After stints with Geelong, the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle, defender Joel Hamling will play for Sydney in 2024. Photo: AFL MEDIA
The AFL’s free agency period has got off to a busy start with three players this weekend already finding new homes.
Fremantle defender Joel Hamling and GWS ruckman Matt Flynn have crossed to Sydney and West Coast respectively, following on from Melbourne midfielder James Jordon’s decision to join the Swans.
Hamling is set to achieve the rare feat of being recruited by a fourth club, having originally been drafted by Geelong before joining the Western Bulldogs and then winding up at Fremantle.
It’s an achievement that does not happen too often, and brings back memories of players such as Craig Davis, Geoff Raines, Richard Osborne and Scott Cummings, while more recently Tom Hickey, Jacob Townsend and Jon Giles have been listed by four teams as well.
And then, of course, there is the “GOAT” of the multi-club players Dale Kickett who represented no fewer than five sides – West Coast, St Kilda, Fitzroy, Essendon and Fremantle – which remains a league record.
The Swans haven’t yet confirmed the acquisition of Hamling, but Fremantle football manager Peter Bell all but announced that the 2016 premiership player was headed to Sydney.
“Joel has been a highly valued member of our team since he joined the club at the end of 2016,” Bell said.
“He was a consistent performer down back for us before he sustained a significant ankle injury in the pre-season of 2020.
“To see Joel return to AFL football this year after such a long period out of the game and play the football we know he is capable of, was really pleasing to see.
“It is always a hard time of year, but Joel has a young family and clearly his decision to explore his options as a delisted free agent played a factor in that.
“We wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution to the Freo family.”
Hamling has had a wretched run since the end of 2019, managing just six games in four years – four of which came very late this season.
But the Swans are in need of a key defender after Paddy McCartin’s untimely retirement from yet another concussion, and 30-year-old Hamling will be relied upon to provide another option in addition to the likes of Tom McCartin, Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican and Aaron Francis.
Meanwhile, Flynn heads to the Eagles after managing just 33 games in eight seasons with the Giants.
The 26-year-old didn’t make his senior debut until his sixth season at GWS, and has been overtaken in the pecking order this year by Kieren Briggs who exploded to become one of the league’s best ruckmen.
Flynn didn’t play another game for the Giants after he was dominated by Collingwood’s Mason Cox in Round 9.
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After Nic Naitanui’s retirement, the Eagles will view Flynn as much-needed back-up for Bailey Williams who also had a breakout year in 2023.
The trade period kicks off on Monday and a lot of the attention surrounds Collingwood veteran Taylor Adams who is also reportedly exploring a move to Sydney after a heartbreaking hamstring injury forced him out of this year’s grand final.
If he was to link up with the Swans, he could reacquaint himself with a familiar face because Melbourne ruckman, and former Magpies teammate, Brodie Grundy looks almost certain to head harbourside as well.
The move would cap off a rollercoaster period in Grundy’s career that will see him play for three clubs in as many years with four years still remaining on his lucrative contract.
Sydney looks as though it will be one of the busiest players in this year’s exchange period, but Essendon is primed to give them a run for their money.
No fewer than four players are linked to the Bombers at this stage – North Melbourne duo Ben McKay and Todd Goldstein, St Kilda small forward Jade Gresham and Port Adelaide wingman Xavier Duursma.
But it’s not all one-way traffic at Tullamarine with on-baller Dylan Shiel linked to the potential Gresham deal, while promising defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and fringe player Massimo D’Ambrosio have requested trades to Port Adelaide and Hawthorn respectively.
Like Hamling, Bulldogs forward Rory Lobb is reportedly in the market for a fourth club – possibly Melbourne – while Lobb’s teammate Jordon Sweet looks set to cross to Port Adelaide.
Vastly-improved Fremantle youngster Liam Henry has asked to be traded to St Kilda, Adelaide vice-captain Tom Doedee is intent on joining the Lions, and Geelong big man Esava Ratugolea will ensure a busy period for Port Adelaide considering he is another player who has nominated the Power as his next club of choice.
Gold Coast looks set to lose a pair of key forwards with Mabior Chol and Chris Burgess seemingly destined for Hawthorn and Adelaide respectively, Carlton speedster Zac Fisher wants to join North Melbourne, and the Eagles are keen on Hawthorn’s Tyler Brockman.
Elsewhere, Hawthorn forward Jacob Koschitzke has requested to be traded to Richmond, Sydney’s former top-five pick Dylan Stephens wants a fresh start at North Melbourne and Melbourne looks like it will be Brisbane ruck Tom Fullarton’s new home.
2023 PLAYER MOVEMENTS
3. Joel Hamling (Fre) joined Sydney as an unrestricted free agent.
2. Matthew Flynn (GWS) joined West Coast as an unrestricted free agent. GWS received pick 40 (AFL).
1. James Jordon (Melb) joined Sydney as an unrestricted free agent. Melbourne received pick 39 (AFL).
