2026 Trade / FA Thread

[GreekLunatic]

Derek hine recruiting has set us back isn’t the objective to draft what you need in later picks and not some players who might haven’t been drafted

 

[soreplums]

Derek hine recruiting has set us back isn’t the objective to draft what you need in later picks and not some players who might haven’t been drafted

Or is it our development coaches?

 

[GreekLunatic]

Or is it our development coaches?

Steene has developed well that’s one

 

[Go Woods]

We have one.
If we had Morris, he would be where West is.
VFL.

Add McCarthy, he will take time tho.

 

[Go Woods]

Derek hine recruiting has set us back isn’t the objective to draft what you need in later picks and not some players who might haven’t been drafted

It's taken the new regime to realise this, hence why Hine was moved on.

 

[PieBeast]

Derek hine recruiting has set us back isn’t the objective to draft what you need in later picks and not some players who might haven’t been drafted

You know what set us back even more?
Our recent willy nilly trading away of future firsts.
The upcoming pain would be a lot easier to take if we had 5/6 first rounders developing in the Magoos. right now.

 

[gouki88]

You know what set us back even more?
Our recent willy nilly trading away of future firsts.
The upcoming pain would be a lot easier to take if we had 5/6 first rounders developing in the Magoos. right now.

5/6 first rounders lol

 

[kalex6251]

were any firm offers for elliot, de goey and cameron made by other clubs during last years trade period?

 

[stormskye]

You know what set us back even more?
Our recent willy nilly trading away of future firsts.
The upcoming pain would be a lot easier to take if we had 5/6 first rounders developing in the Magoos. right now.

Like reef, Allan and HDM?

 

[soreplums]

Steene has developed well that’s one

Allan, De Mattia, Ryan?
Obviously they all had something that Hine and recruiters could see in them, just wonder if the balance lies with him in getting the pick wrong, or our development hasnt been precise as it could have been?

 

[gouki88]

Like reef, Allan and HDM?

Think how good our reserves would be with 6 HDMs

 

[swoop42]

Hard to see any of King, Bailey or Butters choosing us.

King and Bailey if motivated by team success would be better off staying where they are. If it's money then our offer would need to be significantly greater that what teams with a better list profile can provide IMO.

That's unlikely and even if plausible I can't see us being prepared to offer something that's significantly above what Nick, the games arguable best player is currently on. I don't see us wanting those optics when we're already looking to extend him beyond 2029. His contract would need to be adjusted alongside the incoming player IMO further adding to the cost.

I don't see Butters being any chance personally if it's a choice between the Dogs, Cats, Hawks and us. Sorry.

So it'll be looking for diamonds in the rough currently on stacked lists (2 Brisbane teams) and deciding whether to trade or hold our 2026 1st for draft night.

While everyone is hanging out for a quality key forward, key defence is also just as big an issue given the expected retirement of Howe and a now 30yo Moore currently sidelined with soft tissue concerns.

Trying to prize out a Butts or Keane from Adelaide could be an option, with Walter another if King re-signs.

Hopefully the likes of West and Reef can kick on this season to help reduce our focus as midfield talent is also a pressing need.

 

[gouki88]

Hard to see any of King, Bailey or Butters choosing us.

King and Bailey if motivated by team success would be better off staying where they are. If it's money then our offer would need to be significantly greater that what teams with a better list profile can provide IMO.

That's unlikely and even if plausible I can't see us being prepared to offer something that's significantly above what Nick, the games arguable best player is currently on. I don't see us wanting those optics when we're already looking to extend him beyond 2029. His contract would need to be adjusted alongside the incoming player IMO further adding to the cost.

I don't see Butters being any chance personally if it's a choice between the Dogs, Cats, Hawks and us. Sorry.

So it'll be looking for diamonds in the rough currently on stacked lists (2 Brisbane teams) and deciding whether to trade or hold our 2026 1st for draft night.

While everyone is hanging out for a quality key forward, key defence is also just as big an issue given the expected retirement of Howe and a now 30yo Moore currently sidelined with soft tissue concerns.

Trying to prize out a Butts or Keane from Adelaide could be an option, with Walter another if King re-signs.

Hopefully the likes of West and Reef can kick on this season to help reduce our focus as midfield talent is also a pressing need.

I can see the former two, if they're after coin, being interested. The two Queensland teams will be strapped for cash with how deep their lists are.

As you say, there are alternatives. Butts would be great, Walter would be intriguing. There are lots of other B-C graders listed on FootyWire who I think could help:

• Alex Davies
• Brayden Cook
• Bruce Reville
• Nathan O'Driscoll
• Jake Riccardi
• Calsher Dear
• Bayley Fritsch (might get banned for this)
• Luke Parker (fits our age profile!)
• Buku Khamis

And more. If we do, as reported, have cash to splash, I think we could get some players!

 

[MoreMoore]

Trade DeGoey
Throw the kitchen sink at King, Butters, Khamis, Butts

 

[Doc1763]

Trade DeGoey
Throw the kitchen sink at King, Butters, Khamis, Butts

what do you think we'd get for JDG now? It would be a 3rd rounder.

 

[MoreMoore]

Trade DeGoey
Throw the kitchen sink at King, Butters, Khamis, Butts

2027
B. IQ. Frampton/Butts Maynard
HB. Houston. Moore. Khamis/Reef
C. Steele. Butters. Jaicos
HF. Mcreery. King. Shultz
F. Hill. McStay. West

R. Steene. Naicos. Perryman
Int. Allan. Elliot. Hayes. Anderson Parker

 

[legendstatus]

I’m coming into this off a long run-up, so there’s definitely some emotion behind it. Watching Italy national football teamfall short again at a World Cup got me thinking about what Craig McRae

Craig Mcrae

Age

52

Ht

176cm

Wt

73kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.9

4star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

16.2

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.4

5star

and the Collingwood Football Club leadership are trying to build.

“We don’t want picks, we want players” that’s the line. But how exactly does that work when we don’t have strong trade capital or valuable picks to begin with?

What it’s led to, in practice, is us targeting second-tier players, guys who can’t cement a spot elsewhere, or players exploring options who ultimately fall short of higher-end interest and land with us. That’s not a list strategy that sustains success.

There are uncomfortable parallels with Italy persisting with an ageing core that can still perform in patches, but too often falls short when it matters most.

Yes, we’ve been hit by injuries — Nick Daicos, Darcy Moore

30

Darcy Moore

Age

30

Ht

203cm

Wt

100kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.1

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

4.8

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

169.1

3star

D

13.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

0.7

1star

MG

182.0

3star

D

6.8

2star

K

4.2

2star

HB

2.6

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.8

4star

MG

87.4

2star

, Bobby Hill, and Scott Pendlebury

10

Scott Pendlebury

Age

38

Ht

191cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

26.5

5star

K

13.2

5star

HB

13.3

5star

M

4.1

4star

T

4.9

5star

CL

4.9

5star

D

25.1

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

12.9

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.3

3star

CL

3.6

4star

D

12.4

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

4.8

4star

M

5.8

5star

T

2.6

4star

out is significant. But good sides absorb that. Brisbane Lions have had their own outs and still find a way.

What’s more frustrating is the missed opportunities. Someone like Logan Morris was a sensible, later-pick option — exactly the type of list build we should be nailing and yet we passed. It’s a small example, but it reflects a broader issue. We know key position players are an area of need, and it feels like we repeatedly sidestep it, even when the potential is obvious to most observers here.

At some point, we have to be honest about where the list is at. There are probably 8–10 players who either aren’t up to the level or are past it. Turning that over isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.

That likely means committing to a 3–6 year reset, something we’ve avoided but may no longer have a choice about.

For the first time, I’m starting to wonder whether I’ll see both Italy and Collingwood lift silverware again in my lifetime. And honestly, that’s a pretty sobering thought

 

[BillyElliott]

I’m coming into this off a long run-up, so there’s definitely some emotion behind it. Watching Italy national football teamfall short again at a World Cup got me thinking about what Craig McRae and the Collingwood Football Club leadership are trying to build.

“We don’t want picks, we want players” that’s the line. But how exactly does that work when we don’t have strong trade capital or valuable picks to begin with?

What it’s led to, in practice, is us targeting second-tier players, guys who can’t cement a spot elsewhere, or players exploring options who ultimately fall short of higher-end interest and land with us. That’s not a list strategy that sustains success.

There are uncomfortable parallels with Italy persisting with an ageing core that can still perform in patches, but too often falls short when it matters most.

Yes, we’ve been hit by injuries — Nick Daicos, Darcy Moore, Bobby Hill, and Scott Pendlebury out is significant. But good sides absorb that. Brisbane Lions have had their own outs and still find a way.

What’s more frustrating is the missed opportunities. Someone like Logan Morris was a sensible, later-pick option — exactly the type of list build we should be nailing and yet we passed. It’s a small example, but it reflects a broader issue. We know key position players are an area of need, and it feels like we repeatedly sidestep it, even when the potential is obvious to most observers here.

At some point, we have to be honest about where the list is at. There are probably 8–10 players who either aren’t up to the level or are past it. Turning that over isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.

That likely means committing to a 3–6 year reset, something we’ve avoided but may no longer have a choice about.

For the first time, I’m starting to wonder whether I’ll see both Italy and Collingwood lift silverware again in my lifetime. And honestly, that’s a pretty sobering thought

 

[stormskye]

It’s insane some of the posting on here after a loss

 

[BillyElliott]

It’s insane some of the posting on here after a loss

I don't recall anyone writing Lions off when we beat them last year by 52 points

 

[Toast of Melbourne]

The controversial part is paying them overs.

E.g.

• Offer Butters $2m/year (when he is prob worth $1.6m)
• Offer King $1.7m/year (when he is prob worth $1.4m).

I would rather pay 2 players a combined $700k more then they are worth (to guarantee we get them).

If this means we push out or salary dump players like McStay or De Goey to even the ledger then so be it.

In all honestly, with all the retirements on the horizon over the next few years (Pendles, Howe, Membrey, Sidebottom, Elliott and Crisp) and lack of high-end talent coming through over the next 2-3 years, I don’t think it will put us in salary cap trouble.

probably controversial because you're paying one of those two more than Nick.. you would think all the guys in brackets will be gone in 2 years so maybe the money is there. Still think midfield where we need to be targeting quality at the end of the year, Butters for mine

 

[TheSausageDog]

I can see the former two, if they're after coin, being interested. The two Queensland teams will be strapped for cash with how deep their lists are.

As you say, there are alternatives. Butts would be great, Walter would be intriguing. There are lots of other B-C graders listed on FootyWire who I think could help:

• Alex Davies
• Brayden Cook
• Bruce Reville
• Nathan O'Driscoll
• Jake Riccardi
• Calsher Dear
• Bayley Fritsch (might get banned for this)
• Luke Parker (fits our age profile!)
• Buku Khamis

And more. If we do, as reported, have cash to splash, I think we could get some players!

You've been reported!!!

 

[footballsack35]

You would think we do everything we can to poach Jed walter. Hopefully if JUH kicks on at GC Walter wont resign and we can get him for a reasonable price. Would be a missed opportunity if we dont get him.

 

[Axl the great]

Hard to see any of King, Bailey or Butters choosing us.

King and Bailey if motivated by team success would be better off staying where they are. If it's money then our offer would need to be significantly greater that what teams with a better list profile can provide IMO.

That's unlikely and even if plausible I can't see us being prepared to offer something that's significantly above what Nick, the games arguable best player is currently on. I don't see us wanting those optics when we're already looking to extend him beyond 2029. His contract would need to be adjusted alongside the incoming player IMO further adding to the cost.

I don't see Butters being any chance personally if it's a choice between the Dogs, Cats, Hawks and us. Sorry.

So it'll be looking for diamonds in the rough currently on stacked lists (2 Brisbane teams) and deciding whether to trade or hold our 2026 1st for draft night.

While everyone is hanging out for a quality key forward, key defence is also just as big an issue given the expected retirement of Howe and a now 30yo Moore currently sidelined with soft tissue concerns.

Trying to prize out a Butts or Keane from Adelaide could be an option, with Walter another if King re-signs.

Hopefully the likes of West and Reef can kick on this season to help reduce our focus as midfield talent is also a pressing need.

Rather target Logan McDonald than Jed Walter who’s done nothing to suggest he will be any good.

 

[Gymnorhina tibic]

I've read a few times how we went with HDM over Morris, I kinda get it as while LM was a list need he wasn't rated as high at the time, that happens. Freijah went at 45 in the same draft, we wouldnt be complaining about that over LM. I'm still losing sleep on how we went Stevenson over Naughton, both similar rated but the latter a clear need (yes I know his disposal wasn't rated pre draft).