List Mgmt. Collingwood Trade and FA

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I’m not arguing with the latter, but yes, the dropping his legs being an elite trait was nonsense. He performed in 2022 even after he stopped getting free kicks. If you want to ignore that it’s your prerogative, but don’t act like free kicks were his only avenue to goal because they weren’t.
The change in interpretation cost him a shot at goal a game. Even in 22 it dropped him from being a 2 goal a game forward to one and a bit. Which would be excellent if he was a normal fast high pressure small forward. But goals was pretty much his entire contribution. I don't think he'll survive as an inside 50 goal kicker with the changed interpretation. He'll have to move higher up the ground, like we tried with him. He's got to improve.
 

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And Schultz is not a dickhead

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Schultz stats are mostly elite brother. Ginni's are not.
True
Ginni had elite goal scoring ability, and upside in terms of his age. He was great around the ball as well…great skills. I guess only the club can really know whether he’s likely to realise his potential or fall into a TikTok vortex.

My point is, Schultz is fairly well mature…improvements, if any, will be incremental. Ginni has massive upside, but I guess also downside due to his character. Most clubs would get better value in return, even with the risks.
 
Ginni had elite goal scoring ability, and upside in terms of his age. He was great around the ball as well…great skills. I guess only the club can really know whether he’s likely to realise his potential or fall into a TikTok vortex.

My point is, Schultz is fairly well mature…improvements, if any, will be incremental. Ginni has massive upside, but I guess also downside due to his character. Most clubs would get better value in return, even with the risks.
Ginni has a lot of downside too. He’s slow and doesn’t create much forward pressure, oppo defenders waltz away from him without a worry and that’s unlikely to improve much regardless of his fitness, because speed is incredibly difficult to improve.

Schultz might have a marginally lower goal average than Ginnis best year, but his output is consistent, his speed and defensive pressure is excellent, and he’s got room for improvement in a system that suits the way he plays, which is exactly what we offer as a club.

I think Ginni will end up having a reasonable career, but I don’t think his ceiling is anywhere near what you make it out to be.
 
Ginni had elite goal scoring ability, and upside in terms of his age. He was great around the ball as well…great skills. I guess only the club can really know whether he’s likely to realise his potential or fall into a TikTok vortex.

My point is, Schultz is fairly well mature…improvements, if any, will be incremental. Ginni has massive upside, but I guess also downside due to his character. Most clubs would get better value in return, even with the risks.
I don't think character is the risk with Ginni, it's athleticism.

I view him a bit like AJ in that he's classy and can finish but can't do the core aspect of his role due to physical limitations. Ginni can't provide the heat you want from a small forward due to pace, just like AJ can't provide the aerial contest due to size. They both might develop but they're speculative and will most likely need to play a hybrid role. I think we got his value.
 
to steer this on topic..

Here are every club's FA -- least for the time being, this list tends to get updated during the year

Adelaide (8)​

James Borlase*, Will Hamill*, Elliott Himmelberg, Mitch Hinge*, Ben Keays*, Rory Sloane^, Brodie Smith^, Taylor Walker^
None of Sloane (33 years old), Smith (32 in January) or Walker (33) – fresh from a career-best 76 goals this year – is likely to continue his career elsewhere, but there is always the potential of a Todd Goldstein-style scenario. Ex-Lions Hinge and Keays finished in the top 10 of the Crows’ club champion award and are priority signings. The most intrigue surrounds Himmelberg, a 41-game forward-ruck, whose brother Harry was one of the most-coveted free agents in 2023 but chose to stay at the Giants for six more seasons. GWS made a play for the younger Himmelberg, too, but were unwilling to give much up, knowing he is a free agent next year. Borlase and Hamill were both delisted and redrafted as rookies.

Brisbane Lions (6)​


Jarrod Berry, Darragh Joyce*, Ryan Lester*, Jarryd Lyons*, Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko^
McCluggage has finished second or third in the Lions’ best-and-fairest award in each of the past five seasons and is the club’s vice-captain. The 25-year-old is the clear priority for Brisbane as they try to break through for a first premiership under Chris Fagan after making this year’s grand final. Berry’s brother Tom defected to Gold Coast for greater opportunity last year, but he is a first-choice option who has played 133 matches, including 25 this past season. Like McCluggage, he was a first-round draft pick in 2016 out of the North Ballarat Rebels. Former captain Zorko signed another one-year deal to stick around for next year, while Lester, Lyons and Joyce are fringe players.

Carlton (5)​

Matt Cottrell*, David Cuningham^, Sam Durdin*, Caleb Marchbank, Jack Martin*

Martin pops up on this list because Gold Coast delisted him at the end of 2019, after they were displeased with the Blues’ offer for him at the time, which was a future second- and third-rounder. He became a key player down the stretch for Carlton this year and should score himself a decent deal if he maintains his form. Cuningham and Marchbank put horror injury runs behind them to be part of the Blues’ finals campaign and will hope to remain healthy in 2024, while Cottrell has become a sneaky good contributor. Durdin, at his second club after North Melbourne cut him, provides defensive depth.


Collingwood (5)​

Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Howe^, Oleg Markov*, Scott Pendlebury^, Steele Sidebottom^

Hoskin-Elliott finally reaches free agency in his eighth season as a Magpie and at 30 years of age, after playing his first five years in the AFL as a Giant. He has played no fewer than 18 matches in any of previous seven years in black and white, so opportunity has not been lacking, and it would be a surprise if he departed. Pendlebury (36 in January), Sidebottom (33 in January) and Howe (33) are in the twilight of their careers, but remain key players for Collingwood and will likely go on as long as their form warrants. Markov became a cult hero at his third AFL stop after signing at the start of pre-season and ending the year as a premiership player. Can he back up his career-best campaign in 2024?


Essendon (2)​

Dyson Heppell^, Andrew McGrath
The Bombers made a big free agency splash this year, signing McKay, Gresham and Todd Goldstein and retaining Darcy Parish and Mason Redman, who both had rival interest. Heppell, the No.8 pick in the 2010 draft, re-signed in September for a 14th season and is destined to spend his entire career in red and black after flirting with a move to Gold Coast last year. But Essendon’s major priority in free agency is agreeing to terms with McGrath, who finished fourth in the Bombers’ club champion award this year and is vice-captain. The No.1 pick from the 2016 draft is a good player and will command a long-term deal, wherever he plays beyond next season – but expect him to stay put.

Fremantle (4)​


Bailey Banfield*, Ethan Hughes*, Matt Taberner^, Corey Wagner*
The Dockers already enjoyed a titanic free agency victory, with star ruckman Sean Darcy inking a six-year extension in December to put an emphatic end to any speculation he might return to Victoria. That leaves injury-prone key forward Taberner, who kicked a career-high 37 goals in 2021, as the biggest name here. The emergence of Jye Amiss and to a lesser extent Josh Treacy means Taberner is not quite as valuable to Freo as he once was, but he offers a veteran presence in attack. Hughes and Banfield are senior regulars, while Wagner is trying to make a success of his third AFL stop behind stints at North Melbourne and Melbourne.



Geelong (13)​

Jed Bews^, Patrick Dangerfield^, Mitch Duncan^, Zach Guthrie, Tom Hawkins^, Jack Henry, Emerson Jeka*, Jake Kolodjashnij^, Mark O’Connor, Brandan Parfitt, Rhys Stanley^, Tyson Stengle*, Zach Tuohy

No one has more to do in free agency than Cats’ list and football boss Andrew Mackie, who has major decisions to make about the club’s direction. In his favour is that many of the names above, such as Dangerfield, Duncan, Hawkins, Tuohy and Stanley, are rusted-on veterans more likely to retire than switch clubs. Having said that, Melbourne did make a cheeky play for Hawkins this year. They already extended Tom Stewart pre-Christmas until 2027. Ex-Tiger and Crow Stengle, Henry, Guthrie and O’Connor are other re-signing priorities. Parfitt has increasingly been starved of senior opportunities at the Cattery and can walk elsewhere at the end of next season if that continues. Bews and Kolodjashnij are defensive regulars who will most likely stay, while Jeka is trying to establish himself at a second club after Hawthorn delisted him.

Gold Coast (8)​

Ben Ainsworth, Levi Casboult*, Sam Day*, Nick Holman*, Sean Lemmens^, Darcy MacPherson, David Swallow, Jarrod Witts
Ainsworth is the player to watch here. The No.4 pick in the 2016 draft, who played his underage football for Gippsland Power, has played well as a Sun but arguably not lived up to the lofty expectations from when he entered the AFL. Ainsworth’s upside would appeal to opposition clubs, but Gold Coast might be starting a successful era under new coach Damien Hardwick, so would he want to leave? MacPherson played every game this year, while Swallow, Witts, Lemmens and Holman are valued highly internally. The Suns delisted then redrafted Day, and he and Casboult may find senior opportunities harder to come by after the arrival of highly regarded teenage forward Jed Walter.



GWS Giants (6)​

Isaac Cumming, Nick Haynes^, Lachie Keeffe*, Adam Kennedy*, Harry Perryman, Callan Ward^
Cumming and Perryman headline the Giants’ 2024 crop of free agents, with 2020 All-Australian Haynes entering the last year of a lucrative, back-ended contract with a fight on his hands to cement a senior spot. Haynes preferred to stay at GWS despite the possibility he could have moved clubs in this year’s trade period. Ward, 33, continues to play at a high level and his leadership is an intangible coach Adam Kingsley values. The Giants delisted then redrafted Kennedy, while Keeffe was a late re-signing once the club’s pursuit of Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg did not eventuate.

Hawthorn (6)​

Luke Breust^, Blake Hardwick, Harry Morrison, Conor Nash, Cooper Stephens*, Chad Wingard*

Wingard will spend much of next season recovering from a ruptured achilles tendon. The Hawks put the dual All-Australian forward back on the senior list via the pre-season draft, after delisting him before Collingwood made a shock play for him. Wingard’s future is a storyline to follow, particularly with Hawthorn making no secret of their longer-term direction. Breust remains one of the AFL’s best and most prolific small forwards at age 33 and did not budge when the Giants tried to recruit him in 2021. Retaining Hardwick and Nash (third in this year’s club champion award) will be at the top of list boss Mark McKenzie’s priorities, while Morrison will be keen to perform strongly and give himself options. Ex-Cat Stephens was a first-round selection four years ago, but faces a make-or-break campaign after the Hawks redrafted him as a rookie.


Melbourne (4)​

Marty Hore*, Tom McDonald^, Jake Melksham*, Joel Smith
There is not a great deal of concern here for the Demons. McDonald, who is preparing to be a defender again in 2024, could be heading into the final season of his career after playing nine games or fewer in three of the past four years. Melksham’s strong form in Bayley Fritsch’s absence helped earn him another contract despite an ACL setback, while Smith landed in coach Simon Goodwin’s doghouse after testing positive for cocaine in a match-day test in round 23. Smith is provisionally suspended but could be free to resume training as soon as January. Hore is back for a second stint as a Demon after impressing as an interceptor at VFL level for Williamstown.

North Melbourne (5)​

Hugh Greenwood*, Bigoa Nyuon*, Toby Pink*, Liam Shiels*, Cam Zurhaar
Essendon, West Coast and Fremantle were among the clubs that expressed interest in Zurhaar when he was out of contract in 2022, but this time the Western Australian will be a free agent (albeit likely a restricted one). Zurhaar’s combativeness and goalkicking nous make him a big part of coach Alastair Clarkson’s plans, so it would be surprising if they let him walk, a la McKay. That could change if a rival team is willing to offer Zurhaar enough to trigger first-round compensation. Greenwood and Shiels may be preparing for their last season in the AFL, while recruits Nyuon and Pink – who previously played for Richmond and Sydney, respectively – are on one-year, prove-it deals.


Port Adelaide (6)​


Travis Boak^, Charlie Dixon^, Francis Evans*, Todd Marshall, Trent McKenzie*, Quinton Narkle*
Marshall is certain to have some enticing offers in front of him – from the Power and opposition sides – especially with the Western Bulldogs already locking away fellow key forward Aaron Naughton. The Murray Bushrangers product has kicked 81 goals in 42 games across the last two seasons, and his best football should be ahead. The positive for Port is they have enviable tall forward depth with Dixon, Jeremy Finlayson, Ollie Lord, Mitch Georgiades and the developing Tom Scully. Veterans Boak, Dixon and McKenzie are unlikely to go elsewhere at this stage of their career, while Narkle and Evans are hoping to do enough to remain on the list. The Power already re-signed impending free agent Willem Drew.

Richmond (9)​

Noah Cumberland*, Jack Graham, Dylan Grimes^, Dustin Martin^, Kamdyn McIntosh^, Ben Miller*, Sam Naismith*, Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia

Martin’s contract status will be one of the biggest storylines of 2024, especially with old coach Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast. He is set to play his 300th match next year and has done it all in a brilliant career. Fellow triple premiership star Prestia is already at his second club, and it would be a major shock if he sought a fresh start in a year he turns 32. Captain Nankervis met a contract trigger to extend his stay into next year and is still young enough, at 29, to score a decent deal. Ivan Soldo’s trade to Port Adelaide should work in his favour. Grimes is likely entering the final year of his career, while ex-Swan Naismith hopes to extend his after receiving a lifeline. Graham spoke to Port Adelaide last year before they pivoted to Jason Horne-Francis, and he is one to watch. McIntosh is underrated externally but not internally, and Cumberland and Miller will try to cement senior spots.

St Kilda (7)​

Josh Battle, Tom Campbell*, Tim Membrey, Seb Ross^, Liam Stocker*, Jimmy Webster^, Mason Wood*
There are some interesting names here, even if they are not the biggest in the AFL. Ex-Roo Wood’s made the most of his second start at the Saints and should be on track for a multi-year deal if his form continues, while Battle was a top-10 finisher in the best and fairest and is a good athlete. Membrey played only seven games this year due to injury before withdrawing on the morning of St Kilda’s elimination final for mental health reasons.


But coach Ross Lyon says the forward is fit and thriving this pre-season. Dual club champion Ross and Webster both turned 30 this year but remain senior regulars, while Stocker will hope to be productive enough to gain more security than a one-season deal. Campbell continues to be one of the great ruck journeymen.

Sydney Swans (6)​

Harry Cunningham^, Ollie Florent, Robbie Fox*, Will Hayward, Lewis Melican^, Sam Reid*

Close mates and business partners Florent and Hayward are the top priorities among the Swans’ free agency crop, but not the only valuable contributors here. Cunningham joined Florent in the top 10 of the club’s best and fairest in 2023, while Fox played a career-high 20 games last season. It would be a surprise if any of that quartet departed. Melican benefited from Sydney’s dearth of key defensive options to play eight games this year, including a final, and it will be interesting to see if he can hold off recruit Joel Hamling. If not, he might be on the lookout for a new club. Reid is nearing the end of his career and did not play a competitive game in 2023 while undergoing hamstring surgery, but he was a good contributor in their grand final run the year before.

West Coast (6)​


Liam Duggan, Andrew Gaff^, Jamaine Jones*, Josh Rotham, Zane Trew*, Elliot Yeo^
Duggan is one of the Eagles’ new co-captains, along with Oscar Allen, and it would be a significant surprise if he were to move elsewhere. Rotham is another important part of West Coast’s reset, whereas Gaff and Yeo – both two-time All-Australians – are both on the wrong side of 30 and coming to the end of their stellar careers. Gaff is not the player he was but still finds the Sherrin consistently, whereas Yeo has not played more than 12 games in any of the past four years due to injuries. Former Cat Jones has had more opportunities out west and will be gunning for a fresh contract, while Trew is only six games into his career.

Western Bulldogs (6)​


Lachie Bramble*, Taylor Duryea*, Tim English, Jason Johannisen^, Tom Liberatore^, Lachie McNeil*

The Dogs have a huge year ahead, with All-Australian ruckman English sure to be on West Coast’s hit-list. Bailey Smith is not a free agent but is the other top re-signing priority. They will need to find plenty of cash for both. Liberatore is a star midfielder and clearance specialist – and highly rated across the competition – but has never shown any inclination to change clubs. Johannisen turned his back on interest from Gold Coast last year and seems more likely to finish his career at the Kennel, given he turns 32 in 2024. McNeil and ex-Hawks Duryea and Bramble are just hoping to play well enough to get a new contract.

 
to steer this on topic..

Here are every club's FA -- least for the time being, this list tends to get updated during the year

Adelaide (8)​

James Borlase*, Will Hamill*, Elliott Himmelberg, Mitch Hinge*, Ben Keays*, Rory Sloane^, Brodie Smith^, Taylor Walker^
None of Sloane (33 years old), Smith (32 in January) or Walker (33) – fresh from a career-best 76 goals this year – is likely to continue his career elsewhere, but there is always the potential of a Todd Goldstein-style scenario. Ex-Lions Hinge and Keays finished in the top 10 of the Crows’ club champion award and are priority signings. The most intrigue surrounds Himmelberg, a 41-game forward-ruck, whose brother Harry was one of the most-coveted free agents in 2023 but chose to stay at the Giants for six more seasons. GWS made a play for the younger Himmelberg, too, but were unwilling to give much up, knowing he is a free agent next year. Borlase and Hamill were both delisted and redrafted as rookies.

Brisbane Lions (6)​


Jarrod Berry, Darragh Joyce*, Ryan Lester*, Jarryd Lyons*, Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko^
McCluggage has finished second or third in the Lions’ best-and-fairest award in each of the past five seasons and is the club’s vice-captain. The 25-year-old is the clear priority for Brisbane as they try to break through for a first premiership under Chris Fagan after making this year’s grand final. Berry’s brother Tom defected to Gold Coast for greater opportunity last year, but he is a first-choice option who has played 133 matches, including 25 this past season. Like McCluggage, he was a first-round draft pick in 2016 out of the North Ballarat Rebels. Former captain Zorko signed another one-year deal to stick around for next year, while Lester, Lyons and Joyce are fringe players.

Carlton (5)​

Matt Cottrell*, David Cuningham^, Sam Durdin*, Caleb Marchbank, Jack Martin*

Martin pops up on this list because Gold Coast delisted him at the end of 2019, after they were displeased with the Blues’ offer for him at the time, which was a future second- and third-rounder. He became a key player down the stretch for Carlton this year and should score himself a decent deal if he maintains his form. Cuningham and Marchbank put horror injury runs behind them to be part of the Blues’ finals campaign and will hope to remain healthy in 2024, while Cottrell has become a sneaky good contributor. Durdin, at his second club after North Melbourne cut him, provides defensive depth.


Collingwood (5)​

Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Howe^, Oleg Markov*, Scott Pendlebury^, Steele Sidebottom^

Hoskin-Elliott finally reaches free agency in his eighth season as a Magpie and at 30 years of age, after playing his first five years in the AFL as a Giant. He has played no fewer than 18 matches in any of previous seven years in black and white, so opportunity has not been lacking, and it would be a surprise if he departed. Pendlebury (36 in January), Sidebottom (33 in January) and Howe (33) are in the twilight of their careers, but remain key players for Collingwood and will likely go on as long as their form warrants. Markov became a cult hero at his third AFL stop after signing at the start of pre-season and ending the year as a premiership player. Can he back up his career-best campaign in 2024?


Essendon (2)​

Dyson Heppell^, Andrew McGrath
The Bombers made a big free agency splash this year, signing McKay, Gresham and Todd Goldstein and retaining Darcy Parish and Mason Redman, who both had rival interest. Heppell, the No.8 pick in the 2010 draft, re-signed in September for a 14th season and is destined to spend his entire career in red and black after flirting with a move to Gold Coast last year. But Essendon’s major priority in free agency is agreeing to terms with McGrath, who finished fourth in the Bombers’ club champion award this year and is vice-captain. The No.1 pick from the 2016 draft is a good player and will command a long-term deal, wherever he plays beyond next season – but expect him to stay put.

Fremantle (4)​


Bailey Banfield*, Ethan Hughes*, Matt Taberner^, Corey Wagner*
The Dockers already enjoyed a titanic free agency victory, with star ruckman Sean Darcy inking a six-year extension in December to put an emphatic end to any speculation he might return to Victoria. That leaves injury-prone key forward Taberner, who kicked a career-high 37 goals in 2021, as the biggest name here. The emergence of Jye Amiss and to a lesser extent Josh Treacy means Taberner is not quite as valuable to Freo as he once was, but he offers a veteran presence in attack. Hughes and Banfield are senior regulars, while Wagner is trying to make a success of his third AFL stop behind stints at North Melbourne and Melbourne.



Geelong (13)​

Jed Bews^, Patrick Dangerfield^, Mitch Duncan^, Zach Guthrie, Tom Hawkins^, Jack Henry, Emerson Jeka*, Jake Kolodjashnij^, Mark O’Connor, Brandan Parfitt, Rhys Stanley^, Tyson Stengle*, Zach Tuohy

No one has more to do in free agency than Cats’ list and football boss Andrew Mackie, who has major decisions to make about the club’s direction. In his favour is that many of the names above, such as Dangerfield, Duncan, Hawkins, Tuohy and Stanley, are rusted-on veterans more likely to retire than switch clubs. Having said that, Melbourne did make a cheeky play for Hawkins this year. They already extended Tom Stewart pre-Christmas until 2027. Ex-Tiger and Crow Stengle, Henry, Guthrie and O’Connor are other re-signing priorities. Parfitt has increasingly been starved of senior opportunities at the Cattery and can walk elsewhere at the end of next season if that continues. Bews and Kolodjashnij are defensive regulars who will most likely stay, while Jeka is trying to establish himself at a second club after Hawthorn delisted him.

Gold Coast (8)​

Ben Ainsworth, Levi Casboult*, Sam Day*, Nick Holman*, Sean Lemmens^, Darcy MacPherson, David Swallow, Jarrod Witts
Ainsworth is the player to watch here. The No.4 pick in the 2016 draft, who played his underage football for Gippsland Power, has played well as a Sun but arguably not lived up to the lofty expectations from when he entered the AFL. Ainsworth’s upside would appeal to opposition clubs, but Gold Coast might be starting a successful era under new coach Damien Hardwick, so would he want to leave? MacPherson played every game this year, while Swallow, Witts, Lemmens and Holman are valued highly internally. The Suns delisted then redrafted Day, and he and Casboult may find senior opportunities harder to come by after the arrival of highly regarded teenage forward Jed Walter.



GWS Giants (6)​

Isaac Cumming, Nick Haynes^, Lachie Keeffe*, Adam Kennedy*, Harry Perryman, Callan Ward^
Cumming and Perryman headline the Giants’ 2024 crop of free agents, with 2020 All-Australian Haynes entering the last year of a lucrative, back-ended contract with a fight on his hands to cement a senior spot. Haynes preferred to stay at GWS despite the possibility he could have moved clubs in this year’s trade period. Ward, 33, continues to play at a high level and his leadership is an intangible coach Adam Kingsley values. The Giants delisted then redrafted Kennedy, while Keeffe was a late re-signing once the club’s pursuit of Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg did not eventuate.

Hawthorn (6)​

Luke Breust^, Blake Hardwick, Harry Morrison, Conor Nash, Cooper Stephens*, Chad Wingard*

Wingard will spend much of next season recovering from a ruptured achilles tendon. The Hawks put the dual All-Australian forward back on the senior list via the pre-season draft, after delisting him before Collingwood made a shock play for him. Wingard’s future is a storyline to follow, particularly with Hawthorn making no secret of their longer-term direction. Breust remains one of the AFL’s best and most prolific small forwards at age 33 and did not budge when the Giants tried to recruit him in 2021. Retaining Hardwick and Nash (third in this year’s club champion award) will be at the top of list boss Mark McKenzie’s priorities, while Morrison will be keen to perform strongly and give himself options. Ex-Cat Stephens was a first-round selection four years ago, but faces a make-or-break campaign after the Hawks redrafted him as a rookie.


Melbourne (4)​

Marty Hore*, Tom McDonald^, Jake Melksham*, Joel Smith
There is not a great deal of concern here for the Demons. McDonald, who is preparing to be a defender again in 2024, could be heading into the final season of his career after playing nine games or fewer in three of the past four years. Melksham’s strong form in Bayley Fritsch’s absence helped earn him another contract despite an ACL setback, while Smith landed in coach Simon Goodwin’s doghouse after testing positive for cocaine in a match-day test in round 23. Smith is provisionally suspended but could be free to resume training as soon as January. Hore is back for a second stint as a Demon after impressing as an interceptor at VFL level for Williamstown.

North Melbourne (5)​

Hugh Greenwood*, Bigoa Nyuon*, Toby Pink*, Liam Shiels*, Cam Zurhaar
Essendon, West Coast and Fremantle were among the clubs that expressed interest in Zurhaar when he was out of contract in 2022, but this time the Western Australian will be a free agent (albeit likely a restricted one). Zurhaar’s combativeness and goalkicking nous make him a big part of coach Alastair Clarkson’s plans, so it would be surprising if they let him walk, a la McKay. That could change if a rival team is willing to offer Zurhaar enough to trigger first-round compensation. Greenwood and Shiels may be preparing for their last season in the AFL, while recruits Nyuon and Pink – who previously played for Richmond and Sydney, respectively – are on one-year, prove-it deals.


Port Adelaide (6)​


Travis Boak^, Charlie Dixon^, Francis Evans*, Todd Marshall, Trent McKenzie*, Quinton Narkle*
Marshall is certain to have some enticing offers in front of him – from the Power and opposition sides – especially with the Western Bulldogs already locking away fellow key forward Aaron Naughton. The Murray Bushrangers product has kicked 81 goals in 42 games across the last two seasons, and his best football should be ahead. The positive for Port is they have enviable tall forward depth with Dixon, Jeremy Finlayson, Ollie Lord, Mitch Georgiades and the developing Tom Scully. Veterans Boak, Dixon and McKenzie are unlikely to go elsewhere at this stage of their career, while Narkle and Evans are hoping to do enough to remain on the list. The Power already re-signed impending free agent Willem Drew.

Richmond (9)​

Noah Cumberland*, Jack Graham, Dylan Grimes^, Dustin Martin^, Kamdyn McIntosh^, Ben Miller*, Sam Naismith*, Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia

Martin’s contract status will be one of the biggest storylines of 2024, especially with old coach Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast. He is set to play his 300th match next year and has done it all in a brilliant career. Fellow triple premiership star Prestia is already at his second club, and it would be a major shock if he sought a fresh start in a year he turns 32. Captain Nankervis met a contract trigger to extend his stay into next year and is still young enough, at 29, to score a decent deal. Ivan Soldo’s trade to Port Adelaide should work in his favour. Grimes is likely entering the final year of his career, while ex-Swan Naismith hopes to extend his after receiving a lifeline. Graham spoke to Port Adelaide last year before they pivoted to Jason Horne-Francis, and he is one to watch. McIntosh is underrated externally but not internally, and Cumberland and Miller will try to cement senior spots.

St Kilda (7)​

Josh Battle, Tom Campbell*, Tim Membrey, Seb Ross^, Liam Stocker*, Jimmy Webster^, Mason Wood*
There are some interesting names here, even if they are not the biggest in the AFL. Ex-Roo Wood’s made the most of his second start at the Saints and should be on track for a multi-year deal if his form continues, while Battle was a top-10 finisher in the best and fairest and is a good athlete. Membrey played only seven games this year due to injury before withdrawing on the morning of St Kilda’s elimination final for mental health reasons.


But coach Ross Lyon says the forward is fit and thriving this pre-season. Dual club champion Ross and Webster both turned 30 this year but remain senior regulars, while Stocker will hope to be productive enough to gain more security than a one-season deal. Campbell continues to be one of the great ruck journeymen.

Sydney Swans (6)​

Harry Cunningham^, Ollie Florent, Robbie Fox*, Will Hayward, Lewis Melican^, Sam Reid*

Close mates and business partners Florent and Hayward are the top priorities among the Swans’ free agency crop, but not the only valuable contributors here. Cunningham joined Florent in the top 10 of the club’s best and fairest in 2023, while Fox played a career-high 20 games last season. It would be a surprise if any of that quartet departed. Melican benefited from Sydney’s dearth of key defensive options to play eight games this year, including a final, and it will be interesting to see if he can hold off recruit Joel Hamling. If not, he might be on the lookout for a new club. Reid is nearing the end of his career and did not play a competitive game in 2023 while undergoing hamstring surgery, but he was a good contributor in their grand final run the year before.

West Coast (6)​


Liam Duggan, Andrew Gaff^, Jamaine Jones*, Josh Rotham, Zane Trew*, Elliot Yeo^
Duggan is one of the Eagles’ new co-captains, along with Oscar Allen, and it would be a significant surprise if he were to move elsewhere. Rotham is another important part of West Coast’s reset, whereas Gaff and Yeo – both two-time All-Australians – are both on the wrong side of 30 and coming to the end of their stellar careers. Gaff is not the player he was but still finds the Sherrin consistently, whereas Yeo has not played more than 12 games in any of the past four years due to injuries. Former Cat Jones has had more opportunities out west and will be gunning for a fresh contract, while Trew is only six games into his career.

Western Bulldogs (6)​


Lachie Bramble*, Taylor Duryea*, Tim English, Jason Johannisen^, Tom Liberatore^, Lachie McNeil*

The Dogs have a huge year ahead, with All-Australian ruckman English sure to be on West Coast’s hit-list. Bailey Smith is not a free agent but is the other top re-signing priority. They will need to find plenty of cash for both. Liberatore is a star midfielder and clearance specialist – and highly rated across the competition – but has never shown any inclination to change clubs. Johannisen turned his back on interest from Gold Coast last year and seems more likely to finish his career at the Kennel, given he turns 32 in 2024. McNeil and ex-Hawks Duryea and Bramble are just hoping to play well enough to get a new contract.

Quite a lot of talent there but I expect most of it will be signed up and off the table by the end of the year. The Pies should look at targeting Todd Marshall, Cam Zurhaar,
to steer this on topic..

Here are every club's FA -- least for the time being, this list tends to get updated during the year

Adelaide (8)​

James Borlase*, Will Hamill*, Elliott Himmelberg, Mitch Hinge*, Ben Keays*, Rory Sloane^, Brodie Smith^, Taylor Walker^
None of Sloane (33 years old), Smith (32 in January) or Walker (33) – fresh from a career-best 76 goals this year – is likely to continue his career elsewhere, but there is always the potential of a Todd Goldstein-style scenario. Ex-Lions Hinge and Keays finished in the top 10 of the Crows’ club champion award and are priority signings. The most intrigue surrounds Himmelberg, a 41-game forward-ruck, whose brother Harry was one of the most-coveted free agents in 2023 but chose to stay at the Giants for six more seasons. GWS made a play for the younger Himmelberg, too, but were unwilling to give much up, knowing he is a free agent next year. Borlase and Hamill were both delisted and redrafted as rookies.

Brisbane Lions (6)​


Jarrod Berry, Darragh Joyce*, Ryan Lester*, Jarryd Lyons*, Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko^
McCluggage has finished second or third in the Lions’ best-and-fairest award in each of the past five seasons and is the club’s vice-captain. The 25-year-old is the clear priority for Brisbane as they try to break through for a first premiership under Chris Fagan after making this year’s grand final. Berry’s brother Tom defected to Gold Coast for greater opportunity last year, but he is a first-choice option who has played 133 matches, including 25 this past season. Like McCluggage, he was a first-round draft pick in 2016 out of the North Ballarat Rebels. Former captain Zorko signed another one-year deal to stick around for next year, while Lester, Lyons and Joyce are fringe players.

Carlton (5)​

Matt Cottrell*, David Cuningham^, Sam Durdin*, Caleb Marchbank, Jack Martin*

Martin pops up on this list because Gold Coast delisted him at the end of 2019, after they were displeased with the Blues’ offer for him at the time, which was a future second- and third-rounder. He became a key player down the stretch for Carlton this year and should score himself a decent deal if he maintains his form. Cuningham and Marchbank put horror injury runs behind them to be part of the Blues’ finals campaign and will hope to remain healthy in 2024, while Cottrell has become a sneaky good contributor. Durdin, at his second club after North Melbourne cut him, provides defensive depth.


Collingwood (5)​

Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Howe^, Oleg Markov*, Scott Pendlebury^, Steele Sidebottom^

Hoskin-Elliott finally reaches free agency in his eighth season as a Magpie and at 30 years of age, after playing his first five years in the AFL as a Giant. He has played no fewer than 18 matches in any of previous seven years in black and white, so opportunity has not been lacking, and it would be a surprise if he departed. Pendlebury (36 in January), Sidebottom (33 in January) and Howe (33) are in the twilight of their careers, but remain key players for Collingwood and will likely go on as long as their form warrants. Markov became a cult hero at his third AFL stop after signing at the start of pre-season and ending the year as a premiership player. Can he back up his career-best campaign in 2024?


Essendon (2)​

Dyson Heppell^, Andrew McGrath
The Bombers made a big free agency splash this year, signing McKay, Gresham and Todd Goldstein and retaining Darcy Parish and Mason Redman, who both had rival interest. Heppell, the No.8 pick in the 2010 draft, re-signed in September for a 14th season and is destined to spend his entire career in red and black after flirting with a move to Gold Coast last year. But Essendon’s major priority in free agency is agreeing to terms with McGrath, who finished fourth in the Bombers’ club champion award this year and is vice-captain. The No.1 pick from the 2016 draft is a good player and will command a long-term deal, wherever he plays beyond next season – but expect him to stay put.

Fremantle (4)​


Bailey Banfield*, Ethan Hughes*, Matt Taberner^, Corey Wagner*
The Dockers already enjoyed a titanic free agency victory, with star ruckman Sean Darcy inking a six-year extension in December to put an emphatic end to any speculation he might return to Victoria. That leaves injury-prone key forward Taberner, who kicked a career-high 37 goals in 2021, as the biggest name here. The emergence of Jye Amiss and to a lesser extent Josh Treacy means Taberner is not quite as valuable to Freo as he once was, but he offers a veteran presence in attack. Hughes and Banfield are senior regulars, while Wagner is trying to make a success of his third AFL stop behind stints at North Melbourne and Melbourne.



Geelong (13)​

Jed Bews^, Patrick Dangerfield^, Mitch Duncan^, Zach Guthrie, Tom Hawkins^, Jack Henry, Emerson Jeka*, Jake Kolodjashnij^, Mark O’Connor, Brandan Parfitt, Rhys Stanley^, Tyson Stengle*, Zach Tuohy

No one has more to do in free agency than Cats’ list and football boss Andrew Mackie, who has major decisions to make about the club’s direction. In his favour is that many of the names above, such as Dangerfield, Duncan, Hawkins, Tuohy and Stanley, are rusted-on veterans more likely to retire than switch clubs. Having said that, Melbourne did make a cheeky play for Hawkins this year. They already extended Tom Stewart pre-Christmas until 2027. Ex-Tiger and Crow Stengle, Henry, Guthrie and O’Connor are other re-signing priorities. Parfitt has increasingly been starved of senior opportunities at the Cattery and can walk elsewhere at the end of next season if that continues. Bews and Kolodjashnij are defensive regulars who will most likely stay, while Jeka is trying to establish himself at a second club after Hawthorn delisted him.

Gold Coast (8)​

Ben Ainsworth, Levi Casboult*, Sam Day*, Nick Holman*, Sean Lemmens^, Darcy MacPherson, David Swallow, Jarrod Witts
Ainsworth is the player to watch here. The No.4 pick in the 2016 draft, who played his underage football for Gippsland Power, has played well as a Sun but arguably not lived up to the lofty expectations from when he entered the AFL. Ainsworth’s upside would appeal to opposition clubs, but Gold Coast might be starting a successful era under new coach Damien Hardwick, so would he want to leave? MacPherson played every game this year, while Swallow, Witts, Lemmens and Holman are valued highly internally. The Suns delisted then redrafted Day, and he and Casboult may find senior opportunities harder to come by after the arrival of highly regarded teenage forward Jed Walter.



GWS Giants (6)​

Isaac Cumming, Nick Haynes^, Lachie Keeffe*, Adam Kennedy*, Harry Perryman, Callan Ward^
Cumming and Perryman headline the Giants’ 2024 crop of free agents, with 2020 All-Australian Haynes entering the last year of a lucrative, back-ended contract with a fight on his hands to cement a senior spot. Haynes preferred to stay at GWS despite the possibility he could have moved clubs in this year’s trade period. Ward, 33, continues to play at a high level and his leadership is an intangible coach Adam Kingsley values. The Giants delisted then redrafted Kennedy, while Keeffe was a late re-signing once the club’s pursuit of Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg did not eventuate.

Hawthorn (6)​

Luke Breust^, Blake Hardwick, Harry Morrison, Conor Nash, Cooper Stephens*, Chad Wingard*

Wingard will spend much of next season recovering from a ruptured achilles tendon. The Hawks put the dual All-Australian forward back on the senior list via the pre-season draft, after delisting him before Collingwood made a shock play for him. Wingard’s future is a storyline to follow, particularly with Hawthorn making no secret of their longer-term direction. Breust remains one of the AFL’s best and most prolific small forwards at age 33 and did not budge when the Giants tried to recruit him in 2021. Retaining Hardwick and Nash (third in this year’s club champion award) will be at the top of list boss Mark McKenzie’s priorities, while Morrison will be keen to perform strongly and give himself options. Ex-Cat Stephens was a first-round selection four years ago, but faces a make-or-break campaign after the Hawks redrafted him as a rookie.


Melbourne (4)​

Marty Hore*, Tom McDonald^, Jake Melksham*, Joel Smith
There is not a great deal of concern here for the Demons. McDonald, who is preparing to be a defender again in 2024, could be heading into the final season of his career after playing nine games or fewer in three of the past four years. Melksham’s strong form in Bayley Fritsch’s absence helped earn him another contract despite an ACL setback, while Smith landed in coach Simon Goodwin’s doghouse after testing positive for cocaine in a match-day test in round 23. Smith is provisionally suspended but could be free to resume training as soon as January. Hore is back for a second stint as a Demon after impressing as an interceptor at VFL level for Williamstown.

North Melbourne (5)​

Hugh Greenwood*, Bigoa Nyuon*, Toby Pink*, Liam Shiels*, Cam Zurhaar
Essendon, West Coast and Fremantle were among the clubs that expressed interest in Zurhaar when he was out of contract in 2022, but this time the Western Australian will be a free agent (albeit likely a restricted one). Zurhaar’s combativeness and goalkicking nous make him a big part of coach Alastair Clarkson’s plans, so it would be surprising if they let him walk, a la McKay. That could change if a rival team is willing to offer Zurhaar enough to trigger first-round compensation. Greenwood and Shiels may be preparing for their last season in the AFL, while recruits Nyuon and Pink – who previously played for Richmond and Sydney, respectively – are on one-year, prove-it deals.


Port Adelaide (6)​


Travis Boak^, Charlie Dixon^, Francis Evans*, Todd Marshall, Trent McKenzie*, Quinton Narkle*
Marshall is certain to have some enticing offers in front of him – from the Power and opposition sides – especially with the Western Bulldogs already locking away fellow key forward Aaron Naughton. The Murray Bushrangers product has kicked 81 goals in 42 games across the last two seasons, and his best football should be ahead. The positive for Port is they have enviable tall forward depth with Dixon, Jeremy Finlayson, Ollie Lord, Mitch Georgiades and the developing Tom Scully. Veterans Boak, Dixon and McKenzie are unlikely to go elsewhere at this stage of their career, while Narkle and Evans are hoping to do enough to remain on the list. The Power already re-signed impending free agent Willem Drew.

Richmond (9)​

Noah Cumberland*, Jack Graham, Dylan Grimes^, Dustin Martin^, Kamdyn McIntosh^, Ben Miller*, Sam Naismith*, Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia

Martin’s contract status will be one of the biggest storylines of 2024, especially with old coach Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast. He is set to play his 300th match next year and has done it all in a brilliant career. Fellow triple premiership star Prestia is already at his second club, and it would be a major shock if he sought a fresh start in a year he turns 32. Captain Nankervis met a contract trigger to extend his stay into next year and is still young enough, at 29, to score a decent deal. Ivan Soldo’s trade to Port Adelaide should work in his favour. Grimes is likely entering the final year of his career, while ex-Swan Naismith hopes to extend his after receiving a lifeline. Graham spoke to Port Adelaide last year before they pivoted to Jason Horne-Francis, and he is one to watch. McIntosh is underrated externally but not internally, and Cumberland and Miller will try to cement senior spots.

St Kilda (7)​

Josh Battle, Tom Campbell*, Tim Membrey, Seb Ross^, Liam Stocker*, Jimmy Webster^, Mason Wood*
There are some interesting names here, even if they are not the biggest in the AFL. Ex-Roo Wood’s made the most of his second start at the Saints and should be on track for a multi-year deal if his form continues, while Battle was a top-10 finisher in the best and fairest and is a good athlete. Membrey played only seven games this year due to injury before withdrawing on the morning of St Kilda’s elimination final for mental health reasons.


But coach Ross Lyon says the forward is fit and thriving this pre-season. Dual club champion Ross and Webster both turned 30 this year but remain senior regulars, while Stocker will hope to be productive enough to gain more security than a one-season deal. Campbell continues to be one of the great ruck journeymen.

Sydney Swans (6)​

Harry Cunningham^, Ollie Florent, Robbie Fox*, Will Hayward, Lewis Melican^, Sam Reid*

Close mates and business partners Florent and Hayward are the top priorities among the Swans’ free agency crop, but not the only valuable contributors here. Cunningham joined Florent in the top 10 of the club’s best and fairest in 2023, while Fox played a career-high 20 games last season. It would be a surprise if any of that quartet departed. Melican benefited from Sydney’s dearth of key defensive options to play eight games this year, including a final, and it will be interesting to see if he can hold off recruit Joel Hamling. If not, he might be on the lookout for a new club. Reid is nearing the end of his career and did not play a competitive game in 2023 while undergoing hamstring surgery, but he was a good contributor in their grand final run the year before.

West Coast (6)​


Liam Duggan, Andrew Gaff^, Jamaine Jones*, Josh Rotham, Zane Trew*, Elliot Yeo^
Duggan is one of the Eagles’ new co-captains, along with Oscar Allen, and it would be a significant surprise if he were to move elsewhere. Rotham is another important part of West Coast’s reset, whereas Gaff and Yeo – both two-time All-Australians – are both on the wrong side of 30 and coming to the end of their stellar careers. Gaff is not the player he was but still finds the Sherrin consistently, whereas Yeo has not played more than 12 games in any of the past four years due to injuries. Former Cat Jones has had more opportunities out west and will be gunning for a fresh contract, while Trew is only six games into his career.

Western Bulldogs (6)​


Lachie Bramble*, Taylor Duryea*, Tim English, Jason Johannisen^, Tom Liberatore^, Lachie McNeil*

The Dogs have a huge year ahead, with All-Australian ruckman English sure to be on West Coast’s hit-list. Bailey Smith is not a free agent but is the other top re-signing priority. They will need to find plenty of cash for both. Liberatore is a star midfielder and clearance specialist – and highly rated across the competition – but has never shown any inclination to change clubs. Johannisen turned his back on interest from Gold Coast last year and seems more likely to finish his career at the Kennel, given he turns 32 in 2024. McNeil and ex-Hawks Duryea and Bramble are just hoping to play well enough to get a new contract.

Quite a bit of talent in that lot. But expect most of it to be off the table by the end of the year. The Pies should look at targeting Todd Marshall, Elliot Himmelbeg and maybe Cam Zurhaar imo
 
Quite a lot of talent there but I expect most of it will be signed up and off the table by the end of the year. The Pies should look at targeting Todd Marshall, Cam Zurhaar,

Quite a bit of talent in that lot. But expect most of it to be off the table by the end of the year. The Pies should look at targeting Todd Marshall, Elliot Himmelbeg and maybe Cam Zurhaar imo


Marshall would be worth a look but the price will be steep given the likely competition for an RFA and I'm wary of paying top dollar for someone who is a nice complimentary player rather than a match winner.

Zurhaar in any decent team would obviously have an impact, but he's not always switched on so if we got him then we'd be crossing our fingers a bit and hoping he finds a bit more consistency with his effort levels and discipline on the field.
 

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Do you know how he played/developed in 2023?

Imho he stagnated, if not marginally regressed a bit.

Even a couple of commentators mentioned it during games where the Cats were beaten in the midfield.

I was looking for him to take the next step, after a stellar 2022 season and the heartbreak of missing the GF.

Maybe he was carrying a few niggles. Or maybe missing Selwood’s leadership, no Guthrie for majority of the year, and Danger missing the odd game or two didn’t help.

In saying that, he’d thrive in our environment especially with Pendles, Sidey and Titch still around. He is a player that suits our system.


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true, but think we have to put into context. One that's been in the system for 5 years and 26 years old and one in his third year and age 20. I think give it a few more years then maybe we can compare the two. But prob unfair at this point.
And I'm guessing Schultz isn't treacle slow.

Not sure how Ginnivan fits into Hawthorns forward line as it is hardly speedy. I don't see it working.



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Imho he stagnated, if not marginally regressed a bit.

Even a couple of commentators mentioned it during games where the Cats were beaten in the midfield.

I was looking for him to take the next step, after a stellar 2022 season and the heartbreak of missing the GF.

Maybe he was carrying a few niggles. Or maybe missing Selwood’s leadership, no Guthrie for majority of the year, and Danger missing the odd game or two didn’t help.

In saying that, he’d thrive in our environment especially with Pendles, Sidey and Titch still around. He is a player that suits our system.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
Thanks - great write up
 
Ginni had elite goal scoring ability, and upside in terms of his age. He was great around the ball as well…great skills. I guess only the club can really know whether he’s likely to realise his potential or fall into a TikTok vortex.

My point is, Schultz is fairly well mature…improvements, if any, will be incremental. Ginni has massive upside, but I guess also downside due to his character. Most clubs would get better value in return, even with the risks.
Ginni is not dead, just a Hawk.
plenty of time to see if your estimation is accurate.
Personally I doubt Schulz was a like for like selection for Ginni.
 
Imho he stagnated, if not marginally regressed a bit.

Even a couple of commentators mentioned it during games where the Cats were beaten in the midfield.

I was looking for him to take the next step, after a stellar 2022 season and the heartbreak of missing the GF.

Maybe he was carrying a few niggles. Or maybe missing Selwood’s leadership, no Guthrie for majority of the year, and Danger missing the odd game or two didn’t help.

In saying that, he’d thrive in our environment especially with Pendles, Sidey and Titch still around. He is a player that suits our system.


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He would thrive on the wing in our game plan for sure. Has really good endurance.
 
And I'm guessing Schultz isn't treacle slow.

Not sure how Ginnivan fits into Hawthorns forward line as it is hardly speedy. I don't see it working.



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He finds space well and usually makes smart decisions with the ball.

We need him to create from spillage when he is not the target of forward entries, and pressure the defence to keep the ball in our forward 50. Neither is a strength of his.
 
I don't think character is the risk with Ginni, it's athleticism.

I view him a bit like AJ in that he's classy and can finish but can't do the core aspect of his role due to physical limitations. Ginni can't provide the heat you want from a small forward due to pace, just like AJ can't provide the aerial contest due to size. They both might develop but they're speculative and will most likely need to play a hybrid role. I think we got his value.
Was at a beach side town we were having a few drinks.
Met someone from Castlemaine who had
played sports with him.
You spoke about his character?
I could tell you for a fact from someone that knows him, and there didn't seem to be any bad blood or animosity.
Ginivan and some other members of his family are not exactly known as people of high repute!
Let's just leave it at that.
Was also sceptical about us trading him, but from what that person told me we 100 percent did the right thing.
 
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