2026/2027 Draft & Trade Periods

[Maybe Tomorrow]

So in one breath they will say that but in the other want 7,8 & Humphrey for him

Yes, and he's 30 and was sulking on field A LOT last year.

Maybe the change of club will help his attitude, and the poor disposal isn't the end of the world with Dimma's style of football.

 

[Scythe]

He is a horrible kick, its my worry with him up forward that he isn't damaging enough to do anything helpful.

He's definitely a butcher, but I wouldn't worry about him having an impact in the forward half.

Here's where he has ranked for score involvements per game across the entire league over the last few years:

2025: T-8th (7.3)
2024: 2nd (7.9)
2023: 1st (8.4)
2022: 2nd (8.3)
2021: 1st (8.3)
2020: 2nd (6.4, shortened games)

He'll make you pull your hair out with some of his turnovers, but he's still incredibly damaging forward of the ball.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

He's definitely a butcher, but I wouldn't worry about him having an impact in the forward half.

Here's where he has ranked for score involvements per game across the entire league over the last few years:

2025: T-8th (7.3)
2024: 2nd (7.9)
2023: 1st (8.4)
2022: 2nd (8.3)
2021: 1st (8.3)
2020: 2nd (6.4, shortened games)

He'll make you pull your hair out with some of his turnovers, but he's still incredibly damaging forward of the ball.

Point taken but a lot of that is due to volume. Melbourne played through him constantly (as you would expect as a senior player). He got a lot of score involvements DESPITE his poor kicking simply by getting a lot of ball.

Interesting the drop in 2025. Assume they weren't looking for him as much, which was probably led to him cracking the shits at teammates on field.

Hopefully he can accept he's not going to be the main guy at the Suns. Touk changed his game for the better of the team, wonder if Trac can as this is Rowell and Andersons team now.

 

[sunsofanarchy]

The synergy

 

[TheSunGod]

Point taken but a lot of that is due to volume. Melbourne played through him constantly (as you would expect as a senior player). He got a lot of score involvements DESPITE his poor kicking simply by getting a lot of ball.

Interesting the drop in 2025. Assume they weren't looking for him as much, which was probably led to him cracking the shits at teammates on field.

Hopefully he can accept he's not going to be the main guy at the Suns. Touk changed his game for the better of the team, wonder if Trac can as this is Rowell and Andersons team now.

Surely Dimma has spelled it out to him honestly what his role will be rather than feed him a lot of BS in the hope of getting his signature. I’d love to know exactly how Hardwick plans to use him. Maybe Humper on one flank and Trac on the other with Touk on a wing?

 

[Supersuns]

I expect Hawthorn to go very very hard on humpha over the next 36 hours. This could get messy folks.

 

[Iva Bigun]

I know it’s not gonna happen, but there is still a chance this falls through

I’m sure you’re wondering why I feel this way when many other feel it will be a great addition and it’s for a couple of reasons. Firstly I think tracs best football is behind him and secondly we are going to be paying him as much if not more than anybody else on the list, how do you think the top end talent is going to feel about that? I can see a number of our guns looking to move on for more money due to this move.

 

[Brenton87]

I expect Hawthorn to go very very hard on humpha over the next 36 hours. This could get messy folks.

Club would look stupid if they back flipped, it won't happen

 

[Iva Bigun]

I expect Hawthorn to go very very hard on humpha over the next 36 hours. This could get messy folks.

Easy way to shut it down, tell them it’s Watson or nothing. The Hawthorn faithful are always looking to grab someone from another side but never want to give up anybody of substance from their side just random picks

And thanks for depressing me by reminding me there’s still 36 hours of this hell to go

 

[Supersuns]

Easy way to shut it down, tell them it’s Watson or nothing. The Hawthorn faithful are always looking to grab someone from another side but never want to give up anybody of substance from their side just random picks

And thanks for depressing me by reminding me there’s still 36 hours of this hell to go

I agree they have absolutely nothing to offer us, but wouldn't be surprised if Humphrey decides to burn even more bridges.

 

[sunsofanarchy]

I personally think we are getting the best version of Petracca, I think our group (Noah included) will be very receptive of the leadership he wants to give and this will be his vengeance era on the afl for how he was portrayed. He was better than i expected returning from his injury this year

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

I personally think we are getting the best version of Petracca, I think our group (Noah included) will be very receptive of the leadership he wants to give and this will be his vengeance era on the afl for how he was portrayed. He was better than i expected returning from his injury this year

I'm guessing he doesn't want to move states but I'd rather Merrett than Trac. Reckon he'd thrive in a stronger midfield.

 

[Iva Bigun]

I personally think we are getting the best version of Petracca, I think our group (Noah included) will be very receptive of the leadership he wants to give and this will be his vengeance era on the afl for how he was portrayed. He was better than i expected returning from his injury this year

Well said, I hope you’re right

 

[Scythe]

Point taken but a lot of that is due to volume. Melbourne played through him constantly (as you would expect as a senior player). He got a lot of score involvements DESPITE his poor kicking simply by getting a lot of ball.

Interesting the drop in 2025. Assume they weren't looking for him as much, which was probably led to him cracking the shits at teammates on field.

Hopefully he can accept he's not going to be the main guy at the Suns. Touk changed his game for the better of the team, wonder if Trac can as this is Rowell and Andersons team now.

Not sure if it's just a volume thing. Think it was more that his kicking was particularly poor this year, which knocked down that SI number a bit.

What you'll notice when he runs out for you next year – a big part of the reason why both his score involvement and clanger numbers are really high is because he plays very instinctively. For instance, often, he'll take a mark on a forward flank and immediately turn to kick the ball as quickly as possible, without going back behind the mark. When it works, it catches defenders off guard and turns into a score, when it doesn't, it can be a pretty ugly turnover.

I think the 'cracking the shits at teammates' thing was a bit overblown, however. They showed it on camera a handful of times as they were looking for signs of discontent, but realistically, that's a pretty regular occurrence in footy games.

 

[sunsofanarchy]

I'm guessing he doesn't want to move states but I'd rather Merrett than Trac. Reckon he'd thrive in a stronger midfield.

Well that's on Merret then, can't say you want out because you want to win and then only want to go to a club that won't give anything to get you, I've got no sympathy for any of them

 

[TheGoldPersons]

 

[GCRobbo]

Yeah ive seen plenty of complaints about goal accuracy % of Ainsworth. Hes 40-50% consistently.

Petracca is 30-45%!

Ainsworth 158 games, 137 goals and 115 behinds. About 55%
Petracca 212 games, 202 goals and 188 behinds. About 52%.

 

[Supersuns]

Ainsworth 158 games, 137 goals and 115 behinds. About 55%
Petracca 212 games, 202 goals and 188 behinds. About 52%.

Doesn't include complete misses.
Petracca is a bad kick at goal haha

 

[Jirik13]

Fair, pardon the intrusion.

Yeah, a bit silly asking 'GC Spuds' Demons list questions here.

 

[eighties]

Yeah ive seen plenty of complaints about goal accuracy % of Ainsworth. Hes 40-50% consistently.

Petracca is 30-45%!

Ainsworth i dont think has ever kicked a clutch goal when the team has actually needed it. Has been the most frustrating watch of our 2025 season for me. Blues think they have a player but he's guna struggle down there.

Whereas Petracca has genuine game winning ability.

Im certainly on the fence with getting Petracca and i would have preferred to keep Flanders for one more year to see him get his body right. But he is a pro so will back him 100% if he comes here.

Moving Ainsworth on is 100% the right call imo.

 

[Cheifkeith95]

At the end of the day kicking efficiency aside he’s Christian ****ing petracca
Maybe top 3 Melbourne players of all time
4 time all Australian, 2 time b&f winner and norm smith medalist
The second biggest player to ever decide to come the suns behind the goat Ablett
It’s something to get really excited about

 

[lommy]

Ainsworth 158 games, 137 goals and 115 behinds. About 55%
Petracca 212 games, 202 goals and 188 behinds. About 52%.

Any way to compare set shots?

 

[Jirik13]

Clearly, Dimma thinks it 's time now and is shaking things up, making up that last 5-10%. It's not like Miller, Collins, Witts, Rioli are getting younger.

For me, Humphrey rotating with Petracca in the middle/forward 50/50 is a deadly combo. We should be hard to stop. Both strong, burst of speed. Excited to see how it will work out although it could be only for one year.

As for Petracca efficiency, for sure numbers don't look great especially last year. But then there is Demons forward line probably one of the worst, just bombing the ball there. You can always tell him don't bomb it, just handball it to teammates

I am preparing for more changes next year. With JUH joining us, IMO, the number of talls is not sustainable. I suspect some changes could be difficult for me.

 

[eighties]

If we had Petracca going after the ball in the dying seconds of the Port Adelaide game instead of Benny we finish top 4 as he would have won that contest. Dont need stats to know that.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Yeah no doubt that Petracca is going to make the side significantly better.
Someone with game winning and big game experience, a guy that can win a 1 v 1, bust a tackle, kick a big goal from 50.
He's going to win you games.
If Rowell or Anderson is down (or injured) he gives us another top line option.


The kicking / goal efficiency just highlights something that is a bit of a flaw in his game - not something I was really aware of before.

as mentioned by others - the stats I showed include analysis of all shots at goal, not just those that score.

Petracca career below.