2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Rorzza]

Zac should be the target if Brisbane aren't willing to match....Lions get compensation, CFC gets a really good overpriced mid/forward that kicks goals and also keeps their 2026 draft hand.

 

[Jen2310]

Cal said on gettable there is massive doubt - aflpa is pushing back- about the first 9 picks being protected.
Even if they weren’t they would still match on butters because not only would they need picks for this year but next year too for Salopek and their ngas

 

[gouki88]

Zac should be the target if Brisbane aren't willing to match....Lions get compensation, CFC gets a really good overpriced mid/forward that kicks goals and also keeps their 2026 draft hand.

He’s the one I would really like us to pursue. Butters is simply too expensive. Bailey would be like a smaller ‘23 De Goey I reckon. Capable of 25+ goals a year with 20-25 damaging touches a game, likely playing more midfield here than he would at Brisbane.

 

[Rorzza]

He’s the one I would really like us to pursue. Butters is simply too expensive. Bailey would be like a smaller ‘23 De Goey I reckon. Capable of 25+ goals a year with 20-25 damaging touches a game, likely playing more midfield here than he would at Brisbane.

Yes goal kicking midfielders are worth their weight in gold. Great comparison with De Goey because Zac seems to thrive in big games too.

 

[#BallMagnet]

Yes goal kicking midfielders are worth their weight in gold. Great comparison with De Goey because Zac seems to thrive in big games too.

Yep Bailey needs to be the target. Proven big game player, should’ve had a Normie if he had only kicked straight.

 

[Masked Magician]

Hoping we are one of the rivals circling Calsher Dear.

I hope not, limited footy player with a lowish footy IQ. Doesn’t get involved enough in the play. Pass for mine.

 

[Masked Magician]

The path to get butters could look like this. Offer a deal through FA for butters than nets Port say pick 3 or 4 depending on where they finish.
Then out of good will, trade overs for a player on their books for a first rounder.
E.G trading for Joe Richards (pick any player) to come back but giving port a first rounder for him.

 

[Jen2310]

The path to get butters could look like this. Offer a deal through FA for butters than nets Port say pick 3 or 4 depending on where they finish.
Then out of good will, trade overs for a player on their books for a first rounder.
E.G trading for Joe Richards (pick any player) to come back but giving port a first rounder for him.

And if they finish bottom 2 take 2 players before Cochran they are stuffed.
They also need picks for next year. They will match

 

[Rorzza]

I'd imagine if the club lands a Zac they would be chips all in again for another premiership......The GWS key forward is currently out of contract, Hogan, hasn't had a good start to the year, flogged by big Billy but I don't know how much that has to do with GWS ball movement or there is something else going on. If the club does their due diligence Jesse might be an option for a year or two or not.

 

[Masked Magician]

And if they finish bottom 2 take 2 players before Cochran they are stuffed.
They also need picks for next year. They will match

Butters is likely to head to a team with late first rounders to offer. I’m not sure that’s as appealing as a compo pick that would be within the top 4 or 5 of this draft

 

[gouki88]

Yes goal kicking midfielders are worth their weight in gold. Great comparison with De Goey because Zac seems to thrive in big games too

He's kind of the anti-Zak Butters in that way, because Butters cannot hit the scoreboard lately (1.14 since R25 2024)

 

[stormskye]

Butters is likely to head to a team with late first rounders to offer. I’m not sure that’s as appealing as a compo pick that would be within the top 4 or 5 of this draft

you assume port would accept late firsts. If the dogs want butters they will likely have to lose some quality themselves.

And again it’s been mentioned multiple times on here. Compo rules are likely changing.

“AFL.com.au understands the AFL is looking to make 'band one' compensation picks fall outside of the top eight picks, which would allow the non-finalists (bottom eight on the ladder) to get their selections in before being pushed down the order”

 

[Apex36]

I think the precedent was set with Petracca. Picks 7, 8 and a 1st rounder in 2026, although he was contracted, Port would be looking for that kind of compensation, i dare say more.

Not sure why people assume Port will be in a position to negotiate for that kind of deal for an out of contract player tbh.
Yes Butters is elite, and younger than Trac but the only reason Melbourne got that Kings ransom is because Trav was contracted, and GC were desperate to land him and had picks to burn that no other club could even dream of giving up.

 

[Jen2310]

you assume port would accept late firsts. If the dogs want butters they will likely have to lose some quality themselves.

And again it’s been mentioned multiple times on here. Compo rules are likely changing.

“AFL.com.au understands the AFL is looking to make 'band one' compensation picks fall outside of the top eight picks, which would allow the non-finalists (bottom eight on the ladder) to get their selections in before being pushed down the order”

on gettable they talked about that rule for compo in massive doubt

 

[Chrispiesssss]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1487823

 

[Chunky Steak]

I'd imagine if the club lands a Zac they would be chips all in again for another premiership......The GWS key forward is currently out of contract, Hogan, hasn't had a good start to the year, flogged by big Billy but I don't know how much that has to do with GWS ball movement or there is something else going on. If the club does their due diligence Jesse might be an option for a year or two or not.

From what I know of Jesse Hogan and his history and personality, I can't see him coming back to the cauldron of Melbourne, much less the spotlight of being a Magpie.

 

[greening22]

Bailey please

I am wondering - if rather than trying to acquire Ben King from the Gold Coast - that we instead try to target JED WALTER. At 20 years of age & 197 cm & extremely well-built, he is a young key forward who is struggling to get a game at the Suns with the emergence of Ethan Reid as a back-up to Ben King. In addition, they have signed Jamara Ugle-Hagan & so it is going to be pretty hard to get a key-forward position at the Suns. I read something earlier in the week or perhaps last weekend, that he might be responsive to a move to a club where he could definitely play in a key forward position & especially at centre-half forward. I look forward to your thoughts. Goodnight & good luck.

 

[Bianconeri]

From what I know of Jesse Hogan and his history and personality, I can't see him coming back to the cauldron of Melbourne, much less the spotlight of being a Magpie.

I’m not sure how anyone could see his body language against us and think he’d thrive over here.

 

[Chunky Steak]

Setting aside whether we should have given Titch another year (I'm comfortable that we didn't), it's hard to argue that he wouldn't make a really solid contribution to some of these struggling teams. There are some really ordinary footballers getting games right now, partly because of an obsession with "yoof and da fewcha".

 

[gouki88]

Setting aside whether we should have given Titch another year (I'm comfortable that we didn't), it's hard to argue that he wouldn't make a really solid contribution to some of these struggling teams. There are some really ordinary footballers getting games right now, partly because of an obsession with "yoof and da fewcha".

I'm not sure where he'd be getting games based on his most recent VFL outings, which were not impressive

 

[Dtennent94]

I'm not sure where he'd be getting games based on his most recent VFL outings, which were not impressive

Maybe at the bombers? Parker, Prestia, Yeo, etc have all got him covered.

Arguably we are the team who could use him the most, as a team trying to challenge but with a dearth of good inside mids, yet we still chopped him.

 

[granniewolf]

Setting aside whether we should have given Titch another year (I'm comfortable that we didn't), it's hard to argue that he wouldn't make a really solid contribution to some of these struggling teams. There are some really ordinary footballers getting games right now, partly because of an obsession with "yoof and da fewcha".

He can always nominate for the MSD.
Or maybe he could make himself available as a handball coach somewhere.

 

[PieBeast]

Setting aside whether we should have given Titch another year (I'm comfortable that we didn't), it's hard to argue that he wouldn't make a really solid contribution to some of these struggling teams. There are some really ordinary footballers getting games right now, partly because of an obsession with "yoof and da fewcha".

If that's not directed at Fly and his protege Long I'll go he.

 

[Chunky Steak]

I'm not aware of how he's been going in the VFL so I'll defer to you guys - if it's not been great then that puts a dampener on things somewhat.

 

[brysie]

With Sam Berry out of contract at the end of this season, what are Adelaide's options if he was to agree a deal with another club?

He has been at the club for 6 years so doesn't qualify for restricted or unrestricted free agency. Is it the case that Adelaide can match whatever offer he agrees to and then force a trade which, if one can't be agreed, he can then nominate for the draft as an uncontracted player?