2026 Trade / FA Thread

[sr36]

I think George Hewitt from Carlton might be worth a look I watched him in the vfl and I'm not sure what exactly he's doing wrong

Nothing. He's a good player, but he's grunt and they've got there with others.

 

[gouki88]

Seems pretty simple to me - bring in Neale, King and Berry, and win the flag in 2027

 

[Roverjg]

Has Tsatas name been mentioned as a cheap (F3 type trade) option?

Right now, trying to pry Elijah Tsatas out of Essendon Football Club is trending toward expensive and unlikely, not opportunistic.

I foresee three big hurdles: perceived value, role security, and Essendon’s willingness to deal. Right now, those are all trending against a trade happening cheaply.

Essendon took Tsatas at Pick 5 in the 2022 draft. They have spent a lot of time with Tsatas working on his disposal. Even with an inconsistent start, they won’t want to lose that investment just as it’s starting to pay off.

This season Tsatas is improving in the exact area that previously capped his ceiling—his disposal.

• Kicking efficiency jump: 42% → 72%
• Disposals: 14 → 24 per game
• TOG: 52% → 70%
• Centre bounce attendances: →60%

If his form holds even over half a season, Essendon will like internally rate him as a core midfield piece, not a fringe asset – his price will rise significantly

 

[soreplums]

Right now, trying to pry Elijah Tsatas out of Essendon Football Club is trending toward expensive and unlikely, not opportunistic.

I foresee three big hurdles: perceived value, role security, and Essendon’s willingness to deal. Right now, those are all trending against a trade happening cheaply.

Essendon took Tsatas at Pick 5 in the 2022 draft. They have spent a lot of time with Tsatas working on his disposal. Even with an inconsistent start, they won’t want to lose that investment just as it’s starting to pay off.

This season Tsatas is improving in the exact area that previously capped his ceiling—his disposal.

• Kicking efficiency jump: 42% → 72%
• Disposals: 14 → 24 per game
• TOG: 52% → 70%
• Centre bounce attendances: →60%

If his form holds even over half a season, Essendon will like internally rate him as a core midfield piece, not a fringe asset – his price will rise significantly

He got dropped this week.

 

[Roverjg]

Have always liked him. Have we got that role sort of covered with Anderson and Long?
Would not say no as midfield definitely needs big additions but do we need slightly different types ideally?

Berry would be a system fit for us. Berry takes defensive assignments at stoppage; he applies first-pressure tackling; he wins or neutralises contested ball that would allow Naicos to stay cleaner at stoppage exits; receive instead of absorb contact and play more offensive midfield / hybrid half-back-mid role

Yes he plays a similar role to Long, however he is a significant upgrade on Long on all metrics.

One example is Berry’s kicking efficiency has improved this year to 62+% despite his contested possessions having increased 5+ % this year. Ned’s kicking efficiency commenced at 50% and has regressed each year and this year is currently at 41%

 

[Eric Shin]

If we can’t bring in Butters or Bailey, Neale is a no brainer. The next best is Berry.

After having watched Walter since he's come back in the GC lineup, I’d prefer we just invest in what we got, in Charlie West.

It’s King or nothing. Lewis would be serviceable if King re-signs, but he's not moving the needle too much.

I’m 50/50 on Butts still, but I don't think he’ll do enough to win me over. Maybe we can find our next KPD in the draft.

 

[Chunky Steak]

He got dropped this week.

Bizarre decision by the Bombers, just when he starts repaying the faith and playing good footy.

 

[Roverjg]

He got dropped this week.

Yes. He wasn't Robinson Crusoe last week. Was injured during the game. Not enough to have stopped him playing this week. Apparently it was line ball between him, Parish and Caldwell.

 

[gouki88]

If we can’t bring in Butters or Bailey, Neale is a no brainer. The next best is Berry.

After having watched Walter since he's come back in the GC lineup, I’d prefer we just invest in what we got, in Charlie West.

It’s King or nothing. Lewis would be serviceable if King re-signs, but he's not moving the needle too much.

I’m 50/50 on Butts still, but I don't think he’ll do enough to win me over. Maybe we can find our next KPD in the draft.

I think Butts will stay, but Howes has really surprised me with how quickly he’s taken to the KPD role in the reserves. Might have one there

 

[WanderingDude]

If we can’t bring in Butters or Bailey, Neale is a no brainer. The next best is Berry.

After having watched Walter since he's come back in the GC lineup, I’d prefer we just invest in what we got, in Charlie West.

It’s King or nothing. Lewis would be serviceable if King re-signs, but he's not moving the needle too much.

I’m 50/50 on Butts still, but I don't think he’ll do enough to win me over. Maybe we can find our next KPD in the draft.

I like the order. Nick needs a wing man. I am swinging towards Neale, especially if rfa status keeps our draft picks. Allows youngsters to develop at their pace. With asterisks on Long, Alan, AA and Swadling having good disposal we need to balance. A good user is required.
Going for Walter would be expensive and a risk if he doesn’t develop. We have Buller for now and West on the way. Howes.
Thanks for the laughs. Eric Shin.
“I’m 50/50 on Butts”. Im old and have no intention or ability to grow up.
The priority of a backman or ruck seems low compared to an essential midfielder and second a tall forward.

 

[soreplums]

Bizarre decision by the Bombers, just when he starts repaying the faith and playing good footy.

I just don’t think Scott rates him as highly and therefore his JS is on the weaker side.
He has improved and I know the Nick likes him a lot from when they played together.

 

[Sea fog]

I just don’t think Scott rates him as highly and therefore his JS is on the weaker side.
He has improved and I know the Nick likes him a lot from when they played together.

He was rated highly by us before that draft with the main query being on his kicking which is still a knock but he can find. the ball but I notice that in that public doco which has been leaked about the Bombre players by some Auskick parent that he is said to be fumbly and he is said by them to be 1 of 3 players without any strengths at all.

 

[Roverjg]

I just don’t think Scott rates him as highly and therefore his JS is on the weaker side.
He has improved and I know the Nick likes him a lot from when they played together.

Scott may not survive. It is rumoured that their most influential Coterie Group and a Board member is agitating to replace him.

 

[Chunky Steak]

Scott may not survive. It is rumoured that their most influential Coterie Group and a Board member is agitating to replace him.

Sure sounds like Essendon.

 

[Eric Shin]

Thanks for the laughs. Eric Shin.
“I’m 50/50 on Butts”. Im old and have no intention or ability to grow up.

I knew that comment would be the butt of the joke

 

[Pedro]

Pendles mentioned he was going to retire at the end of 21 but Fly gave him a new spark. Here we are 5 years on

I'm quite sure that if Buckley wasn't pushed out/resigned/sacked or whatever you want to call it, then Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Howe etc would have been long gone by now. Fly has definately been the freshen up that the club needed

 

[Sea fog]

Scott may not survive. It is rumoured that their most influential Coterie Group and a Board member is agitating to replace him.

Well if he is sacked where does leave them as a club after saying in public that he is their next premiership coach?

 

[Roverjg]

Well if he is sacked where does leave them as a club after saying in public that he is their next premiership coach?

Hahahahahahaha.. Didn't they say the same about Hird?

 

[Exambolor]

Again, shaky source but Jay Clark on First Crack just now causally dropping that we’re into Nate Caddy

 

[Jen2310]

Again, shaky source but Jay Clark on First Crack just now causally dropping that we’re into Nate Caddy

when does his contract expire?

 

[MightyPies2010]

Again, shaky source but Jay Clark on First Crack just now causally dropping that we’re into Nate Caddy

He's signed till 2028, what are these journos smoking. The bombers aren't letting him go for anything.

 

[sr36]

Again, shaky source but Jay Clark on First Crack just now causally dropping that we’re into Nate Caddy

I like that. That kid competes his arse off.

 

[Sea fog]

Again, shaky source but Jay Clark on First Crack just now causally dropping that we’re into Nate Caddy

This morning they played some footage of Caddy saying he is not prepared to put up with the constant disappointment he is experiencing at the hangar.

 

[WanderingDude]

Adelaide’s Berry has been discussed as an option. A low games trigger means he is contracted for 2027. Source Tom Morris.

 

[gouki88]

Adelaide’s Berry has been discussed as an option. A low games trigger means he is contracted for 2027. Source Tom Morris.

Annoying!