2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Apex36]

Rowell had to be offered a 2 year contract before you sign one. Not saying either way regarding what he does. But if you're offering a bloke like either of them a 2 year contract, it's most likely because they're not going to sign a longer one.

My point was that Rowell looked to be gone for all money and then he suddenly signed a 2 year contract out of the blue rather than having reporters talking about it endlessly beforehand.
It’s likely his management determined his destination club wouldn’t be able to get a trade done, hence the sign on till FA.
King hasn’t got that issue, he’s already FA and despite GC’s posturing about matching offers it’s pretty clear they won’t have the cap space to do so. I think it’s very unlikely he signs at this point, particularly given the whispers going around that this is another McStay type scenario where he’s already decided where he’s going early in the year.

 

[HFF]

King is going.
The moment to secure his future financially is now and the time is right to return to Victoria
No aspirations to sign long term at GC pretty much makes the decision a no brainer really

 

[TradeDraft]

 

[swoop42]

King is a one trick pony but that one trick is still a bloody handy one.

Still, I think what Brown raises is worth debating, he's not a Jeremy Cameron

5

Jeremy Cameron

Age

33

Ht

196cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.5

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.6

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

2.9

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.2

3star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

G

2.0

5star

level of player and so far this season he has had 40 kicks from 7 games and has kicked 26.6. So basically he generates 1 kick per game that isn't a shot at goal and under 2 handballs.

Below is a post I made in September last year. His 2026 disposal average is currently 7.43 so nearly identical to last season.

King kicked 71 goals this season which was a great return but it's interesting that in doing so he only averages the 7.32 disposals per game.

As a comparison.....

Thilthorpe 60 goals 13.72 dpg
Morris 51 goals 9.29 dpg
Curnow 32 goals 11.78 dpg
Mihocek 36 goals 9.71 dpg
Wright 28 goals 11.84 dpg
Treacy 44 goals 11.50 dpg
Cameron 85 goals 13.67 dpg
Hogan 46 goals 10.19 dpg
Gunston 70 goals 12.45 dpg
Fritsch 36 goals 12.55 dpg
Larkey 41 goals 9.71 dpg
Georgiades 58 goals 12.09 dpg
Lynch 26 goals 10 dpg
Sharman 34 goals 11.52 dpg
McLean 25 goals 9.32 dpg
Waterman 17 goals 10.12 dpg
Naughton 60 goals 11.78 dpg

While it's silly to suggest any club should knock back a bloke capable of kicking 71 goals in a season, the fact that despite kicking all those goals he still averages less dpg than all of the names above, only highlights that while he's an excellent marking target inside f50, the rest of his game really needs work. He's one dimensional.

P.S- Another thing worth highlighting is that of the 6 games he played against this years 4 Preliminary finalists he only managed 10 goals with a 5.66 disposal average.

 

[Rorzza]

Cal also mentioned they believed/rumours 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

is keen to stay at Brisbane, fair enough too. Would love Bailey at CFC but you can't argue with wanting to stay at Brisbane.

 

[Vankri]

It’s annoying that the Hawks seem so closely linked to B Humphrey. They’re the trickiest one to fight against for us in pursuing him as they’re on the rise / flag faves, fun team to play in for his personality I suspect, and also got the MCG factor and crowds.

If we’re to be a chance I would make Nick give him the red carpet treatment and open our cheque book which I assume is bigger than the Hawks (their backline alone has $5m+/y in it).

I would rather take that money we’re apparently planning for 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

and offer ‘overs’ to Humphrey. I’m not big on low disposal KPFs and think a Buller / West / Humphrey / Hill / Hayes combo with Steene resting for the future is stronger than a version of it with King in it, for the modern game and for our list make up. I imagine if Fly is on board with going hard at 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

it would be because we believe we can change his role in our team hoping the slick delivery of Nick / Josh / Dan would get him more involved further down the ground.

 

[Pleasedontfail11]

Cal also mentioned they believed/rumours Zac Bailey is keen to stay at Brisbane, fair enough too. Would love Bailey at CFC but you can't argue with wanting to stay at Brisbane.

Maybe this opens up an opportunity for a team to poach an in contract player, out of Brisbane, freeing up more money for Bailey. Brisbane might initiate this for minimal trade currency.

 

[Chunky Steak]

It’s annoying that the Hawks seem so closely linked to B Humphrey. They’re the trickiest one to fight against for us in pursuing him as they’re on the rise / flag faves, fun team to play in for his personality I suspect, and also got the MCG factor and crowds.

If we’re to be a chance I would make Nick give him the red carpet treatment and open our cheque book which I assume is bigger than the Hawks (their backline alone has $5m+/y in it).

I would rather take that money we’re apparently planning for Ben King and offer ‘overs’ to Humphrey. I’m not big on low disposal KPFs and think a Buller / West / Humphrey / Hill / Hayes combo with Steene resting for the future is stronger than a version of it with King in it, for the modern game and for our list make up. I imagine if Fly is on board with going hard at Ben King it would be because we believe we can change his role in our team hoping the slick delivery of Nick / Josh / Dan would get him more involved further down the ground.

I would LOVE to get him.

Setting Hawthorn aside for a moment, the issue is that he's contracted to Gold Coast until the end of 28 and Gold Coast have no interest in picks, they will want quality players in return - multiple. Who are we giving them?

 

[stormskye]

It’s annoying that the Hawks seem so closely linked to B Humphrey. They’re the trickiest one to fight against for us in pursuing him as they’re on the rise / flag faves, fun team to play in for his personality I suspect, and also got the MCG factor and crowds.

If we’re to be a chance I would make Nick give him the red carpet treatment and open our cheque book which I assume is bigger than the Hawks (their backline alone has $5m+/y in it).

I would rather take that money we’re apparently planning for Ben King and offer ‘overs’ to Humphrey. I’m not big on low disposal KPFs and think a Buller / West / Humphrey / Hill / Hayes combo with Steene resting for the future is stronger than a version of it with King in it, for the modern game and for our list make up. I imagine if Fly is on board with going hard at Ben King it would be because we believe we can change his role in our team hoping the slick delivery of Nick / Josh / Dan would get him more involved further down the ground.

If hawks are flag favourites and continue to finish high they have SFA capital to get a contracted pick 6 from GC. Going to be more clubs holding players to contracts

 

[Vankri]

I would LOVE to get him.

Setting Hawthorn aside for a moment, the issue is that he's contracted to Gold Coast until the end of 28 and Gold Coast have no interest in picks, they will want quality players in return - multiple. Who are we giving them?

Are you sure re player over picks for them? They barely have the money to pay their own with King and Rowell coming out of contract and what they gave for Trac and Mac Andrew.

I’m not across their academies but the value of getting an opposition first pick has gone up for them and all academy clubs I suspect following this week’s announcements since you can’t bank roll shit picks for high end first round talent anymore.

The contracted factor played out last year as they held firm. Still gives them leverage but maybe less than last year if he’s still adamant he wants to go home. Depends on their plans and how much they want to avoid a circus and a disgruntled player and agent.

 

[UltraEgo]

Sam Marshall seems to be on the outer at the Lions, should we target him?

 

[Boris the Contradiction]

I'm worried that the club could be at risk of over valuing Humphrey and overpaying for him.
He's obviously very talented and is starved of midfield minutes, but the assumption that increased midfield time will automatically lead to better performances and that he'll become an elite mid is completely unknown.

 

[Vankri]

I'm worried that the club could be at risk of over valuing Humphrey and overpaying for him.
He's obviously very talented and is starved of midfield minutes, but the assumption that increased midfield time will automatically lead to better performances and that he'll become an elite mid is completely unknown.

Personally don’t see him as transitioning to full time mid. He is high impact forward of the ball. I think of him as Jordy’s role across the span of his career.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Hawthorn reportedly "out of the race" for Butters

 

[Scodog10]

Hawthorn reportedly "out of the race" for Butters

Yes his move to the Dogs is well and truly on!!

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Yes his move to the Dogs is well and truly on!!

I dunno

We'd have more cap space and we'd have better draft capital

 

[Exambolor]

I dunno

We'd have more cap space and we'd have better draft capital

TBH what assets do the Dogs have anyway? Maybe future firsts and some young players that Port could want but maybe nothing that would guarantee that things would move

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

TBH what assets do the Dogs have anyway? Maybe future firsts and some young players that Port could want but maybe nothing that would guarantee that things would move

We will most likely have a Top 10 pick ( or very close to it), next year's first and will most likely have to offer up Beau.

Tassie making that offer for Beau actually kind of helps us weirdly lol

Assuming Butters is even interested in us, I think we'd be in a pretty good spot to get him.

 

[jakson68]

We will most likely have a Top 10 pick ( or very close to it), next year's first and will most likely have to offer up Beau.

Tassie making that offer for Beau actually kind of helps us weirdly lol

Assuming Butters is even interested in us, I think we'd be in a pretty good spot to get him.

Now you are assuming that Beau would want to go there and be part of the trade.
With the money Tassie may offer him, he may just go there instead.

Either way, the chances of us getting Butters is not just slim, it is anorexic.

 

[nickyds35]

I might be biased…

But anyone choosing to play at docklands, in front of 30k, who’s best player (Bont) in 2-3 years away from retiring and next best player (Darcy) is injury prone……

…..instead of 70-80k at the G most weeks alongside the best player in the comp (Naicos) for the next 8 years

….has rocks in their head.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Now you are assuming that Beau would want to go there and be part of the trade.
With the money Tassie may offer him, he may just go there instead.

Either way, the chances of us getting Butters is not just slim, it is anorexic.

I mean, he's from Adelaide and was reported (I think) last year to be thinking about a move home. I wouldn't be surprised if he was open to it

 

[Chunky Steak]

Are you sure re player over picks for them? They barely have the money to pay their own with King and Rowell coming out of contract and what they gave for Trac and Mac Andrew.

I’m not across their academies but the value of getting an opposition first pick has gone up for them and all academy clubs I suspect following this week’s announcements since you can’t bank roll shit picks for high end first round talent anymore.

The contracted factor played out last year as they held firm. Still gives them leverage but maybe less than last year if he’s still adamant he wants to go home. Depends on their plans and how much they want to avoid a circus and a disgruntled player and agent.

I'm pretty sure. Nothing is absolute so of course I could be wrong. But I'd be astonished if we could come up with a package at least primarily based on picks that would satisfy the Suns, let alone beat out other potential suitors of which there will be very many.

I'm not trying to be pessimistic - I think BH would be so good for us.

 

[Hungryrabbit]

I have thought about some questions that I would contemplate if I was an AFL player wanting to be traded.

1. Which team will take me to a grand final and the most grand finals in the next 5 - 10 years? (Consider key players retiring soon).
2. Which team allow me to be closest to my family?
3. Which team works best for my partner? (Consider their job, their family and their lifestyle)
4. Which team is going to pay me the most money?
5. Which team has the best culture?
6. Which team allows me as a player to be the most competitive and achieve my goals?
7. Which team offers anything else unique and attractive?

Based on this, primarily focusing on Butters which team out of those who have expressed known interest as well as us, would be the most ideal on paper.

The next key question is then, which team has the most draft capital to work with?

Don't know about draft capital and if Butters has a partner but on paper we don't look too bad.

 

[nickyds35]

I'm pretty sure. Nothing is absolute so of course I could be wrong. But I'd be astonished if we could come up with a package at least primarily based on picks that would satisfy the Suns, let alone beat out other potential suitors of which there will be very many.

I'm not trying to be pessimistic - I think BH would be so good for us.

The deal would be something like 2 x first rounders - Not that complicated..

I understand why they didnt want to trade him last year (as his request came in very late), but would be suprised if they didnt let him go 12 months on (assuming they are offered a fair trade).

 

[manicpie]

The deal would be something like 2 x first rounders - Not that complicated..

I understand why they didnt want to trade him last year (as his request came in very late), but would be suprised if they didnt let him go 12 months on (assuming they are offered a fair trade).

If we go by the Curnow trade, that was 3 first round picks and 2 quality players