There are a lot of things fresh draftees need to have in their kitbag: skill, determination, professionalism, maturity and more.
The one thing that no draftee has control over is the team that drafts them, and not every player is a Michael Tuck and a Brent Harvey.
Sometimes we all need a fresh start in life. Just as sometimes we all need to end a friendship, break off a relationship, move house or whatever it is, there are some players who need a fresh start at another club to fully flourish.
Fischer McAsey
Top-ten draft picks have done all right moving from different clubs, like Will Brodie at the Dockers, but this former Pick 6 has been injured a bit and is struggling for his best position at Adelaide.
The Sandringham Dragons boy could have some suitors in his home state, and although he’s still in contract, it shouldn’t cost a side too much to get him.
He’s played ten games and, under a new system, can definitely be a stopper. He’s 197 centimetres but only 92 kilograms, so there’s potentially some more size to put on providing he stays healthy, which he has been for the second half of 2022.
Best suitor: Essendon.
The Bombers have got this condition of making defenders out of failed forwards – James Stewart and Jayden Laverde, for example – but in the near future they need a key back.
Zach Reid has shown promise, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher hasn’t exactly proven himself as a mainstay key back yet.
Other clubs: Geelong, North Melbourne and St Kilda.
Paddy Dow
The second top-ten pick on this list, Dow has been a whipping boy for Carlton fans over the years. The 22-year-old has already played 61 games and can’t break into a Carlton midfield that has been really good this season.
Teammate Lochie O’Brien has enjoyed a breakout season, but Dow has toiled away in the twos. He’s averaging 29.6 disposals a game there and 96 fantasy points this year, and he could join a midfield where he doesn’t need to be the No. 1 star but a really nice complementary piece.
Best suitor: North Melbourne.
Interim coach Leigh Adams noted that experienced midfielders are a big need for the Roos, and Dow ticks that box. With Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jy Simpkin already established, Dow can make an impact straight away and revitalise his career.
Other clubs: Adelaide, Geelong and Port Adelaide.
Daniel Howe
The utility Hawk has shown a capability of playing on all three outer points of a centre square and doesn’t seem to have a set role for Sam Mitchell at Waverley. He can make the difficult look easy but has a tendency to make the easy look difficult. A fresh start could be the answer to unlock his potential.
Coming with a long kick and good tank, Howe’s applied his trade for 91 games in the seniors, where he’s had 20 disposals in each of his last two games. Just nine games ago he had 34 touches and nine marks against the Western Bulldogs.
Best suitor: Sydney.
Where better than the club that tried to get him last year? The Swans reportedly offered Howe a two-year deal at the end of last season and Howe stayed put.
Averaging 22 disposals at VFL level – it would be 23.5 if it wasn’t for a one-and-a-half-quarter performance in the early part of the season – in 2022 and 97.25 fantasy points – he can be a bridge player between the experience and the kids at the Bloods.
Other clubs: GWS, North Melbourne and West Coast.
Sam Weideman
It looks pretty obvious that Weideman needs a new home, as even in a Tom McDonald-less forward line he isn’t getting the consistent game time.
His 58 goals in 57 games don’t scream ‘superstar’, but every young key forward needs continuity, the very thing he has lacked.
At 25 at the start of next year, he will be hitting his prime and can be a weapon at a new club.
Best suitor: Collingwood.
This one is a no-brainer. The Pies won’t have to give up a pick for Dan McStay as he’s a free agent, but Weideman is younger and cheaper, even if he did ask for $700,000 at the end of 2018.
Collingwood are missing tall forwards, which is why they’re chasing Dan McStay, but Weideman fits the bill better.
Other clubs: Fremantle (if Rory Lobb goes and Luke Jackson doesn’t arrive), GWS and West Coast.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Riley Collier-Dawkins
At just 22 years old, the 191-centimetre midfielder should be a target, as the frame and potential are outstanding.
RCD has played some VFL footy this season with some inconsistency, but that inconsistency is what another club can break.
The Tigers debuted Tyler Sonsie during the week and alongside Thomson Dow, Liam Baker and Jack Graham with Shai Bolton pinch-hitting the next generation of Richmond’s midfield. Along with two top-20 selections in this draft with their picks and North’s second-round pick, alongside a key forward, another midfielder could be on the cards.
Best suitor: Hawthorn.
The Hawks are stuck in a precarious position with their midfield and need a change.
Josh Ward is being played as an outside midfielder, Connor MacDonald is on a half-forward flank and there’s still the untradable pair in Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara.
If Mitchell especially were at a new club and Karl Amon walked in the door, RCD would join Ward, Jai Newcombe, Amon, Conor Nash, Dylan Moore and O’Meara in the depth charts.
Other suitors: Adelaide, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda and West Coast.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
This is the first season in his career that Lobb has kicked more than 20 goals. He's not a ruckman and, as a forward, has dined out on moments, not games. Melbourne has Brown, McDonald, Weideman and Van Rooyen...all better or as good as Lobb. I certainly don't get why the Bulldogs want him. They have key forwards coming out of every orifice...and they can get a far better ruckman than him in Meek...if Freo is going to get Jackson. I think Jackson will stay at Melbourne. It's not a Freo kind of trade.
Wook
Guest
I think that the commentators and commenters are looking at this trade too one-dimensionally - Lobb out, Jackson in... both Ruck/Forwards, but Lobb a better forward than Jackson, and lord knows Freo need some firepower up front (which interestingly enough, I believe it is more layered. As other posters have mentioned, Freo have drafted for scoring potential in Amiss, Kueak, Erasmus, with Treacy and Sturt looking down the barrel of big pre-seasons. They don't seem to consider the possibility that there's a future proofing element to Freo's pursuit of Jackson. I am a huge fan of Sean Darcy's, but I'm not sure he has longevity given how much he seems to get injured, plus there's been whispers of him needing knee surgery for at least the past two seasons. Lobb leaves, Jackson comes in, Darcy goes down and Freo, with Meek and Jackson, still have a Ruck + Ruck/Forward combo that'd be the envy of most teams in the comp.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I’d add Callum Brown from the Pies. Regularly rips it apart in the VFL but undersize for a player without good speed and can’t kick over 40 metres. Tyler Brown his brother might be safe as an inside mid in training. Both are fearless. Callum Brown - Nth Melbourne
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Yep RCD needs a new VFL team. I think you’ll find Lambert might be finished as well. Ross and Sonsie will probably get more game time. We need the likes of Taranto and if Cotch finishes as well you would think it frees the salary cap. BTW Lennon was little unlucky with Tigers winning in 2017. He made it into a college team as a punter.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yeah. Driz is a 200 gamer. Agreed re Acres.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
Agree with you on Jackson. Not worth selling the farm for. You forgot Driz same size as Acres but faster and a better kick. As a commodity Acres is peaking now so offloading him will get us best value this coming trade period.
Timbo's rules
Guest
Whoever gets McAsey will be getting a good player. I liked the look of him when he played. No idea why he is not getting a game. He wanted to return to Melbourne and the Crows talked him into a 2 year deal. Crows pick him and play him to the end of the year or it's time for him to find a team that wants him.
Bruce Vartan
Guest
Pretty sure Rhys has resigned recently with the Lions. He mentioned that he is extremely happy at the club even if he isn't in 1st team. He worth to his team mates is huge apparently also. This may have been middle of last year but it was quite big story, someone staying even if it meant playing in the 2's. He did show on the weekend how good he is thou!!!
Macca
Roar Rookie
It boggles the mind to thikn the Suns couldn't find a spot in their midfield for him.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Brodie is a classic example of someone who didn't come on because of disjointed opportunity. Continuity allows players to find their niche.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Its so hard for these BLokes especially if there are some established mids already - its a bit like Dow, goes back to the 2's and plays on ball and dominates, gets brought up and has to play acoss half forward. Setterfile dis another, inside mid is probably his best go but the BLues don't have a wingamn so he gets pushed out and people wonder why he doesn't thrive.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Been stuff around a bit in the 2's- hasn't really had an opportunity to bed down on specific role. His best contribution at AFL level has been as a midfield in and under type but has found himself playing on the wing or even as a pressure forward at times. I think if given the opportunity in the middle amongst it, I think he thrive more
Macca
Roar Rookie
I was a bit disappointed when the BLues didn't take Robertson instead of PHilp and after his first few games it looked like thy had made a massive blunder, now it looks only mild.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Dev hasn’t really been well looked after at Brissy. Bit of whipping boy. I think the moment his contract is up he head home. Prior 1st few games had a bit of Simon Black about him, but hasn’t really kicked on.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Mathesion got bit going for him would be good at north bit mongrel in him help young players
Chris M
Guest
I can only count 5 players that you have nominated here. Maybe a lot of these players were promising juniors but not every high first round pick turns out to have a great career. It's possible that not all of the above will have the drive and temperament to succeed at AFL level. Maybe in some cases a club's system just doesn't work for them. I guess we will just have to wait and see which ones will benefit from being in a new environment.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Ely Smith & Rhys Matheison would be 2 from the Lions who I think would benefit from a fresh start
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There is no talk of Freo "getting rid" of players. Logue is only a press discussion...if you watch Old Bull, Young Buck, you'll know he'll never leave. Players who aren't getting games; Hamling, Blakely, Crowden might look elsewhere but there will be no cash saving there. Overpaid players, Lobb and Acres seem to be looking to attain longer contracts at high pay rates. Freo won't offer that and players like Erasmus, Johnson and Henry will be preferred to Acres very soon. Amiss, Treacy and Meek will be preferred to Lobb. Happy for both of them to go, despite their seasons being good. I don't really want Jackson and I suspect that is more press talk than any substance. I reckon he'll re-sign with the Dees. We'd take him at the right price though.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Totally agree with you about the weed not up it afl level and think dockers get rid of some players mentioned too get Jackson,could backfire big time
Spanner
Roar Rookie
No hope richmond take paddy or weideman but tanner bruhn will be at tigers 100 percent