AFL Trade Period- Your Team’s Report Card

After the AFL’s close of trades on Friday afternoon, we take a look at your club’s free agency and trade movements so far, provide a grade and identify what they need before the close of trade period next Wednesday night.

Adelaide Crows-

• Gained: Pick #13 (Carl)
  •      Future 4th round pick (Carl)
  •      Shane McAdam (Pre-listed State League Player) (Carl)

• Lost:     Mitch McGovern (Carl)
  •     Future 3rd round pick (Carl)
  •     Pick #40 (Syd)

Grade: D  Losing Mitch McGovern is a big loss and the Crow’s have been fairly quiet a part from that.

What they need: Must now look to continue to trade to work their way up the draft order. Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine are both elite South Australian products that they must obtain top 5 picks for. Will be interesting who or what they’ll have to give up to secure those picks.

Brisbane Lions-

• Gained: Lincoln McCarthy (Geel)
  •      Pick #54 (Geel)
  •      Pick #57 (Geel)
  •      Pick #32 (GC)
  •      Pick #41 (GC)
  •      Pick #44 (GC)
  •      Pick #77 (GC)

• Lost:     Pick #42 (Geel)
  •     Pick #60 (Geel)
  •     Pick #24 (GC)
  •     Pick #58 (GC)
  •     Pick # 79 (GC)

Grade: C  A healthy Lincoln McCarthy will be a welcome addition. The fact they have done so much obscure trading for a couple of extra picks tells us they are going fishing in the second week.

What they need: Lachie Neale is a must. Fremantle seem to be sticking to their guns and it seems picks 5 and 32 aren’t enough to secure the A-grade midfielder at this stage. Key defender Marcus Adams is another on their radar.

Carlton Blues-

• Gained: Will Setterfield (GWS)
  •      Alex Fasolo (Coll FA)
  •      Mitch McGovern (Ade)
  •      Future 3rd round selection (Ade)
  •      Pick #42 (Geel)

• Lost: Pick #43 (GWS)
  • Future 2nd round pick (GWS)
  • Pick #13 (Ade)
  • Future 5th round pick (Ade)
  • Shane McAdam (Pre-listed State League player) (Ade)
  • Pick #26 (Syd)
  • Pick #28 (Syd)
  • Nathan Kreuger (Pre-listed StateLeague player) (Geel)

Grade: B+  Carlton already have enough young talent and it is clear they are going after seasoned players. Setterfield will add midfield depth, McGovern is pure class at either end of the ground and a fit Fasolo will add plenty of excitement to their young forward line.

What they need: If they can land a big name midfielder such as Shiel, Scully or Hall then they will walk away major winners.

Collingwood Magpies-

Grade: D  The grand final runners up have been surprisingly quiet so far in the trade period. Missing out on Tom Lynch was a massive blow.

What they need: Dayne Beams has been a huge story this week but a confusing one. Beams was quoted committing to Brisbane only a few weeks ago and everything since appears to be rumours with nothing coming from Beams, Brisbane or Collingwood. They must get a deal done for defender Tom Langdon and also go after Steven May to fix their key defender deficiencies.

Essendon Bombers-

Grade: D  After being the biggest winners this time last year the Dons have been quiet so far. Dylan Shiel has nominated Essendon as his preferred move to Melbourne which will be a huge addition to their hard running game style.

What they need: Dylan Shiel. If they only get this done it will still be another successful October.

Fremantle Dockers-

• Gained: Pick #11 (Port)
  •      Pick #23 (Port)
  •      Pick #30 (Port)
  •      Pick #49 (Port)
  •      Reece Conca (Geel) (FA)

• Lost:     Pick #6 (Port)
  •     Future 3rd round pick (Port)

Grade: D  Very frustrating trying to understand what the Dockers are trying to get done this week. Lachie Neale has publicly requested a trade to Brisbane and has stated he has played his last game for the club regardless. They have refused Brisbane’s offer of pick 5 and 32 despite the fact they have needed pick 5 to acquire Jesse Hogan, a player they have long been after and need. Trading pick 6 was also bizarre as that could of been used in the trade for Hogan.

What they need: Hogan and Rory Lobb. It seems destined they are going to lose Neale so to break even they must come away with the two key forwards they desperately need.

Geelong Cats-

• Gained:  Gary Rohan (Syd)
  •       Pick #42 (Bri)*
  •       Pick # 60 (Bri)
  •       Nathan Kreuger (Pre-listed State League player) (Carl)
  •       Luke Dalhaus (Bull) (FA)

• Lost:      Pick #61 (Syd)
  •      Lincoln McCarthy (Bri)
  •      Pick #54 (Bri)
  •      Pick #57 (Bri)
  •      Pick #42 (Carl)

Grade: B+  Dalhaus and Rohan will add plenty to their forward line. Once again, this looks like being a successful trade period for the Cats.

What they need: More depth in their backline. If they could somehow jag Steven May it would be huge, unlikely they have the currency to get it done.

Gold Coast Suns-

• Gained: Pick #24 (Bri)
  •      Pick #58 (Bri)
  •      Pick #79 (Bri)
  •      Pick #2 (Compensation Tom Lynch) (FA)
  •      Corey Ellis (Rich)
  •      Anthony Miles (Rich)
  •      Future 3rd round pick (Rich)

• Lost:     Pick #32 (Bri)
  •     Pick #41 (Bri)
  •     Pick #44 (Bri)
  •     Pick #77 (Bri)
  •     Tom Lynch (Rich)(FA)
  •     Future 3rd round pick (Rich)

Grade: D-  Losing skipper Tom Lynch is demoralising but they’ve know that to be the case for some time so time to move forward. Ellis and Miles bring premiership culture with them and will add depth to their young midfield. Pick 2 could bring anything in this year’s draft.

What they need: A big name player to want to help rebuild (or build) their club. Someone. Anyone.

GSW Giants-

• Gained: Pick #43 (Carlton)
  •      Future 2nd round pick (Carlton)

• Lost:     Will Setterfield (Carlton)

Grade: C  This grade is yet to take into account the damage that is most likely to be done over the remaining days. Giants fans can expect to lose Shiel, Scully and Lobb which is not ideal for a club with their premiership window wide open.

What they need: It is going to be difficult but they must broker some quality players in return for what they are going to lose. Going to the draft is no good for them now.

Hawthorn Hawks-

Grade: C  Quiet so far but not expecting that to be the case come Wednesday. Hawthorn have been suitors for A-graders such as Tom Scully and Chad Wingard.

What the need: Scully should be a priority. With new starting position rules wingers are expected to play even bigger roles. Imagine Smith on one wing and Scully on the other, the two best runners in the game.

Melbourne Demons-

• Gained: Braydon Preuss (North)
  •      Pick #62 (North)
  •      Pick #65 (StK)

• Lost:     Dom Tyson (North)
  •     Dean Kent (Stk)

Grade: C+  Have given up players that will be quality at other clubs but not quite in their own best 22. Braydon Preuss will be a great back up for Gawn.

What they need: If Hogan goes they need to find someone to replace him up forward. Melbourne’s list is looking great next year regardless.

North Melbourne Kangaroos-

• Gained: Dom Tyson (Melb)
  •      Jared Polec (Port)
  •      Jasper Pittard (Port)
  •      Pick #48 (Port)

• Lost: Braydon Preuss (Melb)
  • Pick #62 (Melb)
  • Pick #11 (Port)
  • Future 4th round pick (Port)

Grade: A- The Kangas may have missed Gaff but as expected they have been one of the bigger winners so far. Dom Tyson walks straight into their midfield whilst Polec and Pittard give them much needed run off the wing and half back line.

What they need: If they walk away with what they have now they will be happy but if they can secure one of the gun GWS midfielders on the table either Scully or Shiel, what a trade period it will be. They are also in the box seat to secure midfield accumulator Aaron Hall.

Port Adelaide Power-

• Gained: Pick #6 (Fre)
  •      Future 3rd round pick (Fre)
  •      Pick #11 (Fre)
  •      Future 4th round selection (North)
  •      Scott Lycett (WCE) (FA)

• Lost:      Pick #11 (Fre)
  •      Pick #23 (Fre)
  •      Pick #30 (Fre)
  •      Pick #48 (North)
  •      Pick #49 (Fre)
  •      Jared Polec (North)
  •      Jasper Pittard (North)

Grade: C+  Wantaway winger Jared Polec was always going and Pittard was due for a change of scenery. Securing picks 6 and 11 was big in the hope of securing South Australian draftees Lukousis and Rankine. They may need to package those to get into the top 5 in order to get on of those.

What they need: Either of those young guns mentioned about would be a huge score. Some run to replace what they lost would also be ideal.

Richmond Tigers-

• Gained: Tom Lynch (GC) (FA)
  •      Future 3rd round selection

• Loss:    Corey Ellis (GC)
  •     Anthony Miles (GC)

Grade: A  It’s hard to imagine they could get much better but the acquisition of Tom Lynch is huge. He will provide the perfect foil for Jack Rewoldt up forward.

What they need: Nothing. They don’t have the cap room to land any of the big names on the market and anyone else will only provide depth for injuries.

St Kilda Saints-

• Gained: Dean Kent (Melb)
  •      Dan Hannebery (Syd)
  •      Pick # 28 (Syd)
  •      Pick #39 (WCE)
  •      Future 4th round selection (WCE)

• Lost: Pick #65 (Melb)
  • Pick #39 (Syd)
  • Future 2nd round pick (Syd)
  • Tom Hickey (WCE)
  • Future 4th round selection (WCE)

Grade: B+  If Dan Hannebery can get his body right he will be the steal of all-time. At the very worse he will be a great mentor for their inexperienced midfield. Kent will provide much needed grunt.

What they need: They have proclaimed their interest in running machine Tom Scully, although he has stated he would prefer to go to a club in premiership contention, the Saints have not given up yet.

Sydney Swans-

• Gained: Pick # 39 (Stk)
  •      Future 2nd round pick (Stk)
  •      Ryan Clarke (North)
  •      Pick #61 (Geel)
  •      Pick # 26 (Carl)
  •      Pick #28 (Carl)
  •      Pick #40 (Ade)

• Lost:     Dan Hannebery (Stk)
  •     Pick #61 (North)
  •     Gary Rohan (Geel)

Grade: D- The Swans have given up two quality players for not much in return. Ryan Clarke looks like the type of player John Longmire will turn into a reliable player.

What they need: Tom Langdon. The defender will be a big score for Sydney. He has shown his interest by touring their facilities before embarking on an overseas holiday.

West Coast Eagles-

• Gained: Tom Hickey (Stk)
  •      Pick #60
  •      Future 4th round selection (Stk)
  •      Pick #20 (Scott Lycett FA Compensation)

• Lost:     Pick #39
  •     Future 4th round selection(Stk)
  •     Scott Lycett (Port) (FA)

Grade: C  Losing Lycett has been offset by the acquisition of Tom Hickey and it’s not too big a loss with the return of Nic Nat.

What they Need: Tim Kelly. The WA local has stated he wants to return home but only to the Eagles. Geelong are holding firm that only a top 10 pick will get the deal done. The Eagles need to find a way to get it done.

Western Bulldogs-

• Gained: Pick #25 (Compensation Dalhaus FA)

• Lost:     Luke Dalhaus (Geel) (FA)

Grade: C-  The dogs have been quiet. Losing Dalhaus is a significant loss. They need to get busy before Wednesday.

What they need: They have been there about in the Chad Wingard discussions. Scoring the Power small forward will be a more than capable replacement for Dalhaus.