2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Footy Sheila]

I don't we think would ever tank, and I am always optimistic and believe we can win every week. However, if things are looking grim with ten games to go, I would give West, Hayes, Harrison, Allan (in the middle) a decent block of games together and see how they go (and try a few other young players here and there). In fact, telling Allan he will be playing the next half dozen games in the middle could be the making of him. He currently plays like he is worried he might make a mistake and be dropped (self-fulfilling prophecy). At the very least, a block of games potentially makes him more tradeable, although I think he will make it if he is played in the right position.

Exposure to multiple games in the seniors fast-tracks their careers. If we drop down the ladder and end up with a higher pick, so be it. Win-win.

We might not get anything worthwhile through trades/FA. King isn't leaving GC, Butters is heading to the Bulldogs or Geelong (obviously, he will be offered a free farm as part of the package). Lewis is injury prone. Neale is 32 for God's sake, injured his quad and was out for a month, tore his calf and did not have a great 2025 more generally. He also has major personal troubles.

We should focus on developing our own boys. Look at Steene. He is playing like a top draft pick. The investment in developing him has been well worth it.

If you're suggesting tanking, no I don't think that works. Once you lose that winning culture, it's very hard to get back.

We probably only bounced back that quickly because there was a change in regime from Buckley to McRae and we for a generational player in Nick. And I think even he was surprised that we played in a prelim the following year. A Callaghan / Rachele would not make that sort of difference.

I like the fact that we are giving the young guys much needed exposure and we need to continue to reward form in the VFL from the likes of West, Swadling etc. But we need to go into every match trying to win. Our first round pick this year should be insurance if we suddenly fall off the cliff with injuries but shouldn't be something that we try to maximize.

Zac Bailey and Lachie Neale should be our prime targets
Both won’t cost picks and are bona fide A graders
Lewis and Butts we could have a crack but no loss
Keep our first round pick

Hopefully our war chest is deep

 

[sr36]

The more I think about it the more I can see the club going for someone like Hopper..

Deal would need to be something like us only giving up a late 2nd and paying $500k of his wage.

Wouldn’t be in my top target (or top 50 tbh) but I can see the club backing themselves to get him back to his GWS form, and would provide some much needed support in midfield..

There's usually a couple of out of favour veterans with a year or two of decent footy left. Hewitt can play.

 

[Roverjg]

Zac Bailey and Lachie Neale should be our prime targets
Both won’t cost picks and are bona fide A graders
Lewis and Butts we could have a crack but no loss
Keep our first round pick

Hopefully our war chest is deep

Maybe they are happy to lose Neale for whatever reason so that the savings from his salary are used to increase Bailey's. Bailey has stated he doesn't want to leave

 

[stormskye]

I don't we think would ever tank, and I am always optimistic and believe we can win every week. However, if things are looking grim with ten games to go, I would give West, Hayes, Harrison, Allan (in the middle) a decent block of games together and see how they go (and try a few other young players here and there). In fact, telling Allan he will be playing the next half dozen games in the middle could be the making of him. He currently plays like he is worried he might make a mistake and be dropped (self-fulfilling prophecy). At the very least, a block of games potentially makes him more tradeable, although I think he will make it if he is played in the right position.

Exposure to multiple games in the seniors fast-tracks their careers. If we drop down the ladder and end up with a higher pick, so be it. Win-win.

We might not get anything worthwhile through trades/FA. King isn't leaving GC, Butters is heading to the Bulldogs or Geelong (obviously, he will be offered a free farm as part of the package). Lewis is injury prone. Neale is 32 for God's sake, injured his quad and was out for a month, tore his calf and did not have a great 2025 more generally. He also has major personal troubles.

We should focus on developing our own boys. Look at Steene. He is playing like a top draft pick. The investment in developing him has been well worth it.

I keep hearing playing Allan in “the right position” in the midfield on here. Watching Allan’s games including vfl why is his “right” position midfield? He doesn’t have inside mid traits, is slow to react, has poor hands, poor decision making and he’s not a contested player. So he’s not an inside mid. He is a decent runner and link up player so my question is why can’t he make it at afl level as a wing? The coaches are playing him exactly where his strengths lie. He’s just not impacting

 

[Pies_Iceman]

I keep hearing playing Allan in “the right position” in the midfield on here. Watching Allan’s games including vfl why is his “right” position midfield? He doesn’t have inside mid traits, is slow to react, has poor hands, poor decision making and he’s not a contested player. So he’s not an inside mid. He is a decent runner and link up player so my question is why can’t he make it at afl level as a wing? The coaches are playing him exactly where his strengths lie. He’s just not impacting

He's frustrating, as the pace that he has is such an asset. I'm assuming (hoping) the coaches are telling him to use that burst of speed every time he gets the pill, but you rarely see him use it.

 

[Apex36]

I keep hearing playing Allan in “the right position” in the midfield on here. Watching Allan’s games including vfl why is his “right” position midfield? He doesn’t have inside mid traits, is slow to react, has poor hands, poor decision making and he’s not a contested player. So he’s not an inside mid. He is a decent runner and link up player so my question is why can’t he make it at afl level as a wing? The coaches are playing him exactly where his strengths lie. He’s just not impacting

Inside is probably the wrong description. On-baller is more what I’d call him, he’s certainly not a first touch player. He can’t find the ball on a wing, so he’s definitely not being played to his strengths in the AFL either. So you’re right but also wrong on this imo.

 

[Masked Magician]

please tell me we have interest in Elijah Hewett from the eagles

 

[manicpie]

please tell me we have interest in Elijah Hewett from the eagles

I hope so

 

[stormskye]

Inside is probably the wrong description. On-baller is more what I’d call him, he’s certainly not a first touch player. He can’t find the ball on a wing, so he’s definitely not being played to his strengths in the AFL either. So you’re right but also wrong on this imo.

Perhaps. But a lot on here keep saying the coaches are playing him out of position. I doubt any of us bigfooty posters know more than them. If they play him wing, that’s where they see him. I agree with them.

It would be nice if he could translate it because we need some speed and run

 

[manicpie]

Perhaps. But a lot on here keep saying the coaches are playing him out of position. I doubt any of us bigfooty posters know more than them. If they play him wing, that’s where they see him. I agree with them.

It would be nice if he could translate it because we need some speed and run

He's got 3 clubs interested in him. He must have something most aren't seeing. His game 2 weeks ago as an inside mid were off the charts. Wasn't too bad last week either. I agree though, teach him to be a wingman because that's the need. I wonder if he'll get selected this week

 

[stormskye]

He's got 3 clubs interested in him. He must have something most aren't seeing. His game 2 weeks ago as an inside mid were off the charts. Wasn't too bad last week either. I agree though, teach him to be a wingman because that's the need. I wonder if he'll get selected this week

His numbers have improved this season no doubt and he’s improved on some areas. I just don’t agree the coaches don’t know what they are doing. His strengths are on the outside to me. Seems that’s where the coaches are trying to get him to “play to his strengths”

We were well beaten by Geel in the midfield in the vfl. Allan was a big part of that also. I don’t know how that translates to play him in the senior midfield.

Anyways I’m derailing the thread!

 

[manicpie]

His numbers have improved this season no doubt and he’s improved on some areas. I just don’t agree the coaches don’t know what they are doing. His strengths are on the outside to me. Seems that’s where the coaches are trying to get him to “play to his strengths”

Exactly. They will play him where they think it's best.

 

[Doc1763]

please tell me we have interest in Elijah Hewett from the eagles

with our luck, we'll get him mixed up with Elijah Hollands!

 

[Apex36]

Perhaps. But a lot on here keep saying the coaches are playing him out of position. I doubt any of us bigfooty posters know more than them. If they play him wing, that’s where they see him. I agree with them.

It would be nice if he could translate it because we need some speed and run

If wing is his position then why do they play him on ball in the VFL rather than developing him where they want to play him?
I can’t agree with your logic here, lots of clubs play kids out of position to try to shoehorn them in to senior footy. Some of them can adapt, I don’t think Ed is one of those players. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the only two games he’s looked good in are the ones where he was on ball against Melbourne and GWS.

 

[stormskye]

If wing is his position then why do they play him on ball in the VFL rather than developing him where they want to play him?
I can’t agree with your logic here, lots of clubs play kids out of position to try to shoehorn them in to senior footy. Some of them can adapt, I don’t think Ed is one of those players. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the only two games he’s looked good in are the ones where he was on ball against Melbourne and GWS.

I also don’t think it’s a coincidence both of those were pre season type games apex.

Anyways just my 2 cents. He may get selected tonight so we shall see how he goes if he does

 

[soreplums]

The more I think about it the more I can see the club going for someone like Hopper..

Deal would need to be something like us only giving up a late 2nd and paying $500k of his wage.

Wouldn’t be in my top target (or top 50 tbh) but I can see the club backing themselves to get him back to his GWS form, and would provide some much needed support in midfield..

Third rounder for mine.
Older, lots of injuries

 

[Apex36]

I also don’t think it’s a coincidence both of those were pre season type games apex.

Possibly, but do you honestly think he’d have performed as well as he did in those two games if he’d been on a wing instead of on-ball?

Anyways just my 2 cents. He may get selected tonight so we shall see how he goes if he does

I hope not but I’m losing faith in our selection integrity at this point.

 

[ksardog]

He's frustrating, as the pace that he has is such an asset. I'm assuming (hoping) the coaches are telling him to use that burst of speed every time he gets the pill, but you rarely see him use it.

he has one major asset, and he barely uses it
there should be no reason he is not chasing down opponents, let alone breaking up the play by bursting away from a contested situation

 

[Pies_Iceman]

he has one major asset, and he barely uses it
there should be no reason he is not chasing down opponents, let alone breaking up the play by bursting away from a contested situation

If only he used his acceleration like Naicos does to get out of trouble, instead of blind handballing.
I'd much rather see him try and do too much using his pace and get tackled then the panicked clearance.

 

[ksardog]

If only he used his acceleration like Naicos does to get out of trouble, instead of blind handballing.
I'd much rather see him try and do too much using his pace and get tackled then the panicked clearance.

the problem is , he is trying to gather the ball when he should be off with it , this is his biggest issue, he hasn't got good hands to collect the ball in one motion. until he rectifies that, he is going to be an almost player

 

[No SPIN]

he has one major asset, and he barely uses it
there should be no reason he is not chasing down opponents, let alone breaking up the play by bursting away from a contested situation

Agree his weapon is pace. He therefore needs to maintain width as a winger (and not be drawn into the contest), and also be a link between the backline and fwd line - just like Dempsey from Geel.
He is being wasted if assigned to stoppages as a receiver because his work in congestion is below par.

Give him space to run into and he’ll be far more valuable.

 

[soreplums]

Not sure if he runs to the right positions. When we are crying out for midfield spread, his speed should allow him to get into space to receive. He seems to get lost on the wing.

 

[granniewolf]

Not sure if he runs to the right positions. When we are crying out for midfield spread, his speed should allow him to get into space to receive. He seems to get lost on the wing.

Stick him in the middle where he can burst out of the pack and deliver the ball to Charlie

 

[manicpie]

Stick him in the middle where he can burst out of the pack and deliver the ball to Charlie

I wonder if he'll get selected. I'm not against it though.

 

[yeah man]

Stick him in the middle where he can burst out of the pack and deliver the ball to Charlie

I know you mean well but the love hearts that frequently accompany the imaginary scenarios written about young players have a funny vibe, I often feel like I am reading a fan fiction lol