2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Scodog10]

Allan for Walter straight swap seems fair, both have potential, neither can get a look in to their clubs best 23

If not then involve him in a trade for Humphrey.

Are Lewis and Amartey going to be that much of an upgrade on McStay and to a lesser extent Buller and West?

I have liked Lewis as a player, however while he is still clunking marks and scoring a few goals, he def looks to have lost some mobility/athleticism.

Would only do either on a favourable deal like 4 years x $650-700k.

Otherwise, excited by the prospect of banking the salary cap room and have $4m to play with when Pendles, Howe and Sidebottom retire.

We have good depth, but are missing top line stars, outside of a kpd (Butts or Ballard), none of these cheapish pickups move the needle. Eg substituting McStays 25-30 goals a year for Lewis’ 30-35 goals a year doesn’t really move the dial.

We definitely do not have good depth. It’s either tweeners who can’t nail a senior spot or kids. Considering the lack of high end talent U25 on the list I’d say depth is our biggest issue by a long stretch because we fall away drastically after about 15 on the list. Take a look at Brisbane, GC, Geelong or Fremantle they have depth!

 

[foreigner]

Careful!! Keep this up and he’ll Will Phillips you.

The thought of bringing in Lewis keeps me up at night. We all understand I hope that Buller’s first fortnight was dreadful because he couldn’t catch a cold. His return to the senior team though is more what we recruited him for albeit with some wastage. Where is the value of an extra $2.5m in cap space toward Lewis over the course of his contract when the flow on is less room for West in the senior mix and maybe an extra .5 goals and 1 mark a game? His output is on par with McStay’s and that’s before the injury profile is considered.

The surest way to become mired in mediocrity is to stump up for mediocrity on big $’s. Whether it be trade cost or flat out refusal we need to be targeting the likes of Georgiades, Cadman, King, Caddy or Morris if the plan is to pro scout our way out of our forward issues. For me Georgiades is the one. He’s averaging 5 SOG a game and will win the Coleman if he tightens up his conversion.

Agree, Cadman or Georgiades would be nice but not too sure if it can happen. I'd like us to go hard at the like of Caddy or Morris who are quite young, who could grow to be great assets for us for a long time, especially Caddy as he seems to be unhappy playing for the Bombers.

 

[stormskye]

If not then involve him in a trade for Humphrey.

We definitely do not have good depth. It’s either tweeners who can’t nail a senior spot or kids. Considering the lack of high end talent U25 on the list I’d say depth is our biggest issue by a long stretch because we fall away drastically after about 15 on the list. Take a look at Brisbane, GC, Geelong or Fremantle they have depth!

Only hill and Perryman injured before the Geelong game. Depth def isn’t “good”. It’s very very shallow.

 

[Jafo]

Do we think Club has interest in trying to recruit Sam Gayfer?

 

[No SPIN]

Agree, Cadman or Georgiades would be nice but not too sure if it can happen. I'd like us to go hard at the like of Caddy or Morris who are quite young, who could grow to be great assets for us for a long time, especially Caddy as he seems to be unhappy playing for the Bombers.

It’s interesting that Georgiades is actually shorter than West but has good speed off the mark, and leap - attributes that West also has.
Of your options Cadman is the clear preference IMO who’s taller, very mobile, with X factor in his ground game and snapping ability for his size.

But sadly a pipe dream, and no chance he’s gettable.

 

[satty]

When does mcstay come out of contract?

 

[Scodog10]

Agree, Cadman or Georgiades would be nice but not too sure if it can happen. I'd like us to go hard at the like of Caddy or Morris who are quite young, who could grow to be great assets for us for a long time, especially Caddy as he seems to be unhappy playing for the Bombers.

I think all of the names I suggested sit in the unlikely column at this point in time, but I’d prefer no’s from them for whatever reason or the magnificent problem of a yes over the relentless pursuit of mediocrity in Lynch, White, Buller, McStay and Lewis. It’s good to have those role player types it’s just better to have them through the draft because if you pro scout them it leads to other issues.

 

[WanderingDude]

When does mcstay come out of contract?

End of 2027. NFA

 

[#BallMagnet]

Do we think Club has interest in trying to recruit Sam Gayfer?

I think we have other list needs.
Particularly midfield/wing and KPD depth.

 

[satty]

End of 2027. NFA

So if we are targeting someone like mitch lewis, he would probably take membrey's spot on the list once his contract is up.

 

[manicpie]

So if we are targeting someone like mitch lewis, he would probably take membrey's spot on the list once his contract is up.

When is his contract u0

 

[nickyds35]

Only hill and Perryman injured before the Geelong game. Depth def isn’t “good”. It’s very very shallow.

In my opinion, our issue isn’t players 18 to 23 its playwrs 2 to 5.

 

[MooreDaicos]

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.

Nope, nope, wash your mouth out, Moore is staying where he is. I watched his father leave us, I was devastated! Peter told his son, Darcy, to not leave the Pies as he regretted it back then. Leave the father sons out of trade talk, one mistake in the first game back is not a, "oh he's cooked, let's get rid of him", conversation that should even come up, Darcy just needs to get back into the swing of things and that creep dropped down, just like he always does, like sh!t stirrer Ginni and the wizard prick. Rant over.

 

[Carlthetruth]

Nope, nope, wash your mouth out, Moore is staying where he is. I watched his father leave us, I was devastated! Peter told his son, Darcy, to not leave the Pies as he regretted it back then. Leave the father sons out of trade talk, one mistake in the first game back is not a, "oh he's cooked, let's get rid of him", conversation that should even come up, Darcy just needs to get back into the swing of things and that creep dropped down, just like he always does, like sh!t stirrer Ginni and the wizard prick. Rant over.

C'mon now let's do this properly, DC can get a pick in the 20's, Moore will do this same and let's do this rebuild properly and get 4 first round picks for Nick! He won't want to hang around for the rebuild and then there's all the other players we could flick for picks, picks picks picks is where it's at! Let's consign ourselves to a North like tear down and rebuild then those who carp bitch and moan will really be in their element.

 

[MooreDaicos]

Agree, Cadman or Georgiades would be nice but not too sure if it can happen. I'd like us to go hard at the like of Caddy or Morris who are quite young, who could grow to be great assets for us for a long time, especially Caddy as he seems to be unhappy playing for the Bombers.

Yes, Caddy please!

 

[MooreDaicos]

C'mon now let's do this properly, DC can get a pick in the 20's, Moore will do this same and let's do this rebuild properly and get 4 first round picks for Nick! He won't want to hang around for the rebuild and then there's all the other players we could flick for picks, picks picks picks is where it's at! Let's consign ourselves to a North like tear down and rebuild then those who carp bitch and moan will really be in their element.

Let's trade out all the good players and father sons for picks because picks are the bomb I like your sense of humour

 

[Harry O]

Agree, Cadman or Georgiades would be nice but not too sure if it can happen. I'd like us to go hard at the like of Caddy or Morris who are quite young, who could grow to be great assets for us for a long time, especially Caddy as he seems to be unhappy playing for the Bombers.

It ain’t SuperCoach

 

[satty]

When is his contract u0

Timmy's contract finishes at the end of this season .

 

[manicpie]

Timmy's contract finishes at the end of this season .

I don't think he'll get an extension but I could be wrong

 

[The Royal Sampler]

It’s fair to say the shine has come off Jed Walter pretty quickly, especially given how highly touted he was through the draft and academy system at Gold Coast Suns.

Career stats: 4 kicks, 2.5 handballs, 2.3 marks, 0.8 contested marks, 1 goal, 1 behind, 2 shots at goal per game, 46.7% accuracy (42% this year), and 2 direct turnovers.

Plenty of elite AFL key forwards have had modest first 20–30 games. The concern is more about the context around the production.

Sam Edmund, Kane Cornes and David King discussed Walter on SEN today. Edmund said Gold Coast has had a two-year deal in front of him for some time, with little movement from Walter or his management, while also noting there’s been very limited rival interest.

Cornes argued that a young, explosive key forward with Walter’s physical profile and upside — likening the tools to a young Josh Kennedy — would still be worth millions if it clicks. King pushed back, essentially saying Gold Coast itself doesn’t appear fully convinced, given Walter still struggles to cement a spot despite the club searching for support alongside Ben King.

A few things stand out:

• Gold Coast has been actively searching for a reliable second tall forward alongside Ben King
• Walter still hasn’t consistently held his spot
• His pressure, leading patterns, aerial work and link play apparently aren’t offsetting the lack of scoreboard impact
• If clubs genuinely viewed him as a future dominant power forward, there would usually already be stronger contract pressure and trade noise.

That’s why the SEN discussion is interesting. Cornes is probably right on archetype value: genuinely explosive 195cm+ contested-marking forwards are rare and always in demand. The Josh Kennedy comparison is more about physical traits and upside than current output.

But King’s point carries weight too. If your own club is crying out for another key forward and still doesn’t fully trust you at AFL level, that’s concerning.

The most worrying indicators aren’t even the disposal numbers.

• It’s only 2 shots at goal per game
• limited contested-marking influence
• declining accuracy this year
• and minimal involvement higher up the ground.

I don’t mean this in a disparaging way, only curious; do you use AI to post on BigFooty? You seem to have a very particular way of formatting.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Our drafting has improved a lot under O’Bree. We need to give him a first round pick and give him a chance to build the list. So the only mature age targets should be UFA

Prindable though? We absolutely MUST nail our early picks for once.

 

[WanderingDude]

I don't think he'll get an extension but I could be wrong

I am starting to wonder. There is an outside possibility he is depth for the year. OOC talls;
2026 - Membrey, Howes, BBB, Cochran, Smit, Howe
2027 - McStay, Buller, Steene, McCarthy
2028 - West , Moore
2029 - Cameron
Edit: added McCarthy.

 

[Jafo]

Nope, nope, wash your mouth out, Moore is staying where he is. I watched his father leave us, I was devastated! Peter told his son, Darcy, to not leave the Pies as he regretted it back then. Leave the father sons out of trade talk, one mistake in the first game back is not a, "oh he's cooked, let's get rid of him", conversation that should even come up, Darcy just needs to get back into the swing of things and that creep dropped down, just like he always does, like sh!t stirrer Ginni and the wizard prick. Rant over.

Nah, this is definitely not off the back of any recent or bad games in general. Was just thinking of capital to get other players in (Butters) if needed. Like Hawks model with Lewis, Hodge etc. All the Clokes left. I’m not for jettisoning Moore out the door either .

 

[MooreDaicos]

Nah, this is definitely not off the back of any recent or bad games in general. Was just thinking of capital to get other players in (Butters) if needed. Like Hawks model with Lewis, Hodge etc. All the Clokes left. I’m not for jettisoning Moore out the door either .

Moore doesn't have that high pick for a trade, with the right lockdown def, Moore is priceless. Best to look at others, not Nick or Josh though.

 

[sideswipe]

Nah, this is definitely not off the back of any recent or bad games in general. Was just thinking of capital to get other players in (Butters) if needed. Like Hawks model with Lewis, Hodge etc. All the Clokes left. I’m not for jettisoning Moore out the door either .

Hawthorn received bugger all in the Lewis, Mitchell and Hodge trades. That is not the model we want to copy!.