The ultimate AFL merry-go-round trade

As we all know it’s trade season in the AFL. So far this season big names such as Paddy Ryder, Patrick Dangerfield, Dayne Beams and Jonathon Griffen have been bandied about with no apparent respect for contracts.

The big problem for the Adelaide Crows and Western Bulldogs is that Griffen and Dangerfield both only have one year remaining on their contracts.

Although both clubs have come forward to say that their respective players are not up for trade, we are all aware that Dangerfield and Griffen could leave for absolutely nothing next year.

Dangerfield has stated publicly that he loves the Crows and wants to stay at the club, but let’s be real here. The two things that AFL players mainly play for are money and success, and although I am a Crows supporter and believe the Crows are on the way up, I know this will take a few years.

As for the money, we lost a huge chunk during the Kurt Tippett saga and we will have pay Brenton Sanderson at least $1 million. The team I think Dangerfield will end up going to is Hawthorn, as they obviously have success and Lance Franklin money.

As for Griffen, well he has already stated his intent to leave the Dogs and I personally think it would be unbelievably stupid of the club keep a captain that wants out. Especially when they’re going to lose him for nothing in a year.

Some of the other main trade stories have been the news that Greater Western Sydney youngster Kristian Jaksch wants to move to Carlton and the likely trade of Jaksch and teammate Mark Whiley to Carlton for pick seven.

There are stories of Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Lowden and Mitch Hallahan wanting to move on for further opportunity. GSW want the first pick from the Saints, Jack Trengove’s likely leaving Melbourne, Adelaide’s are pursuing Phil Davis and Jono Giles.

Allen Christensen wants to head to Brisbane, Heritier Lumumba’s isn’t happy at Collingwood, Mitch Clark’s depression means he’s not comfortable at Melbourne and, finally, Levi Greenwood and Travis Varcoe’s have requested relocations to Collingwood.

That is one long list, which shows just how exciting the trade period can be. However, I found an awesome five-way trade on the internet and subsequently made up my own seven-way trade to deal with every rumour I listed above. Here it is.

The five-way trade
Brisbane
In: Dayne Beams, Allen Christensen
Out: Picks 5, 21 and 25

Collingwood
In: Levi Greenwood, Travis Varcoe, Pick 5
Out: Dayne Beams, Heritier Lumumba

North Melbourne
In: Pick 25
Out: Levi Greenwood

Geelong
In: Mitch Clark, Pick 21
Out: Allen Christensen, Travis Varcoe

Melbourne
In: Heritier Lumumba
Out: Mitch Clark

I couldn’t believe my luck when I stumbled across this trade as I thought it was just awesome. I attempted my own complicated trade, trying to fit every other rumour into it, apart from Paddy Ryder> I believe that this trade will not go through.

The seven-way trade
Hawthorn
In: Patrick Dangerfield
Out: Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Lowden, Mitch Hallahan

Adelaide
In: Ryan Schoenmakers, Jack Trengove, Jono Giles
Out: Patrick Dangerfield

Western Bulldogs
In: Mitch Hallahan, Pick 19
Out: Ryan Griffen

Greater Western Sydney
In: Ryan Griffen, Picks 1 and 23
Out: Jono Giles, Kristian Jacksch, Mark Whiley, Picks 4 and 19

Melbourne
In: Pick 7
Out: Jack Trengove, Pick 23

Carlton
In: Kristian Jacksch, Mark Whiley
Out: Pick 7

St Kilda
In: Luke Lowden, Pick 4
Out: Pick 1

Yes, I know, both of these trades are unlikely to happen, but wouldn’t it be great if they did? Who do you think would be the winners, or the losers? How do you think a mega-trade like this would affect the AFL?