2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Harry O]

To Tassie he’s a FA so not 7 or 9. It’ll be a compensation pick dictated by the AFL. Steene’s ACL was his jumping leg so I would wait to see how he returns before we discuss his future.

Correct
Say you finished 14th next year you would normally get pick 5
With Tassie getting 1,3,5,7,9,11, Then your pick 5 will become 10 or 12. And could be pushed further back by NGA bids , compensation picks for players lost to Devils etc

 

[Scodog10]

Absolutely. Then draft our own version of Butters (for example) instead of paying through the nose for one. Something we just have to be better at. Plenty of guys drafted with picks 20 plus have gone on to be great players. We just haven't been good enough in finding them. Beams probably our last real late hit. Hopefully O'Bree can make a name for himself in this regard. A few promising selections so far

Maynard? Mihocek? Ginnivan? Murphy? McReery? Noble? All were hits at later picks than Beamer. The parameter I would use to highlight our draft decline is that Maynard was our most recent non aligned (Daicos x2) drafted AA.

 

[SchuPie]

I would be over the moon with Neale, Ballard and our first rounder. That would be some summer

Get an extra first an I’ll spend the entire summer sitting on a banana lounge

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

Xander said we are right into mitch lewis.

That's real buyer beware recruiting. 90 games in 8 years, has played 13 this year however for 20 goals.
Not sure if he's got his body right or is just having a good run and avoiding injury.
To me he just seems a player who struggles to stay on the park and misses blocks of games each season.
We would have to put him through a real stringent medical before going anywhere near him, IF we're thinking of bringing him over....

 

[SchuPie]

That's real buyer beware recruiting. 90 games in 8 years, has played 13 this year however for 20 goals.
Not sure if he's got his body right or is just having a good run and avoiding injury.
To me he just seems a player who struggles to stay on the park and misses blocks of games each season.
We would have to put him through a real stringent medical before going anywhere near him, IF we're thinking of bringing him over....

Worries me a lot

We need to make a decision at FF
- bring in top line KPF
Or
- Get up in draft and grab the best one

At the moment I really want to draft in 2x top shelf mids (+ Neale)

 

[footballsack35]

I'm not sure why Mitchell wouldn't take the current offer of 4 years at the Hawks

 

[Pedro]

Maynard? Mihocek? Ginnivan? Murphy? McReery? Noble? All were hits at later picks than Beamer. The parameter I would use to highlight our draft decline is that Maynard was our most recent non aligned (Daicos x2) drafted AA.

All decent players, but the misses outweigh the hits imo. (Probably true for all clubs I guess) Ignoring the really high picks like JDG, Pendlebury etc, I'm waiting for the day we end up with another Fyfe, Swanny type win. Even a small win like a Max Holmes or Logan Morris

Grundy is probably another hit to add to the list. Its not all doom and gloom by any means, but a couple top liner mids out of nowhere would be nice

 

[Scodog10]

All decent players, but the misses outweigh the hits imo. (Probably true for all clubs I guess) Ignoring the really high picks like JDG, Pendlebury etc, I'm waiting for the day we end up with another Fyfe, Swanny type win. Even a small win like a Max Holmes or Logan Morris

Grundy is probably another hit to add to the list. Its not all doom and gloom by any means, but a couple top liner mids out of nowhere would be nice

I agree the misses far exceed the hits and it’s been far too long since we had value from live picks in the draft. It’s been the longevity of high performers, our pro scouting and being kissed on the proverbial with FS’ that has kept us relevant. I’m hopeful the O’Bree era will bring with it a return to the MM draft glory day’s, but we’re a bit early still.

 

[WanderingDude]

Its not all doom and gloom by any means, but a couple top liner mids out of nowhere would be nice

One in the MSD just passed would have been a nice start. But I’m flexible, 2 soon would be a nice compromise.

 

[Roverjg]

Maynard? Mihocek? Ginnivan? Murphy? McReery? Noble? All were hits at later picks than Beamer. The parameter I would use to highlight our draft decline is that Maynard was our most recent non aligned (Daicos x2) drafted AA.

You are spot on Sco. Brayden Maynard is the last non-father-son, non-academy national draft selection we've developed into an All-Australian. That's a staggering statistic when you look at where the list sits today.

Between 2014 and 2023, during Derek Hine's time as sole recruiting manager, Collingwood brought in 66 players through the National Draft, Rookie Draft, Pre-Season Draft and Mid-Season Draft.

Only 16 of those players remain on the list today, and over half are still trying to establish themselves at AFL level.

Our biggest drafting successes from that period have largely come via special access pathways: Darcy Moore, Josh Daicos and Nick Daicos through father-son, and Isaac Quaynor through the NGA.

The retention numbers tell the story:
2014: 8 drafted, 3 remain (De Goey, Moore (F/S), Maynard)
2015: 7 drafted, 0 remain
2016: 8 drafted, 1 remains (Josh Daicos (F/S)
2017: 6 drafted, 0 remain
2018: 7 drafted, 1 remains (Quaynor (NGA))
2019: 3 drafted, 0 remain
2020: 10 drafted, 2 remain (McInnes, McCreery)
2021: 6 drafted, 2 remain (Nick Daicos (F/S), Harrison)
2022: 5 drafted, 3 remain (Allan, Ryan, Steene)
2023: 7 drafted, 4 remain (De Mattia, Jiath, Sullivan, Long)

Our list has been propped up by father-son selections, trades and mature-age recruits rather than consistently generating elite talent through the draft.

A lot of Collingwood's current list profile challenges aren't the result of one bad recruiting decision. They're the cumulative effect of a decade of underwhelming drafting that has left the club with very little home-grown top-end talent outside the players we had priority access to.

 

[GreekLunatic]

So some of our players want the club to bring in lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

33

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

 

[BillyElliott]

So some of our players want the club to bring in lachie Neale

Why wouldn't they?

 

[Scodog10]

You are spot on Sco. Brayden Maynard is the last non-father-son, non-academy national draft selection we've developed into an All-Australian. That's a staggering statistic when you look at where the list sits today.

Between 2014 and 2023, during Derek Hine's time as sole recruiting manager, Collingwood brought in 66 players through the National Draft, Rookie Draft, Pre-Season Draft and Mid-Season Draft.

Only 16 of those players remain on the list today, and over half are still trying to establish themselves at AFL level.

Our biggest drafting successes from that period have largely come via special access pathways: Darcy Moore, Josh Daicos and Nick Daicos through father-son, and Isaac Quaynor through the NGA.

The retention numbers tell the story:
2014: 8 drafted, 3 remain (De Goey, Moore (F/S), Maynard)
2015: 7 drafted, 0 remain
2016: 8 drafted, 1 remains (Josh Daicos (F/S)
2017: 6 drafted, 0 remain
2018: 7 drafted, 1 remains (Quaynor (NGA))
2019: 3 drafted, 0 remain
2020: 10 drafted, 2 remain (McInnes, McCreery)
2021: 6 drafted, 2 remain (Nick Daicos (F/S), Harrison)
2022: 5 drafted, 3 remain (Allan, Ryan, Steene)
2023: 7 drafted, 4 remain (De Mattia, Jiath, Sullivan, Long)

Our list has been propped up by father-son selections, trades and mature-age recruits rather than consistently generating elite talent through the draft.

A lot of Collingwood's current list profile challenges aren't the result of one bad recruiting decision. They're the cumulative effect of a decade of underwhelming drafting that has left the club with very little home-grown top-end talent outside the players we had priority access to.

The analysis is spot on, but I’d just like to highlight how fine the margins are. In 2020 if we select Holmes over Macrae we likely win it in 2025, we’re in top 4 contention this year and Geelong are significantly worse off. As we’ve seen with Nick it’s astounding the difference one player can make in a clubs trajectory.

 

[WanderingDude]

You are spot on Sco. Brayden Maynard is the last non-father-son, non-academy national draft selection we've developed into an All-Australian. That's a staggering statistic when you look at where the list sits today.

Between 2014 and 2023, during Derek Hine's time as sole recruiting manager, Collingwood brought in 66 players through the National Draft, Rookie Draft, Pre-Season Draft and Mid-Season Draft.

Only 16 of those players remain on the list today, and over half are still trying to establish themselves at AFL level.

Our biggest drafting successes from that period have largely come via special access pathways: Darcy Moore, Josh Daicos and Nick Daicos through father-son, and Isaac Quaynor through the NGA.

The retention numbers tell the story:
2014: 8 drafted, 3 remain (De Goey, Moore (F/S), Maynard)
2015: 7 drafted, 0 remain
2016: 8 drafted, 1 remains (Josh Daicos (F/S)
2017: 6 drafted, 0 remain
2018: 7 drafted, 1 remains (Quaynor (NGA))
2019: 3 drafted, 0 remain
2020: 10 drafted, 2 remain (McInnes, McCreery)
2021: 6 drafted, 2 remain (Nick Daicos (F/S), Harrison)
2022: 5 drafted, 3 remain (Allan, Ryan, Steene)
2023: 7 drafted, 4 remain (De Mattia, Jiath, Sullivan, Long)

Our list has been propped up by father-son selections, trades and mature-age recruits rather than consistently generating elite talent through the draft.

A lot of Collingwood's current list profile challenges aren't the result of one bad recruiting decision. They're the cumulative effect of a decade of underwhelming drafting that has left the club with very little home-grown top-end talent outside the players we had priority access to.

. Go Tassie? Why did he get the gig?

 

[tmpies01]

Essendon have a poor track record of selling the vision, Jed just needs to ask Merrett.

It’s good to know he’s actually considering playing for one of the big Victorian clubs.

Get in there Fly!

 

[sr36]

That's real buyer beware recruiting. 90 games in 8 years, has played 13 this year however for 20 goals.
Not sure if he's got his body right or is just having a good run and avoiding injury.
To me he just seems a player who struggles to stay on the park and misses blocks of games each season.
We would have to put him through a real stringent medical before going anywhere near him, IF we're thinking of bringing him over....

I don't think he's that good anyway. Minor upgrade on McStay.

 

[Go Woods]

Essendon have a poor track record of selling the vision, Jed just needs to ask Merrett.

It’s good to know he’s actually considering playing for one of the big Victorian clubs.

Get in there Fly!

Hopefully the vision he sees between Bombers & Pies in reality is chalk and cheese.
One club has played in countless finals with 2 flags in 16 years.
The other hasn't won a final in over 16 years

 

[WanderingDude]

Essendon have a poor track record of selling the vision, Jed just needs to ask Merrett.

It’s good to know he’s actually considering playing for one of the big Victorian clubs.

Get in there Fly!

Essendon have also been collecting talls that fail. At one stage I was envious of the tall talent on Essendon’s list. I expected them to build the list around the talls. Especially their 2020 selections. I think of Essendon as a stagnant pond with stinky water.

 

[tmpies01]

Hopefully the vision he sees between Bombers & Pies in reality is chalk and cheese.
One club has played in countless finals with 2 flags in 16 years.
The other hasn't won a final in over 16 years

Their only hope of recruiting him is paying overs.

No young player should be genuinely considering playing for Essendon, unless they want to endure years of pain.

Same story for that mob every year.

 

[Pedro]

The analysis is spot on, but I’d just like to highlight how fine the margins are. In 2020 if we select Holmes over Macrae we likely win it in 2025, we’re in top 4 contention this year and Geelong are significantly worse off. As we’ve seen with Nick it’s astounding the difference one player can make in a clubs trajectory.

This is the sort of thing i was getting at earlier. Was it HDM over Morris?? Even some of the other names taken after him. Ive barely seen any signs that he'll be a good VFL player, let alone an AFL one. It'd be interesting to know what our recruiters saw

 

[tmpies01]

Essendon have also been collecting talls that fail. At one stage I was envious of the tall talent on Essendon’s list. I expected them to build the list around the talls. Especially their 2020 selections. I think of Essendon as a stagnant pond with stinky water.

We have one forward in Membrey who could retire this year and McStay who’s not getting any younger.

At least the Bombers have Caddy as their man.

Walter, West and Buller would have us set for the future.

 

[MooreDaicos]

This could be an unpopular opinion, but I'd frankly be quite comfortable losing Moore, if it can bring us some useful trade or draft collateral. I know he's our captain and occasionally plays a good game, but other than being a decent orator, I don't see the value he brings on field. (when he does manage to get on the field)

You're right, it is. He's having a bad year. I know he's getting older but so is Pendles. Have faith that he'll get his body right and get back to his best self. He's gone to the US to fix his body, he'll be fine. Just look at DeGoey, everyone was writing him off, then he came back with a vengeance. Most have down years.
IMO, Moore should never do ruck duties unless absolutely necessary.

 

[MooreDaicos]

To Tassie he’s a FA so not 7 or 9. It’ll be a compensation pick dictated by the AFL. Steene’s ACL was his jumping leg so I would wait to see how he returns before we discuss his future.

Oh of course. I forgot about the Tassie gifts. So what pick would we get in return? The pick after our 1st or?

 

[MooreDaicos]

Correct
Say you finished 14th next year you would normally get pick 5
With Tassie getting 1,3,5,7,9,11, Then your pick 5 will become 10 or 12. And could be pushed further back by NGA bids , compensation picks for players lost to Devils etc

Geez, when you put it that way, it's quite depressing

 

[Roverjg]

The analysis is spot on, but I’d just like to highlight how fine the margins are. In 2020 if we select Holmes over Macrae we likely win it in 2025, we’re in top 4 contention this year and Geelong are significantly worse off. As we’ve seen with Nick it’s astounding the difference one player can make in a clubs trajectory.

I actually think the Holmes example reinforces the original point.

Every club misses players. Geelong would have misses too. The issue isn't that we passed on Holmes specifically, it's that when you look back over 10 years there just aren't enough recruiting wins to balance out the misses.

If this was only about Holmes versus Macrae, I'd agree it's mostly hindsight and fine margins. Plenty of clubs have similar stories.

The bigger issue is the overall drafting record. Moore, Josh Daicos, Nick Daicos and Quaynor have all been fantastic for us, but they came through father-son or NGA pathways. Once you put those to one side, the list of players we've identified, drafted and developed through the national draft becomes a lot thinner. Outside of JDG & Maynard, the list gets pretty short.

That's why I think the Geelong comparison is relevant. They've had a similar number of draft picks over the same period and haven't had the benefit of father-son stars like we've had. Yet they keep finding AFL-quality players all over the draft. Stewart, Henry, Guthrie, Miers, Atkins, Close, De Koning, Holmes, Dempsey, Humphries, Neale, Mannagh and others. Not all champions, but good players who strengthen their list.

If Holmes was the only one we missed on, I wouldn't care. The problem is he's one of a number of players we passed over while not finding enough quality ourselves.

One draft mistake doesn't define a recruiting team. A decade of results probably does.