2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Pistol Night]

He's signed till 2028, what are these journos smoking. The bombers aren't letting him go for anything.

If a player wants out it nearly always happens. Unless you're Essendon and its Merrett and finally making a stand turns to shit as well. Maybe they'll let Caddy go for stuff all after that.

 

[magpies42]

Right now, trying to pry Elijah Tsatas out of Essendon Football Club is trending toward expensive and unlikely, not opportunistic.

I foresee three big hurdles: perceived value, role security, and Essendon’s willingness to deal. Right now, those are all trending against a trade happening cheaply.

Essendon took Tsatas at Pick 5 in the 2022 draft. They have spent a lot of time with Tsatas working on his disposal. Even with an inconsistent start, they won’t want to lose that investment just as it’s starting to pay off.

This season Tsatas is improving in the exact area that previously capped his ceiling—his disposal.

• Kicking efficiency jump: 42% → 72%
• Disposals: 14 → 24 per game
• TOG: 52% → 70%
• Centre bounce attendances: →60%

If his form holds even over half a season, Essendon will like internally rate him as a core midfield piece, not a fringe asset – his price will rise significantly

Pass, we don’t want more midfielders with poor kicks

 

[gouki88]

He's signed till 2028, what are these journos smoking. The bombers aren't letting him go for anything.

He also only extended ~10 months ago - did he think Essendon would suddenly turn it around?

 

[Pistol Night]

He also only extended ~10 months ago - did he think Essendon would suddenly turn it around?

"Shit, Zach is staying, we must be better than Hawthorn"

 

[WanderingDude]

Annoying!

I was listening to Sen. Apparently the games trigger was very low and was hit last year. They were joking that his current manager should be sacked. His current form value is high and a low games trigger is associated with a poor contract. Very annoying but it’s okay, Neale would do nicely.

 

[GreekLunatic]

is there any tall forward we aint after lol

 

[BillyElliott]

is there any tall forward we aint after lol

You'd expect the media to link us to every full forward considering it's a need for us.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

Again, shaky source but Jay Clark on First Crack just now causally dropping that we’re into Nate Caddy

I refuse to believe this because Clark has linked us to anyone with a pulse.

But the meltdown from Essendon supporters would be worth it alone.

 

[sr36]

I refuse to believe this because Clark has linked us to anyone with a pulse.

But the meltdown from Essendon supporters would be worth it alone.

We've got a few minutes to kill. No stories! Shit! Collingwood interested in recruiting someone? Yep. Go with that. Who? We did the Ben King story 10 minutes ago. Butters? 15 minutes ago. Mihocek? Maybe not. ****. Caddy? I like it.

 

[granniewolf]

We've got a few minutes to kill. No stories! Shit! Collingwood interested in recruiting someone? Yep. Go with that. Who? We did the Ben King story 10 minutes ago. Butters? 15 minutes ago. Mihocek? Maybe not. ****. Caddy? I like it.

Cripps?

 

[WanderingDude]

is there any tall forward we aint after lol

Ewies

 

[WanderingDude]

We've got a few minutes to kill. No stories! Shit! Collingwood interested in recruiting someone? Yep. Go with that. Who? We did the Ben King story 10 minutes ago. Butters? 15 minutes ago. Mihocek? Maybe not. ****. Caddy? I like it.

Tony Shaw and Maher are upset about Pendles gold 10 lettering. Kane. I’m upset that a legend so club focused and professional is being attacked by the media equivalent of 70s scream queens.

 

[Harry O]

Can we trade for a decent midfield coach to fix our clearances ?

 

[Rorzza]

Can we trade for a decent midfield coach to fix our clearances ?

You will have to think higher, Fly's on record saying he doesn't care about clearances and kicking efficiency. It's here to stay.

 

[Harry O]

You will have to think higher, Fly's on record saying he doesn't care about clearances and kicking efficiency. It's here to stay.

Incorrect on clearances

 

[TradeDraft]

You will have to think higher, Fly's on record saying he doesn't care about clearances and kicking efficiency. It's here to stay.

And Holding us back

Pressure on Backline most of the Time

 

[sr36]

Can we trade for a decent midfield coach to fix our clearances ?

It's cattle. When we win the hitout out in front of Nick or Beau - we get a really effective clearance. When we lose the hitout, we lose the clearance. We need a better ruck (when they're too tall for Steene to jump over we lose the hitout). And/or better defensive mids.

 

[BillyElliott]

You will have to think higher, Fly's on record saying he doesn't care about clearances and kicking efficiency. It's here to stay.

I can't recall him saying he doesn't care about clearances.

 

[Harry O]

It's cattle. When we win the hitout out in front of Nick or Beau - we get a really effective clearance. When we lose the hitout, we lose the clearance. We need a better ruck (when they're too tall for Steene to jump over we lose the hitout). And/or better defensive mids.

But consistently having Anderson and Long together at centre bounces against hawks was dumb by Skipworth. Hope he gets a senior gig somewhere- would be the next Neeld

 

[BigVic]

Caddy would be a good Elliott replacement

 

[sr36]

But consistently having Anderson and Long together at centre bounces against hawks was dumb by Skipworth. Hope he gets a senior gig somewhere- would be the next Neeld

Who though? We got in that game through our run off half back - so we wouldn't want to have taken from there. Plus I doubt it's just Skipworth's call. I quite like the idea of Schultz, but doubt clearance would have gone much better.

 

[Rorzza]

Someone else will have to AI it because I'm certain he did..... Sorry, I don't use AI, I care about the environment.

 

[sr36]

Someone else will have to AI it because I'm certain he did..... Sorry, I don't use AI, I care about the environment.

What aren't you using AI for - the mega Butters, Bailey, King signing?

 

[Rorzza]

And.........If Fly cared about centre clearances he would have fixed it by now, it has been a problem for some time now.

 

[cityslick1]

Will Philips for MSD? Still early, but his touch did look good on the weekend…