2026 Trade / FA Thread

[nickyds35]

Just annoying that Gold Coast are likely to be top 4, and Port have got a super easy run this year, so both are very likely to match bids.

If Port had a normal draw, I think they would be every chance to be bottom 4, making them less likely to match a bid with Cochrane likely pick 1 this year.

I really think we need atleast 2 good acquisition this off season to remain competative, given our younger players 2nd to 5th year players dont look that good.

Ideally you get one of King/Butters for free (trade wise) as a free agents (very unlikely I know), and then trade 2 future firsts for another high-ender like Humphrey.

 

[Jafo]

Pies have paid off remaining $700k of Grundy’s contract. Ready for FA raid later this year.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[sherrife]

I really want to land Bailey Humphrey. Obviously Butters would be elite but Humphrey would be cheaper and I’d be hoping that would let us get a key defender like Jordan Butts too.

Humphrey might be cheaper in terms of salary, but far, far more expensive in terms of trade capital. He's contracted. I'd prefer to target a free agent rather than gamble with future firsts with our list profile.

Also people thinking we're freeing up cash when our vets retire are getting it backwards. Most of the vets are on contracts well below their historic value. I suspect they're a massive net positive for our cash-talent ratio. When we replace them, we do so either with kids who will take years to develop, or with immediately ready players that we over-pay for on the market.

 

[Exambolor]

Nice to hear that were a chance to get players in general, rather than hearing "our cap is tight"

Also I don’t quite understand how we’re less of a chance to get Butters but Geelong is a better chance? They don’t have much in assets either and they need a ruck badly

 

[tmpies01]

Love to hear that we’re in the mix of clubs interested in these players listed on Gettable.

King I expect to sign with the Suns.
I’d say we’re right in it for Butters but with what draft capital as Port will match.
Humphrey will be difficult as Suns won’t want to let him go. He would be my second preference after Butters though.

Honestly i think Bailey is more likely for us ATM. But he does have SA links and the Crows have already put a huge deal in front of him as reported this morning.

We just have to land one. Unless there’s some unknown player we’re working on behind the scenes.

I think there could be a chance we don’t have Bobby at the end of this year. Long year obviously.

 

[stormskye]

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We’re getting Amartey aren’t we

 

[Pistol Night]

Collingwood is set to be big spenders in the upcoming trade period, with Footy Classified’s Callum Twomey reporting the Pies have more than $1 million in salary cap space.

The Magpies have reportedly paid off the remaining debt they owed Brodie Grundy

4

Brodie Grundy

Age

32

Ht

202cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

9.6

5star

CL

4.1

5star

HO

32.0

5star

D

16.4

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

9.6

5star

CL

4.0

5star

HO

34.6

5star

D

13.8

4star

K

5.2

2star

HB

8.6

5star

CL

2.6

5star

HO

20.6

5star

and Adam Treloar

1

Adam Treloar

Age

33

Ht

185cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

28.2

5star

K

12.9

5star

HB

15.3

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.9

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

30.3

5star

K

16.3

5star

HB

14.0

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.3

4star

CL

5.8

5star

D

18.0

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

6.8

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

1.6

4star

, freeing up space in the 2027 salary cap.

Grundy was coming out of contract at the end of the 2027 year but the Pies have reportedly paid it off early, while Treloar’s deal - worth $300,000 to Collingwood, finished last year.

Twomey suggested on Footy Classified the Magpies would be major players in the race for Zak Butters

9

Zak Butters

Age

25

Ht

181cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.3

4star

K

7.7

3star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

14.7

4star

K

8.9

4star

HB

5.9

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.1

3star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

’ signature if the gun midfielder wanted out of Port Adelaide.

Collingwood has cash to splash this upcoming trade period - and Port’s Zak Butters

9

Zak Butters

Age

25

Ht

181cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.3

4star

K

7.7

3star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

14.7

4star

K

8.9

4star

HB

5.9

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.1

3star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

could be among the top targets. Picture: Getty Images
He also floated key forward 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

, goal kicker Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

and Gold Coast youngster Bailey Humphrey.

He also suggested the Pies may look to give Nick Daicos a bump in pay, considering he’s expected to be at the centre of significant Tasmanian advances ahead of their inaugural 2028 campaign.

“You’re going to need upwards of $2 million to attract Zak Butters

9

Zak Butters

Age

25

Ht

181cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.3

4star

K

7.7

3star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

14.7

4star

K

8.9

4star

HB

5.9

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.1

3star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

out of Port Adelaide and get him to your club,” Twomey said.

“Nick Daicos is already putting in the work.

“Last year they were chock full - they couldn’t bring anyone in.

“This year, get ready for the pursuit.”

 

[Jen2310]

Cal said Dogs and Geelong are front runners for Butters. Riley predicts Butters will be at the dogs
Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

we have interest in, he has a big offer from the crows. His preference is to stay but its a wait and see.

GETTABLE: Early Butters leaders named, Merrett's next move, why this Saint gets mega offer

Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge discuss the 2026 big stories and offer big predictions on Gettable

www.afl.com.au

 

[nahnah]

Gettable is a truly insufferable show. Its round 1 and they are already doing this where the story will change every week with different clubs leading the race for these players to fill episodes. No point even worrying about it until close to finals

 

[BillyElliott]

Cal said Dogs and Geelong are front runners for Butters. Riley predicts Butters will be at the dogs
Zac Bailey we have interest in, he has a big offer from the crows. His preference is to stay but its a wait and see.

GETTABLE: Early Butters leaders named, Merrett's next move, why this Saint gets mega offer

Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge discuss the 2026 big stories and offer big predictions on Gettable

www.afl.com.au

They were very confident about other players going to certain clubs last year too, which didn't happen as they said.

 

[Jen2310]

They were very confident about other players going to certain clubs last year too, which didn't happen as they said.

things change through the year. Its a long year.

 

[SchuPie]

Fully prepared to have a war chest and land no one

Id be really confident if they were UFAs but they're RFAs and that's going to make every one tough bc I imagine our bids will be matched

Humphrey has a 4 year contract that we'd need to be able to break / satisfy the demands of GCS

 

[Exambolor]

Gettable is a truly insufferable show. Its round 1 and they are already doing this where the story will change every week with different clubs leading the race for these players to fill episodes. No point even worrying about it until close to finals

It's literally gonna be 24 weeks of 'Where's Zak Butters going?"

Jay Clark is even worse on First Crack, he somehow manages to shoe in trade talk in match discussion

'Yeah Kingy and Joey, they played very well but where's Zak Butters going?"

 

[nahnah]

It's literally gonna be 24 weeks of 'Where's Zak Butters going?"

Jay Clark is even worse on First Crack, he somehow manages to shoe in trade talk in match discussion

'Yeah Kingy and Joey, they played very well but where's Zak Butters going?"

It's so over reported these days. i remember back in 2006ish you'd just find out after the deals were done. Log onto AFL website and see we randomly traded Rhyce to Sydney. Now we have Cal being an AFL wannabe Woj

 

[WanderingDude]

It's literally gonna be 24 weeks of 'Where's Zak Butters going?"

Jay Clark is even worse on First Crack, he somehow manages to shoe in trade talk in match discussion

'Yeah Kingy and Joey, they played very well but where's Zak Butters going?"

Channel 7 did it last year in match. Tom Morris I believe started doing a trade update in play and was joined in conversation by the commentators.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

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Why do they say we wouldn’t have to broker a deal?

Yes we would because there’s no way Gold Coast don’t force one

As will Port for Butters

 

[Jen2310]

It's so over reported these days. i remember back in 2006ish you'd just find out after the deals were done. Log onto AFL website and see we randomly traded Rhyce to Sydney. Now we have Cal being an AFL wannabe Woj

social media brings such a larger landscape when it comes to footy news these days. And the fans lap it up lol

 

[Peters_Nuts]

Why do they say we wouldn’t have to broker a deal?

Yes we would because there’s no way Gold Coast don’t force one

As will Port for Butters

Yeah I didn't take the article seriously after that part.

GC could realistically get 2 x first round, 1 x second round pick and a fringe player out of it.

 

[WanderingDude]

I don’t read social media platforms, I do webpages/forums only. That distinction makes sense to me away. The stuff posted here is a wonderful collection. The quality and source of each piece you assess. You then selectively take it on board with the wonderful proof that you are always right.

 

[frizzle]

Why do they say we wouldn’t have to broker a deal?

Yes we would because there’s no way Gold Coast don’t force one

As will Port for Butters

Port will match, I think they have that cap room & have been planning for a Butters exit sceenario. But I'm not as confident that GCS will have the cap space to match a huge bid for King. He may sign with them for less & there isn't much the club can do about that. But I think a big offer would trump anything GCS can fit in their cap & in real world terms would have to accept the compensation pick.

 

[WanderingDude]

Port will match, I think they have that cap room & have been planning for a Butters exit sceenario. But I'm not as confident that GCS will have the cap space to match a huge bid for King. He may sign with them for less & there isn't much the club can do about that. But I think a big offer would trump anything GCS can fit in their cap & in real world terms would have to accept the compensation pick.

There is an opportunity there. Many tall forwards and good midfielders. Maybe a deal for two players to ease salary cap. One top and one lower player.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Peters_Nuts]

If not us, I'd rather Crows get him than him staying at Brisbane or going to a club like Essendon.

 

[Jen2310]

If not us, I'd rather Crows get him than him staying at Brisbane or going to a club like Essendon.

Same with Butters. If not us, I'd rather the dogs, than Geelong.