This year’s AFL trade period will be one of the most important in recent memory. Many teams could push for finals afterwards, and some ageing teams could fall out of contention.
Key players like Luke Dunstan, Pat Lipinski, Peter Ladhams, Jeremy Finlayson and Adam Cerra are headlining articles. Whereas younger players such as Jordan Clark, Nathan Krueger and Jordan Dawson could prove vital to helping ageing teams stay in contention.
These are some teams who have a really strong (or weak) hand in the trade.
Adelaide Crows
There’s a lot going on in the City of Churches this month. Delisted halfback Daniel Talia is seeking a new home, lockdown defender Jake Kelly is heading to Windy Hill and small forward Tyson Stengle is trying to resuscitate his career. In return they could nab Swans young gun Jordan Dawson, but this seems unlikely, as there are many other keen clubs who have a bit more to trade for him.
Collingwood Magpies
There is one player who comes to mind when this club is mentioned at the moment: former Bulldog Pat Lipinski. He could add some much-needed spark to the club’s midfield and could maybe lift them up the ladder. Add this to the arrival of Nathan Krueger and the almost inevitable Nick Daicos and they will rise up the ranks a fair bit.
Fremantle Dockers
It is almost certain that rising star Adam Cerra will leave the club for Carlton. But who will they get in return? Jordan Clark. They have to get him in return for Cerra, although it may be hard to lure him away from Kardinia Park as the Cats will desperately need him to play next year.
Melbourne Demons
After winning the 2021 grand final, the Demons look set for a potential dynasty, as they have mature-age recruits in Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, Christian Salem – the list goes on. But the arrival of Luke Dunstan will elevate them to an almost unbeatable level. His aggression towards the ball is first class, and that is what the Demons will want from him.
Geelong Cats
What in the world are Geelong going to do here? They have the oldest list in the AFL and they are rapidly running out of legs. Players such as Shaun Higgins, Patrick Dangerfield and Isaac Smith were all amazing in their prime, but that is far behind them. If Fremantle take Jordan Clark and if they lose too many good draft picks, they may fall out of finals contention, as they are just too old.
It may have been a curse in disguise to finish third, as they won’t have as many good draft picks to use. Maybe if they finished a bit lower on the ladder, they would have had a better chance. But for now they will have to retreat into their shells to keep their youngsters.
So there you have it. These clubs will have to go all-out, guns blazing, or full-on defensive to avoid finals heartbreak. They may have to either keep all their good players or sacrifice in the dozens for a good season.
Who knows what their list managers will do? Their decisions will make or break next season.
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
I Think Carlton should give Oscar McDonald,Luke Parks,and Jordan Boyd a Rookie's deal for 2022 they deserve another chance at the Blues?
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Shall we just call it CAT BASHING so we all know what we are talking about.. Hate Club BS... ooohh big number next to their names... wrong body stats.. Wrong body shape.... I can prove they will fail because the numbers say so... I predict the end.... it's all over for ...... Listen to me I know the future.... I am the Soothsayer ... Cats have persisted by recruiting on character... A few of the cats are older but they are not too old... You can only do though individuals and they are all okay for next year at least... beyond that ..you are smoking a pipe if you think it will all be the same... Vic Cumberland was 43... it depends on the idividual and if the cats have a lot of individuals who can play past the average maybe it's because they did recruit on character. They could all of them have a big year next year.... It's as easy to say that as it is to say anything. I'll let you be in my dream if I can be in your dream .. Bob Dylan
Kick to Kick
Roar Rookie
I agree Dawson is almost certainly gone. Though there might be a sting in the tail with the Swans manoeuvring to see if there’s a better offer from Port – maybe involving Ladhams and a pick. Adelaide are not playing this like a club that seriously wants a deal ( maybe counting on the pre season draft). But there’s no bad blood between Dawson and the Swans and his main aim is getting to the City of Adelaide. Yes he has nominated the Crows but if the Crows are not negotiating in good faith the Swans might press Dawson to accept a Port offer.
Opps74
Roar Rookie
Gabe, good point about Kelly, he was electric at cats and has gone backwards since making it to the Eagles…maybe he’s weighed down by expectation or $700k. I wouldn’t have Kelly in the top 100 after the season he just had…
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
He has?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
How will Fraser Rosman go for Melbourne Demons next year will he get a Senior Game in 2022?
Parklane7835
Roar Rookie
Tell me how Will Alex Mirkov and Jordan Boyd will go for Carlton next year 2022?
Fog
Guest
Narkle has re-signed.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
I’m not saying it’s not important, just not the most important in recent memory. Also, losing players that can’t crack the best 22/23 is not as bad as losing premiership players.
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
I think Kelly didn’t give them what they wanted. I reckon they expected a Dustin Martin or something, and now he probably isn’t in the top 50 players.
Boo
Guest
Yep Gabe the Eagles have lost a few players .Wonder whether they regret the 3 first rounders for Tim Kelly .Can't work the Eagles should be a good side but there not .
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
Their ruck Scott Lynette. Willie Rioli has been gone for ages cause of ASADA, Dan Venables. And a lot of their players have just lost form.
AD
Guest
He has already left Sydney. It's just a question of how he gets to Adelaide. If you look at the history of player movement in the AFL, especially with out of contract players, the players get to where they want to go one way or the other 99% of the time.
O M
Roar Rookie
With Clarke and probably Narkle to follow close behind.
Tim Keller
Roar Rookie
Who?
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
Eagles are another team who have lost players.
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
I dunno about Dawson. I Just can’t see him leaving Sydney. They have the money, they need a really big deal for him. He will be a gun in the future .
Gabe F
Roar Rookie
I know. Doesn’t help that Krueger just left either.
O M
Roar Rookie
The Cats are stuffed. Oldest List in the AFL and the poorest hand in the draft. Obviously the Cats (former) assistant Coaches & CEO feel the same with Cooke, Scarlett, Enright and Knights all jumping off the sinking ship.
Chris M
Guest
It will be interesting to see where this one goes. Adelaide's natural future first round draft pick would probably satisfy the Swans in exchange for Dawson, but I can't see how Adelaide on-trading Melbourne's future first round draft pick, which they now have, will be much better than them on-trading the Bulldogs pick 17 in this year's draft, which they no longer can since Melbourne now have it. I expect Adelaide will want to keep these for the possibility of trading in Izak Rankine and/or Jack Lukosius, but even if that doesn't transpire, they will still be valuable for selecting draft talent. Even if Adelaide concede by trading pick 4 for Richmond's picks 7 and 15, I am not sure that the Swans will be satisfied with 15 and I doubt the Crows will hand over pick 7. Would Fremantle consider doing a trade with Adelaide to send out picks 6 (if received for Cerra) and 8 for Adelaide's pick 4 and something else (maybe Melbourne's future first)?