2013-14 AFL TM Off-Season Analysis & Discussion

[fightingfury_88]

If others are ok with it, I thought it might be interesting to post a quick analysis of each trade as they get confirmed. Once the trading and bidding process is completed I may also post a quick summary of the ins and outs for each club and give a rating for how I feel each team went during the off-season.

I'm also more than happy for others to post their thoughts on any trades and off-season moves as they happen. The more activity we can get going in this game the more entertaining it is!

Completed Trades
Trade #1 - Harbour City trade Troy Chaplin to St Kilda for Pick #30
Trade #2 - Ballarat trade Brendon Goddard and Pick #39 to Harbour City for Jeremy Cameron, Matthew Wright and Pick #23
Trade #3 - Harbour City trade Luke Delaney & Pick #41 to Western Vultures for Shane Edwards and Pick #56
Trade #4 - Gold Coast trade Jake Stringer to St Kilda for Scott Gumbleton
Trade #5 - Western Vultures trade Mitch Wallis and Pick #18 to Launceston for Pick #5 and Pick #43
Trade #6 - Melbourne trade Lewis Johnston and Michael Rischetelli to Punt Road for Nick Graham and Brent Staker
Trade #7 - Harbour City trade Matthew Buntine, Pick #3 and Pick #39 to St Kilda for Jack Gunston, Pick #10 and Pick #48
Trade #8 - Melbourne trade Michael Hurley, Dom Tyson and Pick #31 to Gold Coast for Lachlan Hansen, Ben McEvoy, Jackson Thurlow and Pick #42
Trade #9 - Adelaide trade Ryan Griffen to Brisbane for Dyson Heppell and Jack Hannath
Trade #10 - West End Riots trade Travis Cloke to St Kilda for Stephen Hill and Pick #39
Trade #11 - Western Vultures trade Clinton Young, Pick #38 and Pick #43 to Brisbane for Heath Shaw and Pick #44
Trade #12 - Gold Coast trade Reece Conca and Pick #31 to Ballarat for John Butcher, Phil Davis and Pick #19
Trade #13 - Launceston trade Justin Clarke to Gippsland for Pick #47
Trade #14 - Rottnest trade Dion Prestia, Jon Griffin, Adam Goodes, Leigh Montagna and Bachar Houli to Brisbane for Andrew Carrazzo, Leigh Adams, Michael Hibberd, Jay Schulz, Dale Thomas and Pick #6
Trade #15 - Geelong trade Luke Dahlhaus and Pick #37 to Rottnest for Jarrod Harbrow and Pick #51
Trade #16 - Ballarat trade James Podsiadly and Pick #31 to Brisbane for Pick #26
Trade #17 - St Kilda trade Jarrod Witts to Wagga Wagga for Elliott Kavanagh
Trade #18 - Gippsland trade Jarryd Roughead to St Kilda for Sam Mitchell
Trade #19 - Albury trade Tom Scully, Jack Watts and Pick #40 to St Kilda for Harley Bennell
Trade #20 - Geelong trade Jonathan Simpkin, Pick #17 and Pick #55 to Melbourne for Jackson Thurlow, Pick #49 and Pick #67
Trade #21 - Gold Coast trade Dean Terlich, Hayden Ballantyne, Xavier Ellis and Pick #24 to West End for Jesse Lonergan, Kane Lucas, Zach Tuohy and Pick #15
Trade #22 - Gippsland trade Viv Michie to Western Vultures for Mark Baguley
Trade #23 - Harbour City trade Aaron Edwards and Pick #56 to Albury for Aaron Hall and Nick Haynes
Trade #24 - West End trade Hamish Hartlett to Launceston for Todd Goldstein
Trade #25 - Launceston trade Pick #18 to Gold Coast for Pick #19
Trade #26 - Melbourne trade Heath Hocking, Jack Viney, Pick #11, Pick #17 and Pick #42 to Mozzie Bites for Dayne Beams, Lachie Whitfield, Andrew Moore and Pick #52
Trade #27 - Harbour City trade Cameron O'Shea, Jack Hombsch and Tim Broomhead to Port Adelaide for Jarryn Geary, Mike Pyke and Jarryd Lyons
Trade #28 - Port Adelaide trade Luke Hodge, Shaun Higgins, Colin Garland and Brodie Grundy to Geelong for Bryce Gibbs, Mitch Robinson, Tomas Bugg and Hamish McIntosh
Trade #29 - Launceston trade Daniel Talia and Pick #61 to St Kilda for Pick #40
Trade #30 - Western Vultures trade Ben Sinclair to Albury for Brad McKenzie
Trade #31 - Western Vultures trade Tendai Mzungu, Leroy Jetta and Pick #44 to Wagga Wagga for Arryn Siposs and Pick #46
Trade #32 - Geelong trade Colin Garland and Will Schofield to West End for Sam Mayes
Trade #33 - Port Adelaide trade Marc Murphy and Pick #12 to Wagga Wagga for Bryce Gibbs and Zac Smith
Trade #34 - Ballarat trade Jarrad Grant and Jared Petrenko to West End for Jon Giles, Andrew Phillips and Ben Kennedy
Trade #35 - Melbourne trade Ben Rutten to Albury for Pick #58
Trade #36 - Gippsland trade Scott D Thompson to Geelong for Sam Mayes and Jesse Stringer
Trade #37 - St Kilda trade Shaun Hampson to Gippsland for Pick #29

Trading and Free Agency Team Summaries
Adelaide Lions
IN - Jackson Paine (FA), Luke McGuane (FA), Dyson Heppell (Trade), Jack Hannath (Trade)
OUT - Jason Porplyzia (FA), Ryan Griffen (Trade)

Albury Bandits
IN - Robin Nahas (FA), Michael Evans (FA), Harley Bennell (Trade), Aaron Edwards (Trade), Pick 56, Ben Sinclair (Trade), Ben Rutten (Trade)
OUT - Taylor Hunt (FA), Tom Liberatore (FA), Seb Tape (FA), Tom Scully (Trade), Jack Watts (Trade), Pick 40, Aaron Hall (Trade), Nick Haynes (Trade), Brad McKenzie (Trade), Pick 58

Ballarat Dragons
IN - Tom Mitchell (FA), Jeremy Cameron (Trade), Matthew Wright (Trade), Pick 23, Reece Conca (Trade), Pick 26, Jon Giles (Trade), Andrew Phillips (Trade), Ben Kennedy (Trade)
OUT - Brendon Goddard (Trade), Pick 39, John Butcher (Trade), Phil Davis (Trade), Pick 19, James Podsiadly (Trade), Jarrad Grant (Trade), Jared Petrenko (Trade)

Brisbane Bears
IN - Daniel Cross (FA), Ryan Griffen (Trade), Clinton Young (Trade), Pick 38, Pick 43, Dion Prestia (Trade), Jon Griffin (Trade), Adam Goodes (Trade), Leigh Montagna (Trade), Bachar Houli (Trade), James Podsiadly (Trade), Pick 31
OUT - Jackson Merrett (FA), Dyson Heppell (Trade), Jack Hannath (Trade), Heath Shaw (Trade), Pick 44, Andrew Carrazzo (Trade), Leigh Adams (Trade), Michael Hibberd (Trade), Jay Schulz (Trade), Dale Thomas (Trade), Pick 6, Pick 26

Geelong Cats
IN - Jarrod Harbrow (Trade), Pick 51, Jackson Thurlow (Trade), Pick 49, Pick 67, Luke Hodge (Trade), Shaun Higgins (Trade), Brodie Grundy (Trade), Scott D Thompson (Trade)
OUT - Luke Dahlhaus (Trade), Pick 37, Jonathan Simpkin (Trade), Pick 17, Pick 55, Bryce Gibbs (Trade), Mitch Robinson (Trade), Tomas Bugg (Trade), Hamish McIntosh (Trade), Will Schofield (Trade), Jesse Stringer (Trade)

Gippsland Sharks
IN - Seb Tape (FA), Sam Michael (FA), Brandon Jack (FA), Justin Clarke (Trade), Sam Mitchell (Trade), Mark Baguley (Trade), Sam Mayes (Trade), Jesse Stringer (Trade), Shaun Hampson (Trade)
OUT - Garrick Ibbotson (FA), Robin Nahas (FA), Pick 47, Jarryd Roughead (Trade), Viv Michie (Trade), Scott D Thompson (Trade), Pick 29

Gold Coast Devils
IN - Scott Gumbleton (Trade), Michael Hurley (Trade), Dom Tyson (Trade), John Butcher (Trade), Phil Davis (Trade), Jesse Lonergan (Trade), Kane Lucas (Trade), Zach Tuohy, Pick 15, Pick 18
OUT - Tom Curren (FA), Jake Stringer (Trade), Lachlan Hansen (Trade), Ben McEvoy (Trade), Jackson Thurlow (Trade), Pick 42, Reece Conca (Trade), Dean Terlich (Trade), Hayden Ballantyne (Trade), Xavier Ellis (Trade), Pick 24

Harbour City Hornets
IN - Stewart Crameri (FA), Pick 30, Brendon Goddard (Trade), Shane Edwards (Trade), Jack Gunston (Trade), Pick 10, Pick 48, Aaron Hall (Trade), Nick Haynes (Trade), Jarryn Geary (Trade), Mike Pyke (Trade), Jarryd Lyons (Trade)
OUT - Mitchell Grigg (FA), Tom Mitchell (FA), Troy Chaplin (Trade), Jeremy Cameron (Trade), Matthew Wright (Trade), Pick 23, Luke Delaney (Trade), Pick 41, Matthew Buntine (Trade), Pick 3, Aaron Edwards (Trade), Cameron O'Shea (Trade), Jack Hombsch (Trade), Tim Broomhead (Trade)

Launceston Plovers
IN - Daniel Merrett (FA), Mitch Wallis (Trade), Pick 47, Hamish Hartlett (Trade), Pick 19, Pick 40
OUT - Michael Evans (FA), Sam Michael (FA), Heath Scotland (FA), Pick 5, Pick 43, Justin Clarke (Trade), Todd Goldstein (Trade), Daniel Talia (Trade), Pick 61

Melbourne Demons
IN - Jason Porplyzia (FA), Heath Scotland (FA), Nick Graham (Trade), Brent Staker (Trade), Lachlan Hansen (Trade), Ben McEvoy (Trade), Jonathan Simpkin (Trade), Pick 55, Dayne Beams (Trade), Lachie Whitfield (Trade), Andrew Moore (Trade), Pick 52, Pick 58
OUT - Lewis Johnston (Trade), Michael Rischetelli (Trade), Michael Hurley (Trade), Dom Tyson (Trade), Pick 31, Pick 49, Pick 67, Heath Hocking (Trade), Jack Viney (Trade), Pick 11, Ben Rutten (Trade)

Mozzie Bites
IN - Sam Grimley (FA), Heath Hocking (Trade), Jack Viney (Trade), Pick 11, Pick 17, Pick 42
OUT - Luke Breust (FA), Daniel Giansiracusa (FA), Will Minson (FA), Jackson Paine (FA), Dayne Beams (Trade), Lachie Whitfield (Trade), Andrew Moore (Trade), Pick 52

Port Adelaide Power
IN - Jackson Merrett (FA), Garrick Ibbotson (FA), Tom Curren (FA), Daniel Giansiracusa (FA), Liam Shiels (FA), Cameron O'Shea (Trade), Jack Hombsch (Trade), Tim Broomhead (Trade), Marc Murphy (Trade), Mitch Robinson (Trade), Tomas Bugg (Trade), Hamish McIntosh (Trade), Zac Smith (Trade)
OUT - Sam Grimley (FA), Brandon Jack (FA), Adam Tomlinson (FA), Jarryn Geary (Trade), Mike Pyke (Trade), Jarryd Lyons (Trade), Luke Hodge (Trade), Shaun Higgins (Trade), Colin Garland (Trade), Brodie Grundy (Trade), Pick 12

Punt Road Roar
IN - Mitchell Grigg (FA), Ricky Henderson (FA), Lewis Johnston (Trade), Michael Rischetelli (Trade)
OUT - Adam Carter (FA), Liam Shiels (FA), Nick Graham (Trade), Brent Staker (Trade)

Rottnest Razorbacks
IN - Will Minson (FA), Andrew Carrazzo (Trade), Leigh Adams (Trade), Michael Hibberd (Trade), Jay Schulz (Trade), Dale Thomas (Trade), Pick 6, Luke Dahlhaus (Trade), Pick 37
OUT - Sam Kerridge (FA), Dion Prestia (Trade), Jon Griffin (Trade), Adam Goodes (Trade), Leigh Montagna (Trade), Bachar Houli (Trade), Jarrod Harbrow (Trade), Pick 51

St Kilda Titans
IN - Taylor Hunt (FA), Adam Carter (FA), Shaun Burgoyne (FA), Josh Bruce (FA), Troy Chaplin (Trade), Jake Stringer (Trade), Matthew Buntine (Trade), Pick 3, Travis Cloke (Trade), Elliott Kavanagh (Trade), Jarryd Roughead (Trade), Tom Scully (Trade), Jack Watts (Trade), Daniel Talia (Trade), Pick 61, Pick 29
OUT - Daniel Merrett (FA), Pick 30, Scott Gumbleton (Trade), Jack Gunston (Trade), Pick 10, Pick 48, Stephen Hill (Trade), Jarrod Witts (Trade), Sam Mitchell (Trade), Harley Bennell (Trade), Shaun Hampson (Trade)

Wagga Wagga Warthogs
IN - Luke Breust (FA), Adam Tomlinson (FA), Jarrod Witts (Trade), Tendai Mzungu (Trade), Leroy Jetta (Trade), Pick 44, Pick 12, Bryce Gibbs (Trade)
OUT - Shaun Burgoyne (FA), Stewart Crameri (FA), Ricky Henderson (FA), Elliott Kavanagh (Trade), Arryn Siposs (Trade), Pick 46, Zac Smith (Trade), Marc Murphy (Trade)

West End Riots
IN - Stephen Hill (Trade), Pick 39, Dean Terlich (Trade), Hayden Ballantyne (Trade), Xavier Ellis (Trade), Pick 24, Todd Goldstein (Trade), Colin Garland (Trade), Will Schofield (Trade), Jarrad Grant (Trade), Jared Petrenko (Trade)
OUT - Josh Bruce (FA), Daniel Cross (FA), Heritier Lumumba (FA), Travis Cloke (Trade), Jesse Lonergan (Trade), Kane Lucas (Trade), Zach Tuohy, Pick 15, Hamish Hartlett (Trade), Sam Mayes (Trade), Jon Giles (Trade), Andrew Phillips (Trade), Ben Kennedy (Trade)

Western Vultures
IN - Tom Liberatore (FA), Sam Kerridge (FA), Heritier Lumumba (FA), Luke Delaney (Trade), Pick 41, Pick 5, Heath Shaw (Trade), Viv Michie (Trade), Brad McKenzie (Trade), Arryn Siposs (Trade), Pick 46
OUT - Luke McGuane (FA), Shane Edwards (Trade), Pick 56, Mitch Wallis (Trade), Pick 18, Clinton Young (Trade), Pick 38, Mark Baguley (Trade), Ben Sinclair (Trade), Tendai Mzungu (Trade), Leroy Jetta (Trade)

 

[ShaunDuggan]

Sounds good, love your commitment to the league

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Sounds good, love your commitment to the league

He's gotta do something to keep him from hating life at the bottom of the ladder

 

[fightingfury_88]

He's gotta do something to keep him from hating life at the bottom of the ladder

Hey, I came second to bottom not bottom!

Being a Richmond supporter, I'd actually prefer last to 10th. Too close to 9th for my liking.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Hey, I came second to bottom not bottom!

Being a Richmond supporter, I'd actually prefer last to 10th. Too close to 9th for my liking.

I blame injuries.

Average score pre-season was around 1500 which would have seen us make finals but meh that's footy haha.

 

[sante]

Depth

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #1 - Harbour City ( knobby ) trade Troy Chaplin to St Kilda ( ShaunDuggan ) for Pick #30
The 1st confirmed trade of the 2013-14 Off-season sees Troy Chaplin shift from one potential 2014 finals team to another. Chaplin will never be a huge scorer but he will provide St Kilda with a solid key defender who should score you 60 odd points per game. At 27 years of age Chaplin also has a few years left in the league and although I wouldn't call him young in AFL terms he will definitely be a part of St Kilda's push to make the finals again in 2014 and beyond.

Harbour City are obviously looking a little to the future with this trade and they should be able to select a solid performer with this pick if they draft right. I have to admit though that I'm actually a little surprised by this trade as the Hornets seem a little light on for key defenders.

All in all I see this as a fairly equal trade, but because of Chaplin's key defender status and the fact you know exactly what you are going to get from him week to week I am going to give the points to St Kilda in this one. Harbour City can definitely turn that around though if they draft right.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Depth

When you're down to 16 players it means you're depth is injured too lol.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #2 - Ballarat ( fightingfury_88 ) trade Brendon Goddard and Pick #39 to Harbour City ( knobby ) for Jeremy Cameron, Matthew Wright and Pick #23
The first blockbuster trade of the 2013-14 off-season. 2013 All Australian Brendon Goddard makes his way to Harbour City where he will instantly add 100 points per game to the Hornets half back line. There is no doubt at all that Harbour City get the best player in this trade and at 28 years of age Goddard still has several highly productive years ahead of him. Look for the Hornets to push for the finals after completing this trade.

Jeremy Cameron was no doubt the selling point for the Dragons in this trade, with the young key forward one of the most promising big men in the game. His scores are only in the mid 60's at the moment but at the same stage of his career Lance Franklin was averaging less. Matthew Wright had a down year in 2013, averaging a mere 68 points for the season. Wright has shown his potential in the past however and with more game time the Dragons will be hoping that his scores rise over the coming years. At the very least, Wright will add some much needed depth to the team. As an added bonus, Ballarat also acquire pick number 23 in exchange for pick 39, meaning the club now has four picks inside the top 25 selections.

No doubt Ballarat have their eyes firmly on the future with this trade and in time the acquisition of Jeremy Cameron should pay off eventually. Matthew Wright is also a handy acquisition but in my mind Harbour City still win this trade as they now have one of the premier defenders in the league. It is a bit of a win-win situation however considering the respective positions of both teams in the competition.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #3 - Harbour City ( knobby ) trade Luke Delaney & Pick #41 to Western Vultures ( sante ) for Shane Edwards and Pick #56
Three trades into the off-season and it's clear that the Harbour City Hornets have been the most active team in trade talks. This time they send another Key defender in Luke Delaney off to the reigning premiers in exchange for forward/midfielder Shane Edwards as well as an exchange of draft picks.

Edwards should provide the Hornets with a reliable roughly 70 points per week and should find himself in the starting 18 most weeks. No doubt he adds some depth to the team and at just 25 years of age, Edwards will be around for quite a while yet. Swapping out pick 41 for pick 56 is not too much of a blow in this draft, with most picks in this range being a bit hit and miss anyway.

Western Vultures are the reigning premiers for a reason and that reason is depth in the squad. Clearly they have seen a shortfall in their key defender stocks, with only Alex Rance the reliable key defender in the starting 18. The acquisition of Delaney should help to ease this shortfall with Delaney likely to see much more playing time in 2014. His scores next season should rise somewhat, however I wouldn't expect much more than 60 points per week from the key defender. The pick upgrade the Vultures receive in this trade is also handy but there probably isn't a whole lot of difference between the two picks.

Neither of the players traded are particularly high scorers however you definitely know what you are going to get from Edwards. As such I'm giving the win to Harbour City in this one but in a very close one. Reliable key defenders are definitely difficult to find and I am now a little concerned about the Hornets stocks in this position. The Vultures however have added to their depth in the key defender slot which could very easily make the difference in another premiership push.

 

[sante]

Thought I would add my thinking for my trade.

It's kind of a nothing trade and I never set out to trade Shane but as said above he is fairly consistent and good for an average of 60-70 which is a good thing to have as your 15-18 players in your starting team. I needed a key back with Rance and Gwilt my only options and I'm hoping Delaney will be able to score at least 45+ most weeks, I didn't want to be trading for a well known defender and pay a high price because these players never score too well so I'm happy to get Delaney relatively cheap and won't affect my teams scoring ability and even moreso my depth too much in 2014.

I think knobby is the winner in this trade too but I got what I wanted and hopefully the improvement of players like Harper and Hunter will make up for Edwards who was in my best 18.

 

[knobby]

Great analysis fightingfury_88 I think I'm done with trading now ! Unless a great opportunity pops up.

I'm fairly comfortable with KPD stocks with experience in Fisher and youth in Hombsch and M Talia coming through, even Reilly or now Goddard could fill at a pinch. I need forwards after trading away Cameron hence the trade for S Edwards.

Chaplin for 30 I'm happy with despite what has been reported the draft is very even not shallow. Plus I don't like Chaplin as a player

Now to concentrate on retention and bidding !

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #4 - Gold Coast ( sausageroll ) trade Jake Stringer to St Kilda ( ShaunDuggan ) for Scott Gumbleton
I'm going to come right out and say what I'm thinking straight off the bat; St Kilda win this trade hands down. Ever since Gumbleton entered the league he has struggled to have a real impact and in his latest season averaged a tick under 57 points in his 7 games. The Devils aren't completely void of key forwards either with Darling, Liam Jones and Jonathan Brown on the list. In a pinch you could even name Bellchambers or Lachlan Hansen in the key forward slots. Gold Coast obviously rate Gumbleton highly and feel he will break out under Ross Lyon and that is quite possible, but even if he does I feel the Devils could have paid a lot less than last year's number 5 draft pick.

Jake Stringer just completed his first season of AFL and although he averaged only a little over 44 points per game, he showed tremendous potential as a forward who could push into the midfield. With a little more development it is not inconceivable that Stringer overtakes Gumbleton's output in the upcoming season. St Kilda will be delighted to add Stringer to their books. The only problem I see with this trade for St Kilda is that they are a touch light on for Key Forwards with the departure of Gumbleton. Having said that, Stringer isn't exactly small and you could most likely name him in a key forward post if absolutely needed.

I have no problem with Gold Coast nabbing Gumbleton as he should be a solid scoring key forward under Ross Lyon but as I mentioned earlier I just feel too much was paid to get him. That's the beauty of this game though I guess, everyone has a different value attached to players.

 

[ShaunDuggan]

Could go either way, Gumby needs to be injury free and if he does I think he can me a solid player at Freo, I was happy to snare Stringer and sure up my future a little bit signing him up for 4 years. Long term it is a win for me I think but short term it could cost me if Gumby gets fit and has a good year or 2. At 191cm he could play Tall if needed

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #5 - Western Vultures ( sante ) trade Mitch Wallis and Pick #18 to Launceston ( Marklar_33 ) for Pick #5 and Pick #43
The fifth trade of the off-season sees the premiers ship off their second player, Mitch Wallis as well as pick #18 to rival Launceston for pick 5 and pick 43. This trade really comes down to what production Wallis produces in the coming years. In 2012 Mitch looked like one of the upcoming midfield guns in the competition when he averaged 83 points across the entire season. Last year however that production slipped to an average of just under 70 due to a role change at his AFL club. An average of 70 is still handy for a young midfielder but clearly Launceston are hoping that Wallis returns to his higher scoring in 2014. Giving up pick 5 is a blow, but with Pick 18 the Plovers should still be able to find a handy player in the draft.

The Western Vultures clearly see tremendous talent with pick 5 and they should be able to pick up someone the likes of Kelly, Billings or Aish with this pick. For a team in full premiership mode I am a little surprised to see them trade out ready made talent in Wallis for a potential talent in pick 5, but there is a strong chance that pick 5 will be a ready-made draftee anyway. The Vultures will most likely take a hit in scoring next season but with a bit of luck, that hit could be minimal.

I feel this trade for the Vultures is about maximising Wallis' value while it is still high. Another 70 odd scoring season in 2014 could see Mitch's value plummet in value. Overall I see this as a very even trade and a lot really comes down to the output of Wallis and pick 5 respectively. For the purpose of scoring this trade, I'm going to give the win to Launceston, but only because I feel Wallis will lift his output closer to 80 next season. Even then, it's still a very even trade.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #6 - Melbourne ( loopy_cam ) trade Lewis Johnston and Michael Rischetelli to Punt Road ( Danger in Texas ) for Nick Graham and Brent Staker
This trade is a pretty difficult trade to gauge as it involves a swap of a few players that aren't likely to have too much of an impact next year. New Roar recruit Lewis Johnston has the highest average score of the players traded but he only played 5 games in 2013. 2014 may see him struggle to find game time also with Taylor Walker due back from injury. Punt Road also snagged Michael Rischetelli in the trade who in the very least is an interesting prospect. It was only a few years ago that Rischetelli was one of the more promising midfielders in the game but after moving to Gold Coast he has seen his position slowly become less secure as the Suns midfielers take his place in the team. Michael isn't quite a spent force yet however and his 2013 average of just over 70 shows the potential to score large is still there.

Staker is the player most likely guaranteed game time in 2014 and he will provide Melbourne with depth at the very least in both key defensive and key forward positions. Staker's average of just over 60 however isn't too much to write home about and at the age of 29 it is not likely to improve any time soon. Nick Graham is a bit of an unknown quantity at this point of time having played only 2 games in his career. If he can kick on however then Melbourne may become the big winners in this trade.

Right now it's a tough one to judge but based on what I have seen I am going to rate Punt Road as the winners in this trade. They have managed to snare two players who have the potential to post some decent scores if they do manage to play a decent amount of games. Melbourne won't be too disappointed however by snagging a guaranteed starter every week and a young talent who could be anything, or nothing.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

I'll be honest, I only did a trade to give fightingfury_88 something to do

 

[loopy_cam]

The main reason for that trade was to get Rischitelli's large contract off the books.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #7 - Harbour City ( knobby ) trade Matthew Buntine, Pick #3 and Pick #39 to St Kilda ( ShaunDuggan ) for Jack Gunston, Pick #10 and Pick #48
Harbour City are involved in yet another trade, sending their highly valued number 3 pick and Matthew Buntine to St Kilda for Jack Gunston, pick 10 and pick 48. The selling point for the Titans in this trade is the number three pick. With this pick they should be able to select a premium key forward or midfielder. The acquisition of Buntine is also handy as although he has only played a handful games, the former 7th pick overall has the potential to post decent numbers as a backman/midfelder. Giving up Gunston, a player you could select as a key forward hurts a little for the Titans, but with pick three they should be able to find his replacement for the future.

I like what Harbour City have done with this trade. After losng Jeremy Cameron in a previous trade the Hornets were a little light on for key forwards. They now have a long term replacement who will be able to go straight away and for many years after and they acquired this replacement for a young unproven midfielder and a pick downgrade. Losing the prized pick 3 does hurt and I feel they may have been able to leverage more from the pick, but with the acquisition of Gunston they now have a guaranteed 70 odd points from one of the key forward positions. That's quite a handy replacement.

I feel the Titans have one eye on the future with this trade. Gunston should score more in the near future but pick three may be scoring similar scores in just a few years. The addition of Buntine should also not be underestimated as he may turn into a very solid player. However in what is a win-win trade for all, I'm giving the overall win in this trade to Harbour City; simply because you know exactly what you will get from a key forward in Gunston compared to the pure speculation of pick 3. With Gunston and Goddard now added to the Hornets roster, don't rule them out for a strong finals push in 2014.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #8 - Melbourne ( loopy_cam ) trade Michael Hurley, Dom Tyson and Pick #31 to Gold Coast ( sausageroll ) for Lachlan Hansen, Ben McEvoy, Jackson Thurlow and Pick #42
What a mega trade this one is, with no fewer than 5 players involved in the one trade this one was always going to be a complicated deal to analyse. To make things easier, I'm going to ignore the swap of picks 31 and 42 as in all likliehood, there will be little difference between the two picks.

After adding key forward Scott Gumbleton earlier in the trade period, the Devils have snared yet another key forward by obtaining Michael Hurley. The beautiful thing about Hurley though is that he can also be played as a key defender, adding flexibility to any team that has him on their list. At just 23 years old Hurley has plenty of years left in the system, but after averaging under 60 in 2013 the Gold Coast will be hoping he improves on this in the future.

I feel the real good get for Gold Coast in this trade however is the acquisition of Dom Tyson. After two injury riddled years in the system Tyson should be ready to break out under a new coach in 2014 and improve on his 2013 average of just over 50. With plenty of game time and on a cheap contract, Dom may be one of the better bargains in the league if he can overcome his injuries.

Melbourne may have traded away a young key position player and a very promising midfielder, but they have shored up their ruck position by securing one of the best young ruckman in the league in Ben McEvoy. The acquisition of McEvoy is a good get and he should work well in tandem with David Hale as Melbourne's main ruck. Obtaining Hansen for Hurley is a like for like replacement in my eyes, albeit a slightly older version. In 2013 Hansen really started showing signs as a solid scorer, positing an average of over 70 points, far superior to Hurley's average for the season.

Jackson Thurlow may be the least renowned player in the trade, but he may also be the most important. In his first season of AFL, the backman managed to break into the strong Geelong AFL side for 4 games and post some pretty decent numbers. With the Geelong AFL side now undergoing a bit of a transformation I can see Thurlow getting a lot more opportunities in 2014 and he should in the very least equal his output of just under 60 points per game for Melbourne.

Gold Coast may be laughing in a few years time if Dom Tyson really kicks on as a player, but I see Melbourne as the winners in this trade. McEvoy and Hansen are both very good acquisitions and are a lot less injury prone than Hurley and Tyson so far in their careers. Adding Thurlow to the squad was the cherry on top though that could end up being the big steal in this trade. Of course, in two years time if Tyson comes out and starts averaging mega points as a gun midfielder this trade would be viewed very differently by myself, but that is pure speculation at this stage.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #9 - Adelaide ( Roylion ) trade Ryan Griffen to Brisbane ( Pie 4 Life ) for Dyson Heppell and Jack Hannath
This trade comes down to one thing for me: win now or win later. After putting in a strong bid for Ryan Griffen it looked like Brisbane had been pipped at the post by a rival team to acquire his services before at the eleventh hour, a trade was agreed to that sent Griffen to Brisbane in exchange for Dyson Heppell and Jack Hannath.

Ryan Griffen is a gun. Make no mistake about that. In 2013 Griffen averaged over 105 points per game, putting him in the upper echelon of players in the competition. At just 27 years of age he should remain there for sometime too. At the end of the 2012 season the Brisbane coach stated that the team was ready to go for broke for a premiership and although they fell short last year, this trade again signifies the Bears willingness to trade young potential for ready made stars.

Dyson Heppell is a big get for Adelaide and should help them nicely with their mini rebuild under the new coach. With an average of roughly 95 points per game, Dyson is no slouch and will fir in across half back or in the midfield for the Lions. Being 6 years younger than Griffen means that he has time to catch up to Griffen's mammoth averages too, especially if the dread-locked blonde spends more time in the midfield. Jack Hannath is a handy acquisition for Adelaide as well. The ruckman will most likely spend a while in the reserves behind more senior ruckman, but in the 12 games he did play in 2013, Jack showed he has the potential to be a handy ruckman in years to come.

So who wins this trade overall? Griffen is certainly the best player in the trade and by obtaining him the Bears push even harder for that elusive premiership. By trading away one of the highest scoring youngsters in the league, Brisbane have shortened their premiership window a little but enhanced their chances in the short term. In reality, its a win-win trade based on the situation of both the clubs. I'm giving the win to Adelaide however, simply because Heppell isn't that far behind Griffen as it is and he will be around a fair while longer while Hannath is just something extra that may or may not work out. Really though, there is no loser in this trade.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Yeah found my side lacked stars despite having solid scorers so thought I'd get a few consistent high scorers this season nailed it though. Great in the short term but obviously Heppell better long term.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Trade #10 - West End Riots ( PVF ) trade Travis Cloke to St Kilda ( ShaunDuggan ) for Stephen Hill and Pick #39
A busy day of trades finally concluded with another big name player switching clubs. This time, one of the best key forwards in the game traded from West End Riots to St Kilda in return for Stephen Hill and pick 39. The Titans will be absolutely rapt to have secured the services of Travis Cloke after trading away Jack Gunston and Scott Gumbleton earlier in the trade week. There is no doubt at all that Cloke is the best player in this trade and will be a starting key forward for St Kilda for several years to come. Losing Hill and pick 39 is a small blow but is well worth it to get one of the dominant key forwards in the game.

I feel that West End have began a bit of a rebuild with this trade. At 26 years old Travis Cloke isn't old, but Stephen Hill is younger a still has an enormous scope for improvement. Adding pick 39 is a sweetener also that should mean the Riots pick up a nice prospect in the draft. Having said all that, I feel West End got much less than what Cloke is worth on the open market. What is more worrying for me however is how extremely light on the Riots are for key forwards now that Cloke has departed. Shaun McKernan and Stefan Martin appear to be the only two genuine key forwards left on the list which means the likes of Tom Lynch (Adelaide version), rucks and a handful of untested players may have to fill in at times in this position.

In my view, St Kilda win this trade. A key forward with an average topping 90 doesn't come around very often and if West End shopped around a little more I feel they could have landed a premium young talent, rather than a premium young prospective talent for Cloke. I have no problem at all with West End targeting Stephen Hill as he is a fine young player, but I just feel they could have received more from this trade. When all is said and done though, Stephen Hill may very well explode as a scorer in the next couple of years and that would make this trade much more equal in my eyes.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Yeah well done to ShaunDuggan I was about to send through an offer for Cloke when the deal was struck. Was considerably more too.

 

[loopy_cam]

ShaunDuggan has done exceptionally well this off-season.