2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Harry O]

Yep if a superstar like Zac Butters can walk in to the club, 25 year old - gun mid, then absolute happy days!

But if that "white whale" target isn't achievable, younger promising mids (like Wilson) should be the play. Raiding one of the Suns young mids, given their overflowing riches - could also be a nice fishing spot, Will Graham (out of contract '27) is one I really like, explosive and contested unit, missed out a bit given the talent pool and some injury issues.

Totally agree

A key defender or 2 would be handy also with Howe and Moore coming to the end

 

[Johno9911]

Totally agree

A key defender or 2 would be handy also with Howe and Moore coming to the end

Absolutely - there's encouraging signs with Cochrane and Smit developing, and hopefully Reef can show some improvement as he returns from his knee.

As a club we actually have quite a good track record of building "lesser" players in to really solid KPD's, so even we make a targeted approach at a player that's viewed as "limited" - I'd back us in to get the best out of them and turn them in to a quality key defender. But agreed at least 1 more option in the Key defender stakes would be ideal

 

[WanderingDude]

Absolutely - there's encouraging signs with Cochrane and Smit developing, and hopefully Reef can show some improvement as he returns from his knee.

As a club we actually have quite a good track record of building "lesser" players in to really solid KPD's, so even we make a targeted approach at a player that's viewed as "limited" - I'd back us in to get the best out of them and turn them in to a quality key defender. But agreed at least 1 more option in the Key defender stakes would be ideal

I was surprised by Leppa seeing a KPD as not an immediate concern last trade period, the Jack Silvagni opportunity aside. Frampton is OOC end of 2026, Howe older and Moore sometimes struggling. The rest have close to 0 games between them.

 

[manicpie]

I was surprised by Leppa seeing a KPD as not an immediate concern last trade period, the Jack Silvagni opportunity aside. Frampton is OOC end of 2026, Howe older and Moore sometimes struggling. The rest have close to 0 games between them.

It is probably a case of none being available. Hopefully this year

 

[WanderingDude]

It is probably a case of none being available. Hopefully this year

We have dodged some dangerous bullets. Tomlinson (I was on the train), Doedee (I was on the train), PMcCartin (I was on the train) and even Ess-McKay and Ratugolea.

 

[Jen2310]

We have dodged some dangerous bullets. Tomlinson (I was on the train), Doedee (I was on the train), PMcCartin (I was on the train) and even Ess-McKay and Ratugolea.

*May
Thank goodness that didn't eventuate, given his current situation

 

[WanderingDude]

*May
Thank goodness that didn't eventuate, given his current situation

Right up until now I had happily forgotten that one getting away.

 

[Jen2310]

Right up until now I had happily forgotten that one getting away.

Pretty sure most of us didn't want him anyway

 

[WanderingDude]

Pretty sure most of us didn't want him anyway

I was surprised by the clubs interest. Trade periods are long. I am sure that I would have had a moment of weakness. As a pure footballer May is a quality defender, very difficult as a team mate. May has a long and growing history off field history. His age alone was difficult. We need another Roughead, Dunne, Howe and Frampton type player.

 

[Horaceg]

I was surprised by the clubs interest. Trade periods are long. I am sure that I would have had a moment of weakness. As a pure footballer May is a quality defender, very difficult as a team mate. May has a long and growing history off field history. His age alone was difficult. We need another Roughead, Dunne, Howe and Frampton type player.

It’s all about May, just ask him.

 

[Aussie pie]

2026 FREE AGENCY LIST​

* Player eligible for free agency after being previously delisted
^ Player eligible for free agency after previously changing clubs as a free agent

James Borlase*
Jordon Butts
Mitch Hinge*
Chayce Jones
Rory Laird
Lachie Sholl
Taylor Walker
Tyler Welsh*

Zac Bailey
Darcy Gardiner
Darragh Joyce*
Ryan Lester
Lincoln McCarthy
Lachie Neale
Dayne Zorko

Francis Evans*
Nick Haynes^
Mitch McGovern
Nic Newman
Sam Walsh
Zac Williams^

Jack Crisp
Jeremy Howe
Tim Membrey^*
Scott Pendlebury
Steele Sidebottom

Jade Gresham^
Matt Guelfi
Liam McMahon*
Jaxon Prior*
Will Setterfield*

Bailey Banfield*
Oscar McDonald*
Sam Sturt
Sam Switkowski
Corey Wagner*

Jed Bews
Mark Blicavs
Patrick Dangerfield
Jake Kolodjashnij
Jack Martin*
Mark O'Connor
Rhys Stanley
George Stevens*

Oscar Adams*
Caleb Graham
Nick Holman
Ben Jepson*
Ben King
Max Knobel*
Lachie Weller
Jarrod Witts

Kieren Briggs
Stephen Coniglio
Toby Greene
Jayden Laverde*
Conor Stone*

Jack Gunston
Jarman Impey
Mitch Lewis
Harry Morrison

Tom Campbell^
Kade Chandler
Jai Culley*
Bayley Fritsch
Steven May
Tom McDonald
Jake Melksham
Christian Salem
Tom Sparrow

Aidan Corr^
Luke McDonald
Toby Pink*
Bailey Scott

Zak Butters
Darcy Byrne-Jones
Ollie Wines

Nathan Broad
Tom Lynch
Toby Nankervis
Dion Prestia
Jack Ross
Nick Vlastuin

Ryan Byrnes*
Jack Carroll*
Patrick Said*
Liam Stocker*

Joel Amartey
Harry Cunningham
Joel Hamling*
Jake Lloyd
Justin McInerney
Dane Rampe

Tom Cole
Jamie Cripps
Matthew Flynn^
Harry Schoenberg*
Bailey Williams

Oskar Baker*
Lachie Bramble*
Ryan Gardner*
Buku Khamis
Tom Liberatore

Looking at the list Mark O’Connor from the cats is who I’d be going after to be sure.

 

[sr36]

I was surprised by Leppa seeing a KPD as not an immediate concern last trade period, the Jack Silvagni opportunity aside. Frampton is OOC end of 2026, Howe older and Moore sometimes struggling. The rest have close to 0 games between them.

Its where the list is at. We didn't want to trade out picks and we have to add youth rather than depth players. So we had a crack at the only best 22 Free Agent kpd - JSOS.

 

[granniewolf]

Looking at the list Mark O’Connor from the cats is who I’d be going after to be sure.

I wonder if Membrey will be offered another year if he gets through this season without injury.

 

[manicpie]

I wonder if Membrey will be offered another year if he gets through this season without injury.

With West, Howes, Buller and McCarthy, I would like to move on from Membrey. We need to move on from these old blokes. No wonder people are questioning our development

 

[Pistol Night]

I wonder if Membrey will be offered another year if he gets through this season without injury.

Don't see why not. With Cherckers gone and McStay looking like having a delayed start he might surprise as the key focal point. Until Westy headbutts him out of the goal square around round 11

 

[granniewolf]

With West, Howes, Buller and McCarthy, I would like to move on from Membrey. We need to move on from these old blokes. No wonder people are questioning our development

Normally I would agree but I think Timmy has great footy nous and could be a great mentor for the younger ones.
If he's fit and healthy and scores 20 or so goals this year then I think he should get another year if he wants it.

 

[granniewolf]

Don't see why not. With Cherckers gone and McStay looking like having a delayed start he might surprise as the key focal point. Until Westy headbutts him out of the goal square around round 11

Honstly I would rather have Timmy than McStay.

 

[Pistol Night]

Honstly I would rather have Timmy than McStay.

Different beasts. Timmy more mobile. Dan can crash and bash when hes fit and in form/confident. Unfortunately we didn't see that at all last year

 

[manicpie]

Normally I would agree but I think Timmy has great footy nous and could be a great mentor for the younger ones.
If he's fit and healthy and scores 20 or so goals this year then I think he should get another year if he wants it.

I just think that eventually you reach a tipping point. Unless we can beef up the midfield, I don't see any reason for holding on to too many old players. We'll probably keep one of Membrey or McStay but not both.

 

[granniewolf]

I just think that eventually you reach a tipping point. Unless we can beef up the midfield, I don't see any reason for holding on to too many old players. We'll probably keep one of Membrey or McStay but not both.

I think McStay's contract is until 2027 so he won't be going unless he retires.
For some reason I have a really big soft spot for Timmy. Maybe because he always looks so happy to be a pie.

 

[SchuPie]

Reading through the way-too-early preview of the 2026 draft class, I really like the sound of Tate Hodgson who trained with us over summer as a true KPD and Koby LeCras as a forward / potential wing

 

[DERKADERRR]

I wouldn't mind someone like Bruce Reville if he struggles to get a game in Brisbane's stacked team, I rate him. He'd probably be pretty cheap in terms of picks as well.

 

[Jen2310]

Reading through the way-too-early preview of the 2026 draft class, I really like the sound of Tate Hodgson who trained with us over summer as a true KPD and Koby LeCras as a forward / potential wing

Tate is a great player. Missed last year through injury but was AA U16.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[sr36]

I wonder if Membrey will be offered another year if he gets through this season without injury.

Depends on how he, Buller, West and Mcstay play. If they think he'll be best 23 he'd get another year. I doubt we keep an oldie to be depth though.