2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Scodog10]

Hawthorn couldn’t even land Merrett last year yet they’re supposedly going to get him, Humphrey and King over the line this year as well

It’s as logical as a ON policy!

 

[Apex36]

Hawthorn couldn’t even land Merrett last year yet they’re supposedly going to get him, Humphrey and King over the line this year as well

It’s as logical as a ON policy!

My favourite suggestion from earlier was how even though Essendon rejected 3 firsts and Hustwaite last year they’ll be compliant this year and let Merret go for a first rounder and steak knives.

 

[gouki88]

Hawthorn couldn’t even land Merrett last year yet they’re supposedly going to get him, Humphrey and King over the line this year as well

It’s as logical as a ON policy!

Yeah, just laughable without Hawthorn sending out any value elsewhere. They just don’t have enough

 

[Vankri]

My favourite suggestion from earlier was how even though Essendon rejected 3 firsts and Hustwaite last year they’ll be compliant this year and let Merret go for a first rounder and steak knives.

I think that’s the least preposterous part of the equation though. He’s one year older and they may need that real fresh air since Scott was willing to let him move. I don’t see them getting or even asking for the same value as last year.

I really liked Humphrey’s profile for us but have given up, still think despite Hardwick posturing he’s a good chance to go but it won’t be cheap and they certainly won’t let the Hawks walk with him and King.

One out of the three for the Hawks is my bet.

 

[Scodog10]

Yeah, just laughable without Hawthorn sending out any value elsewhere. They just don’t have enough

If you actually run the exercise in the real world it’s a pathetically laughable suggestion.

- King. There’s two options trade or FA. If they sign him as a FA there goes their compensation for Lewis. If it’s a trade where the **** are they getting two top 5 picks + from??

- Humphrey. They’ve just moved Lewis on and replaced him with King. That’s probably a $600-700k hole pa in their 2027 modelling without King. Can they find the $1.2m pa to fit him in? We’ll say yes. But, they now have no 1st’s to play with (those were moved to get King) so what’s left? Day? Weddle? Because they’re the two that GC will request to trade Humphrey there.

- Merrett. I think two late 1sts is his market this year. Again where the **** are they getting them from? How are they then finding cap space?

It’s like adding $400b to defense spending over a 4 year period ****ing insane. They’re using the shotgun approach and going in on everyone in the hope that one or two say yes. If they get two yes’ though get the popcorn out. It’s funny though that the scariest one is the one they’re least likely to get, Humphrey.

 

[Bianconeri]

Wellsy played 15 games, we only lost 3 times when he played.

He was such a gun and looked a class above everyone on our list at the time.

We were such a boring team at the time I was just glad we got someone in with some x-factor.

 

[cityslick1]

Being reported King is either staying with the GC or will go to Hawks.
We're not in the frame.

Reported where?
It was also reported that we had landed a big fish, signed sealed and delivered… which most insiders took as being King

 

[cityslick1]

The club would love to tie him down now.
You don’t think if he signed a massive long term deal, it would send a message to prospective recruits that he’s here to stay, so come with me and join so to speak?
However right now, we are trying to convince him that he should stay by trying to rebuild it on the run but who we bring in is going to be critical

We were in the Ben King race for over what 2 years and we aren’t even now the Melbourne based team he is potentially leaving to join if he does indeed leave the suns.

I look at a team like hawthorn —how are they so attractive to prospects ?
Do they do the work better than us?
Is it their coach?
The footy boss?
Their list manager?
They seem to be in the mix for every genuine star player —-it’s crazy really
I’m not suggesting they will land everyone but as it stands they seem to be front of the queue for just about everyone that wants out

They have a much better list of young players than us, and a coach that wins.

We have the coach, but a shizen young list.

Player managers want their players to go to clubs that have a high chance of premiership success over the next 5+ years. A strong young list and good coach heavily dictate this.

Geelong can point to Holmes, Neale, Dempsey, O’Sullivan, Bruhn, Smith, Henry et al to guarantee future success…

Hawks have the wizard, weddle, Day, McDonald, mckenzie, Ginni, Ward, D’ambrosio………..

We have Nick

 

[Lifelong Pie]

They have a much better list of young players than us, and a coach that wins.

We have the coach, but a shizen young list.

Player managers want their players to go to clubs that have a high chance of premiership success over the next 5+ years. A strong young list and good coach heavily dictate this.

Geelong can point to Holmes, Neale, Dempsey, O’Sullivan, Bruhn, Smith, Henry et al to guarantee future success…

Hawks have the wizard, weddle, Day, McDonald, mckenzie, Ginni, Ward, D’ambrosio………..

We have Nick

I'm not trying to say our youth is strong but if you are going to add players the age of Bailey Smith and Will Day, you can at least add Beau and Quaynor to our list

 

[Dtennent94]

I'm not trying to say our youth is strong but if you are going to add players the age of Bailey Smith and Will Day, you can at least add Beau and Quaynor to our list

Just show them Charlie West VFL highlights and they’ll sign up for the privilege of being at the same club

 

[Lifelong Pie]

Just show them Charlie West VFL highlights and they’ll sign up for the privilege of being at the same club

Haha, plus Swadling, we won't have room for all of these free agents trying to join

 

[tmpies01]

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

has met with the Pies, per Sam Edmund.

Saints were also looking at Charlie Ballard

10

Charlie Ballard

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

8.8

3star

HB

3.1

3star

M

4.7

4star

T

1.2

3star

MG

185.6

3star

D

11.3

3star

K

7.7

3star

HB

3.6

2star

M

4.9

5star

T

1.3

2star

MG

158.9

3star

D

9.4

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

4star

MG

156.0

3star

during the Q clash game. We aren’t the only ones.

Edmund didn’t mention any other vic team. He said either WA, SA, stay at Brisbane, or go to Collingwood.

 

[Jen2310]

Lachie Neale has met with the Pies, per Sam Edmund.

Saints were also looking at Charlie Ballard during the Q clash game. We aren’t the only ones.

Edmund didn’t mention any other vic team. He said either WA, SA, stay at Brisbane, or go to Collingwood.

Yeah, just watched that. Didn't mention if we had any interest in Ballard. Just the saints

 

[tmpies01]

Yeah, just watched that. Didn't mention if we had any interest in Ballard. Just the saints

I’m surprised Sam didn’t mention the Saints and Neale, considering the Lyon connection.

Early days of course, but you’d assume if they had some interest there would have been a meeting and it would have been reported, maybe they’re focused on other players.

Jeez Ballard would be nice. Maybe not then

 

[WanderingDude]

Has Merrett ever been injured though? Can’t remember him ever being injured.

Severe injury. The Don's drafted him.

 

[WanderingDude]

View attachment 2635435

so best case for them would be a pick in the late 30s

Should the age scale be revised with Pendles and others playing latter than before?

 

[Jen2310]

Should the age scale be revised with Pendles and others playing latter than before?

Nah
The exception, not the rule otherwise that would be exploited by clubs.

 

[No SPIN]

They have a much better list of young players than us, and a coach that wins.

We have the coach, but a shizen young list.

Player managers want their players to go to clubs that have a high chance of premiership success over the next 5+ years. A strong young list and good coach heavily dictate this.

Geelong can point to Holmes, Neale, Dempsey, O’Sullivan, Bruhn, Smith, Henry et al to guarantee future success…

Hawks have the wizard, weddle, Day, McDonald, mckenzie, Ginni, Ward, D’ambrosio………..

We have Nick

Some ordinary players in those groups - only match winners approaching ND - Geel : Smith Holmes
Haw: Watson Day

Our kids with good prospects- HH, Hayes, West, Steele, IQ, Beau, ( both same age as Smith), Steene, Swadling, Saxena, AA, Allan

 

[Roverjg]

If you actually run the exercise in the real world it’s a pathetically laughable suggestion.

- King. There’s two options trade or FA. If they sign him as a FA there goes their compensation for Lewis. If it’s a trade where the **** are they getting two top 5 picks + from??

- Humphrey. They’ve just moved Lewis on and replaced him with King. That’s probably a $600-700k hole pa in their 2027 modelling without King. Can they find the $1.2m pa to fit him in? We’ll say yes. But, they now have no 1st’s to play with (those were moved to get King) so what’s left? Day? Weddle? Because they’re the two that GC will request to trade Humphrey there.

- Merrett. I think two late 1sts is his market this year. Again where the **** are they getting them from? How are they then finding cap space?

It’s like adding $400b to defense spending over a 4 year period ****ing insane. They’re using the shotgun approach and going in on everyone in the hope that one or two say yes. If they get two yes’ though get the popcorn out. It’s funny though that the scariest one is the one they’re least likely to get, Humphrey.

I agree with you that the Hawks cannot and will not get all three of King, Merrett and Humphrey. I think their only realistic option is King.

The Hawks aren't off-loading Lewis. If they're offering him four years and Lewis wants to stay (as he has claimed all along), that suggests they're planning around him rather than replacing him.

Furthermore, it has been reported that they want to use Lewis as the lead-up/high forward option, with King playing deep and Gunston working close to him. From a football perspective, that structure makes sense.

They supposedly have the money to throw at King. Who knows whether the Suns will realistically match any offer, but I agree with Apex36 that they probably won't, especially if Walter stays. Walter won’t stay if King does and Gold Coast won’t want to risk losing both players.

Dear is the one holding off on new contract talks at Hawthorn. If King does end up at the Hawks, he may well be the player who looks elsewhere. I would have said Chol, but he still has another year to run on his contract.

As for Humphrey, I don't think the Hawks have a hope in hell of getting him. They simply don't have the trade capital. Gold Coast have almost no incentive to move him, and he's exactly the type of player clubs spend years trying to acquire through the draft. He's the sort of player you build a list around, not the sort of player you cash in. At present he is the GCS second most targeted forward behind King. However, by continuing to play Humphrey out of position (HFF with shorts bursts of midfield time) how long can they placate him? It will be interesting if he demands out of GCS.

 

[sr36]

Nah
The exception, not the rule otherwise that would be exploited by clubs.

The system shits me. I want to see them have it accumulate over years rather than compensation being contained within one year - so if you gain one you don't get compensation for losing one the following year.

 

[sr36]

I agree with you that the Hawks cannot and will not get all three of King, Merrett and Humphrey. I think their only realistic option is King.

The Hawks aren't off-loading Lewis. If they're offering him four years and Lewis wants to stay (as he has claimed all along), that suggests they're planning around him rather than replacing him.

Furthermore, it has been reported that they want to use Lewis as the lead-up/high forward option, with King playing deep and Gunston working close to him. From a football perspective, that structure makes sense.

They supposedly have the money to throw at King. Who knows whether the Suns will realistically match any offer, but I agree with Apex36 that they probably won't, especially if Walter stays. Walter won’t stay if King does and Gold Coast won’t want to risk losing both players.

Dear is the one holding off on new contract talks at Hawthorn. If King does end up at the Hawks, he may well be the player who looks elsewhere. I would have said Chol, but he still has another year to run on his contract.

As for Humphrey, I don't think the Hawks have a hope in hell of getting him. They simply don't have the trade capital. Gold Coast have almost no incentive to move him, and he's exactly the type of player clubs spend years trying to acquire through the draft. He's the sort of player you build a list around, not the sort of player you cash in. At present he is the GCS second most targeted forward behind King. However, by continuing to play Humphrey out of position (HFF with shorts bursts of midfield time) how long can they placate him? It will be interesting if he demands out of GCS.

I think they'll get Merret if they still want him; however, I really dislike him and hope a trade for him falls through again.

 

[WanderingDude]

I think they'll get Merret if they still want him; however, I really dislike him and hope a trade for him falls through again.

Why the dislike of Merret?

 

[manicpie]

I think they'll get Merret if they still want him; however, I really dislike him and hope a trade for him falls through again.

That's like hating Snow White

 

[cfc19902010]

They couldnt get three, surely. Merrett and King still would be tough.
I'd imagine they will then trade Lewis for sure, and maybe Dear. Guys like Hustwaite would be steak knives to Essendon.

2026 First and 3 second round picks, future first ...If King says he wants Dingley it will happen

They’ll definitely offload a few
But it can be done

 

[cfc19902010]

Hawthorn couldn’t even land Merrett last year yet they’re supposedly going to get him, Humphrey and King over the line this year as well

It’s as logical as a ON policy!

Merrett will be alot easier this time