Recruiting AFL Trade & Free Agency XII - 💰💰💰

[Lore]

Quick links: Player Contract Status | Draft Watch 2023 | AFLW Draft, Trade & Sign

The embedded resources below are kept up to date by the trade board mods (as much as possible – we are human after all). Enjoy!

Spoiler: 2024 Draft Order

 

[Beerfish]

I like the idea of this a lot. This also takes us one step closer to multiball in my mind.

Don't @ me

 

[Vindicater]

Any comparison to the NBA automatically makes me discount it.

Basketball is a sport with 12 players per team of which 5 are on the court at one time.

A top player there is worth far more than a top player in the AFL where you have 23 players and 18 on the field.

 

[JayJ20]

Sydney already turned it into a circus when they hired acrobats to climb the posts during the game...

Ugh already not looking forward to Sydney vs Essendon round 2 at the SCG. Too early to get angry at umps. I wonder what it'll be this time.

 

[boncer34]

Already voiced my opinion and hope it never comes to fruition, will ruin the H&A season and make it a circus.

Why? We've had similar concepts before where players moved clubs mid season.

 

[boncer34]

Any comparison to the NBA automatically makes me discount it.

Basketball is a sport with 12 players per team of which 5 are on the court at one time.

A top player there is worth far more than a top player in the AFL where you have 23 players and 18 on the field.

You're right. But we already know we don't see trades in the AFL like we do in the NBA.

We aren't going to see superstars in their prime traded. We'll see top clubs having cracks at aging blokes in their last season to push them over the line or fringe players that fill a need.

And they'll pay handsomely for it which, theoretically, will have the up and down roundabout on the ladder move quicker.

 

[andleanback]

You're right. But we already know we don't see trades in the AFL like we do in the NBA.

We aren't going to see superstars in their prime traded. We'll see top clubs having cracks at aging blokes in their last season to push them over the line or fringe players that fill a need.

And they'll pay handsomely for it which, theoretically, will have the up and down roundabout on the ladder move quicker.

Very rare in the prime superstars get traded in season in nba, past their prime yes or upcoming free agents who aren’t going to sign an extension. The trade deadline just happened at it was mostly a bunch of bit part players

 

[jdstorm]

Very rare in the prime superstars get traded in season in nba, past their prime yes or upcoming free agents who aren’t going to sign an extension. The trade deadline just happened at it was mostly a bunch of bit part players

Yeah but that was because the bad teams that should have been trading stars/good players (Lakers/Warriors/bulls/nets) are in denial about their chances

 

[Keystone agony]

Dont expect a big off season, list seems in excellent condition and it might be time to just consolidate what we have and put ourselves in a position to not lose much in the next 2 years

Not alot of FA entice me. We really need superstars to turn this side to anything outside of time now

Dodoro has left us in an excellent position. Time to teach Rosa for the next 12 months

 

[Don Won]

Dont expect a big off season, list seems in excellent condition and it might be time to just consolidate what we have and put ourselves in a position to not lose much in the next 2 years

Not alot of FA entice me. We really need superstars to turn this side to anything outside of time now

Dodoro has left us in an excellent position. Time to teach Rosa for the next 12 months

Give it a couple of months and then see how you’re feeling.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Any comparison to the NBA automatically makes me discount it.

Basketball is a sport with 12 players per team of which 5 are on the court at one time.

A top player there is worth far more than a top player in the AFL where you have 23 players and 18 on the field.

15 plus 3 two-way contracts in NBA per team, but your point still stands.

 

[Keystone agony]

Give it a couple of months and then see how you’re feeling.

Im not expecting heaps this year but the comp is very even so 5% goes our way and were probably winning a final

We arent losing much of quality in the next 24 months but our group will be in a really good age bracket/maturity for position come that time

God knows what happens if the 2020 group come on in 24 months time

 

[ghostdog]

Im not expecting heaps this year but the comp is very even so 5% goes our way and were probably winning a final

We arent losing much of quality in the next 24 months but our group will be in a really good age bracket/maturity for position come that time

God knows what happens if the 2020 group come on in 24 months time

Never say never. Half the playing list's contracts expire this year. On one hand they're all playing for a new contract. On the other hand, the club will get a better idea of who not to offer a contract to. If we fall off the way we did last year, who knows the scale of the potential purge.

 

[citizen-erased]

Dont expect a big off season, list seems in excellent condition and it might be time to just consolidate what we have and put ourselves in a position to not lose much in the next 2 years

Not alot of FA entice me. We really need superstars to turn this side to anything outside of time now

Dodoro has left us in an excellent position. Time to teach Rosa for the next 12 months

will need to assess in 12m, but i still see a lot of gaps

we've got a few vying for 2nd tall back whilst our #1 KPD hasn't played a game for us yet.
2nd KPF is tbd.
And im still not convinced our engine room is finals quality. Doing the top 5 midfields exercise, i wouldn't have us outside the bottom 4 tbh.

your superstar comment is right
A '21 Stringer + '22 Wright + '23 Langford season feels necessary to make an impact.

 

[faible]

will need to assess in 12m, but i still see a lot of gaps

we've got a few vying for 2nd tall back whilst our #1 KPD hasn't played a game for us yet.
2nd KPF is tbd.
And im still not convinced our engine room is finals quality. Doing the top 5 midfields exercise, i wouldn't have us outside the bottom 4 tbh.

your superstar comment is right
A '21 Stringer + '22 Wright + '23 Langford season feels necessary to make an impact.

I think a lot of the holes have the potential players already on the list, just a lot of unknowns.

Midfield wise how do Hobbs & Tsatas come on?
Forward wise we've got Caddy & Jones to see how they go with a clear run at it.
Where does Perkins fit in the forward or midfield setup?
Defensively we've got McKay to come in and hopefully balance us better than BZT was able to, but then where do Reid, Cox and Baldwin fit?

Martin off a HBF potentially fixes another issue where we lacked that offensive drive off the backline, with both Davey's still to find a home at AFL level (if at all).

Our list has a massive amount of question marks on it that probably need 12 - 24 months to start to get answers to.

 

[Keystone agony]

will need to assess in 12m, but i still see a lot of gaps

we've got a few vying for 2nd tall back whilst our #1 KPD hasn't played a game for us yet.
2nd KPF is tbd.
And im still not convinced our engine room is finals quality. Doing the top 5 midfields exercise, i wouldn't have us outside the bottom 4 tbh.

your superstar comment is right
A '21 Stringer + '22 Wright + '23 Langford season feels necessary to make an impact.

If your not confident Z.Reid can be a tall defender in year 5-6 then he should be delisted. Likewise a L.Hayes in year 3-4

We arent that far at the consistent pointy end like a Port, Bris, Pies where we should be making a play for a 2-3 years left of a 2nd KPD if theyre going to cost us something significant

We should be backing in Baldwin, Cox, Reid and Hayes for the years of 2025-2032, or atleast have a very strong idea on whether we should or shouldn't be

And weve just goven away pick 8 and 30 for a KPF, hes the man and i dare say most would say hes impressed so far albeit still early days

 

[citizen-erased]

If your not confident Z.Reid can be a tall defender in year 5-6 then he should be delisted. Likewise a L.Hayes in year 3-4

We arent that far at the consistent pointy end like a Port, Bris, Pies where we should be making a play for a 2-3 years left of a 2nd KPD if theyre going to cost us something significant

We should be backing in Baldwin, Cox, Reid and Hayes for the years of 2025-2032, or atleast have a very strong idea on whether we should or shouldn't be

Agree on Reid - but im being realistic. We haven't seen him play AFL for any extended period of time.

same applies for Hayes, Baldwin and Cox really. Lots of "options" but none proven.

I think a lot of the holes have the potential players already on the list, just a lot of unknowns.

Midfield wise how do Hobbs & Tsatas come on?
Forward wise we've got Caddy & Jones to see how they go with a clear run at it.
Where does Perkins fit in the forward or midfield setup?
Defensively we've got McKay to come in and hopefully balance us better than BZT was able to, but then where do Reid, Cox and Baldwin fit?

Martin off a HBF potentially fixes another issue where we lacked that offensive drive off the backline, with both Davey's still to find a home at AFL level (if at all).

Our list has a massive amount of question marks on it that probably need 12 - 24 months to start to get answers to.

Yeah.
It will be an interesting year. suspect a lot of tinkering, and im keeping my expectations low.
my main watch will be players developing into the system.

but suspect we're still bottom end of the ladder tbh

 

[Vindicater]

The squad looks the most balanced it has in years.

The next few years are about improving the talent (some through trade/free agency and some through experience)

 

[Keystone agony]

Agree on Reid - but im being realistic. We haven't seen him play AFL for any extended period of time.

same applies for Hayes, Baldwin and Cox really. Lots of "options" but none proven.


Yeah.
It will be an interesting year. suspect a lot of tinkering, and im keeping my expectations low.
my main watch will be players developing into the system.

but suspect we're still bottom end of the ladder tbh

If they were proven wed be a top 8 aide winning finals already

Were in a different phase

Keeps going back to the same point over and over again

You dont recruit 25 tall defenders in the hope 1 jumps out in year 3 and is the best thing since slice bread

Its not like none were rsted or had no talent

Hayes is showing a shit tonne. They obviously have a fair bit of confidence in Reid. Cox i saw enough year 1 to know there is something there that confidence can unleash. Being versatile may be his biggest enemy right now

I still think we shouldve only taken 1 tall, said it at the time. Wouldve grabbed Bruhn and Powell, both or atleast the earlier about to explode

The issue for this side will be where are the genuine superstar A graders in the middle. Is that Zac Merrett in 2026? Whats Hobbs in 2026, a B grader or an A grader

Or are we a midfield full of B graders and can we get by with that because we have so many of them and buy in significantly to working both ways

Thats the only question mark in 2025/26 imo if we keep our players

I have a faor bit of confidence in what weve recruited/drafted

Mckay - Huge tick
Caldwell - Tick
Hobbs - Huge Tick
Caddy - Huge Tick
2MP - For Peanuts huge tick
Nic Martin- For nothing Huge Tick
Duursma - Role player for nothing Tick
L.Hayes - I was a big fan, had him higher

The only one im sceptical of is Tsatas and i still think hes a safe C grader at worse

Its not far from all coming together for us. Durability/Continuity (Touch wood) this off season the first step

The side in 4 weeks time could potentially be only 1-2 players different from round 1 2026, thats huge

 

[JayJ20]

I think a lot of the holes have the potential players already on the list, just a lot of unknowns.

Midfield wise how do Hobbs & Tsatas come on?
Forward wise we've got Caddy & Jones to see how they go with a clear run at it.
Where does Perkins fit in the forward or midfield setup?
Defensively we've got McKay to come in and hopefully balance us better than BZT was able to, but then where do Reid, Cox and Baldwin fit?

Martin off a HBF potentially fixes another issue where we lacked that offensive drive off the backline, with both Davey's still to find a home at AFL level (if at all).

Our list has a massive amount of question marks on it that probably need 12 - 24 months to start to get answers to.

This is the first time in a long time where I don't think the list has huge holes that are difficult to cover.

Midfield (or should I say 'between the arcs') - Stacked, especially if Durham, Stringer and Perkins spend significant minutes in there. Hobbs, Setterfield and Durham are the defensive options. Perkins, Stringer, Caldwell, Gresham and Tsatas the attacking options. Martin and Merrett to dictate the play and Parish to be the ball-winning machine. Shiel is probably not done yet either. Plenty of guys capable of running through the middle.

I've always liked a midfield capable of changing its make-up depending on the opponent/how the game is travelling and I think it has enough depth to be able to do that now. Very underrated, but Setterfield is very very crucial for the midfield to work as we saw when he got injured and the midfield collapsed. I also think another Martin forward of centre would be ideal for entries inside 50, but Perkins' kicking seems to have gone up a level based on preseason reports so he could provide that class if he can improve production.

Forward - Objectively the weakest area on the ground, but Collingwood, Richmond and Melbourne won premierships with a relatively weak forwardline so that's not going to stop a premiership. Carlton played really well without McKay last year with Curnow basically holding their forwardline together so an A-grade forwardline isn't essential. The other two areas are more important.

That said, I still think it's decent with potential to be really good depending on development. Wright, Langford, Stringer, Caddy, Jones, Perkins, Gresham, Menzie, resting ruck, Davey twins. Developing an A-grade forwardline depends on how Caddy, Jones and the Davey twins develop.

Defence - Pretty solid with McKay, Reid, Ridley, Redman, Laverde, Baldwin, McGrath, Martin, Heppell and Kelly. Plus more young talent developing in Cox and Hayes.

Outside of maintenance and development, I think the list is complete from a rebuild perspective. There's more room to move up the draft for a specific player or trading in top-end players. If I were to highlight the most important players developmentally, it's Tsatas, Caddy and Reid. Their development makes or breaks the list IMO.

 

[Lore]

The squad looks the most balanced it has in years.

The next few years are about improving the talent (some through trade/free agency and some through experience)

It looks like that at this time every year and then we get flogged by Geelong or the Bulldogs and come crashing back to earth

 

[Keystone agony]

It looks like that at this time every year and then we get flogged by Geelong or the Bulldogs and come crashing back to earth

Balanced doesnt mean elite

Aed didnt really cop a flogging for a good chunk of the start of season, last year

 

[fairbump_playon]

Midfield (or should I say 'between the arcs') - Stacked, especially if Durham, Stringer and Perkins spend significant minutes in there. Hobbs, Setterfield and Durham are the defensive options. Perkins, Stringer, Caldwell, Gresham and Tsatas the attacking options. Martin and Merrett to dictate the play and Parish to be the ball-winning machine. Shiel is probably not done yet either. Plenty of guys capable of running through the middle.

I've always liked a midfield capable of changing its make-up depending on the opponent/how the game is travelling and I think it has enough depth to be able to do that now. Very underrated, but Setterfield is very very crucial for the midfield to work as we saw when he got injured and the midfield collapsed. I also think another Martin forward of centre would be ideal for entries inside 50, but Perkins' kicking seems to have gone up a level based on preseason reports so he could provide that class if he can improve production.

Forward - Objectively the weakest area on the ground, but Collingwood, Richmond and Melbourne won premierships with a relatively weak forwardline so that's not going to stop a premiership. Carlton played really well without McKay last year with Curnow basically holding their forwardline together so an A-grade forwardline isn't essential. The other two areas are more important.

That said, I still think it's decent with potential to be really good depending on development. Wright, Langford, Stringer, Caddy, Jones, Perkins, Gresham, Menzie, resting ruck, Davey twins. Developing an A-grade forwardline depends on how Caddy, Jones and the Davey twins develop.

Defence - Pretty solid with McKay, Reid, Ridley, Redman, Laverde, Baldwin, McGrath, Martin, Heppell and Kelly. Plus more young talent developing in Cox and Hayes.

Outside of maintenance and development, I think the list is complete from a rebuild perspective. There's more room to move up the draft for a specific player or trading in top-end players. If I were to highlight the most important players developmentally, it's Tsatas, Caddy and Reid. Their development makes or breaks the list IMO.

The thing that makes or breaks the list is this little thing called culture

All the above is true-ish if this group is rabidly hungry for success

Agree that Caddy, Tsatas and Reid are crucial. But if we are in nice guy mode that midfield gets rolled by half the comp

 

[Keystone agony]

I feel like Hobbs gets under rated on here

Hes the do or die competitor in the midfield outside of Stringer. Those guys that truly care about losing and it hurts when they do

 

[JayJ20]

The thing that makes or breaks the list is this little thing called culture

All the above is true-ish if this group is rabidly hungry for success

Agree that Caddy, Tsatas and Reid are crucial. But if we are in nice guy mode that midfield gets rolled by half the comp

That's true, but I'm more looking at it from a rebuild perspective. Obviously not this year, but it has the tools to be a dominant midfield should the likes of Hobbs, Tsatas and Perkins become AA level players. Essentially, there is no reason why this midfield cannot become a top tier midfield. in the past, there were glaring deficiencies from a recruiting/drafting perspective that limited the ceiling of the midfield. It shouldn't have the same limitations.

Like always, development is the most important aspect. One thing about Brad is that he has experience getting the most out of a list and building a tough and contested midfield so I trust the process.

 

[Vindicater]

It looks like that at this time every year and then we get flogged by Geelong or the Bulldogs and come crashing back to earth

February is my month of hope Lore.

Don't start bringing me home truths until at least March please