Recruiting AFL Trade & Free Agency XIII

[Lore]

Spoiler: 2025 Draft Order

Spoiler: 2026 Draft Order

Spoiler: 2027 Draft Order

 

[faible]

All 5 are contracted for 27 in that group

Merrett & Ridley would have trade currency to some degree, Langford someone might trade for, don't think you'll get much for Wright and no one would trade for Jones of that crew so he'll still be here.

 

[faible]

Its only 106/156 if you drop 2 seasons, that's a fact.

If we exclude those two seasons he missed, he's only missed 1/3 or so of every season that he hasn't missed.

 

[Keystone agony]

Without thinking of the new player coming in for Martin who do we think is on borrowed time this season.

Gresham, Guelfi and Cox are in last chance saloon.

Merrett, Ridley, Langford, Jones and Wright as potential older guys to be moved on or replaced?

McMahon, Edwards, El-Hawli, Day-Wicks as rookie listed might be in trouble?

I dont think were moving on guys like Langford, Zerrett, Ridley but if you mean a club comes for them like they did this year and they decide they want out, then yeh, that

Id say most of the 2026 OOC obviously, but id say theres a good chance we would be looking to keep guys like A.Clarke, L.Hayes (He may want opportunity, but he should get it mid to later on - unlikely Reid, Mckay and Ridley fit for entire year ha)

Perkins - Fascinating one, think he needs to show something ie no guarantee, but the club seems to give him more grace than i feel he should get

I also think Guelfi could still find another year with good form considering our list demographic and lack of small forwards. Your probably giving Perkins 1 more over Guelf if it comes down to a decision between the 2

Gresham is just putrid and quite selfish

Going to be a high turnover once again if a few of those senior guys want out and these guys dont show much

Probably favours guys like Nguyen, SEH, Perkins, Guelfi, Unwin, ZakJohno, Tsatas types to remain

 

[Keystone agony]

Its only 106/156 if you drop 2 seasons, that's a fact.

Sorry shouldve said 106 of his last 156*, which ive said before

 

[Old Campaigner]

If we exclude those two seasons he missed, he's only missed 1/3 or so of every season that he hasn't missed.

If we exclude all [player]'s bad games, he's actually only ever played great games and is a genuine gun of the competition

 

[fairbump_playon]

Setterfield isn't likely to be there 70% of the time though.

Are you talking about a late start to the year, or likelihood of another injury?

 

[Yoda_]

THis is starting to become my concern with Rids too, such an integral part of the backline that it really destabilises us when he inevitably goes down. Its good to see we are drafting some potential depth for his role though!

Been my problem for years, building our sode(s) around injury prone players

Ridley is always injured in defence (Reid hasn’t come on yet)
Parish has shown AA level but perennially injured last two seasons
Langford is starting to move into this caregory
Draper was here but now moved on

That’s some seriously key cogs we need to move away from and just enjoy if/when they stay on the park

 

[Old Campaigner]

Been my problem for years, building our sode(s) around injury prone players

Ridley is always injured in defence (Reid hasn’t come on yet)
Parish has shown AA level but perennially injured last two seasons
Langford is starting to move into this caregory
Draper was here but now moved on

That’s some seriously key cogs we need to move away from and just enjoy if/when they stay on the park

Fortunately they're always injured so we have ample opportunity to road test some new players in those roles and maybe offer the perma-injured group a trade for a fresh start somewhere else

 

[doug85]

Some people just love picking on KA. Pathetic really.

Yeah, but they make it so easy

Sorry shouldve said 106 of his last 156*, which ive said before

 

[boncer34]

Are you talking about a late start to the year, or likelihood of another injury?

Why limit it to just one?

 

[fairbump_playon]

Why limit it to just one?

Setters will end up being Pendles and playing till he’s 40 ha ha

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Setters will end up being Pendles and playing till he’s 40 ha ha

hopefully he's smarter with his investment choices

 

[Lore]

Sorry shouldve said 106 of his last 156*, which ive said before

156 not out

 

[ant555]

 

[yodellinhank]

I’d just take Setterfield. I think honouring your intentions with him is important and he can provide a bit of leadership to the younger guys. There’s enough kids to be going on with.

Aren't you worried he might miss a bit through injury?

 

[eth-dog]

I’d just take Setterfield. I think honouring your intentions with him is important and he can provide a bit of leadership to the younger guys. There’s enough kids to be going on with.

The intentions were to give him a chance at coming back, not guaranteeing it.

I have no issues with them letting him have the chance. I just don't think we should do it without looking at what else is out there, like Raso, Jed Hagen, Sam Conforti (37 goals in the SANFL this year, also former VFL player for us)

 

[Lore]

The intentions were to give him a chance at coming back, not guaranteeing it.

I have no issues with them letting him have the chance. I just don't think we should do it without looking at what else is out there, like Raso, Jed Hagen, Sam Conforti (37 goals in the SANFL this year, also former VFL player for us)

The intention was to keep him if we could find a list spot either by upgrading our draft picks or if that didn’t work out, then via the SSP.

If we were always going to delist him we wouldn’t have waited until the morning of list lodgement deadline to do it.

Bombers make further list change

Club open to opportunity for delisted midfielder.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[eth-dog]

The intention was to keep him if we could find a list spot either by upgrading our draft picks or if that didn’t work out, then via the SSP.

If we were always going to delist him we wouldn’t have waited until the morning of list lodgement deadline to do it.

Bombers make further list change

Club open to opportunity for delisted midfielder.

www.essendonfc.com.au

we’re open to providing him an opportunity through the upcoming Draft, Rookie and SSP period.

Dan literally said open to an opportunity in the article you referenced. Meaning he gets a chance at the spot. We did the same thing with Baldwin last year, but Edwards ended up getting the spot.

 

[Lore]

Aren't you worried he might miss a bit through injury?

If you asked me at the end of the season who we should delist then yes, that would be my reasoning for delisting him. But I think you keep your word first and foremost.

 

[Lore]

Dan literally said open to an opportunity in the article you referenced. Meaning he gets a chance at the spot. We did the same thing with Baldwin last year, but Edwards ended up getting the spot.

Setterfield, 31 October 2025:
“With the final list lodgement coming today, we’ve made the difficult decision to delist Will ahead of the draft.

With our five selections this year, the reality is that we couldn’t offer Will a list spot at this stage, but we’re open to providing him an opportunity through the upcoming Draft, Rookie and SSP period.

Will’s handled a very difficult waiting period like the great character he is. As challenging as it’s been to make the call, we wish him all the best going forward, whether he ends up back with us, or elsewhere.”

tldr; at the last possible second = don’t want to lose you, can’t keep you, nothing against having you back if things work out in future

Baldwin, 26 Aug 2025:
“Nick, Tex and Kaine have all been popular members of our footy club who showed resilience and determination to get the most out of their footy careers during their time with us.

We thank them for their contribution to the red and black and they leave knowing they will always be a part of the Essendon footy club. We wish each of them all the best for the next stage of their careers both on and off the field.”

Hind, Baldwin, Wanganeen not offered playing contracts

Dons announce list changes.

www.essendonfc.com.au

tldr; asap, kthxbye

 

[Keystone agony]

The intentions were to give him a chance at coming back, not guaranteeing it.

I have no issues with them letting him have the chance. I just don't think we should do it without looking at what else is out there, like Raso, Jed Hagen, Sam Conforti (37 goals in the SANFL this year, also former VFL player for us)

Jed Hagen is bog avg, he wouldnt even be better than Gresham is now

 

[Keystone agony]

"Great character he is"

 

[Keystone agony]

Theres no point burying the kids at 18,19 without trying to preserve them when it doesnt matter 2025 only for them to be the next Ridley, Parish, Langfords

You walk a tight rope, dont cry when it breaks

Robey has shown just how precarious it can be

 

[Don Won]

Setterfield, 31 October 2025:
“With the final list lodgement coming today, we’ve made the difficult decision to delist Will ahead of the draft.

With our five selections this year, the reality is that we couldn’t offer Will a list spot at this stage, but we’re open to providing him an opportunity through the upcoming Draft, Rookie and SSP period.

Will’s handled a very difficult waiting period like the great character he is. As challenging as it’s been to make the call, we wish him all the best going forward, whether he ends up back with us, or elsewhere.”

tldr; at the last possible second = don’t want to lose you, can’t keep you, nothing against having you back if things work out in future

Baldwin, 26 Aug 2025:
“Nick, Tex and Kaine have all been popular members of our footy club who showed resilience and determination to get the most out of their footy careers during their time with us.

We thank them for their contribution to the red and black and they leave knowing they will always be a part of the Essendon footy club. We wish each of them all the best for the next stage of their careers both on and off the field.”

Hind, Baldwin, Wanganeen not offered playing contracts

Dons announce list changes.

www.essendonfc.com.au

tldr; asap, kthxbye

It looks like they wanted (maybe needed) to keep him, but whether they still do post draft is more important. We’ve ended up with a few guys who might be competitive in the middle early, which was never a given when they made that statement.

I also don’t read there statement as a promise, just an opportunity.

Also, I would have thought he would be training with us now if he/we were interested

 

[eth-dog]

Setterfield, 31 October 2025:
“With the final list lodgement coming today, we’ve made the difficult decision to delist Will ahead of the draft.

With our five selections this year, the reality is that we couldn’t offer Will a list spot at this stage, but we’re open to providing him an opportunity through the upcoming Draft, Rookie and SSP period.

Will’s handled a very difficult waiting period like the great character he is. As challenging as it’s been to make the call, we wish him all the best going forward, whether he ends up back with us, or elsewhere.”

tldr; at the last possible second = don’t want to lose you, can’t keep you, nothing against having you back if things work out in future

Baldwin, 26 Aug 2025:
“Nick, Tex and Kaine have all been popular members of our footy club who showed resilience and determination to get the most out of their footy careers during their time with us.

We thank them for their contribution to the red and black and they leave knowing they will always be a part of the Essendon footy club. We wish each of them all the best for the next stage of their careers both on and off the field.”

Hind, Baldwin, Wanganeen not offered playing contracts

Dons announce list changes.

www.essendonfc.com.au

tldr; asap, kthxbye

we’re open to providing him an opportunity through the upcoming Draft, Rookie and SSP period.

All you need to know. Opportunity implies the chance to get on the list, not a guarantee.