2026 Trade / FA Thread

[BigVic]

Just establishing now since he'll likely be a big part of discussion in this thread for the remainder of the year - it's Humphrey, not Humphries. As in, Humphrey B. Bear

Humphries is Lawson, who plays for Geelong

Humphries as in Barry Humphries is a Cat

 

[sr36]

The beauty of a veteran like Neale as FA is that you wouldn't actually be overpaying him. The younger FAs like Pez will create salary cap pressure with players looking at his salary and saying I should be getting as much as him. Who's going to think they should get paid more than Lachy Neale.

 

[gouki88]

The beauty of a veteran like Neale as FA is that you wouldn't actually be overpaying him. The younger FAs like Pez will create salary cap pressure with players looking at his salary and saying I should be getting as much as him. Who's going to think they should get paid more than Lachy Neale.

Maybe Nick, and that’s it

 

[Lifelong Pie]

The beauty of a veteran like Neale as FA is that you wouldn't actually be overpaying him. The younger FAs like Pez will create salary cap pressure with players looking at his salary and saying I should be getting as much as him. Who's going to think they should get paid more than Lachy Neale.

I agree with you but now we have Pez I feel like he is worth the price, think the games he is currently missing is showing how valuable he is to us.

 

[Scodog10]

I agree with you but now we have Pez I feel like he is worth the price, think the games he is currently missing is showing how valuable he is to us.

He was always going to push towards being worth the price because of the time value of money. In 3 years time if he’s a Dunkley level mid on $900k that’ll be a bargain. The cost Sr was talking about was at the time of acquisition. If Perryman was worth $900k in 2025 then Nick was worth $1.8m etc.

 

[sr36]

I agree with you but now we have Pez I feel like he is worth the price, think the games he is currently missing is showing how valuable he is to us.

Ultimately, there's a sign on bonus built into the FA contracts - a club in our position has to do it and has to set aside money for it. But as it's not reported or probably viewed within the playing group as a sign on bonus, you're pretty likely to have what occured for us last year (whether it's related or not) - Cameron and Hill negotiating big money extensions before their contract year (neither contract looking good) - Bruzzy reportedly getting an excellent deal, Checkers leaving for money. It's an interesting space how FA agent deals affect retention contracts - you'd think they'd narrow over time and the bonuses will become smaller - but who knows?

 

[Scodog10]

Ultimately, there's a sign on bonus built into the FA contracts - a club in our position has to do it and has to set aside money for it. But as it's not reported or probably viewed within the playing group as a sign on bonus, you're pretty likely to have what occured for us last year (whether it's related or not) - Cameron and Hill negotiating big money extensions before their contract year (neither contract looking good) - Bruzzy reportedly getting an excellent deal, Checkers leaving for money. It's an interesting space how FA agent deals affect retention contracts - you'd think they'd narrow over time and the bonuses will become smaller - but who knows?

The next CBA will play a role in where to from here. I think there’s an expectation among fans and the industry at large that the pie will just continue to grow exponentially, but unless it comes at the cost of the consumer then something is going to have to give for growth to continue.

It might be further H&A fixtures or an in season competition, but it could also be a 20th team post Tasmania or 2 game packages sold to streaming services. The anti siphoning laws getting watered down from here is a big concern of mine (especially if the political clout of ON grows) and whilst it won’t impact me super Saturday style carve outs will be the norm moving forward, IMO. Doubly so if the interest from Foxtel isn’t there next time round because their owners are losing money on their investment.

 

[Carlthetruth]

If he were contracted I could agree, but coming OOC GC don’t have the leverage to seek such a rich price (unless he blossoms by years end). It’s also worth remembering who’s into him to pay such a price. Carlton don’t have the picks, Essendon won’t split theirs or part with their 2027 1st for Walter, Geelong have too many fingers in other pies and their pick won’t have value anyway and given the breadth of list needs we have I doubt we offer a top 6-10 pick.

I think we’ll see the ranger come out in Leppa this trade period if Walter chooses us and the draft threat will flag very quickly.

FWIW enough of the Hogan comparisons! Hogan had 100+ goals to his name after his first three seasons. The only current forward near Hogan at a similar career stage is Morris who actually would be worth the high end picks if he were on the market.

Unrealistic, if your position is somebody has leverage which means a club gets screwed then that's why most people's trade scenarios fail. IF Walter moves it won't be for a packet of twistys.

 

[Scodog10]

Unrealistic, if your position is somebody has leverage which means a club gets screwed then that's why most people's trade scenarios fail. IF Walter moves it won't be for a packet of twistys.

He’s OOC. He’ll enter the draft if GC play hardball on a top 10 pick or potentially more from any of those clubs. I do agree though that it likely won’t be a packet of twisty’s, but nor will it be a brand new Lambo.

 

[Eastern Magpie]

According to Cal Twomey, he's still unsure whether Ben King

34

Ben King

Age

25

Ht

202cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

3.5

4star

T

0.5

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

7.5

2star

K

5.6

2star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.5

5star

D

6.8

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

0.2

3star

G

1.0

4star

will re-sign with Gold Coast. He seems to think that if King decides to leave, Hawthorn would be the frontrunner, with Geelong waiting in the wings. No mention of Collingwood

 

[stormskye]

According to Cal Twomey, he's still unsure whether Ben King will re-sign with Gold Coast. He seems to think that if King decides to leave, Hawthorn would be the frontrunner, with Geelong waiting in the wings. No mention of Collingwood

A certain poster on here will not take this well if true

 

[gouki88]

A certain poster on here will not take this well if true

Just one?

 

[Scodog10]

A certain poster on here will not take this well if true

I find it incredibly ironic that Geelong were one of the clubs most miffed by what happened with Pendles record game and merch rights yet they’re in the race for all of Butters, King, Humphrey and Greene. The mind boggles.

FWIW I want him to remain on the GC if the alternative is Geelong or Hawthorn…

 

[Apex36]

I find it incredibly ironic that Geelong were one of the clubs most miffed by what happened with Pendles record game and merch rights yet they’re in the race for all of Butters, King, Humphrey and Greene. The mind boggles.

FWIW I want him to remain on the GC if the alternative is Geelong or Hawthorn…

Even disregarding all that, them being miffed over Pendles merch deal was baffling given their “farms for the players” scams. They go as close to salary cap rotting as anyone has since the Carlton paper bag days, they should be shutting tf up about something so minor.

 

[Buckley is my hero]

If we did get him it’d be the Tom Mitchell move but better.

Help for Nick and helps bridge the gap while we get some more young talent and draftees in

It would be disastrous picking up Neale. Are we really this stupid? Lightening doesn't strike twice in the same place. Tom Mitchell was the perfect addition to a side competing for the 2023 premiership. Now at least six other teams have moved past us and we're in the rebuild phase. We need a younger gun midfielder just entering free agency. Wardlaw would be an ideal pickup. We need to forget about 34 year olds.

 

[manicpie]

It would be disastrous picking up Neale. Are we really this stupid? Lightening doesn't strike twice in the same place. Tom Mitchell was the perfect addition to a side competing for the 2023 premiership. Now at least six other teams have moved past us and we're in the rebuild phase. We need a younger gun midfielder just entering free agency. Wardlaw would be an ideal pickup. We need to forget about 34 year olds.

Neale at 34yo is still twice the player Titch was. The other question is who is the gun midfielder just entering FA that you have in mind? Wardlaw just re signed with Norf.

 

[WanderingDude]

It would be disastrous picking up Neale. Are we really this stupid? Lightening doesn't strike twice in the same place. Tom Mitchell was the perfect addition to a side competing for the 2023 premiership. Now at least six other teams have moved past us and we're in the rebuild phase. We need a younger gun midfielder just entering free agency. Wardlaw would be an ideal pickup. We need to forget about 34 year olds.

Hmmmm.
Yep. I’m that stupid.
Lachie come on down.
The Mitchell move was exceptional. A player on the way out of Hawthorn to a Pies . Neale is fitter a bit older and a contributor to the last two premierships. He has great value. There is a risk with all list decisions.

 

[gouki88]

It would be disastrous picking up Neale. Are we really this stupid? Lightening doesn't strike twice in the same place. Tom Mitchell was the perfect addition to a side competing for the 2023 premiership. Now at least six other teams have moved past us and we're in the rebuild phase. We need a younger gun midfielder just entering free agency. Wardlaw would be an ideal pickup. We need to forget about 34 year olds.

Hilarious. We should just get Wardlaw?

It also has already struck twice. Mitchell was the 2nd time in recent history it immediately preceded a flag

 

[manicpie]

Hilarious. We should just get Wardlaw?

I was a bit more subtle in my response but this sums it up a bit better

 

[Pragmatic Shill]

According to Cal Twomey, he's still unsure whether Ben King will re-sign with Gold Coast. He seems to think that if King decides to leave, Hawthorn would be the frontrunner, with Geelong waiting in the wings. No mention of Collingwood

Cleary reported weeks ago we've decided to stop pursuing him anyway.

 

[Roverjg]

First 3. He averaged 2 goals a game across his first 3 seasons in a dreadful Demons team. Speaking of dreadful how’s about ol mate Carlthetruth comparing King’s COVID year reduced match time numbers when GC were coming off a spoon against Walter’s in the current GC side which should be a premiership favourite…

2020 was King's second year in a shortened COVID hit season. As you stated in a crap team he was already their KPF with only Sam Day being the other forward over 185cms. Walter in his 3rd season is their 3rd tall. King is doubled team allowing Walter some kicks. But when defence tightens up he doesn't touch it. Love to see his stats up to half time and after half time as there has been multiple games where he doesn't touch it after half time. My concern is if he can't get the ball as the 3rd tall in a good team with a great midfield kicking to him, what is he going to be for us in a team with poor kicking I50 & a dysfunctional forward line

 

[GreekLunatic]

so is Geelong going to get half the league players they are into nearly everyone to bring in

 

[yeah man]

We really do not need King this year, we need to improve our midfield. Supply to the forward line has been atrocious. People who are focused on King are treating the symptoms instead of addressing the root cause. The bloke doesn't leave the forward 50 arc. He'd have 3 defenders hanging off him underneath long bombs from the boundary every week. We need to improve the midfield. I hope the club have cooled off on him.

 

[sr36]

My take on comparisons to Walter both positive and negative against others who were the first selected KPF in the draft would be Kennedy, Patton and Boyd. A further positive comparison who was slow out of the blocks without the high draft profile is Treacy. You could chuck Schache in there I guess, but he was always more flanker than KPF, IMO.

I think West shades him as a prospect. Both good prospects - powerful athletes who look good in contest, but haven't yet shown that they have the game sense or smarts to get involved and perform at AFL level (a bit of a guess as to whether they ever will). West at least gets it done at VFL level - and I think he reads the ball flight and protects the drop zone to a high level - plus looks like he converts really well. Don't really know about Walter at VFL - but his stats aren't good.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I’d be bitterly disappointed if we’re not still pursuing Butters

This years first, next years first and Beau

Add Butters and Neale into that midfield alongside Nick and BANG