2026 Trade / FA Thread

[TradeDraft]

Who?

Col Wisbey was was/is a AFL Scout

Made EBW Forum

 

[gouki88]

Col Wisbey was was/is a AFL Scout

Made EBW Forum

Ah.

We'll take his views seriously when his site doesn't look 30 years old

 

[Roverjg]

Amarty and Mitch Lewis. Yay or nay. Amarty is a bit flukey but I see the ‘power’ sides all having dual, or more, options up forward whilst we try and craft one decent players and a Buller or the like into the side. Big Dan, Amarty and Lewis as a different mix up forward appeals greatly to me.

All of the key forwards out of contract this year have flaws. Some you can accommodate, some you wouldn't bother. Just because they’re “available” doesn’t automatically mean they fit Collingwood’s style of play. Most of them struggle to win enough of their own ball, and in a forward line where our key forwards already struggle to get hands on it consistently, are any of these players actually going to improve us in a chaos, territory-based, bomb-it-long system?

Mitch Lewis has stated all season that he wasn’t interested in FA and it was his goal to remain at Hawthorn. He appears to have got his wish with a 4-year contract.

Amartey in particular would take up a huge chunk of the salary cap (reportedly seeking $1m+), yet there’s little to no evidence that he would meaningfully improve our forward line. He’s extremely injury prone too, having played only 48% of possible games.

At Sydney over the past 7+ years, he’s benefited from elite territory dominance, repeat inside 50s, and one of the AFL’s best ball-use midfields. Despite that, his possession numbers remain low, his contested marking is poor for a genuine key forward, and there are way too many games where he completely disappears.

We should not be considering a KPF with a 36.5% goalless rate, especially playing in a strong side. He also struggles badly against teams with strong defensive systems. If he can’t consistently impact in a highly functional attacking setup like Sydney’s, why would he suddenly thrive in Collingwood’s far more chaotic, long-entry system where the ball movement is less controlled?

Goals per game:
0 = 26 games (36.5% of games)
1 = 14 games (19.5% of games)
2 = 19 games (26% of games)
3 = 5 games (7% of games) - Opp position: 3, 14, 8
4+ = 8 games (11% of games) - Opp position: 16; 18; 11; 15; 10; 17; 8; 6 (suggestive of a flat track bully)

A lot of his big bags come against weaker opposition. There’s a real risk of paying elite key forward money for a player who will struggle to influence games against quality defensive teams.

 

[Roverjg]

They're dripping with talent. I'm beginning to think that a lot of Hardwick's success was the product of his assistant coaches. Fair bit of talk that Leppa was the main architect of the game plan that swept all before the Tigers.

You are correct. I was at a function about 4 years ago where Neil Balme was the speaker. He confirmed that Justin Leppitsch was the architect of the 80-20 rule that was instrumental in them winning the 3 GF’s

He brought it to the Pies and modified it further leading to our success in 22-23

 

[Roverjg]

I think he was lucky that he had the best player in finals history also.

Leppa was Richmond's forward line coach in 2017 & Dusty credited Leppa with transitioning his role from a more traditional midfielder into the devastating centre-forward hybrid that exploded in 2017

 

[Roverjg]

I mean if Parish is could practically be given away…would we look at him?

Play him as purely a distributor to Nick and our other mids.

(only asking the question, I don’t love it because Essendon would be pricks as always)

As a distributor for Nick he would be VG if fit. However,Tom Morris said the other night “I think the issue with that is he’s on too much money for another club to take that on and he’s on a long-term contract as well" He has 3 years left on his contract (2029)

 

[Chrispiesssss]

Hope we are chasing Darcy Wilson.

 

[satty]

I’m happy we got obree instead of hind there I’m more confident he will pick what we need more then Hines speculative picks I wouldn’t touch Amartey

Obree has learnt under Stephen wells who is a master at identifying talent in the later rounds and from other pathways.

I believe we are in good hands. We have already started to see his handiwork with the recent draft selections, dating back to the msd last year were we got roan.

 

[Scodog10]

Ah.

We'll take his views seriously when his site doesn't look 30 years old

His views are about as relevant and outdated as that website. He’s also not currently a scout, if he ever was one.

 

[Roverjg]

Why would we not be in the Bailey Humphrey race? Seems very odd.

When GCS say, “Humphrey’s required,” what they’re really saying is, “We’ll only trade him if the offer is too good to refuse.”

With three Victorian clubs chasing Humphrey, GCS are in a very strong position. They hold all the leverage and, if he does get traded, they'll make sure they get maximum value in return. The question isn’t whether we want him — it’s whether we could actually put together the sort of deal GCS would accept. The Pies have already said they want to take our first-round pick into the draft, which if true, makes things even harder. Right now, it’s difficult to see us having the combination of picks and players needed to satisfy the Suns.

Looking purely at this season’s numbers, Humphrey hasn’t set the world on fire. He’s averaging 9 kicks a game, 4 direct turnovers, and just 44% kicking efficiency. His centre-bounce attendances are low, he’s had very limited inside-mid opportunities, almost no responsibility as a primary ball user, and he isn’t hitting the scoreboard consistently either, kicking at just 26% accuracy. His pressure numbers are solid enough, but they’re not the kind that jump off the page.

That said, Humphrey stands out as a player whose value has been affected by his role rather than a player who has failed. Gold Coast have an abundance of midfielders and forwards, and he’s been asked to play a role that doesn’t really suit his strengths.

Whoever lands Humphrey will get a very different player to the one the stats currently suggest. In the right role, he will be a genuine game changer.

 

[Scodog10]

When GCS say, “Humphrey’s required,” what they’re really saying is, “We’ll only trade him if the offer is too good to refuse.”

With three Victorian clubs chasing Humphrey, GCS are in a very strong position. They hold all the leverage and, if he does get traded, they'll make sure they get maximum value in return. The question isn’t whether we want him — it’s whether we could actually put together the sort of deal GCS would accept. The Pies have already said they want to take our first-round pick into the draft, which if true, makes things even harder. Right now, it’s difficult to see us having the combination of picks and players needed to satisfy the Suns.

Looking purely at this season’s numbers, Humphrey hasn’t set the world on fire. He’s averaging 9 kicks a game, 4 direct turnovers, and just 44% kicking efficiency. His centre-bounce attendances are low, he’s had very limited inside-mid opportunities, almost no responsibility as a primary ball user, and he isn’t hitting the scoreboard consistently either, kicking at just 26% accuracy. His pressure numbers are solid enough, but they’re not the kind that jump off the page.

That said, Humphrey stands out as a player whose value has been affected by his role rather than a player who has failed. Gold Coast have an abundance of midfielders and forwards, and he’s been asked to play a role that doesn’t really suit his strengths.

Whoever lands Humphrey will get a very different player to the one the stats currently suggest. In the right role, he will be a genuine game changer.

I think the real topic of discussion is nothing to do with a race, but rather what price the Dees will need to pay to acquire him. Of the chasing clubs they have the most cap space, the best trade capital and they have Stephen King. If/ when he leaves it’ll be the Dees.

 

[legendstatus]

When GCS say, “Humphrey’s required,” what they’re really saying is, “We’ll only trade him if the offer is too good to refuse.”

With three Victorian clubs chasing Humphrey, GCS are in a very strong position. They hold all the leverage and, if he does get traded, they'll make sure they get maximum value in return. The question isn’t whether we want him — it’s whether we could actually put together the sort of deal GCS would accept. The Pies have already said they want to take our first-round pick into the draft, which if true, makes things even harder. Right now, it’s difficult to see us having the combination of picks and players needed to satisfy the Suns.

Looking purely at this season’s numbers, Humphrey hasn’t set the world on fire. He’s averaging 9 kicks a game, 4 direct turnovers, and just 44% kicking efficiency. His centre-bounce attendances are low, he’s had very limited inside-mid opportunities, almost no responsibility as a primary ball user, and he isn’t hitting the scoreboard consistently either, kicking at just 26% accuracy. His pressure numbers are solid enough, but they’re not the kind that jump off the page.

That said, Humphrey stands out as a player whose value has been affected by his role rather than a player who has failed. Gold Coast have an abundance of midfielders and forwards, and he’s been asked to play a role that doesn’t really suit his strengths.

Whoever lands Humphrey will get a very different player to the one the stats currently suggest. In the right role, he will be a genuine game changer.

Tbh I’d rather D Wilson than Humphrey, I feel he has more upside in terms of pure footy ability

Humpty seems like a bash and crash type player which is fine but not to my liking in what I’ve seen so far.

 

[Roverjg]

Tbh I’d rather D Wilson than Humphrey, I feel he has more upside in terms of pure footy ability

Humpty seems like a bash and crash type player which is fine but not to my liking in what I’ve seen so far.

I would prefer Darcy Wilson above all others. But it is a similar situation to Humphreys. I don't see us having the combination of picks and players needed to satisfy the Saints. With Humphreys we haven't seen the real version because he hasn't had any real opportunity due to GCS's glut of midfielders.

 

[Apex36]

His views are about as relevant and outdated as that website. He’s also not currently a scout, if he ever was one.

His opinions have always been dubious, if he was ever a scout, he’s certainly more than washed up now, and has been for the last decade.

 

[Carlthetruth]

Col Wisbey was was/is a AFL Scout

Made EBW Forum

He's never been an AFL scout and Hotrod started EB&W so both not correct.

 

[sr36]

He's never been an AFL scout and Hotrod started EB&W so both not correct.

He got a write up in the age years ago. It suggested he got offered gigs in clubland. Did he not take it up? He'd be in his 70s now.

Having a talent for talent

www.theage.com.au

 

[frizzle]

Ah.

We'll take his views seriously when his site doesn't look 30 years old

30 years old is probably being kind to him. It's a mess.

 

[WanderingDude]

30 years old is probably being kind to him. It's a mess.

I browse thought EBnW on a regular basis. I enjoy the personalities and views. The format is old but just pleased that it is there. I like the absence of marketing. I don’t journey to social media and EBnW is very welcome.

 

[cfc19902010]

Hopefully that's why we're supposedly into jed Walter

We’re into everyone and everything but nothing much ever comes of it

 

[gouki88]

We’re into everyone and everything but nothing much ever comes of it

Except Houston, Schultz, Perryman, Membrey, etc etc

 

[cfc19902010]

Except Houston, Schultz, Perryman, Membrey, etc etc

King
Bailey smith
Humprey
JUH
Butters
Oliver
Silvagni

 

[gouki88]

King
Bailey smith
Humprey
JUH
Butters
Oliver
Silvagni

Do you think we can get everyone? Even if they don't want to come here, or we aren't even after them?

 

[cfc19902010]

Do you think we can get everyone? Even if they don't want to come here, or we aren't even after them?

No
Just making the point that we
Get linked to lots of players especially high profile talent
But we rarely bring in the whales or top liners
Membrey was let go and noone else was buying
Perry Schultz are good players we gave up overs to get
Houston ill give you

 

[gouki88]

No
Just making the point that we
Get linked to lots of players especially high profile talent
But we rarely bring in the whales or top liners
Membrey was let go and noone else was buying
Perry Schultz are good players we gave up overs to get
Houston ill give you

I think there is definitely an element of agents using us to prop up their players, but it's hard to get the top level players. They don't leave often, but we've done well getting the likes of Houston, Treloar, Adams and the like

 

[Kirby]

No
Just making the point that we
Get linked to lots of players especially high profile talent
But we rarely bring in the whales or top liners
Membrey was let go and noone else was buying
Perry Schultz are good players we gave up overs to get
Houston ill give you

Remind me what we gave up to get Perryman?