is unlikely they will be able to get in any trades or free agents to the club. They may have a brief look at Jack Grimes, Jarryd Blair and Brendan Whitecross as Free Agents.
Gold Coast
The Suns will be content going to the draft and securing some talented young players and could get some quality picks in if O’Meara and Prestia walk out on the club. There are inklings the club is interested in bringing in Chris Mayne in what would be a good move for both clubs. Not much else beckons for the Suns this off-season.
Greater Western Sydney
Have been heavily linked in a trade for Michael Walters that would involve Cam McCarthy. Apart from Walters, the Giants will load up on Academy players at the draft.
Hawthorn
The Hawks always spring a surprise at the trade table and this year will be no different. There are suggestions that they are gunning for Tom Mitchell and are in the race for Jaeger O’Meara.
They could make a play for Ty Vickery to bolster the forward stocks and could also look at Jack Grimes as a Free Agent. Grimes would suit the Hawks and would benefit from being within their system.
Melbourne
The Demons will target another midfielder, such as Dion Prestia or David Swallow to add to their impressive band of on ballers. Depending on Tom McDonald’s contract talks, they could also look at trading in a key defender such as Caleb Marchbank, Jake Batchelor, Mitch Brown or Sam Shaw. The Demons will be eager to bolster these areas as they are limited for draft picks this season.
North Melbourne
With the Kangaroos featuring the oldest list in the competition, changes for 2017 are necessary in order to keep them relevant. The Kangaroos would be silly not to make a play for Michael Hurley, and would love to bring across David Swallow from the Suns.
The club have held talks with Brad Crouch’s management and he would add instant class and youth the Roos ageing midfield. The club is also certain to target an opposition ruckman, and may be tempted to have a shot at Tom Downie or Nathan Vardy. An important off-season for the club.
Port Adelaide
Not much going on at Alberton but the Power could look to bolster the key defensive stocks and also try and lure a mid-sized forward. Chris Mayne could be on that the Power target as a free agent, as well as Crows utility Ricky Henderson, who has struggled to break into Don Pyke’s 22.
There are also some rumours surrounding Swans midfielder Harry Cunningham possibly weighing up a move, with the Power reportedly interested.
Richmond
The club has made it no secret it will be highly aggressive in the pursuit of players that will propel the club forward. The club’s main target will be Suns ball magnet Dion Prestia and are a big chance of obtaining him.
The club will also look at bolstering the ruck department, and have been rumoured to be interested in Tom Downie and Zac Clarke. Another player who has popped up recently is West Coast youngster Tom Lamb, who is certain to request a trade home. Possible swap with Reece Conca?
Lamb is a clever high half forward in the Gunston mould and would suit the Tigers to a tee.
St Kilda
The Saints need another class midfielder and another key defender. The club is linked with Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Rockliff, however are leading the race for young GWS gun Jack Steele, who may move for more opportunities.
In what would be a coup, the Saints are reportedly set to table an offer to Michael Hurley, but not sure the Saints would satisfy the Bombers with an offer. They are also a chance of luring across Caleb Marchbank.
Just like they did with Tim Membrey, the Saints may try and pick a bargain and reckon they may look at getting GWS midfielder Jake Barrett, an absolute ball magnet at NEAFL level who just can’t get a game at AFL level.
Sydney
The Swans have an ageing defence and may look at a player such as Sam Smith, a young key defender from the Crows who can’t get a game. The Swans will build through their academy and will not be overly prominent in trade/free agency this off-season.
If Tom Mitchell decides to join Hawthorn, could they convince the Hawks to let go of Luke Breust a year before he becomes a free agent?
West Coast
The Eagles were fairly active last trade period and could be set to be aggressive once again. Reece Conca is almost certain to request a trade, and the Eagles would be the front runners.
They could also make a play for Brad Hill if he decides to leave Hawthorn. The Eagles are not overly open in their trade discussions, but there is a suggestion an offer for Michael Hurley is on the table, with the view that the key defender can get a fresh start away from the bubble of the Melbourne football culture.
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are into Michael Hurley and will throw the kitchen sink for his services. They also want another ruckman and could be tempted to make another move for Matthew Lobbe or Tom Nicholls.
While unlikely and a contracted player, Brandon Ellis’ name has been thrown up as a possible target and the Dogs would love his outside run. But the Tigers would ask for plenty in return. Another player the club would like is Ricky Henderson, who is yet to sign with the Crows for 2017.
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