For the second time in three years, Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley has requested a trade – this time Brisbane is his preferred destination. Photo: AFL Media.
Adelaide
In?
The Crows look to have pulled a swifty by luring star Sun Izak Rankine home to South Australia. Their pick five will surely be involved.
Out?
Billy Frampton has indicated he’d like to join Collingwood, while fringe youngsters Fischer McAsey and Lachie Sholl have been starved of opportunities but remain contracted.
Brisbane
In?
Josh Dunkley is the latest in a run of star players who’ve sought out Brisbane as their second football home. The deal will require some manoeuvring, given the club has two father-son prospects who are shaping as first-round picks. Free agent Jack Gunston is also weighing up the move.
Out?
The Lions have long known that Dan McStay intends to exercise his free agency rights, but Darcy Gardiner is another handy tall who remains unsigned.
Carlton
In?
Blake Acres appears set to arrive from Fremantle and will slot onto the wing. But after a strong assault over the last few years, the Blues will mostly bank on internal improvement.
Out?
Will Setterfield is still without a contract and may look for a third club.
Collingwood
In?
The Magpies are set to continue their form as trade period enthusiasts. Frampton and McStay should get there, along with Giant Bobby Hill, and perhaps perennial first-dropped Sun Brayden Fiorini. Tom Mitchell has also been thrown into the mix.
Out?
Collingwood are still balancing the tight pay structure that caused them great grief at the end of 2020, and Brodie Grundy may be a casualty if they can negotiate his immense salary with a rival club. Jordan De Goey doesn’t want to sign a new deal with significant clauses, and Ollie Henry could also be squeezed out.
Essendon
In?
The Bombers are in a tough position for recruitment with a senior coach not having yet been appointed, however could get creative with their salary cap space to improve their draft hand. Some more speed up forward would be high on the agenda.
Out?
The good news for Essendon is that only the uncontracted Aaron Francis, who managed four games this year, is in the frame to depart. Dyson Heppell has agreed to a contract extension.
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Fremantle
In?
One of the most cited trade narratives of the year looks set to come to fruition, with 2021 Rising Star winner and premiership back-up ruck Luke Jackson to join the Dockers on a big deal. Out-of-favour Suns Jeremy Sharp and Josh Corbett are also of interest.
Out?
Plenty. Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker would like to join North Melbourne, reserve ruck Lloyd Meek is contracted but has suitors, and Acres will depart. Rory Lobb is once again keen to move, but at this stage Fremantle wants to hold him to his contract. Liam Henry, a recent top-10 pick, hasn’t been in Justin Longmuir’s best side and may also vacate.
Geelong
In?
The Cats were linked with several big names, but appear to be refocusing with an eye towards youth. Former Geelong Falcon Tanner Bruhn is keen to head home after just two years in western Sydney, while Ollie Henry could join his brother Jack after the same tenure at Collingwood.
Out?
Quinton Narkle is a name that often gets raised in the trade period, but after just eight games this year, surely he finds a new home this time.
Gold Coast
In?
Ben Long will be a solid reinforcement for what is an injury-ravaged defensive group.
Out?
This is where things get very interesting. The AFL has, after some tsk-tsking in previous years, decided to embrace the crudely-termed “salary dump”. This means that a club like the Suns, which is burdened by a tight cap, may trade a contracted player to another club who can afford to absorb their money (say, Essendon or North Melbourne), sending a decent draft pick along with them as compensation for taking on the wage. The Will Brodie deal last year was an example of this, but expect more. Jack Bowes is one to watch, with the Suns potentially willing to offer pick seven along with him to a flush rival.
Greater Western Sydney
In?
There probably isn’t space at GWS for any big names, but they are often on the lookout for ruck depth.
Out?
The Giants will continue their salary cap rehabilitation procedure in 2022. Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto will likely be the latest big names to head back to Victoria, along with Bruhn and Hill.
