2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Carringbush2010]

We need a Matty Rowell, Caleb Serong - a proper balanced inside mid who can get to the ball first and stay in the contest to tackle when they don't get it. We've either got Nick, Jordy or Beau all in on looking to burst clear from stoppage - or blokes who just can't get to the ball and are just tacklers. Beau might have both skillsets - but I doubt he's got the nous - he fully commits one way or the other - so he's likely to be all tackle or all looking to explode.

Yeah we're not likely to get one of those, unless it's an unknown that the scouts know about and can be developed.

 

[AmericanMustard]

Please no Lewis. The guy is just not that good, he’s also sneaky old. He’ll be spoken about like Dan McStay in 3 years time if we get him.

If we think he’s any good just try force Walter hand out of GC. They clearly have 1 too many tall, fits the profile of younger talent Kelly wants to get into the club

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

Please no Lewis. The guy is just not that good, he’s also sneaky old. He’ll be spoken about like Dan McStay in 3 years time if we get him.

If we think he’s any good just try force Walter hand out of GC. They clearly have 1 too many tall, fits the profile of younger talent Kelly wants to get into the club

I get your point, but also McStay was signed for 600k odd at the time and we do not win 2023 without him (key goals in the qualifying and prelim).

It’s us supporters that have unrealistic expectations.

Mitch Lewis would be our best key forward.

 

[Pistol Night]

I get your point, but also McStay was signed for 600k odd at the time and we do not win 2023 without him (key goals in the qualifying and prelim).

It’s us supporters that have unrealistic expectations.

Mitch Lewis would be our best key forward.

Odd timing to be hanging shit on McStay too but i get Bigfooty has high expectations..

 

[Harry O]

I get your point, but also McStay was signed for 600k odd at the time and we do not win 2023 without him (key goals in the qualifying and prelim).

It’s us supporters that have unrealistic expectations.

Mitch Lewis would be our best key forward.

Plus Lewis is free and Walter would cost 2 first rounders.

 

[nickyds35]

People will say it’s a silver lining not to pay king $1.4m then watch us give Lewis or Amartey $900k

 

[nickyds35]

Either get Walter or just back in West, Buller and McStay and bank the salary cap room.

We should only look at Mitchell/Amartey on favourable terms (<$650k) otherwise not worth it.

 

[footballsack35]

Plus Lewis is free and Walter would cost 2 first rounders.

Lol Walter is not worth 2 first rounders.
An unproved players who is out of favour at GC.
A first and second at best.

Hopefully we can get him though, considering King is staying and dimma seems to prefer JUH

 

[nickyds35]

Lol Walter is not worth 2 first rounders.
An unproved players who is out of favour at GC.
A first and second at best.

Hopefully we can get him though, considering King is staying and dimma seems to prefer JUH

100% agree. Walter while talented and I want him, has not cemented a spot in his third year. He is worth a pick 12 to 16.

 

[Doc1763]

I’m ok missing on king if we can get 2 free agents like Neale and a foward it will be good

I dont think you actually miss out on someone who re-signs with their current club. If he went elsewhere, then you've missed out on him.

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

People will say it’s a silver lining not to pay king $1.4m then watch us give Lewis or Amartey $900k

Free agents at that level are 100-150k a year more for the privilege of not using draft picks.

 

[Matrix10]

Probably thinking too crazy here (by way of offering and even receiving this trade).

Port probably going to match any bid for Butters which likely means a trade.

Any merit in offering Moore to Dogs with steak knives and getting pick 11 and maybe 2nd rounder, steak knives (or better). Then offering that and whatever else to Port for Butters?

Or way too out there to even offer Moore or more so, get that kind of return for him.

Pick 11 for .. did you say Moore , yes please .. make out like bandits Pies , Bulldogs nor any team is giving up a first round pick for him. Guy had value 5 years ago, glory days are gone .

 

[Chrispiesssss]

Chase Lewis & Walter. We could probably get them both for $1.7m combined.

Lewis, Walter & West quite a dynamic forward line.

 

[Chrispiesssss]

Oscar Adam’s from the Suns is OOC. Decent player.

 

[Harry O]

100% agree. Walter while talented and I want him, has not cemented a spot in his third year. He is worth a pick 12 to 16.

Agree. But that is what it will cost

 

[WanderingDude]

....and to get Liam McMahon (and Poulter) we traded away pick 2 that would have been Fin Callaghan.

And even Fin would have been great compensation for no 16.

 

[legendstatus]

Ive been firm on King not coming, don't think he is a power forward that would suit us, Walter is my first choice but Lewis may be easier to acquire, Neale and one of the other two would be good trade period for us

 

[frizzle]

Chase Lewis & Walter. We could probably get them both for $1.7 combined.

Lewis, Walter & West quite a dynamic forward line.

If I give you $2 to go get Lewis & Walter, will I get 30 cents change?

 

[Chrispiesssss]

 

[Chrispiesssss]

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

 

[nickyds35]

Last minute scattergun approach starting to come apart with Butters being done 12 months ago and King not even taking our calls.

Just hope the club takes it on the chin, banks the salary cap room and doesn’t do anything desperate.

Worried they will overreach to save face and offer Mitchell/Amartey overs.

 

[Jafo]

Axed NRL coach takes up surprise role with AFL powerhouse

The veteran has revealed his next move after his ‘emotional’ exit from Manly.

7news.com.au

 

[Ugene41]

The brutal reality is if your side is realistically not good enough to play off in a preliminary final and give themselves an opportunity to play in a GF, you are probably better served being at the opposite end of the ladder for a few years, have access to the best junior talent and/or the capital for high end trade.

The worst place to be is the mid table of death and that's what we're currently facing this season and potentially for many seasons to come if we don't act.

While we were always getting priority access to Nick, if he didn't exist we would have retained our 2021 1st round selection and that would have delivered an unexpected pick 2. That could have gained us Callaghan or a Rachele.

While neither are as good as Nick they would have still proven to be a handy acquisition for McRae in the subsequent years and been worth that one season of pain. We might still have won the 2023 Premiership.

So my question is this?

If forced to choose between playing in and potentially losing a wildcard "final" or tumbling down the ladder in 2026 due to changing selection priorities what would you prefer?

Currently we're 6pts ahead of 5th last Port Adelaide and I find it hard to argue that our list wouldn't be better served in the medium term by gaining an unexpected top 5 pick (and now bonus start of 2nd round selection after inevitable bid) this off season and prior to the entrance of Tasmania.

Throw in a F/A or two that costs salary cap space only and it's the type of list refresh that could provide a bounce in 2027 and help strengthen the list transition in coming seasons.

We need access to more talent and we'll need it bloody soon.

If you're suggesting tanking, no I don't think that works. Once you lose that winning culture, it's very hard to get back.

We probably only bounced back that quickly because there was a change in regime from Buckley to McRae and we for a generational player in Nick. And I think even he was surprised that we played in a prelim the following year. A Callaghan / Rachele would not make that sort of difference.

I like the fact that we are giving the young guys much needed exposure and we need to continue to reward form in the VFL from the likes of West, Swadling etc. But we need to go into every match trying to win. Our first round pick this year should be insurance if we suddenly fall off the cliff with injuries but shouldn't be something that we try to maximize.

 

[jmac70]

The brutal reality is if your side is realistically not good enough to play off in a preliminary final and give themselves an opportunity to play in a GF, you are probably better served being at the opposite end of the ladder for a few years, have access to the best junior talent and/or the capital for high end trade.

The worst place to be is the mid table of death and that's what we're currently facing this season and potentially for many seasons to come if we don't act.

While we were always getting priority access to Nick, if he didn't exist we would have retained our 2021 1st round selection and that would have delivered an unexpected pick 2. That could have gained us Callaghan or a Rachele.

While neither are as good as Nick they would have still proven to be a handy acquisition for McRae in the subsequent years and been worth that one season of pain. We might still have won the 2023 Premiership.

So my question is this?

If forced to choose between playing in and potentially losing a wildcard "final" or tumbling down the ladder in 2026 due to changing selection priorities what would you prefer?

Currently we're 6pts ahead of 5th last Port Adelaide and I find it hard to argue that our list wouldn't be better served in the medium term by gaining an unexpected top 5 pick (and now bonus start of 2nd round selection after inevitable bid) this off season and prior to the entrance of Tasmania.

Throw in a F/A or two that costs salary cap space only and it's the type of list refresh that could provide a bounce in 2027 and help strengthen the list transition in coming seasons.

We need access to more talent and we'll need it bloody soon.

Collingwood play to win.
The finishing position takes care of itself.