Josh Battle (left), Isaac Cumming (centre) and Harry Perryman all showing off their new colours on an eventful first day of free agency. Photos: AFL MEDIA
The AFL’s silly season officially started on Friday and it kicked off with an almighty bang.
In one of the busiest starts to the free agency period since its inception 12 years ago, no fewer than six players found new homes on day one.
And the biggest name to switch clubs was undoubtedly gun St Kilda defender Josh Battle who joined the Hawks as an unrestricted free agent after producing his best season at the top level.
Battle combined with Callum Wilkie to form a formidable defensive tandem for the Saints on the way to registering career-highs in disposals (409 at 18 per game), marks (174 at eight) and contested possessions (125 at five).
At 26 years of age, and entering his prime with 123 games under his belt in eight seasons, he promises to be an important addition to Hawthorn’s backline, which is in desperate need of key position reinforcements to help James Sicily and Sam Frost.
And with West Coast’s Tom Barrass requesting a trade to the Hawks as well, it could be enough to free up Sicily for a more permanent role up forward.
“Josh is someone we identified as a key acquisition for our club, and we’re delighted he’s chosen the Hawks in this next phase of his career,” Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie said.
“Josh is a proven player who will make an immediate impact in our back six, whilst improving our team on a whole.”
While the Saints would’ve initially been stung by Battle’s departure, much of that angst would’ve been eased by the fact that they were given pick 8 as compensation from the AFL.
Another player on the move is Greater Western Sydney utility Harry Perryman who has crossed to Collingwood on a reported six-year deal after 129 games for the Giants across eight years.
While Perryman has found himself thrown around the park of late, most recently in defence, he is best-suited to the midfield and given the Magpies’ dearth at times in that part of the ground, the 25-year-old will serve as a most welcome inclusion to their on-ball rotations.
“Collingwood is the right place for me to progress my football journey and I look forward to meeting the boys and the rest of the program,” Perryman said.
“There’s also something special about having the opportunity to play for the team you grew up supporting.”
For losing Perryman as an unrestricted free agent, the Giants pocketed selection No.16
And Perryman wasn’t the only GWS player bidding farewell to the Showgrounds. The versatile Isaac Cumming also departed, linking up with the Crows after 81 matches for the Giants in eight seasons.
Cumming was a regular fixture of the GWS line-up, averaging 22 games between 2021 and 2023, but calf and hamstring injuries restricted him to just six matches this year, although he was brought back for the finals, such was the regard he was held in.
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At his best he has shown impressive flexibility as someone who can play effectively both on a wing and in defence.
“He is a significant addition to our list,” Crows list manager Justin Reid said of Cumming.
The Giants received pick 21, meaning they have an additional two picks in the first round as it stands currently.
Veteran defender Nick Haynes made it a trio of GWS players to switch clubs on Friday after making his widely-speculated move to Carlton a reality.
The 32-year-old might not be what he once was, and certainly found himself on the outer this year, as he only managed an equal career-low eight matches, but given the Blues’ consistent struggles to avoid enduring lengthy injury lists, they will be hoping the former All-Australian and best-and-fairest winner will provide some valuable depth in defence after 211 games in 13 seasons for the Giants.
“Nick adds quality to our defensive group, bringing with him valuable experience at the highest level that will complement our back half,” Carlton list manager Nick Austin said.
“Nick has shown a high amount of resilience throughout his career, which is a testament to his strong worth ethic and his durability is a key asset.
“We’ve observed Nick closely this year and he has been clearly dominant at VFL level. We know the professional he is, his drive and proven ability to stand up as a mature player on the big stage, which makes him the perfect fit for our playing group.”
Elsewhere, fringe Adelaide forward Elliott Himmelberg headed up to Gold Coast, hopeful of a change in fortunes after just 50 games in eight years, while the ultimate journeyman Tom Campbell has arrived at his fourth club after leaving the Saints for the Demons as a delisted free agent.
The ruckman has also played for the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne and in his 13 seasons in the AFL has played just 58 games.
The only other active player to have been listed by four clubs is Sydney’s Joel Hamling who was previously employed by Geelong, the Bulldogs and Fremantle.
The footy meat market is set to go up another notch or two on Monday when the trade period begins.
Big names such as Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), Luke Parker (Sydney), Bailey Smith (Bulldogs), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide), Tom Barrass (West Coast), Liam Baker (Richmond), Daniel Rioli (Richmond), Shai Bolton (Richmond) and Jack Graham (Richmond) look set to dominate most of the headlines.
2024 PLAYER MOVEMENTS
6. Isaac Cumming (GWS) joined Adelaide as an unrestricted free agent. GWS received pick 21 (AFL) as compensation.
5. Nick Haynes (GWS) joined Carlton as an unrestricted free agent.
4. Tom Campbell (StK) joined Melbourne as a delisted free agent.
3. Harry Perryman (GWS) joined Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent. GWS received pick 16 (AFL) as compensation.
2. Josh Battle (StK) joined Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent. Hawthorn received pick 8 (AFL) as compensation.
1. Elliott Himmelberg (Adel) joined Gold Coast as an unrestricted free agent.
