2026 Trade / FA Thread

[HFF]

It’s type and service. Kennedy, Bont, Sanders and Freijah are stoppage guns as good or better than any of our stoppage players. They then had English providing them silver service because he could jump over a shorter DC. We have a weak midfield that isn’t getting service which is leading to stoppage struggles. Neale has to be a priority this off season to firstly thicken the soup, but also to bring craft he can teach others. I’d also be sniffing around Hewett.

The only thing I’ll say here do we really need a slow plodder like Hewett

Neale ..if we are going to be in bottom 6-7 …makes little sense for me but I can see the logic in bringing him in for a year or two

 

[domus]

How can the WBD midfield be that much deeper than ours and they’re missing Libba and likely to add Butters?

And yet it is genuinely confusing when they dominated centre clearances and yet but for a brilliant mark could so easily have lost to a side with old slow mids and no key forwards-something they have in abundance. Maybe the Dogs have more issues than people believe.

 

[HFF]

And yet it is genuinely confusing when they dominated centre clearances and yet but for a brilliant mark could so easily have lost to a side with old slow mids and no key forwards-something they have in abundance. Maybe the Dogs have more issues than people believe.

The coach is right ..we are middle of the road.
There’s no silver lining
I admire that you trying to find it by suggesting how close we are…but we aren’t that close at all to a turnaround

 

[Scodog10]

The only thing I’ll say here do we really need a slow plodder like Hewett

Neale ..if we are going to be in bottom 6-7 …makes little sense for me but I can see the logic in bringing him in for a year or two

We’d be 3rd if we converted close ones this year the way we once did under Fly. Add either of those two last night in anny of those close losses and we win. I acknowledge that you’re currently a doomer, but the reality is far more positive than your current outlook.

Would Hewett the “plodder” have been worse than the slick McCreery or Long? The guy I watched on Friday night was significantly better than both. My guess is the real reason you’d be anti those moves is their age. A month ago Cripps was cooked. 12 months ago Steele was cooked. Good footballers be good options and better than youth.

 

[domus]

The coach is right ..we are middle of the road.
There’s no silver lining
I admire that you trying to find it by suggesting how close we are…but we aren’t that close at all to a turnaround

Just stating the cold facts. I'm not trying to create a narrative.

 

[HFF]

Just stating the cold facts. I'm not trying to create a narrative.

Fair
But the facts also suggest we are trending down ..and it’s not getting better

 

[Roverjg]

In 2022–23 we had multiple players who could advance the ball through chains — Josh, Nick, IQ, Noble, Pendles and Sidey. The ball could move from half-back to wing, half-forward and inside 50 quickly and repeatedly. Back then, wing wasn't a low-possession role because it was a critical link in transition.

What made Josh so effective on the wing in 2023 was that he pushed high in defensive transition, got involved in chain possessions, provided overlap run, and acted as the key connection between defence and attack.

The issue is that when the Pies changed the game plan and shifted Josh to half-back, we lost some of that connection to the forward line.

If sr36's premise is correct that wing is now a low-possession, low-involvement role, then the more important question is: why are we bypassing the wings?

You would only intentionally reduce wing involvement if you were trying to minimise turnover risk, move the ball faster, and attack through the corridor. In that scenario, moving Josh back to the wing wouldn't necessarily increase his possessions.

But that's not what we're doing.

This year our ball use has declined. Ball movement has become slower and wider, while our defensive structure still assumes an aggressive territory-based game. When turnovers occur, the back half gets exposed. The resulting chaos makes every line look worse, including the wings.

As Apex36 has pointed out, Houston can handle the rebounding and distribution role. Nick Daicos can handle the distribution role. Josh's greatest strengths are his running capacity and link play. That's why I'd have him where those strengths are most valuable and let someone like Swadling handle the simpler running half-back role.

That said, a wing can only connect to something.

If the half-forward line isn't presenting, competing or linking effectively, even Josh ends up kicking to a contest.

If McStay is competing deep, Membrey is competing deep, and Schultz is competing deep, then the problem probably isn't the deepest layer of the forward line. It's the layer in front of them.

Who's presenting 60–70 metres from goal? Who's winning the first contest, linking the play and preventing easy rebound?

If nobody is doing that consistently, the ball never reaches those dangerous forwards in a meaningful way.

A wing only matters if there's someone ahead of him to connect with. If Josh gets the ball on the wing and looks up to see poor leading patterns, no viable half-forward target and defenders already set, he's forced into the same long kick down the line as everyone else.

The ball is getting to the attacking half, but we're not controlling it there long enough to generate quality inside-50 opportunities.

As sr36 said, "it's the half-forward contest that we need a fix."

 

[soreplums]

In 2022–23 we had multiple players who could advance the ball through chains — Josh, Nick, IQ, Noble, Pendles and Sidey. The ball could move from half-back to wing, half-forward and inside 50 quickly and repeatedly. Back then, wing wasn't a low-possession role because it was a critical link in transition.

What made Josh so effective on the wing in 2023 was that he pushed high in defensive transition, got involved in chain possessions, provided overlap run, and acted as the key connection between defence and attack.

The issue is that when the Pies changed the game plan and shifted Josh to half-back, we lost some of that connection to the forward line.

If sr36's premise is correct that wing is now a low-possession, low-involvement role, then the more important question is: why are we bypassing the wings?

You would only intentionally reduce wing involvement if you were trying to minimise turnover risk, move the ball faster, and attack through the corridor. In that scenario, moving Josh back to the wing wouldn't necessarily increase his possessions.

But that's not what we're doing.

This year our ball use has declined. Ball movement has become slower and wider, while our defensive structure still assumes an aggressive territory-based game. When turnovers occur, the back half gets exposed. The resulting chaos makes every line look worse, including the wings.

As Apex36 has pointed out, Houston can handle the rebounding and distribution role. Nick Daicos can handle the distribution role. Josh's greatest strengths are his running capacity and link play. That's why I'd have him where those strengths are most valuable and let someone like Swadling handle the simpler running half-back role.

That said, a wing can only connect to something.

If the half-forward line isn't presenting, competing or linking effectively, even Josh ends up kicking to a contest.

If McStay is competing deep, Membrey is competing deep, and Schultz is competing deep, then the problem probably isn't the deepest layer of the forward line. It's the layer in front of them.

Who's presenting 60–70 metres from goal? Who's winning the first contest, linking the play and preventing easy rebound?

If nobody is doing that consistently, the ball never reaches those dangerous forwards in a meaningful way.

A wing only matters if there's someone ahead of him to connect with. If Josh gets the ball on the wing and looks up to see poor leading patterns, no viable half-forward target and defenders already set, he's forced into the same long kick down the line as everyone else.

The ball is getting to the attacking half, but we're not controlling it there long enough to generate quality inside-50 opportunities.

As sr36 said, "it's the half-forward contest that we need a fix."

Play McStay further up the ground and Membrey Deeper

 

[Scodog10]

In 2022–23 we had multiple players who could advance the ball through chains — Josh, Nick, IQ, Noble, Pendles and Sidey. The ball could move from half-back to wing, half-forward and inside 50 quickly and repeatedly. Back then, wing wasn't a low-possession role because it was a critical link in transition.

What made Josh so effective on the wing in 2023 was that he pushed high in defensive transition, got involved in chain possessions, provided overlap run, and acted as the key connection between defence and attack.

The issue is that when the Pies changed the game plan and shifted Josh to half-back, we lost some of that connection to the forward line.

If sr36's premise is correct that wing is now a low-possession, low-involvement role, then the more important question is: why are we bypassing the wings?

You would only intentionally reduce wing involvement if you were trying to minimise turnover risk, move the ball faster, and attack through the corridor. In that scenario, moving Josh back to the wing wouldn't necessarily increase his possessions.

But that's not what we're doing.

This year our ball use has declined. Ball movement has become slower and wider, while our defensive structure still assumes an aggressive territory-based game. When turnovers occur, the back half gets exposed. The resulting chaos makes every line look worse, including the wings.

As Apex36 has pointed out, Houston can handle the rebounding and distribution role. Nick Daicos can handle the distribution role. Josh's greatest strengths are his running capacity and link play. That's why I'd have him where those strengths are most valuable and let someone like Swadling handle the simpler running half-back role.

That said, a wing can only connect to something.

If the half-forward line isn't presenting, competing or linking effectively, even Josh ends up kicking to a contest.

If McStay is competing deep, Membrey is competing deep, and Schultz is competing deep, then the problem probably isn't the deepest layer of the forward line. It's the layer in front of them.

Who's presenting 60–70 metres from goal? Who's winning the first contest, linking the play and preventing easy rebound?

If nobody is doing that consistently, the ball never reaches those dangerous forwards in a meaningful way.

A wing only matters if there's someone ahead of him to connect with. If Josh gets the ball on the wing and looks up to see poor leading patterns, no viable half-forward target and defenders already set, he's forced into the same long kick down the line as everyone else.

The ball is getting to the attacking half, but we're not controlling it there long enough to generate quality inside-50 opportunities.

As sr36 said, "it's the half-forward contest that we need a fix."

Is this a long winded way of saying Zac Bailey?

 

[HFF]

Play McStay further up the ground and Membrey Deeper

Another problem we have is none of our forwards get any separation on the lead ..

So we can’t hit up easy targets inside 50 or 60-70 range out from goal.

It’s why we en up kicking to what is effectively a contest

 

[soreplums]

If we can play through McStay we might be able to look to go smaller and quicker deeper inside 50 if there is enough overlap run

 

[manicpie]

Another problem we have is none of our forwards get any separation on the lead ..

So we can’t hit up easy targets inside 50 or 60-70 range out from goal.

It’s why we en up kicking to what is effectively a contest

This is our biggest problem. When you struggle with clearance you need to make the most of your opportunities and having a stagnant forward line makes for a hard day at the office

 

[Vankri]

This is our biggest problem. When you struggle with clearance you need to make the most of your opportunities and having a stagnant forward line makes for a hard day at the office

I would argue it’s all part of the same problem. It’s not easy to even attempt a lead when said lead is starting too close to the midfield or in the pockets, with no one behind you to worry a defender into staying back and few around you to be a decoy. We have very predictable running patterns by position in the forward line and that’s what preventing anyone to get separation.

 

[sr36]

It’s type and service. Kennedy, Bont, Sanders and Freijah are stoppage guns as good or better than any of our stoppage players. They then had English providing them silver service because he could jump over a shorter DC. We have a weak midfield that isn’t getting service which is leading to stoppage struggles. Neale has to be a priority this off season to firstly thicken the soup, but also to bring craft he can teach others. I’d also be sniffing around Hewett.

Plus we were playing off them. Until half time, we were being really defensive at centre bounce. I think we were virtually conceding the clearance and corralling to stop them bursting out the front and scoring from their clearances - which is the Dogs big weapon. We wanted to play a rebound game but our half back runners were fumbling and couldn't hit a handball or kick - they were really bad in that first half.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[satanshoof101]

I think it is pretty safe to say we have holes on our list. Every team does but we do have holes that will need to be addressed.

We get belted at centre clearance and we need one or two more midfielders. We need to admit Long isn't the answer and give Anderson and Allan more time in the mids and hopefully we bring in West to take Long's spot up forward. I really like Swadling and hope he plays in centre bounces more often, even if it is in the VFL. I also like Prindable, I think he still has a lot of growth an upside and he is actually an inside mid which can take longer to develop.

Outside of Moore and Frampton we don't have much. I hope Cochran, Howes, and Puncher develop in to CHB an FB but I would not bet on it. I liked Parker's game last night but after the Sydney game i didn't think he would play AFL for awhile.

Houston can have so excellent games but he hasn't had many for us, if he had a strong back half of the season and someone came knocking I am sure we could live with him leaving for a 1st but can't see that happening.

Our best key forwards are McStay and Membrey who we can't rely on to kick winning scores. I really like West but personally I don't think Buller is the answer and McCarthy is years off if he makes it at all.

I do hope we manage to scramble another first round pick this year and make the Walter trade without giving up out our top 10 pick.

Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Howe will retire either this year or next + Elliot ACL.

Bobby Hill also hurts, I thought he might start playing AFL and then get traded at the end of the year.

Give meaningful opportunities to the kids and lets see what we got.

Hopefully DeGoey, Allan, Beau, Houston have a strong back half of the year and could be used as trade bait.

 

[TradeDraft]

We need so much so just get the best players Available

 

[TradeDraft]

It pisses me off no end that we keep persisting with playing Josh and Dan in the same defensive line. Josh was an AA wingman in a premiership year for us and our backline worked so much better when we had one runner and one elite distributor (Nick and Noble/Markov).

I’m really adamant that putting Josh back on the wing and bringing in Swadling as a running HB should be a priority for us.

Shows how Poor our Coaching has been for a bit

 

[Roverjg]

Is this a long winded way of saying Zac Bailey?

Yes, it was long-winded, but I wasn’t thinking of a specific player when I was thinking of and responding to sr36 and apex36’s posts. However, thinking of a player now, it’s not Zac Bailey. The cost to get him will be prohibitively expensive (trade/ pay etc.)

What the Pies appear to need is a true connector half-forward.

1. Strong aerobic capacity — can repeatedly lead up and get back.
2. Good overhead without needing to dominate aerially — just enough to compete.
3. Quick decision maker — can give first possession to runners.
4. Pressure-oriented — doesn't become a liability when the ball turns over.
5. Team-first mover — happy to create space and opportunities for others rather than chasing goals.

In 2023, Beau McCreery was essentially playing that connector role at his best. The challenge is that Beau's greatest weapon is his explosiveness and pressure. If he's not winning enough of those half-forward contests or providing enough linkage, the entire transition chain suffers.

Gryan Miers, Alex Neal-Bullen and Issac Heeney come to mind. Zac Bailey is great at creating and converting opportunities, but he is more a pressure forward/ attacking weapon.

Bailey Humphrey would be the perfect player. If you're paying the acquisition cost for Humphrey, you're not bringing him in to spend most of his time making sacrificial leads between the arcs. He'd rightly expect significant midfield time because that's where his ceiling lies.

But as you have stated – "If he is going anywhere, it’s Melbourne."

If we brought in Lachie Neale, the primary value wouldn't be Neale himself playing half-forward. It would be the structural domino effect it creates.

The chain would look something like:

• Neale strengthens the midfield rotation
• Nick Daicos continues as the primary distributor
• Jordan De Goey spends significantly more time at high half-forward
• Josh Daicos returns to being a true linking wing
• Dan Houston handles much of the rebounding and distribution from defence

From a role-balance perspective, that arguably makes more sense than trying to recruit a specialist half-forward.

De Goey's attributes line up remarkably well with the connector role:

• strong overhead for his size
• wins contested ball
• draws defenders
• elite decision-maker in traffic
• can go forward and score if ignored
• powerful enough to stop opposition rebound

The role wouldn't be a traditional stay-at-home forward role. It would be more akin to what Heeney does at times for Sydney: start high, connect the chain, then become dangerous once the ball enters attack.

De Goey forces opponents into difficult match-up decisions. If they play a smaller runner on him, he can win aerially and physically. If they play a bigger defender, he can run them into the ground and push into midfield.

 

[MattD2308]

Sad reality is we are going to be a bottom 6 side for next 2-3 years. We'll show flashes of brilliance on occasions but it will be ugly at times, unless we can recruit "guns" who want to come to us and we have the cash.
Also, since losing Oscar, (which was deflating) our midfiled now knows its a 50-50 contest, whereas when Oscar would be at centre clearances the whole midfield were "primed" and up and about, because they "knew" he would win most, if not all.

 

[satanshoof101]

We need so much so just get the best players Available

I was hoping we would take Marcus Herbert with our first pick and then take a Darcy Fort type ruckman with our last pick in the MSD.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I wouldn’t trade Houston. For one, it would be a sell low but also I think we need to put Josh back on the wing. Neither are great defenders so let’s put the AA winger back on it…

Call me naive, but I don’t think we’re going to be far off it next season if we can make some smart moves this offseason. These results to the top sides (plus dogs) are encouraging if anything. We know where the gaps are

Yep Josh back on the wing vacated by Allan, because every man and his dog knows he can’t play there. Roan on the other wing.

 

[nickyds35]

Missed out on Lynch in 2018, Cameron in 2020, and Butters/King/Bailey this year.

Scattergun approach to list management coming home to roost.

We are a big club, except in the trade/free agency market, where we turn into a minnow.

 

[manicpie]

Yep Josh back on the wing vacated by Allan, because every man and his dog knows he can’t play there. Roan on the other wing.

Josh is our main distributor. Sides are now putting work into him and not allowing him outside space. It's the result of us not having enough line breaking players.

 

[Dtennent94]

Sad reality is we are going to be a bottom 6 side for next 2-3 years. We'll show flashes of brilliance on occasions but it will be ugly at times, unless we can recruit "guns" who want to come to us and we have the cash.
Also, since losing Oscar, (which was deflating) our midfiled now knows its a 50-50 contest, whereas when Oscar would be at centre clearances the whole midfield were "primed" and up and about, because they "knew" he would win most, if not all.

You’re overrating Oscar a bit. We do miss him though.