{"id":215326,"date":"2025-10-15T13:29:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/215326\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:29:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:29:07","slug":"afl-trade-grades-and-report-card-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/215326\/","title":{"rendered":"AFL trade grades and report card 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another trade period has been completed<\/a>, with every club \u2014 to varying extents \u2014 playing a part in the madness.<\/p>\n

Several big names found new homes, some were kept at their current ones and, to top it all off, a suite of draft picks swapped hands over the course of the period.<\/p>\n

We grade every team\u2019s performance during the 2025 AFL trade period in our Report Card, with analysis from Fox Footy\u2019s Trading Day and the foxfooty.com.au team.<\/p>\n

Watch the best coverage of the 2025 AFL finals series, including every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n

ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n

Who left: Nil.<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Finnbar Maley (trade, North Melbourne)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 16, 48, 55, 64, 73, 75, 93, 111<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cThey needed Clayton Oliver more than any other club, for me, if they are to be a genuine contender. In the second half of the season, they were 16th for clearance differential in the AFL. When Rankine wasn\u2019t there, they looked pedestrian. They needed another option for that midfield and they didn\u2019t take the risk when others around them have \u2014 that\u2019s the bottom line. GWS\u2019 gain is Adelaide\u2019s loss \u2026 I can\u2019t really believe they haven\u2019t bolstered that midfield.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cI would\u2019ve thought Jack Steele would\u2019ve been a good fit, that big defensive mid who could tackle and allow Dawson and Rankine to do their thing. They were pretty strict in what they wanted to do and they haven\u2019t been able to land much at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: D<\/p>\n

Ashcroft to stay a Lion until 2030! | 01:04<\/p>\n

BRISBANE LIONS<\/p>\n

Who left: Brandon Starcevich (trade, West Coast Eagles)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Sam Draper (free agent, Essendon), Oscar Allen (free agency, West Coast)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 17, 23, 44, 51, 59, 68, 79, 97, 115<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cThey don\u2019t always get them right, the free agency acquisitions \u2014 they brought in Tom Doedee, who\u2019s played one game in a couple of years \u2014 so that\u2019s the only caveat there with Oscar Allen and Draper coming in. Essendon never offered a great deal fro Draper because they believe the history of ruckman off an Achilles tear is they never really get their jump back \u2026 That\u2019s the only little asterisk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThey\u2019re in Seat 1A going into 2026. They want for nothing. They\u2019ve brought in Draper and Oscar Allen and they\u2019ll bring in a top-five draft pick, potentially, with the academy pick (Daniel Annable) \u2014 and they\u2019re in the box seat. It\u2019s only going to be motivation or injuries that will really slow them down next year. They didn\u2019t really need to do much \u2026 They do lose Starcevich, who will be a big out with his ability to shut down the best small-medium forwards in the competition, will be missed. But they\u2019ve got enough depth there to be able to cover that.\u201d<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cThey are the envy of the competition. You look at the guys who\u2019ve played 50 to 80 games \u2014 that\u2019s where the real growth comes from \u2014 now they\u2019re establishing themselves, there\u2019s confidence in their body and what they can do gameday \u2026 they\u2019ve got an unbelievable window in front of them. It\u2019s exciting if you\u2019re a Brisbane fan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: B+<\/p>\n

“It’s a big reset!” Curnow leaves Blues | 02:26<\/p>\n

CARLTON<\/p>\n

Who left: Corey Durdin (trade, Port Adelaide), Charlie Curnow (trade, Sydney)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Liam Reidy (trade, Fremantle), Campbell Chesser (trade, West Coast), Ben Ainsworth (trade, Gold Coast), Ollie Florent (trade, Sydney), Will Hayward (trade, Sydney)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 9, 11, 43, 54, 67, 72, 87, 105<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cIt does give Carlton an amazing arsenal, not only to secure Harry Dean and Jack Ison, but also Cody Walker next year. We know it\u2019s a year where there will be bidding changes, so you might almost need two first-rounders to secure him as a top-two pick. If you\u2019re Carlton, you have the now in terms of the players they\u2019ve brought in, but they also have the future in the shining light upon the hill that is Cody Walker and Harry Dean, who should play 20 games next year. It\u2019s not Curnow, but it is a pretty damn fine deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cIt\u2019s a big reset now. Carlton fans, you\u2019re starting again, really. Not absolute ground zero, but that to me just signals that they\u2019ve got five top-30 picks in the last five years, there\u2019s trauma coming, they\u2019re trying to get ahead of it now with trading Charlie Curnow and I think this has got Graham Wright\u2019s fingerprints all over it \u2026 I think it puts a real challenge now to Michael Voss to make this work. You\u2019re losing a gun to get some bits and pieces \u2026 they\u2019re not going to solve the problems of tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cTheir team will look completely different next season \u2026 They\u2019ve got some skill and more talent. For me, they\u2019re probably still depth players. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s really going to change the fortunes of the Blues too much, but it certainly adds depth and running and kicking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: B+<\/p>\n

COLLINGWOOD<\/p>\n

Who left: Brody Mihocek (trade, Melbourne)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Jack Buller (trade, Sydney)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 39, 45, 56, 61, 77, 95, 113<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cThey were very quiet. It\u2019s hard to be critical of Collingwood, they\u2019ve been so good for the last few years. They\u2019ve got the gun in the middle Nick Daicos, (but) they probably need to find him more support at some point. I know they\u2019ve been trying to get (Beau) McCreery come through and maybe be that player. At some point, it will tip over when you look at the age of their list. But is that 2026? I\u2019m not convinced, I\u2019m not sure of that \u2026 I just feel like they\u2019re the one club that\u2019s probably the most desperate for a Zak Butters at the end of next year. I think that\u2019s where they\u2019ll channel their energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cWhich is why they didn\u2019t give up (first-round) picks for Jy Simpkin in the end \u2026 I think the only thing you would say about them, is that it\u2019s confusing to think they were trying to have a crack at moving on Jordan De Goey, and have a crack at Jy Simpkin \u2014 there\u2019s only a two-year age gap. The Collingwood view is, if de Goey was going to get a big, fat contract he never really secured, this was the time where both club and player were really open and mature about it. But, for them to shop him in any way, I think gives you some question marks over where they sure his body and his longevity and durability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: C-<\/p>\n

Rosa on Merrett trade situation | 03:31<\/p>\n

ESSENDON<\/p>\n

Who left: Sam Draper (free agent, Brisbane)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Brayden Fiorini (trade, Gold Coast)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: Picks 5, 6, 21, 27, 30, 83, 101<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThere\u2019s still an intrigue because we need to see them fit and healthy and what it can actually look like if Brad Scott has the full list to choose from. They just haven\u2019t had that in recent years. There\u2019s too many players on that list that get injured too often to give them a chance. They\u2019re going to get two really good players early in the draft then they\u2019ve got some academy prospects potentially after that that might work in their favour \u2026 But it\u2019s going to be tough for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cThis could\u2019ve been footy\u2019s greatest trainwreck. They could\u2019ve lost four or five of their senior players, including their captain (Zach Merrett), including (Jordan) Ridley, including (Darcy) Parish, including (Kyle) Langford. They have lost their president, they could\u2019ve had a coup over the next couple of months. Instead right now \u2014 yes there\u2019ll be some challenges, but they\u2019ve got 12 months to reset. They\u2019ve got an elite fitness and strength and conditioning program in. I think so much of the next six months is: \u201cWhat have you got for us Brad Scott? What have you got for us to make other players into the Archie Roberts\u2019 of the 2026 season? Where is (Archie) Perkins at? Where\u2019s Tsatas at? Where\u2019s Ben McKay at? \u2026 There are so many players there who come into this team and look like they have some talent and they either stagnate or regress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: D+<\/p>\n

FREMANTLE<\/p>\n

Who left: Liam Reidy (trade, Carlton), Will Brodie (trade, Port Adelaide)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Judd McVee (trade, Melbourne)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 20, 47, 69, 90, 103, 108<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cI think McVee\u2019s a good acquisition. I think he\u2019s a constant threat, I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve seen the best of this player. He can play a variety of roles. I\u2019m not sure he\u2019s an elite ball user, but maybe doesn\u2019t have to be at Fremantle with the way they operate and the way they move the ball. But I like the fact they\u2019re pretty settled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThey\u2019ve had a couple of big trade periods in recent years with Luke Jackson and Shai Bolton, so to be able to target a specific need \u2014 and that\u2019s another half-back to support Jordan Clark \u2014 I think they\u2019ve done pretty well \u2026 they can be contending (for the premiership), absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cA full year from Hayden Young and a better year from Jye Amiss is probably all they\u2019ll get as well as of course McVee coming through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: B-<\/p>\n

Buckley reveals why he joined Cats | 03:22<\/p>\n

GEELONG CATS<\/p>\n

Who left: Patrick Retschko (trade, Richmond)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: James Worpel (free agent, Hawthorn)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 19, 40, 60, 78, 96, 99, 114<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cWe look at Geelong and think: \u2018When will they tip over? How can they keep doing this?\u2019 \u2026 Worpel is a sneaky good improvement for their list. It does allow, with his midfield time, (Patrick) Dangerfield to play more forward. They\u2019ll just keep doing what they do. What a fantastic organisation they\u2019ll be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThey\u2019ll make it work in the ruck. Stanley and Blicavs, yes they\u2019re getting on in age, but between the two of them they can probably share the load. Toby Conway got back late in the season, there\u2019s still a lot of high hopes on him. I know he\u2019s had injury troubles, but if he can have a full pre-season, between those three guys they could alternate, rotate \u2014 however Chris Scott does it. I don\u2019t think not having Rowan Marshall keeps them from being in contention to win a premiership next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: C-<\/p>\n

GOLD COAST SUNS<\/p>\n

Who left: Malcolm Rosas Jnr (trade, Sydney), Sam Flanders (trade, St Kilda), Ben Ainsworth (trade, Carlton), Connor Budarick (trade, Western Bulldogs), Brayden Fiorini (trade, Essendon)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (trade, Western Bulldogs), Christian Petracca (trade, Melbourne)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 15, 18, 24, 28, 29, 36, 52, 92, 110<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThe beauty of them being able to trade out Picks 7 and 8 is they didn\u2019t need those picks; they\u2019ve got all the points to still land three, potentially four Academy picks in the top 20-25. And two of them will be in the top five; they are getting two of the best young kids in the country on top of Petracca and Ugle-Hagan. Obviously, Ugle-Hagan is the big one. The chasm between what his potential could be and what the ramifications could be if it doesn\u2019t work out is significant \u2014 but you take a look at the upside and it\u2019s a pretty scary proposition.\u201d<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cI think what Jamarra brings, they (the Suns) don\u2019t have. I don\u2019t think they\u2019ve got a roaming centre-half-forward that hits the wings, who glides across the top of the grass and scoots, has a beautiful left leg on him. He\u2019s a five-mark-a-game player, Jamarra, at his best. I know we\u2019re talking about his best, we\u2019re selling high \u2014 they (didn\u2019t) have that (before trading for Ugle-Hagan). (Ben) King doesn\u2019t do that, (Jed) Walter doesn\u2019t do that, (Ethan) Read doesn\u2019t do that. So, what this guy does is different. So, I love it, it\u2019s worth the gamble \u2014 absolutely it is \u2014 you back your culture in \u2026 there\u2019s no middle ground (in terms of off-field missteps), these are the rules. I don\u2019t think there is any grace. Damien Hardwick is not (going to) play favourites here \u2014 these are the rules, you follow them and we both win. If you don\u2019t, you\u2019re out, we move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: A<\/p>\n

Petracca traded to Suns for three picks | 02:01<\/p>\n

GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n

Who left: Jacob Wehr (free agent, Port Adelaide)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Clayton Oliver (trade, Melbourne)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 12, 35, 91, 109<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cMy view is I don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to be the All-Australian midfielder anymore; he doesn\u2019t have to be. He\u2019s still a very solid inside contest and clearance winner. His numbers still stack up pretty well in the competition, so he\u2019ll complement the other guys, how he works with Tom Green will be interesting, and I still think they\u2019re going to be around the mark again, the Giants.\u201d<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cFirst half of the year they were the third-worst clearance differential team in the competition \u2014 it sounds ridiculous when you look at some of the names in there \u2014 but I think what it (the arrival of Oliver) does do is it allows it not to be Callaghan and Green at all times. You can get some respite. We\u2019ve seen the luxury of that with (Patrick) Dangerfield being able to play more forward (at Geelong) with Bailey Smith and moving the magnets. So, I think you\u2019ll get a healthier version of those guys come later in the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: B+<\/p>\n

HAWTHORN<\/p>\n

Who left: James Worpel (free agent, Geelong), Changkuoth Jiath (trade, Melbourne), Jai Serong (trade, Sydney)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Nil<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 10, 22, 62, 76, 94, 112<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cHe\u2019s entitled to be furious, Zach Merrett. No doubt Hawthorn would have said: \u2018We\u2019ll get this deal done. We\u2019ve got enough picks, we\u2019ve got enough talent on our list that we\u2019ll be able to satisfy the Bombers\u2019 \u2014 and they haven\u2019t done that. I think it puts a real dent in their premiership aspirations for next year \u2026 Merrett into that line-up (would\u2019ve) changed the whole mix and dynamic of what they do ball in hand. I think it\u2019s a real blow for the Hawks tonight \u2013 I really do. When you look at every team in that top bracket of six to eight, they\u2019re looking for that one player, that one extra asset that tips them over the edge into premiership contention \u2014 and I think the Hawks have left one on the table tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cEveryone else around them \u2014 when you talk about the contenders \u2014 improved their list going into next season, except for Hawthorn. In fact they\u2019ve lost a bit of depth. It\u2019s what happens when you try and go for the big fish. They went for Harley Reid, they had a crack at Oscar Allen, they\u2019ve gone for Zach Merrett \u2026 but if it doesn\u2019t come off, it\u2019s left them (without one). Now maybe they\u2019re going to put all their eggs in the Zak Butters basket for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cI think Zach Merrett will continue to be the same Zach Merrett he\u2019s been. He\u2019ll be their best player and he still should lead by example. No doubt he\u2019s going to feel somewhat sheepish walking back into the club for the first week \u2026 but football clubs are pretty forgiving places. They\u2019ll shake hands, get to work and worry about the business that needs to be done on winning games of football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: D<\/p>\n

Merrett fails in bid to join Hawks | 01:56<\/p>\n

MELBOURNE<\/p>\n

Who left: Charlie Spargo (free agent, North Melbourne), Judd McVee (trade, Fremantle), Clayton Oliver (trade, GWS Giants), Christian Petracca (trade, Gold Coast)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Max Heath (trade, St Kilda), Brody Mihocek (trade, Collingwood), Changkuoth Jiath (trade, Hawthorn)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71, 84, 102<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cIt\u2019s strong. I like what Melbourne have done. Steven King has come in and he\u2019s stamped his mark on this football club and said: \u2018Right, this is what we\u2019re going to do. I no longer want Clayton Oliver at the club, I want to move on from Christian Petracca, I want a fresh slate, we\u2019ve still got strong leaders with Gawn and Viney and Jake Lever leading the way.\u2019 They get to bring in some depth players, Mihocek is going to help significantly with van Rooyen down there with Melksham and Fritsch. And they\u2019re going to get more draft picks again with top-end talent for the third consecutive year that can continue to build around the five to seven kids they already have.\u201d<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cReally smart from Steven King. He\u2019s bringing in players that are going to give him that bridging period until these youngsters absolutely take hold of this football club \u2014 guys like Windsor and Tholstrup and Lindsay and Langford, plus those high picks. It\u2019s going to be a dip over the next couple of years, but it\u2019s a calculated dip. It\u2019s a guy coming in with real presence, \u2018this is my football club now, this is where we\u2019re going, put culture first\u2019. Yeah it\u2019s cost them some money, no doubt it has \u2026 and I\u2019m not sure about the Steele acquisition, but you\u2019ve got the opposite of Clayton Oliver. That\u2019s basically what they\u2019ve found. Really strong from Melbourne.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: B-<\/p>\n

NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n

Who left: Finnbar Maley (trade, Adelaide)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Charlie Spargo (free agent, Melbourne)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 25, 26, 46, 57, 82, 100<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cVery quiet. It\u2019s for me about their culture and ability to learn to win and learn to play better football as a group for longer. We know they have talent, that\u2019s indisputable, they just have to put it together. They have to be able to start to build a fabric of a club that are going win games consistently.\u201c <\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cJy Simpkin had 33 touches and 730 metres gained in that last game against Adelaide as a wingman. That\u2019s the reason they kept him. Yes, because he\u2019s the captain \u2013 not next year \u2013 but he has been the captain. And they feel like he can play that role. Zane Duursma wanted to get to Essendon but it was never going to happen as a top four pick. My understanding is he\u2019s hired a personal trainer. He understands instead of getting out there with Harley Reid and having some nice nights out over summer, get yourself absolutely rock hard fit. If you\u2019re that mid-forward, you need to be more athletic than the player who\u2019s playing on you, you need to be a supreme athlete. Hopefully the penny has dropped for him across the summer \u2026 they missed on Marcus Windhager and Connor Budarick \u2013 they\u2019re not superstar players, of course the A-graders don\u2019t want to come to them. At some stage they need to top off this list.\u201d <\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cI know it\u2019s difficult to attract talent to clubs struggling. One of the pledges Alastair Clarkson made when he was appointed as senior coach was they would be in the hunt for free agents and try and find some stars. If you look at the last few years, the names that have come in have been underwhelming and haven\u2019t had a massive impact. At some point that needs to change if you are to make a move up the ladder. It\u2019s not going to necessarily just going to be because of those guys. They\u2019ve had 14 top 30 picks over the last five years, so there\u2019s enough talent there. But they need the support crew.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: D+<\/p>\n

“An exciting player!” CJ set for Demons | 01:27<\/p>\n

PORT ADELAIDE<\/p>\n

Who left: Nil<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Jacob Wehr (free agent, GWS Giants), Corey Durdin (trade, Carlton), Will Brodie (trade, Fremantle)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 49, 85<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cI just think this is about to fall off a cliff, this list. Three top-30 picks in the last five years have come in. They\u2019ve done a lot of trading and got a whole handful of nothing if you ask me. We all talk about Rozee, Butters and Horne-Francis \u2014 outside of that, Georgiades obviously, what else is there? I think they\u2019re in for a lot of pain to come and they\u2019re about to plummet, if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThey don\u2019t want a rebuild, they\u2019ve said that, but what are they doing with their list? That\u2019s going to be the big question this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: C-<\/p>\n

RICHMOND<\/p>\n

Who left: Tylar Young (trade, West Coast Eagles)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Patrick Retschko (trade, Geelong)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 3, 4, 38, 81<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cThey\u2019ve been unreal over the last four years, they\u2019ve got 12 top 30 picks that have come into the place. It\u2019s like watching the Paris fashion week when they unveil their top-line draftees! We\u2019ve seen quite a few of those guys. I just think that they\u2019ve make a conscious decision as a football club, and they\u2019re sticking to it. I like this, I think this is a strong football club that knows what winning premierships is all about \u2026 I\u2019m a fan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cRetschko is a rookie who was delisted by Geelong on October 2. He then was, I assume, re-listed. Richmond wanted him, they\u2019ve traded pick 99 for him. A hard-running utility (but) we know stuff-all about him \u2026 but we wish Patrick Retschko well in his new career at the Tigers!\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: C<\/p>\n

ST KILDA<\/p>\n

Who left: Max Heath (trade, Melbourne), Jack Steele (trade, Melbourne)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Tom De Koning (free agent, Carlton), Jack Silvagni (free agent, Carlton), Sam Flanders (trade, Gold Coast), Liam Ryan (trade, West Coast)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 50, 65, 86, 104<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cNo one is ever accepting a handshake deal from Graeme Allan ever again after the Leek Aleer deal. It\u2019s cost Leek Aleer $2 million \u2026 I totally understand St Kilda can do whatever they want to do and be as ruthless and hard-arse as they want. But the AFL players out there would say: \u2018You want us to reduce long-term contracts and trade us against our will and not have destiny for our own situations?\u2019 That\u2019s the thing \u2026 I think if they wanted to get him they would\u2019ve and maybe they just fell out of love with him. It was fairly callous, but it\u2019s a ruthless industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cThey\u2019re happy to be the villains. They\u2019re a strong footy club, they\u2019re ruthless in a lot of ways, their coach embodies that. I think it\u2019s gone unnoticed, the injury toll, in 2025 and where they sat on the ladder in terms of games lost to injury \u2026 They only need a little bit of luck, with the additions they\u2019ve got during this trade period, to really spike up the ladder. What threshold that is is up for conjecture, but I think they\u2019ll make a move next year.\u201d <\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThey\u2019ve executed their plan perfectly this trade period \u2014 and they\u2019ve got exactly what they wanted out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: A<\/p>\n

Swans in flag window with Curnow | 01:55<\/p>\n

SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n

Who left: Ollie Florent (trade, Carlton), Jack Buller (trade, Collingwood), Will Hayward (trade, Carlton)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Malcolm Rosas Jnr (trade, Gold Coast), Jai Serong (trade, Hawthorn), Charlie Curnow (trade, Carlton)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: Picks 31, 32, 42, 63, 88, 106<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cI think they\u2019ve got more problems behind the ball than in front of it, but it\u2019s a wildcard talent (Curnow). He\u2019s going to kick more goals than what\u2019s there at the moment \u2026 He doesn\u2019t miss much footy. He\u2019s going to be a wildcard that could kick 50-plus goals and put them on the map \u2026 It\u2019s going to take the pressure off Heeney.<\/p>\n

Jon Ralph says: \u201cWhat about the theatre: Lockett, Hall, Buddy, Tippett and now Curnow \u2026 Charlie is not going to kick 460 goals, but even if he kicks 250 across the next five seasons, maybe they hoist the flag that Buddy Franklin was never able to achieve in his second incarnation at Sydney.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThe flow-on effect, Amartey becomes the second tall which suits him better, McLean becomes the second ruck-tall option. With the four talls, I now wonder whether they try Logan McDonald at centre half-back, because they do need someone else behind the ball to support McCartin and Blakey. Logan McDonald hasn\u2019t quite worked as a forward \u2026 if he can become another failed forward that goes behind the ball and do a really good job, that could be the difference for the Sydney Swans to compete for the flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: A-<\/p>\n

WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n

Who left: Oscar Allen (free agency, Brisbane), Liam Ryan (trade, St Kilda), Campbell Chesser (trade, Carlton)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Brandon Starcevich (trade, Brisbane Lions), Tylar Young (trade, Richmond)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 1, 2, 13, 34, 41, 53, 58, 80, 80, 98<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cThey had a mantra they wanted to try and get some more senior bodies in there, just to help bridge the gap. They\u2019re still a long way off, we understand that. So to get Starcevich really helps and Tylar Young \u2014 and now they\u2019re going to get the two best kids in the country as well to continue to build on what they\u2019ve got. Harley Reid has committed long-term, so it\u2019s going to be a slow burn but at least the wheels are slowly starting to turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: B<\/p>\n

“Staggered!” Dogs fail to sign defender | 01:28<\/p>\n

WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n

Who left: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (trade, Gold Coast)<\/p>\n

Who arrived: Connor Budarick (trade, Gold Coast)<\/p>\n

Draft picks owned: 14, 33, 70, 74, 89, 107<\/p>\n

David King says: \u201cI said about six weeks ago that Sam Power\u2019s biggest challenge was to give this coach a key defender that he could put that magnet on the board, and with some sort of confidence, drive to the game knowing that things will be okay. They haven\u2019t done that, and they\u2019ll be in the same position at the end of 2026. And the same position every year after \u2026 I\u2019m staggered by this. I can\u2019t believe that the Dogs have had to manufacture Rory Lobb, who was great (in his) first year down back, but not so much this season just passed. I think it\u2019s a big fail for the Dogs \u2026 We\u2019ve seen Buku Khamis down there. They\u2019ve lost confidence in Buku, they\u2019ve lost confidence in (Jedd) Busslinger, Jones is no longer there. We\u2019ve talked about this every week; they refused to move an (Aaron) Naughton down back. Do you have to change the way you want to play? That\u2019s changing the coach\u2019s philosophy, because you can\u2019t get a deal done to acquire some key talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh Montagna says: \u201cMaybe, now that they don\u2019t have the personnel change, they\u2019re going to have to change the way they play to be able to stiffen up defensively. Otherwise, they\u2019re not going to continue to compete against the top eight teams \u2026 (but) I trust Luke Beveridge. I think he\u2019ll understand what was missing from them last year, and maybe it\u2019s going to be a game-style change instead of the personnel \u2014 because they weren\u2019t able to get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Foxfooty.com.au\u2019s trade grade: D<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Another trade period has been completed, with every club \u2014 to varying extents \u2014 playing a part in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":215327,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[123877,33319,9126,131833,14405,12093,69039,63,689,3423,11405,696,3237,131830,1129,78976,12923,7803,131842,131838,50272,1653,33229,3429,131841,15832,131837,131857,13213,131847,1119,50007,667,131853,131854,13659,2485,9130,121839,25532,2536,43,131844,4490,52194,12186,91805,3231,6179,12112,19082,681,4443,36858,27725,131849,3465,29652,663,15626,35801,36889,647,3257,15674,44,677,15836,131852,6082,47925,15826,701,3509,131834,45078,131843,131836,131850,131848,131831,49776,131856,22401,17989,1124,1122,79260,131846,131839,46227,7200,61648,1117,92572,41,39,52623,131855,131835,42,40,131845,131829,1133,131851,660,6857,7067,698,131840,91338,131832,25581],"class_list":["post-215326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-academy-picks","tag-academy-prospects","tag-adelaide-crows","tag-agency-acquisitions","tag-alastair-clarkson","tag-another-fine-day","tag-archie-roberts","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-ben-waterworth","tag-box-seat","tag-brad-scott","tag-brisbane-lions","tag-centre-half-back","tag-charlie-curnow","tag-chris-davies","tag-chris-scott","tag-clayton-oliver","tag-clearance-differential-team","tag-clearance-winner","tag-coast-eagles","tag-cody-walker","tag-conditioning-program","tag-daniel-annable","tag-depth-players","tag-draft-picks","tag-elite-ball-user","tag-fantastic-organisation","tag-finals-series","tag-five-mark-a-game-player","tag-football-club","tag-football-clubs","tag-footy-club","tag-fuming","tag-game-style-change","tag-geelong-cats","tag-gold-coast","tag-gold-coast-suns","tag-graeme-allan","tag-graham-wright","tag-harry-dean","tag-headlines","tag-horne-francis","tag-injury-toll","tag-injury-troubles","tag-jack-buller","tag-jack-ison","tag-jack-jovanovski","tag-jack-silvagni","tag-jack-steele","tag-jake-lever","tag-jon-ralph","tag-jones","tag-jordan-clark","tag-jordan-de-goey","tag-key-talent","tag-leigh-montagna","tag-logan-mcdonald","tag-luke-beveridge","tag-luke-jackson","tag-malcolm-rosas","tag-max-heath","tag-melbourne","tag-michael-voss","tag-midfield-time","tag-news","tag-oceania","tag-oscar-allen","tag-personnel-change","tag-port-adelaide","tag-premiership-aspirations","tag-premiership-contention","tag-queensland","tag-question-marks","tag-real-blow","tag-real-challenge","tag-real-dent","tag-real-growth","tag-real-presence","tag-roaming-centre-half-forward","tag-rory-lobb","tag-sam-flanders","tag-sam-power","tag-senior-coach","tag-senior-players","tag-south-australia","tag-st-kilda","tag-steven-king","tag-superstar-players","tag-support-crew","tag-supreme-athlete","tag-sydney-swans","tag-toby-conway","tag-tom-de-koning","tag-tom-petroro","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-top-end-talent","tag-top-five-draft-pick","tag-top-line-draftees","tag-topnews","tag-topstories","tag-trade-grade","tag-trade-grades","tag-trade-period","tag-two-year-age-gap","tag-victoria","tag-west-coast","tag-west-coast-eagles","tag-western-bulldogs","tag-wildcard-talent","tag-win-games","tag-worst-moves","tag-zach-merrett"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}