2026 Trade / FA Thread

[The Royal Sampler]

Are unproven or 30plus players in the conversation- given Houston was an AA?
Of the remaining JD is an AA wingman, Perryman is better suited to the midfield tagging role. IQ and Bruzz are true locks in the backline, so really adding Houston made sense to bolster quality there IMO. And Noble’s kicking, and poor man on man defense, was always a vulnerability that further opened the door for Houston.

Really sounds like you agree with me that half-back wasn’t a need, Houston is just very good.

 

[brysie]

You mean unrestricted free agents?

Sorry, yes, both listed as unrestricted by the AFL.

2026 AFL Free Agents list

The AFL has confirmed the 2026 list of Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents

www.afl.com.au

 

[sr36]

Every single one of those players are unproven at AFL level. They might be stars & the might be chumps.

Yes. But htis is about drafting preferences. The same will be the case for any KPF we draft.

 

[Bianconeri]

Unless we are certain he can star in the midfield, Bailey has the same potential issue that Houston and Schultz had… great player who doesn’t necessarily fill a need.

Even if he doesn’t play as a full time mid I think we’re desperate for half forward play makers given, De Goey, Lipinski and McCreery’s form.

 

[soreplums]

Even if he doesn’t play as a full time mid I think we’re desperate for half forward play makers given, De Goey, Lipinski and McCreery’s form.

He is an upgrade on all three

 

[Harry O]

Gets Butts or Khamis plus Mitch Lewis or Amartey for free
Grab the best mid available with our first pick
Try and snaffle the next Matt Kennedy with a later pick. Alex Davies?

 

[Pistol Night]

He is an upgrade on all three

Saying that about DeGoey and Beau makes me sad. Both should be superstars right now

 

[soreplums]

Saying that about DeGoey and Beau makes me sad. Both should be superstars right now

Would love nothing more for Beau to be cutting through the midfield with his speed, but don’t know if he can get it enough to be that player.
Reminds me of Doug Barwick.

 

[riddick78]

Would love nothing more for Beau to be cutting through the midfield with his speed, but don’t know if he can get it enough to be that player.
Reminds me of Doug Barwick.

To be fair, no one seems to be cutting through the midfield at the moment.

 

[soreplums]

To be fair, no one seems to be cutting through the midfield at the moment.

Would love for him to be one, along with Nick and Josh.

 

[Pistol Night]

To be fair, no one seems to be cutting through the midfield at the moment.

Enter a rejuvenated N.Daicos against our most hated rivals

 

[riddick78]

Enter a rejuvenated N.Daicos against our most hated rivals

I was talking about our games so far, I expect Nick to light it up tomorrow night for his 100th, hopefully senior's in the box having a couple of sarsaparillas and cheering his sons on.

 

[Pistol Night]

I was talking about our games so far, I expect Nick to light it up tomorrow night for his 100th, hopefully seniors in the box having a couple of sarsaparillas and cheering him on, wanna see him cheering his sons on.

We desperately need more Marvel metime on the TV when the boys go crazy onfield

 

[jmac70]

I was talking about our games so far, I expect Nick to light it up tomorrow night for his 100th, hopefully senior's in the box having a couple of sarsaparillas and cheering his sons on.

Peter will be on fire tomorrow night!

 

[Roverjg]

Gets Butts or Khamis plus Mitch Lewis or Amartey for free
Grab the best mid available with our first pick
Try and snaffle the next Matt Kennedy with a later pick. Alex Davies?

I have always liked Sam Berry. He is 24 yrs of age and has played 81 games. His possessions have increased to 23 this year up from 14 last year. This coincides with his increased game time from 62% to 74%. His Centre Bounce Attendances have also increased from 55% to 74%. He averages 6.2 tackles per game (elite)

His defensive output is elite with 6+ tackles. His stats are trending up strongly. He would be a very good fit for our side. He plays both the rotational inside mid and defensive mid vs elite opposition mids very well.

He is a system fit for us. He would match well with Daicos and at a substantial cost reduction for a Butters

Butters would elevate our ceiling but at a massive cost. Berry raises our floor and stability and arguably fits our needs better. He will allow Naicos to be Naicos

The chestnut that is Alex Davies’ has come up again because he is OOC. He is 24 yrs of age and has played 44 games. The biggest knock-on Davies is his poor. Disposal. His kicking efficiency this year is at 39% (very poor). His career kicking efficiency is a low 52%. Would we be able to fix his poor disposal at 25?

He is averaging 18 possessions in his 4 games this year with only 59% game time. He has already lost midfield role (Centre Bounce attendances halved) from 69% to 35% this year. He is a very good size at 193cms and 5 tackles per game is good. However, I feel there is a risk he becomes he becomes a list clogger if he comes to the Pies.

The best comparison I have for Davies is Ned Long. Here are their comparative career stats:
Davies 24 yrs/ 44 games/ 193cm: 5.8 kicks; 8.1 HB; 5 T; 2.2 I50; 2.7 Clearances; 52% kicking efficiency
Long 23 yrs/ 42 games/ 194cm: 6.3 kicks; 8.6 HB; 6.3 T; 2.6 I50; 2.4 clearances; 51% kicking efficiency

They’re basically: Same size; Same output; Same disposal issues. By recruiting Davies we will be getting another fringe mid, not upgrading the position

 

[Bianconeri]

He is an upgrade on all three

Hence why I think he’s a big need

 

[Ted Parker]

I reckon Butters is every chance to end up at the Blues. Vossy coached him at Port and Trav Boak is the Blues Performance and Culture Manager. GWright will be acutely aware of what Butters could bring to the Club to re-set sentiment on and off the field going into 2027.
The Blues have pick currency with #8 & #9. Even with F/S concession adjustments coming through, the Blues might not have to burn both early picks to secure F/S and AFL Academy Cody Walker.

While Essendon at pick #4 and Port at pick #6 are ahead of them, they'll have their own 1st round F/S & NGA picks to secure.
Even WCE at pick #1 have an AFL Academy & NGA prospect in Garrison Kenh, who is likely to attract early interest.
Richmond at pick #2, North Melbourne at pick #3, Melbourne at pick #5 and St Kilda at pick #7 remain a possibility to throw a spanner in the works should they elect to bid on any 1st round Club linked NGA prospects.

Point being, while we'll have the $$$, in order to get a seat at the table we can't compete with any of those Clubs on the trade front on current & future draft picks alone.
Pick wise, we'll still sit outside the top 10, and even if bundled with a future 1st, we'd need to bundle a player of the ilk of Beau McCreery back across the border in order to be in the conversation.

Indicative 2026 AFL Draft Order - Before Trade Period

 

[Dtennent94]

I reckon Butters is every chance to end up at the Blues. Vossy coached him at Port and Trav Boak is the Blues Performance and Culture Manager. GWright will be acutely aware of what Butters could bring to the Club to re-set sentiment on and off the field going into 2027.
The Blues have pick currency with #8 & #9. Even with F/S concession adjustments coming through, the Blues might not have to burn both early picks to secure F/S and AFL Academy Cody Walker.

While Essendon at pick #4 and Port at pick #6 are ahead of them, they'll have their own 1st round F/S & NGA picks to secure.
Even WCE at pick #1 have an AFL Academy & NGA prospect in Garrison Kenh, who is likely to attract early interest.
Richmond at pick #2, North Melbourne at pick #3, Melbourne at pick #5 and St Kilda at pick #7 remain a possibility to throw a spanner in the works should they elect to bid on any 1st round Club linked NGA prospects.

Point being, while we'll have the $$$, in order to get a seat at the table we can't compete with any of those Clubs on the trade front on current & future draft picks alone.
Pick wise, we'll still sit outside the top 10, and even if bundled with a future 1st, we'd need to bundle a player of the ilk of Beau McCreery back across the border in order to get a deal done.

Indicative 2026 AFL Draft Order - Before Trade Period

Bold of you to assume Voss will be coaching Carlton by the time Trade/FA rolls around.

 

[Chrispiesssss]

 

[Peters_Nuts]

Hopefully I'm not the only one on this island but I just hope we don't go for him.

He's a very good 3rd tall. If we pay for him to line up at CHF or FF then we'll regret it.

 

[stormskye]

 

[BillyElliott]

 

[Pistol Night]

Hopefully I'm not the only one on this island but I just hope we don't go for him.

He's a very good 3rd tall. If we pay for him to line up at CHF or FF then we'll regret it.

The very definition of a flat track bully.

 

[Ted Parker]

Bold of you to assume Voss will be coaching Carlton by the time Trade/FA rolls around.

I reckon that'd be a compounding mistake. Their list management has been at the root of their problems; he hasn't been in charge of that. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Similarly, take Naicos out of our list and see how well Fly does in comparison once the supporter base turns sour stemming from on field demise.

 

[soreplums]

I reckon Butters is every chance to end up at the Blues. Vossy coached him at Port and Trav Boak is the Blues Performance and Culture Manager. GWright will be acutely aware of what Butters could bring to the Club to re-set sentiment on and off the field going into 2027.
The Blues have pick currency with #8 & #9. Even with F/S concession adjustments coming through, the Blues might not have to burn both early picks to secure F/S and AFL Academy Cody Walker.

While Essendon at pick #4 and Port at pick #6 are ahead of them, they'll have their own 1st round F/S & NGA picks to secure.
Even WCE at pick #1 have an AFL Academy & NGA prospect in Garrison Kenh, who is likely to attract early interest.
Richmond at pick #2, North Melbourne at pick #3, Melbourne at pick #5 and St Kilda at pick #7 remain a possibility to throw a spanner in the works should they elect to bid on any 1st round Club linked NGA prospects.

Point being, while we'll have the $$$, in order to get a seat at the table we can't compete with any of those Clubs on the trade front on current & future draft picks alone.
Pick wise, we'll still sit outside the top 10, and even if bundled with a future 1st, we'd need to bundle a player of the ilk of Beau McCreery back across the border in order to be in the conversation.

Indicative 2026 AFL Draft Order - Before Trade Period

I can’t see Voss being there and Butters wanting to go there unless they offer him $3million per year