What you club needs from the AFL trade period: Part 1

By Macca / Roar Rookie

With the impending finish to the weird and wacky 2020 AFL season, the silly season is about to begin. And the silly season means one thing: trade period.

All clubs are looking to improve their lists for a better chance to be on the dais on the last Saturday of September. Some clubs, like North Melbourne, are going through a rebuilding period, whereas clubs like Collingwood and Brisbane are a part of a premiership tilt.

This what every club requires in the trade and draft period for next season.

Stay up to date with the latest AFL trade rumours here.

Adelaide Crows

Rumoured players to arrive
Orazio Fantasia and Jackson Hately

Who and what they need
The Crows hold a very strong hand in the draft with Picks 1, 8, 20, 29, 44, 50, 60 and 74. With such a young group they must adopt a Brisbane Lions-style approach whereby getting kids from Adelaide and South Australia and mates from Victoria so they can stay as a group through the rebuild and the hopeful success of the football club.

This could include Riley Thilthorpe (key forward, 200 centimetres and 99 kilograms, West Adelaide Football Club), who is projected by Cal Twomey’s phantom draft at Pick 4, or Tanner Bruhn (midfielder, 182 centimetres and 73 kilograms, Geelong Falcons).

It will also be interesting to see whether they bid on No. 1 draft prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who is currently sewn up by the Western Bulldogs in the next-generation academy. Not only do they require a successful draft, but they also need to trade to get experience and some star factor in the club.

How they get it done
First trade:

Second trade:

Orazio Fantasia (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Brisbane Lions

Rumoured players to arrive
Joe Daniher

Who and what they need
Brisbane’s prelims loss shows that they lack a big-bodied midfield and a lynchpin up forward. They hold a steady draft hand with Picks 18, 19, 38 and 64, but they don’t necessarily need to go to the draft – instead they must use draft picks as bait to lure the likes of Joe Daniher, who, if fit, could be the best player in the competition.

The Lions require a big-bodied midfielder to fight with the likes of Geelong, Richmond, Port Adelaide’s midfields. One player they should go after is Brayden Sier, who has not been able to cement his spot in the Collingwood best 22. Sier was a part of the Collingwood’s run to the 2018 grand final and weighs in at 90 kilos and is 1.91 meters tall.

Another player Brisbane could go after is Jack Ziebell. Ziebell could want to get out of the mess at Arden Street and is an experienced player. This may be a fantasy trade, but if Ziebell wants to win a flag, he could venture North. The Lions could use his big frame in the midfield and help Lachie Neale.

How they get it done
First (possible mega) trade:

Second trade:

Joe Daniher (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Carlton Blues

Rumoured players to arrive
Adam Saad and Zac Williams

Who and what they need
The Carlton future is looking bright, and bringing the likes of Adam Saad and Zac Williams is exciting for all blue baggers. The Blues need to provide some support around captain Patrick Cripps, who struggled later in the season with a shoulder injury and the fact he must single-handedly provide Carlton wins.

The Blues currently hold picks from the first round, second round, third round and fifth round – Picks 7, 27, 45, 81. They have been rumoured to be coveting the signature of Jordan de Goey as well – they should go after him as they could use him up forward to help with young forwards Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Mitch McGovern.

How they get it done
First (possible mega) trade:

Second trade:

Zac Williams (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood Magpies

Rumoured players to arrive
No-one is rumoured to be signing with Collingwood; they have prioritised the re-signing of Jordan de Goey and Darcy Moore.

Who and what they need
There are no two ways about it – Collingwood seriously need a full-forward and cannot rely on the combination of Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox to win a flag. The full-forwards currently on the market are Ben Brown, Jeremy Cameron and Peter Wright. The player the Pires need most is Brown, who has averaged 49 goals over the last four years and is still only 27 years old so has probably another two or three years of good football ahead of him.

How they get it done
First trade:

Ben Brown (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Essendon Bombers

Rumoured players to arrive
Alex Witherden and Jy Caldwell

Who and what they need
The Essendon mass exodus is a serious concern for first-year coach Ben Rutten as there seems to be a culture problem at the long-time successful club. The Bombers are going through their own rebuild and must use the draft wisely so they can fly up, up the ladder.

Another important task in the trade period is to re-sign midfielder Zach Merrett, who is arguably the club’s best player. The Bombers could possibly look at drafting a key defender like Denver Grainger-Barrass, who could take over from Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker, who are coming to the end of their careers.

How they get it done
First (possible mega) trade:

Second trade:

Alex Witherden (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Fremantle Dockers

Rumoured players to arrive
Jordan Clark

Who and what they need
Fremantle have shown promise under new coach Justin Longmuir, but it’s fair to say some players in their best 22 are stop-gaps, and if the Dockers want to break the premiership hoodoo, they must look at trade and draft.

The players Fremantle should target with the impending inclusion of Jordan Clark are Quinton Narkle and Marlion Pickett. As both of these players are from Western Australia, they may be easier to poach than some people think. Narkle suffered a hamstring injury and has since struggled to get into Geelong’s best 22, while 2019 grand final hero Marlion Pickett is off contract and could look to return home to Perth to be closer to family.

How they get it done
First trade:

Second trade:

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Geelong Cats

Rumoured players to arrive
Isaac Smith, Shaun Higgins and Jeremy Cameron

Who and what they need
There are no two ways about it irrespective of the result on Saturday night: Geelong are one of the best clubs of the modern era. And behind the success is the fact they have been able to trade well to suit their club and certain needs. An example of this is the rumours circling that Jeremy Cameron is on his way back home to Geelong. He would fit their needs perfectly, playing a high half role with Hawkins in the goal square.

How they get it done
First trade:

Second trade:

Third trade not required with Hawthorn for Isaac Smith as he isn’t a restricted free agent.

Jeremy Cameron (Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Gold Coast Suns

Rumoured players to arrive
Oleg Markov

Who and what they need
With superstar Matt Rowell coming through, it’s clear the Suns midfield requires another midfielder, and with the rumours of Adam Treloar wanting to follow his wife, Kim Ravallion, up north, some pundits believe it is a must for the glamour club to sign him. The Suns also require another ruckman. As much as Jarrod Witts is one of the best players on the list, he requires another on the job. This could include the two rucks: Tom Hickey or Nathan Vardy.

How they get it done
First trade:

Second trade:

Third trade:

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Greater Western Sydney Giants

Rumoured players to arrive
Braydon Preuss

Who and what they need
With the impending departure of superstar forward Jeremy Cameron, Greater Western Sydney will require another forward, but there aren’t many full-forwards out there. They could have a go at poaching Josh Bruce from the Bulldogs or look at prizing the signature of two-metre Peter Wright.

Braydon Preuss has also told the Melbourne Football Club that he wants to depart to join the Giants. This would be a massive signature for GWS, who require a mature ruckman to help Shane Mumford.

How they get it done
First trade:

Second trade:

The Crowd Says:

2020-10-28T14:05:13+00:00

Thom Roker

Roar Guru

The Suns didn't "turn their noses up at pick 10 for Jack Martin", they said that they didn't want to make yet another speculative future pick trade after several disastrous such trades. As it turned out, the Blues offer would have been worth around pick 20 in 2020 based on finishing positions and draft points value, but as SOS himself said as recently as today, the Suns just don't need those kinds of picks. There a risk that Carlton made finals and the picks become even less valuable. Carlton should have split their pick to satisfy the Suns, but eventually they gave the Suns Sam Flanders on Draft night, who was the 4th or 5th best midfielder in the draft, so there was some levelling out of the inequity of the failed deal, plus it also meant that the Suns didn't pinch Martin in the PSD, which they were minded to do right up until the draft.

2020-10-28T13:46:41+00:00

Thom Roker

Roar Guru

As you probably know, the Suns have an opportunity to clinch Atkins for a bargain. It won't be a fat contract, which suggests 3rd round compo, but it will be a long one, so there's hope for a 2nd round compo pick. I laughed my butt off when Richmond only got an end of 2nd round compo pick for Brandon Ellis, after journos were misreporting how much the Suns paid him by a couple hundred grand. Atkins won't get as much as Ellis, so if the AFL is consistent then it might be a pick in the 40s, but if it gets you Fantasia then who cares, right?

2020-10-28T13:33:46+00:00

Thom Roker

Roar Guru

Agree with some of your points and only have one disagreement with you. Fair assessment of Vardy, especially his 2018 season where he played a crucial role in the Eagles winning the flag, yet he's slipped down the order with NicNat, Tom Hickey and Bailey Williams going past him. However, I think you've misread the situation at the Gold Coast. Zac Smith played the whole preseason as the number 1 ruck because Jarrod Witts hurt his foot in the offseason. Wittsy came back just in time for Round 1 underdone and was saved from being dropped by the season being suspended. Furthermore, Stuart Dew didn't go with 2 ruckmen, but this was largely due to the shortened quarters, so the strategy could be looked at again next year. Peter Wright missed selection all year because his chop out on the ruck was not needed, although his huge tank and ruck-forward skills could make him much more desirable in 2021 when the games go back to full length. That said, should Wright be traded out then someone like Vardy would be a handy acquisition in exchange for a pick in the 70s.

2020-10-26T04:04:33+00:00

I’ve heard from a reliable source D Martin will be in a blues guernsey next year too - along with C Oliver, M Gawn, P Dangerfield and Rozee —— because why wouldn’t you want to go to carlton and live in Melbourne!

2020-10-26T03:59:33+00:00

Spot on comment AD - couldn’t agree more

2020-10-26T03:58:49+00:00

Couldn’t agree more - these Vic writers!

2020-10-26T03:57:02+00:00

Bwahahaha - I laughed and I laughed. L McDonald will be in Adelaide next year - 279%

2020-10-26T03:54:06+00:00

They can wheel and deal - well take Grundy and de Goey off your hands for pick 1 - you’ll have to pick up half their salaries for both though :stoked:

2020-10-26T01:43:14+00:00

Kane

Roar Rookie

Carlton don't need DeGoey anywhere near the joint, he's proven to be toxic. We're trying to build a culture and he's probably the last bloke you want around. And Williams is a free agent so no need to trade for him.

2020-10-24T01:02:39+00:00

ScottD

Roar Guru

I reckon Dockers should keep Hogan. Sit him down, explain the way of life to him and point out that if he doesn't knuckle down in 2021 then he wont be selected to play. If he doesn't play then he'll head into 2022 with no contract, no money and be lucky to be picked by any club. If he puts the effort in with Freo he'll get selected , get paid and get a contract extension of 2 years. If that isn't incentive enough then I don't know what is. Having said that, if a good key forward is available and we can get him (and he doesn't come with baggage) then we should trade Hogan for whatever we can get right now.

2020-10-24T00:59:18+00:00

ScottD

Roar Guru

Might be some interest from the Dockers in Cox as a depth player in a normal year. Given the reduced lists though, I think that there will be a lot of guys that won't be in a team that might otherwise have been. The rules aren't the rules anymore with talent. Clubs can and will be able to be far harder in their selection criteria.

2020-10-23T13:59:55+00:00

bazza

Guest

Are those dockers trades a joke? Hogan and pick 28 for Marlion? Marlion is barely worth pick 28 alone Hamling (v solid key defender who is established in the best 22 when fit) somehow worth way less than narkle (doesn't get a regular game)

2020-10-23T04:57:12+00:00

DingoGray

Roar Guru

As there's no real Delisting type articles going around this is where this has landed. Lions have announced this afternoon Delistings of Eagles, Skinner, Corey Lyons, Allison & Wooller while Cedric Cox has announced desire to return to WA. Be interest in our Western Australian punters whether any interest? 12 games in 4 years probably doesn't scream large bidding war to occur? My point of view on the delistings, while I love the Big Eagles story, hardly surprising the delisting. Allison no surprises at all for me. He's shown he's not up to the level. Feel slightly disappointed for Skinner considering his injury woes. He did show something when he played again Eagles a few years back. Mind you the injuries probably have taken the best of him. The Corey Lyons & Toby Wooller disappoints me. I thought Lyons showed plenty last year in the NEAFL. He was impacted big time by not being able to play in substantial matches. i would of liked an extended 12 month contract. Wooller bit the same. Never really given a crack. But it does look like the Basketballer Fullerton has gone past him. And the ? Marks about list sizes probably mean he's an easy cut. Think Matheison very luck to survive. I can't see an AFL future for him.

2020-10-22T01:10:38+00:00

2dogz

Roar Rookie

Thanks James :thumbup:

2020-10-21T23:30:08+00:00

JamesH

Roar Guru

Edgy.

2020-10-21T07:02:47+00:00

Jezza back at the Blues

Guest

Carlton needs to go in hard for Cameron. Geelong cannot just pick him up for chump change. At the very least push the prices up to put them out of the market for other players in the future. Geelong has just been able to get a load of top talent in the door with no competition. It is time to start playing hardball with the Pussies.

2020-10-21T06:13:48+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie

The player has to want to go. Darcy has extended his contract. He knows where he wants to be.

2020-10-21T06:12:59+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie

Yeah...I wouldn't do that trade. Clark is excellent but Darcy is essential.

2020-10-21T06:11:49+00:00

Don Freo

Roar Rookie

We don't.

2020-10-21T03:10:53+00:00

Maxy

Roar Rookie

Don, you told me you don't need any more players , your list is hunky dory you said to me ,full of superstars and matchwinners and x factor players now you want to add another gamebreaker to your line up

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