2026 Trade / FA Thread

[granniewolf]

Kid is 19, has played maybe 8 games - picked in June. Has great hands, height bulk, could molded to play either end. It’s way too early to cut him with those traits knowing talls take time.

Not to be pedantic but Howes will be 21 in October.
I agree he shouldn't be cut, he has heaps of potential.

 

[manicpie]

Not to be pedantic but Howes will be 21 in October.
I agree he shouldn't be cut, he has heaps of potential.

I'd play Howes FF in the VFL. I'd play West CHF and get him to lead up as much as possible. I reckon Howes could be a better FF

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

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

has 100% signed with the Pies given that he now kicking goals at 60% compared to 88% before this week.

 

[SchuPie]

King this year and Rowell next year and we're back in contention

Perfect
Use our 2026 first on best mid (or KPD gun) - I’m happy to add our 2027 first to move up to get the player we want
…or trade for Humphrey (similar)

 

[Harry O]

Ben King has ten times more forward craft than any of our key forwards. Probably better than any of our forwards bar possibly Bobby and Elliott.

His leading patterns and ability to lose his opponents is elite.

Straight goal kicking makes him an even better prospect.

First thing we need to do is lock in an extension for Nick inclusive of a pay rise for the existing next 3 years of contract He deserves it and then we know what cap space we have left to play with for King etc

 

[No SPIN]

I'd play Howes FF in the VFL. I'd play West CHF and get him to lead up as much as possible. I reckon Howes could be a better FF

Nice problem to be contemplating- both have potential.

 

[footballsack35]

Hopefully get a top 10 pick and draft the best available talent, hopefully a gun midfielder to go with Naicos.
Then, hopefully with have another pick in the 20s which we can use to draft the best Key position player left on the board.
Hopefully pick up a couple young players through FA or trading

 

[KinderSmock]

We have two indigenous players on our vfl list. There was a rumour we are hiding one of them..

We actually have more than two without being a smart arse.

Brady Grey, Robbie Varcoe, Hamish Collins and Josiah Landy.

 

[gouki88]

Don’t get me wrong he’s a contested beast. But he should get so many more frees against for holding the ball and incorrect disposal.

Cripps 2.0

 

[sr36]

He can kick both sides with penetration - he had one errant kick. But the deep kick on his left to McStay in the pocket who then kicked a goal was excellent. Once he adjusts to the pace of the game he’ll improve.

That one was a miskick that got lucky.

He was a better kick in the SANFL last year than he's shown yet. It's never going to be a strength, but it'll be competent (hopefully).

 

[No SPIN]

That one was a miskick that got lucky.

He was a better kick in the SANFL last year than he's shown yet. It's never going to be a strength, but it'll be competent (hopefully).

I thought it was miskick until I watched it again and it was clear he was aiming for the pocket/ McStay. It was a miskick to the extent it was a tumbling punt and not a drop punt.
But I thought he took a step forward with his kicking compared to last week.

 

[jjsmitty8]

Brodie McLaughlin a midseason option? I don’t watch much VFL, but someone would have to be interested, no?

 

[gouki88]

Brodie McLaughlin a midseason option? I don’t watch much VFL, but someone would have to be interested, no?

He was training with Hawthorn and is playing for Box Hill, so they might have a look (even if they do have some forwards already). Would've thought that after 70 VFL goals he'd be looked at, but he hasn't stuck at GC nor Hawthorn

 

[Harry O]

Unfortunately this draft class looks very barren for midfielders
Unlikely to be any decent mids at our first pick

 

[gouki88]

Unfortunately this draft class looks very barren for midfielders
Unlikely to be any decent mids at our first pick

Where are you projecting our pick?

 

[gouki88]

Brayden Cook sells me more and more each week. Great goal tonight, and some good play in traffic. I would love to target both he & Berry

 

[JLC]

Brayden Cook sells me more and more each week. Great goal tonight, and some good play in traffic. I would love to target both he & Berry

Brayden Cook was exceptional - hardly wasted a disposal.

The more I watch Berry the more I like him as he carries the ball from stoppage.

But what would we have to give up to get either or both?

 

[Chrispiesssss]

Charlie Edwards had a good debut game. Hope the pies are in his ear. Exact type of player who can significantly improve our list.

He’s still 20 years old.

 

[Harry O]

Where are you projecting our pick?

10-12

Only a few decent mids currently and they will probably go top 5

 

[Harry O]

Brayden Cook sells me more and more each week. Great goal tonight, and some good play in traffic. I would love to target both he & Berry

Hard to believe after having close to the best 2 wingmen in the comp in 2023, we are now so poor in that area
We really need to prioritise that area - Cook looks good. Darcy Wilson is still out of contract and would be excellent

 

[Roverjg]

I think Sam Berry's game compliments Naicos' game big time. He is OOC. I think we load up on 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

as a RFA and use our 1st round pick on a decent mid or KPD

 

[legendstatus]

Hopefully get a top 10 pick and draft the best available talent, hopefully a gun midfielder to go with Naicos.
Then, hopefully with have another pick in the 20s which we can use to draft the best Key position player left on the board.
Hopefully pick up a couple young players through FA or trading

That’s a lot of “hopefully” there my friend

 

[legendstatus]

Hard to believe after having close to the best 2 wingmen in the comp in 2023, we are now so poor in that area
We really need to prioritise that area - Cook looks good. Darcy Wilson is still out of contract and would be excellent

Wilson is a jet, like his run and carry and good size, would flourish on the big G

 

[gouki88]

Hard to believe after having close to the best 2 wingmen in the comp in 2023, we are now so poor in that area
We really need to prioritise that area - Cook looks good. Darcy Wilson is still out of contract and would be excellent

Darcy Wilson would be an awesome get, just imagine St Kilda will try hard to keep him (if they have any money left over).

 

[gouki88]

I think Sam Berry's game compliments Naicos' game big time. He is OOC. I think we load up on Ben King as a RFA and use our 1st round pick on a decent mid or KPD

I'd go after him too. He has taken a big leap this year into a genuinely solid midfielder. Wins a boatload of the contested ball, tackles and gets clearances