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5th
Dagobah Immortals
Jade Gresham’s trade to Essendon was the biggest move of the trade period for the Immortals. Coach Phil (
@Philzsay) will be hoping the new Bomber can recapture his best form, having averaged in the 60s in 2021 and 2023 - well down on the 80s he is clearly capable of.
The Immortals will also have watched a number of other trades with interest, with potential for improved opportunity for Nathan O’Driscoll (following Henry’s move), Zac Reid (after Zerk-Thatcher’s departure) and Jai Culley (following West Coast’s failed bid for Deven Robertson). Immortals management will also be relieved that Clayton Oliver’s mooted move to Adelaide did not materialise, given potential risk to the output of superstar captain Rory Laird.
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4th
Arcadia Timelords
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher’s move to Port Adelaide proved one of the testiest of the trade period, but could be a boon for the Timelords. The former Don is mooted for an expanded, perhaps less accountable, role, alongside Aliir Aliir and former Geelong/Rangers tall Esava Ratugolea.
Coach Andrew (
@Diabolical) will note with interest trade discussions involving the club’s midfielders, particularly with the untimely injury to Callum Mills - with club officials continuing to assess whether the Swan will be moved from the leadership group. James Harmes has moved to the Bulldogs, who inexplicably felt a need to bring in another midfielder. Dylan Shiel came up as a potential trade target, but is staying put in 2024, potentially indicating less midfield time being on the cards at the Bombers.
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3rd
The Darkness
Once again there were moves aplenty at The Darkness, with fans keeping a close eye on a range of AFL trades this off-season.
Like many clubs, the Darkness’ ruck stocks face a changed landscape, with Jordon Sweet’s move to Port Adelaide looking like a big positive - until Ivan Soldo was also traded to the Power, at a much greater cost in terms of draft capital. Matt Flynn’s move reduces competition for rucks at GWS, but Kieran Briggs already seemed to be ahead of Flynn, with a fit-again Preuss providing strong competition. Flynn’s move west also pushes young ruck Harry Barnett down the pecking order, while allowing him further time to develop before being thrown in the deep end as a #1 ruck at AFL level.
The ultimate impact of the Darkness’ ruck swings and roundabouts will depend heavily on whether they ultimately secure restricted free agents Briggs and Sweet to longer term deals - although a very deep pool of free agents, including Max Gawn, Jarrod Witts, Toby Nankervis, Oscar McInerney, Rhys Stanley and Todd Goldstein provide plenty of alternatives for clubs seeking rucks.
Coach Adrian (
@Darkie) is continuing to work through the implications of other trade moves, but the club’s midfield stocks could benefit from significantly improved opportunity in 2024, after James Jordon, Jack Billings and Elijah Hollands all moved homes.
Jordon played 22 games in 2021 and 2022, averaging 75 last year, before being frequently played as sub in a strong Demons midfield this season. He will be seeking to push a 90+ average at the Swans, who surprisingly sought to strengthen their midfield this period. Billings, a former #3 pick with six seasons averaging between 81 and 96, will benefit from a fresh start after a recent run of injuries, moving to Melbourne in a mid/forward role. Hollands is another top 10 pick with plenty of upside, averaging 72 in his second season at AFL level despite being played out of position, including on the wing. He links up with his younger brother Ollie at Carlton and is also expected to take on a forward half role more suited to his talents. With the Darkness already having 25 midfielders on the list, improved prospects for Jordon, Billings and Hollands could see the club make some moves to rebalance the list this off-season.
Were these moves the result of careful list planning coming together, or just good luck? In a brief statement, coach Darkie simply replied “Yes”.
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2nd
Goodie’s Giants
The biggest trade of the off-season has been Brodie Grundy’s move to Sydney, and coach Tim (
@Goodie's Guns) will be rubbing his hands at the news - particularly with the former Pie on a 3 year, $4,000,000 contract. The big ruckman struggled at the Demons, playing just 17 games at an average of 86 in a ruck share with free agent Max Gawn, whose value will also rose sharply. If Grundy can get back to his 2018-19 output - playing every game at a 130 average - the Giants’ flag hopes will receive a big boost.
In a clear case of swings and roundabouts, the Giants will be on watch for the upside from Grundy being o***et by the ruck moves at the Bombers. Essendon recruited SuperCoach stalwart Todd Goldstein, which may influence the output of Giants’ ruckmen Sam Draper and Nick Bryan.
Giants’ management will also be seeking greater output in 2024 from Clayton Oliver, who averaged 121, but missed 10 games. The gun midfielder was subject to trade speculation, but both the Demons and Giants will be hoping for greater stability in 2024 and beyond, with Oliver signed at both clubs on long term deals rumoured to be worth $7,000,000 or more.
Tom Doedee’s move caps the trade period for the Giants, who will be hoping the Brisbane medical team’s strong reputation proves deserved, after playing just 62 games in his last five seasons.
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1st
Jabukanji Stingers
Undoubtedly the biggest winners of this year’s AFL trade period - particularly the club’s ruck contingent. With West Coast, Essendon and Port Adelaide all looking to strengthen their big man stocks this off-season, the Stingers may have gained not one, not two, but THREE new #1 rucks on their list, in an extraordinary turn of events. Coach Ken (
@KLo30) will be thrilled with this outcome, which also provides strong vindication of the club’s patient approach and long-term focus.
The club should also benefit from the moves of a number of outside-leaning midfielders to new clubs, with Henry, Dylan Stephens and - in a last minute deal - Xavier Duursma all finding new homes. Nick Coffield will also be hoping for a better injury run - or better injury management - at the Bulldogs.
With the dust starting to settle on the AFL trade period, Ultimate League clubs will work through the implications for their lists in 2024 and beyond. Excitement is also building for the national draft, with the nation’s best young talents to begin their AFL journeys next month.
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