One realistic trade target for all 18 AFL teams this off-season

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Hawthorn, for instance, is perhaps after Zak Butters, Sam Walsh or Harley Reid, however which midfielders might they go after in the event that they miss out on a famous person? That is what we’re right here.

The aim has been to deal with workforce wants with these trades. For instance, there is a world the place Essendon loses two ruckmen this low season and due to this fact wants so as to add depth within the commerce interval.

It is value including, these targets are reasonable as a result of the gamers themselves clearly have potential as targets, not essentially as a result of the golf equipment have been linked to them, although which will even be the case.

Adelaide

Goal: Callum Ah Chee (Brisbane)

The Crows have a fairly full checklist. They’ve probably the greatest defensive teams within the AFL, their midfield combine is the envy of most groups and so they actually have sufficient top across the floor.

They’ve been linked with out of contract Brisbane ahead Callum Ah Chee, who’s a confirmed big-game finals performer and an ideal cherry-on-top participant for this checklist.

If not him: The Crows ought to contemplate including one other ruckman to their checklist behind Reilly O’Brien, doubtlessly somebody like Hawthorn’s Ned Reeves.

Brisbane

Goal: Mitch McGovern (Carlton)

Brisbane will seemingly herald pair Oscar Allen and Sam Draper in free company, filling their key ahead and ruck wants in an enormous scoop for the membership.

A fringe transfer across the edges of their checklist may very well be including out-of-favour Carlton key defender Mitch McGovern, who would thrive as a 3rd tall again within the Lions’ system and supply some essential depth.

If not him: Western Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis might present the same service and is youthful than McGovern.

Carlton

Goal: Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne)

Carlton wants class and impression above all else and a aim kicking machine like Bayley Fritsch would take a number of strain off Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

He is a unique kind of ahead to something the Blues have and could be an ideal match for them. Melbourne might look to hit the draft and alter their very own ahead combine, with Fritsch linked with a transfer out of the membership at factors this season.

If not him: Carlton will want key defensive depth if Jack Silvagni and Mitch McGovern go away and will look for an inexpensive short-term substitute. Probably one other participant from Melbourne in Tom McDonald or Brisbane’s Darcy Gardiner.

Collingwood

Goal: Elijah Tsatas (Essendon)

Tsatas has struggled to get a sport in Essendon’s deep midfield and the Magpies might provide him a contemporary begin in a brand new system.

Collingwood wants younger midfielders given Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Tom Mitchell are quickly approaching the tip of their careers and Tsatas ticks a number of packing containers for them.

If not him: The Pies might take a swing at St Kilda’s Marcus Windhager, who stays out of contract. He could be an ideal long-term midfield addition for them.

Essendon

Goal: Liam Reidy (Fremantle)

If Essendon loses Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein retires, the Bombers might take a look at somebody like Fremantle’s Liam Reidy as a ready-made ruck substitute.

Nick Bryan continues to be working his approach again from a torn ACL and the Dons may very well be fairly mild on ruck shares in 2026 if they do not discover somebody within the commerce interval.

If not him: As talked about, Reeves from Hawthorn is one other ruckman who may very well be on the transfer.

Fremantle

Goal: Jesse Motlop (Carlton)

Initially an academy participant of Freo, Jesse Motlop is out of contract and would make sense to interchange Michael Walters on Fremantle’s checklist in 2026.

A small ahead with an abundance of expertise, Motlop has not fairly clicked into Carlton’s system and would profit from a contemporary begin elsewhere.

If not him: The Dockers ought to completely be within the hunt for Ah Chee, if the Crows do not land him.

Geelong

Goal: Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)

St Kilda’s money splash for Tom De Koning will seemingly see Marshall spill out and fall completely into the lap of a grateful Geelong.

Rhys Stanley could be weighing up retirement and Toby Conway cannot get his physique proper. This can be a no-brainer for the Cats.

If not him: The Cats have been linked with Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel, who would give them a a lot wanted increase within the clearance and contest sport.

Gold Coast

Goal: Dylan Shiel (Essendon)

Because of beneficiant academy helpings, Gold Coast’s checklist has few holes and boasts a ton of depth. A lot so a midfielder or small ahead might get squeezed out.

Couple that with somebody like David Swallow retiring, and a veteran depth piece like Dylan Shiel might tick the field for a 12 months and take some load off Matt Rowell, Touk Miller and Noah Anderson at levels all through the season.

If not him: The Suns are reportedly after Collingwood ahead Jamie Elliott, who could be an enchanting piece in an already deep ahead line, giving them further firepower.

GWS

Goal: Sam Frost (Hawthorn)

Frost is trapped behind Hawthorn’s key defensive additions in Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, in addition to captain James Sicily.

A return to the place he began his profession on the Giants would make sense given GWS will seemingly lose key defender Leek Aleer. Sam Taylor has additionally had fairly constant harm considerations throughout his profession.

If not him: The Giants might doubtlessly lure midfielder Angus Sheldrick from crosstown rivals Sydney. They might actually profit from the midfield depth.

Hawthorn

Goal: Angus Sheldrick (Sydney)

Talking of Sheldrick, he’s a pure midfielder the Hawks might goal if their large swings do not come to fruition.

Hawthorn has been in search of a star midfielder, however prying these out is difficult and Sheldrick each matches their age profile and would seemingly slot straight into their finest aspect, notably if Worpel leaves.

If not him: Somebody like Sam Flanders on the Suns may very well be in search of a contemporary begin and midfield alternative and would slot in properly at Hawthorn.

Melbourne

Goal: Marcus Windhager (St Kilda)

Melbourne’s midfield group must get youthful. There isn’t any level rolling out Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca unchanged underneath a brand new teaching regime in 2026.

Windhager has confirmed he is usually a prolific ball winner and likewise tag opposition stars. The Dees want younger expertise and he would tick these packing containers.

If not him: If Neil Erasmus is squeezed out of a deep Fremantle midfield rotation, he additionally makes excellent sense for Melbourne.

North Melbourne

Goal: Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane)

The Roos are clearly after a tricky, defensive chief for his or her backline, having focused Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard, and Starcevich is the subsequent smartest thing.

Pairing him and Jaxon Archer collectively down again would give North Melbourne some edge and toughness in defence, although they’re taking a danger on the Lion’s concussion points.

If not him: North ought to contemplate a proposal for out of contract Geelong midfielder Mitch Knevitt, who has struggled to interrupt into their common aspect.

Port Adelaide

Goal: Alex Davies (Gold Coast)

Alex Davies has proven he belongs at AFL stage, however has struggled to play constant footy at Gold Coast given their depth on the place. He would slot instantly into Port’s beginning midfield in 2026.

The Energy are at a bizarre level, after falling additional ladder smart than some other workforce in 2025, as they transition to a brand new coach. Stocking up on younger, out there expertise looks like the appropriate plan of action and Davies is value a shot.

If not him: Essendon’s Tsatas additionally matches the same invoice right here for the Energy.

Richmond

Goal: Malcolm Rosas (Gold Coast)

One other Gold Coast participant linked with a transfer out for higher alternative, Rosas could be an awesome addition to Richmond’s ahead line.

The Tigers have Seth Campbell, Maurice Rioli and Steely Inexperienced, however Rosas will surely be of their finest aspect as a small ahead and blend properly with the present group.

If not him: Davies, one other Solar, would additionally make sense for Richmond in 2026 as they construct out their checklist.

St Kilda

Goal: Liam Ryan (West Coast)

St Kilda has successfully locked in each Carlton’s Tom De Koning and GWS’ Leek Aleer, so it’s going to be fascinating to see what else they rise up to within the commerce interval.

They have been linked with West Coast small ahead Liam Ryan, seemingly in an try and put the ending touches on their checklist forward of a push for finals in 2026. Ryan would add a unique skillset and pair properly with Jack Higgins.

If not him: Rosas or Motlop would fill the same want for the Saints in the event that they’re eager for small ahead depth.

Sydney

Goal: Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn)

The Swans are clearly after a tall ahead on this 12 months’s commerce interval, having been linked with the likes of Charlie Curnow and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Curnow feels unrealistic and Ugle-Hagan presents his personal distinctive challenges.

Hawthorn has its justifiable share of key ahead depth and Lewis would seemingly profit from a contemporary begin at Sydney, the place he might be the point of interest.

If not him: A veteran choice could be Collingwood’s Brody Mihocek, who would reportedly contemplate a transfer for a multi-year deal.

West Coast

Goal: Judd McVee (Melbourne)

Judd McVee is a really proficient half again who would instantly enhance an Eagles aspect determined for high quality and dependability.

The West Aussie is out of contract and West Coast ought to be doing what they’ll to persuade him to come back house.

If not him: In addition to merely including items to their finest 23, the Eagles would profit from a midfield chief. If they might pry St Kilda captain Jack Steele out or provide Geelong’s Mitch Duncan a 12 months, they may very well be nice mentors for Harley Reid and the younger group round him.

Western Bulldogs

Goal: Darcy Gardiner (Brisbane)

The Canines’ key defensive depth has been a bit shaky of late, notably as they’ve regarded to maneuver on from veteran Liam Jones.

Gardiner could be a useful addition for the Canines and bolster their defensive group for the subsequent few seasons.

If not him: Add the Canines to the checklist of groups who would profit from securing a backup ruckman, in case Tim English goes down. Sydney’s Peter Ladhams would match the invoice properly.