Another day of the 2017 AFL trade and free agency period is done and dusted. We had only one deal done, but can add two new names to list of players who might move clubs this year.
Adam Saad traded from Gold Coast Suns to Essendon Bombers for Essendon Bombers’ 2018 second-round draft pick.
Essendon have gone some way already to shedding the ‘hard to trade with’ tag this year – two of the first five trades done involve them and they’ve conducted themselves in a professional and classy way, their cringeworthy use of social media aside.
Saad was always going to be a neat little piece of business for whichever club landed him this year, the kind of player who is an elite talent for his position, but it’s the kind of position you never have to pay big for.
He’ll add another layer of speed and rebounding ability to Essendon’s back six but perhaps most excitingly will likely release Rising Star winner Andy McGrath to play more through the midfield next year.
In return the Suns get a second-round pick in next year’s draft – they’ll be hoping the Dons have a rubbish year in 2018, but with the players Essendon have picked up that seems unlikely.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
In an offseason where yet more players are leaving the club for their home states, Gold Coast appear to have struck a blow in the opposite direction with Fremantle’s Lachie Weller requesting a trade to the Suns.
Weller and his older brother Maverick are Tasmanians by birth but the family moved to Gold Coast when Maverick signed there and although he has since moved to St Kilda, Lachie’s parents still live on the Gold Coast.
Fremantle reportedly offered Weller a four-year contract extension this year which would have contracted him until the end of 2022, but he rejected the offer as he didn’t wish to remain in Perth for that period of time.
Speculation is that Weller could form part of a three-team deal with Gold Coast and GWS that sees one of Gold Coast’s second-round draft picks land at the Giants while Fremantle gain Nathan Wilson and perhaps also Brandon Matera.
Weller might not be the only new player that Gold Coast bring through the doors this trade period though with it also seeming likely that former North Melbourne skipper will leave the Roos to join his brother David at the Suns.
Swallow handed the captaincy to Jack Ziebell twelve months ago and wasn’t always in North Melbourne’s best side this year, and would be unlikely to be offered a contract beyond 2018 with the Kangaroos.
A trade to Gold Coast might offer him the best chance available to play at AFL level every week and extend his career beyond 2018 if he wishes to do so, while the Suns’ youth would benefit from having an experienced leader on the list.
North Melbourne would no doubt see it as a chance to give more games to the opportunity-hungry youth on their list and have said they’ll be happy to orchestrate a trade if Swallow and the Suns want to get it done.
nancy moffat
Guest
yeah
Jon boy
Guest
Johnny- He WILL become a real top Player.
Chris
Guest
This trade period has been a real non-event in my opinion compared to the last couple of years. The players on offer appear to be below par and the whole thing is so uninteresting that the sooner it is over and done with the better!
Johnny Dalmas
Guest
Crozier is over-rated. The highlight reel is good so when people watch a 4 minute youtube video they think #40 was a steal. But week in week out he has been very uneven. This was a knock on him as a junior and it has followed through in his professional career.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Pffft, someone could over clip their toenail and you would expansively proclaim it a portent of doom and gloom for Freo.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The "not top 10 in B&F" mantra is a furphy. The only player of anywhere near his vintage to finish in Freo's top 10 was Blakely. He's a third year player and the Suns aren't as much interested in his current status in Freo's vote count, but what he's very likely to become in the near future and beyond. He's a very valuable commodity to Gold Coast.
truetigerfan
Guest
George & David, you've both nailed it! Pick 2 is just laughable!
David C
Guest
That's about right on both counts. GC could finish last next year and Weller will walk for nothing in the PSD. He didn't even finish in your top 10 B and F.
David C
Guest
Yep, GC would be mad to trade pick 2. He's worth one of GC's early 2nd rounders at best.
David C
Guest
GC won't be trading players only picks.
David C
Guest
Why would a club take Menzal in a trade when they could have signed him for free?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Weller's exactly the sort of player that Gold Coast and probably Stewie Dew, should be targeting. He's a fierce competitor for starters, has elite kicking skills and is very quick. He's also at a great age, with 2-3 very solid development years in the bank and durable. He'll be going nowhere to boot, which isn't necessarily the case with Martin. Sure Martin may seem settled, but every time his contract comes up he'll have big lures waved in front of him by the WA clubs, so they'll want to be sure of that. It's also nice for them to secure a player at his age and desirability level (the Saints have been going hard at him last year). Could be a real tide turner for them as a destination.
George
Guest
You sound like Fremantle finished top 4. Let's be honest both teams have a long way to finals. So Weller is like 3rd, 4th best midfielder on Fremantle team and you want pick 2? Just keep him, I go with LDU/Rayner instead.
anon
Roar Pro
They all play the family card whether the reasons are genuine or not. It gives the player maximum leverage since it tells the ex-club there's nothing you can do to make me stay so you had better take what you can get for me. All I'll say is that you didn't see too many players leaving Hawthorn for family reasons during their reign, not too many leave Sydney for family reasons, etc. Weller was in their best 18 and getting better. I would have put Crozier in their best 18 too. I think he's simply been misused by Lyon. I think he'll be a handy player at the Bulldogs. Terrible week for Fremantle so far. Not to worry, they still have Suban, D Pearce, Sutcliffe, Spurr, and just resigned Johnson, Ballantyne, a 35-year-old ruckman... Don Freo will tell you how this week has been a positive.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I can't imagine a universe where we'd have gotten much more than pick 40 for Crozier, dude.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
You're being serious? I reckon a future second rounder, plus pick 77 and maybe a very late pick (131?), would be enough. I couldn't imagine GWS would demand four or five picks, though. That's just facetious.
Ditto
Guest
Pick 77 AD? I think you may have to throw in picks 95 & 113 as well, maybe even pick 131, just to make sure it gets across the line.
rusty
Roar Rookie
I reckon it is good news. Weller is so overrated. Freo should be able to get more than he is worth pick-wise. I am a bit more disappointed in only getting pick 40 for Crozier though.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Its very fair, what about it is unfair?
Docker@Aveley
Guest
Jack Martin in purple. Oh yes please.