2026 Trade / FA Thread

[sr36]

I’m a vacuum not at all, right? Feel like I’m going nuts seeing some of the $ figures thrown about

He's worth a first round pick still. If you re-do his draft he's dropped down, but still going early teens I think - maybe scraping into the top 10 due to player type.

 

[Ugene41]

It means King isn’t interested in an ageing list who doesn’t look like challenging any time soon.

Walter is going to sign that 5x$5m deal as a local lad to stay up there now that they have shown him the money.

I’ve maintained for some time we should keep our powder dry and hit the draft and Fly really needs to cool his language especially publicly about this “players over picks stuff” and being “impatient”
We sound like the desperate guy trying to get laid.
Be methodical and be deliberate in our approach
Not just scattergun.
This should have started the year we brought in Houston —we should have hit the draft that year.

At least they’re somewhat coming around to the fact we need to prioritise first rounders now

We didn't have a good draft pick the year we bought in Houston. We already traded it away for Schultz.

Our first round last year that we traded for Houston was very late and not much better than a second round pick in a weak draft diluted by a heap of academy players.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Walter is a first rounder and possibly 2. That’s what it would take to convince the Suns to move him. Let’s not kid ourselves- I’d prefer him over King any day as well

All this King to Hawks talk may have something to do with Mitchell Lewis out the door as well

“Convince the Suns to move him”. He’s out of contract.

 

[WanderingDude]

A done trade deal in June must be new. Where are the completed one listed for previous seasons? I need to catch up.

 

[BillyElliott]

Yeah you’re right - 3 days if we get Neale, 5 if we get Butters, 10 if we get both

If we were to get Butters, I'd probably celebrate for a year. Get both? I'm not sure I could cope with that.

 

[Vankri]

We didn't have a good draft pick the year we bought in Houston. We already traded it away for Schultz.

Our first round last year that we traded for Houston was very late and not much better than a second round pick in a weak draft diluted by a heap of academy players.

Yes that myth is persisting. It was effectively something like pick 28, Noble and Richards. Massive bargain whatever you think of his performance since unless you’re going to claim you knew better than the AA selectors for multiple years.

If you look at Dan’s first 7 weeks this year he was actually impacting play strongly and in our top 5 players. Then you look at the last 3 and there’s no impact and soft efforts. Can’t confidently say why but it’s hard to ignore the fact that he plays lower on the ground now with Josh and Pez behind the ball, and that our set up are the opposite of his strengths… who is he going to target by foot if all we want to do it rebound by hands with numbers around the contest and let us try and set up territory? In fact the only benefit is he’s better than anyone on our list in spotting long targets in a congested F50 once we set up territory. But that’s like a twice a game occurrence at the rate we’re going at the moment.

 

[tmpies01]

It’s highly unlikely we get Butters but it sounds like Neale is practically done. Neale won’t cost any trade currency and long term won’t cost much cap. As hard as it to get Butters I don’t think Neale affects that.

I’ve given up on Butters. I think that ship sailed a while ago. It’s nice to think about though.

We need a gun mid and I’m happy with Neale if it’s not Butters. Does seem more likely as the weeks go on that he will be in black and white next year, only thing I’m suspicious about is the fact we’re in June and anything can happen between now and the free agency period.

I hope we’re far, far down the line with Neale so much so that other clubs don’t believe they’re a chance anymore.

It’s looking promising as you’d assume Adelaide would have been the initial hot favourites over us.

 

[Jen2310]

I’ve given up on Butters. I think that ship sailed a while ago. It’s nice to think about though.

We need a gun mid and I’m happy with Neale if it’s not Butters. Does seem more likely as the weeks go on that he will be in black and white next year, only thing I’m suspicious about is the fact we’re in June and anything can happen between now and the free agency period.

I hope we’re far, far down the line with Neale so much so that other clubs don’t believe they’re a chance anymore.

It’s looking promising as you’d assume Adelaide would have been the initial hot favourites over us.

most decisions are made at mid season, even if you dont hear about them until later in the year.

 

[MooreDaicos]

The prospect of refreshing this team with 3 or 4 established signings is tantalising. Imagine just for a moment dropping Neale, Gruzewski and Zac Bailey to refresh our mix.
We'd only need to table a decent 2nd round pick for Gruzewski, where Neale and Bailey would take a considerable cap commitment and as a result time likely called on Sidebottom.

I'd put McCreery forward for trade capital currency in a heartbeat if it meant getting Gruzewski and in turn not materially disrupting our draft capital.

With Hill in the departure lounge and Elliots injury, our need for proven forward line X factor has been laid bare. Positionally, Zac Bailey looms as an important signing as would Neale.

Bailey to SA apparently. I'm a yes to Neale, so invaluable! Beau is probably going to Tassie for a bucket load of money.
I don't know enough on Gruzewski, I'll have to watch some highlights from this year and last year to get an idea. I'm sure someone said he had some flaws but I could be wrong. Maybe the boys could shed some light on this matter.

 

[Run n Spread]

if Walter was to choose Bombers ahead of us, it'll be embarrassing tbh.
What a fascinating trade period to come end of season.

Offered him a ton apparently.

 

[Run n Spread]

2027 NFA McCreery is playing like a $300k player and I suspect he'd be on $450-500k.
If Tassie offer him $7m over 7 years from 2028, and it pushes a S.A Club to make an early bid at this seasons end, I'll help him pack his moving boxes and drive him to the airport along with my blessings.
Theres $500k of the $1m needed for a generational player in Neale with known output, and we'd get a 1st round draft pick on a McCreery trade.

McCreery is on 650-700k imo.
AFL salary cap is 18.3 million with starting pay of 105k plus match. Say 4 draftees a year that takes min rest of the coin is split between the rest.
That's an average of around 500k.
Don't know when McCreery signed but as a flag player and regular player his market worth is around 700k.
Now others debate should he be bestb23 maybe maybe not but that's he's market rate.
Under 500 he is under paid.

 

[Run n Spread]

As comparison Sullivan Cameron and Elliot re signed last year
Elliot is probably worth 850k Cameron as b and f winner 1.3 Sullivan as a fringe player but has been tried at seniors should be around average but is probably on $400K
N Daicos who carries the side worth probably 2 million a year.
It is a lot and sets them up for life.
Not saying I agree or disagree but that'd be imo about market rate

 

[Ugene41]

I’ve given up on Butters. I think that ship sailed a while ago. It’s nice to think about though.

We need a gun mid and I’m happy with Neale if it’s not Butters. Does seem more likely as the weeks go on that he will be in black and white next year, only thing I’m suspicious about is the fact we’re in June and anything can happen between now and the free agency period.

I hope we’re far, far down the line with Neale so much so that other clubs don’t believe they’re a chance anymore.

It’s looking promising as you’d assume Adelaide would have been the initial hot favourites over us.

Yea I'd much rather get Neale for free, use this years first round and then give Rowell a godfather offer next year that GC will be unable to match.

 

[manicpie]

I'd be happy with Ballard and Neale this year. Use our first pick in the draft. Keep developing what we have for next year.

 

[HFF]

We didn't have a good draft pick the year we bought in Houston. We already traded it away for Schultz.

Our first round last year that we traded for Houston was very late and not much better than a second round pick in a weak draft diluted by a heap of academy players.

We traded away pick 13 for a Houston …that was the pick we held for flipping a 2025 1st into 2024…
Guess who went a few selections after that pick?
Murphy Reid….

 

[Ugene41]

We traded away pick 13 for a Houston …that was the pick we held for flipping a 2025 1st into 2024…
Guess who went a few selections after that pick?
Murphy Reid….

No pick 13 belonged to GC who were only letting it go to Port for their F1 and taking Lukoscious as a salary dump.

That's why the trade was a multi club one that went down to the last minute. We couldn't just trade for pick 13 from GC and then on trade to Port. We could never get pick 13 standalone

 

[Roverjg]

Imo
Neale to pies
Bailey to Crows
Merret to Hawks
Humphrey stays
King stays
Walter leaves possibly essendon
Butters to dogs
Wilson probably stays but someone else will be shaken loose to keep him

Wilson will likely be at the Cats. Awaiting the announcement of his Ambassadorial role with Cotton On

 

[stormskye]

We traded away pick 13 for a Houston …that was the pick we held for flipping a 2025 1st into 2024…
Guess who went a few selections after that pick?
Murphy Reid….

There’s a past trades thread to whinge about past trades. Knock yourself out

 

[manicpie]

Wilson will likely be at the Cats. Awaiting the announcement of his Ambassadorial role with Cotton On

Their salary cap will be full after getting Wilson, surely?

 

[HFF]

There’s a past trades thread to whinge about past trades. Knock yourself out

I’m sorry if the facts hurt.
This is a trade and draft thread

I know you don’t like any form of negativity or criticism but you’ll have to cope like the rest of us

 

[Ugene41]

I’m sorry if the facts hurt.
This is a trade and draft thread

I know you don’t like any form of negativity or criticism but you’ll have to cope like the rest of us

Problem is your "facts" are completely wrong

 

[JLC]

Neale would help, as would a better ruckman.

Let me put forward a scenario -

Smit in the back half of the season shows that he is a capable ruckman at the centre bounce.

You then have Coe at VFL level that shows promise and similar traits to Cameron.

Steens is showing positive signs in recovery.

Would you look to trade Cameron and get his hefty contract off our books?

 

[No SPIN]

Wilson will likely be at the Cats. Awaiting the announcement of his Ambassadorial role with Cotton On

Sad but probably true - and a little farm to seal the deal.

 

[No SPIN]

I’m sorry if the facts hurt.
This is a trade and draft thread

I know you don’t like any form of negativity or criticism but you’ll have to cope like the rest of us

Your “facts” have already been completely refuted - making up BS and then doubling down when proven wrong is childish.

 

[Run n Spread]

Neale would help, as would a better ruckman.

Let me put forward a scenario -

Smit in the back half of the season shows that he is a capable ruckman at the centre bounce.

You then have Coe at VFL level that shows promise and similar traits to Cameron.

Steens is showing positive signs in recovery.

Would you look to trade Cameron and get his hefty contract off our books?

Possibly for another target e.g. a gun mid.
So you need at a min
Ruckman good at cbs
Backman ruckman who may or may not play
Injury cover
When is Steene back?
Risky but possible.
I'd prefer to keep Cameron amd redefine his role. Problem is he is not longer the no 1 cb ruck and is still great as a general ruck.
But a 2nd ruck you need to play foward or back. Cameron is better round the ground as a 1st ruckman like a Gawn.
Essentially need to find a cb specialist who can go.foward or back then let Cameron roam.