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Report Card: Every Club's Off-Season Moves RATED
- chasealfasi
- Dec 9, 2022
- 14 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2022
By Chase Alfasi
9 Dec, 2022
ADELAIDE CROWS
IN
Izak Rankine, Hugh Bond, Billy Dowling, Max Michalanney
OUT
Luke Brown, Ben Davis, Billy Frampton, James Rowe, Brett Turner
SUMMARY
The young Adelaide list welcomed exciting South Australian Forward, Izak Rankine to bolster an already dynamic forward line but they may have paid 'overs' to get him departing with pick 5 to Gold Coast and signing him on a contract reportedly worth over 800k a season. This list is crying out for a superstar midfielder with Laird, Keays and Sloane unlikely to be apart of a Crow's premiership push. Father-son defender, Max Michalanney and tackling machine Hugh Bond are promising acquisitions although these inclusions do not add a point of difference to their list with Josh Rachele, Sam Berry and Jordan Dawson filling these needs last season. Billy Dowling, however, could be the steal of the draft at pick 43 with the South Australian averaging over 30 possessions a game in the SANFL under-18 competition highlighted by a 44 disposal and 4 goal outing against Glenelg. Nonetheless, list manager Justin Reid should be livid that the Crows missed out on a top-end midfielder in this year's draft, especially local talent, Mattaes Phillipou who would have been available at their initial selection.
GRADE: C
BRISBANE LIONS
IN
Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston, Will Ashcroft, Jaspa Fletcher, Connor McKenna, Shadeau Brain, Darryl McDowell-White jnr
OUT
Tom Berry, Mitchell Cox Connor McFayden, Dan McStay, Mitch Robinson, Ely Smith, Deividas Uosis
SUMMARY
Could this be the off-season that finally takes Brisbane to a grand final after an almost perfect trade and draft period adding Western Bulldogs best-and-fairest winner, Josh Dunkley and the best midfielder in the draft in Will Ashcroft? Fellow first-rounder and father-son recruit, Jaspa Fletcher ensures the depth and longevity of a powerful Lions midfield while 3-time premiership player, Jack Gunston comes in to replace McStay without losing anything of great significance. The only knock for the Lions would be the absence of another key defender although Connor McKenna could add much needed speed in a backline that has been exposed for their inability to shut down fast, agile small forwards.
GRADE: A+
CARLTON BLUES
IN
Blake Acres, Oliver Hollands, Jaxon Binns, Lachie Cowan, Harry Lemmey
OUT
Will Hayes, Oscar McDonald, Jack Newnes, Luke Parks, Will Setterfield, Liam Stocker, Tom Williamson
SUMMARY
A relatively quiet off-season for the Blues which is understandable because the premiership make-up is already established. Adding Acres for a third-rounder to replace the traded Setterfield was a facile upgrade while the selection of Oliver Hollands at pick 11 reinforces the outside run of their big-bodied inside mix. Eyebrows were raised when Liam Stocker was denied another contract but he was never able to solidify as spot in the 22 after the famous live trade with Adelaide in 2018 to bring Stocker to Ikon Park. The Blues invested into the future picking up Binns, Cowan and Lemmey but the time is now for them to jump into the top 4, let alone finals.
GRADE: B
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES
IN
Tom Mitchell, Dan McStay, Bobby Hill, Billy Frampton, Ed Allan, Joe Richards, Jakob Ryan
OUT
Brodie Grundy, Callum Brown, Tyler Brown, Isaac Chugg, Ollie Henry, Jack Madgen, Caleb Poulter, Jordan Roughead, Liam McMahon, Ollie Henry
SUMMARY
There is a big 'wait and see' element about the 2022 exchange period for the Magpies headlined by the departure of dual All-Australian ruckman, Brodie Grundy and addition of Brownlow medalist, Tom Mitchell. While the manoeuvre was necessary to release salary cap tension, the Pies might struggle against rival big men next season without Grundy. Mitchell though, looks to be a handy inclusion to help extract contested possessions, feeding the running midfielders of Daicos, De Goey and Crisp. A throng of trades took place during the Continental Trade Period with Hill, McStay and Frampton adding depth to the Pies squad although losing former first-round forward, Ollie Henry was an unpalatable outcome for the Pies who had high hopes for the Geelong Falcon product. The Pies will be hopeful McStay can replicate his semi-final heroics in season 2023 to support the ever-reliable Brody Mihocek. Ed Allan appears to be the biggest mystery of the draft with the 194cm midfielder having a limited 2022 season with injuries but is certainly an investment for the future as is touted cult figure, Jakob Ryan.
GRADE: B+
ESSENDON BOMBERS
IN
Will Setterfield, Sam Weideman, Elijah Tsatas, Alwyn Davey jnr, Jayden Davey, Lewis Hayes, Rhett Montgomerie, Anthony Munkara
OUT
Aaron Francis, Devon Smith, Alec Waterman, Michael Hurley, Tom Cutler, Josh Eyre, Brayden Ham, Cody Brand, Garrett McDonagh
SUMMARY
In pursuit of a head coach for most of the trading period it was always going to be difficult to attract marquee interest but after the appointment of Brad Scott, it may have been a blessing in disguise as the Bombers held their top picks and drafted well. Elijah Tsatas has proven his top-5 credentials for the Oakleigh Chargers while Lewis Hayes joins Zach Reid in what could be a formidable defence in years to come. Twins Alwyn and Jayden Davey posses the speed and craft to put an exclamation mark on the questions surrounding Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti's fitness and availability. Former top-ten picks Setterfield and Weideman have been subpar at their initial clubs but perhaps a change of scenery at Tullamarine could help reinvigorate their careers. The Bombers would be disappointed former pick 6, Aaron Francis didn't reach the heights they had hoped for although most of the Bombers departures were club-initiated. Brad Scott, known for implementing a competitive game plan seems the perfect coach for one of the younger lists in the competition. Unfortunately the off-season antics has partially tainted what should be a profitable off-season after Andrew Thorburn resigned as CEO one day after taking up the position.
Grade: A-
FREMANTLE DOCKERS
IN
Luke Jackson, Jaeger O'Meara, Josh Corbett, Hugh Davies, Josh Draper, Tom Emmett, Max Knobel, Liam Reidy, Corey Wagner, Conrad Williams
OUT
Blake Acres, Rory Lobb, Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker, Lloyd Meek, David Mundy, Connor Blakely, Mitch Crowden, Joel Western
SUMMARY
A lot out and a lot in: it was a busy trade period for David Walls and Fremantle who sealed the deal by signing Luke Jackson without withdrawing a top-ten pick. Notably, many consistent contributors in 2022 opted to leave Cockburn seeking trades to Victorian clubs in Logue, Lobb, Tucker and Acres. Veteran David Mundy's retirement meant Fremantle needed to find an extra midfielder which they did in Jaeger O'meara although Mundy's leadership and class was invaluable and irreplaceable. While Fremantle's top rung of players match that of any other team, their depth will be tested in 2023, and with that comes added expectation and pressure on Jackson who is now on a lucrative, long-term contract at just 21 years old. There are few young players in the AFL that have a greater ceiling than the 2021 rising star winner and Fremantle supporters should be very excited to watch the generational talent for at least the next decade. Don't sleep on Joshua Corbett either, a forward capable of taking contested marks and hitting the scoreboard in a forward line now without Rory Lobb.
GRADE: B+
GEELONG CATS
IN
Jack Bowes, Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn, Jhye Clark, Ted Clohesy, Phoenix Foster, Oisin Mullin, Oscar Murdoch, Osca Riccardi
OUT
Joel Selwood, Luke Dahlhaus, Shaun Higgins, Cooper Stevens, Francis Evans, Quinton Narkle, Nick Stevens, Paul Tsapataolis, Zane Williams
SUMMARY
After an impeccable season where Geelong won their 10th premiership in 2022, the Cats stocked up on youth to further elongate their sustained position at the pointy end of the ladder. In the trade period, the Cats stole three former first-rounders from rival clubs in Bowes, Henry and Bruhn while taking homegrown talent Jhye Clark with pick 7, remarkably packaged along in the Bowes trade with Gold Coast. With an aging list, it was vital the Cats were able to bring in younger midfielders with Dangerfield, Duncan and Guthrie in the twilight of their careers. Captain and arguably Geelong's greatest player, Joel Selwood retired at season's end but the Cats are hopeful Clark can supersede his place in the long term after his strong draft year. Narkle and Stevens were never able to crack a regular spot in Chris Scott's best team and their dismissal is justifiable with others ahead in the pecking order.
GRADE: A
GOLD COAST SUNS
IN
Jed Anderson, Tom Berry, Connor Blakely, Ben Long, Bailey Humphrey, Jake Stein
OUT
Izak Rankine, Jack Bowes, Matt Conroy, Josh Corbett, Jez McLennan, Oleg Markov, Rhys Nicholls, Patrick Murtagh, Rory Thompson
SUMMARY
While the Suns bring in a nice balance of talent and experience, it is hard to vindicate an off-season surplus after gifting away pick 7 to the Cats and losing their attacking virtuoso, Izak Rankine to Adelaide in the trade period. Humphrey's mid-season patch of form for Gippsland Power proved why he can fill the boots of the former pick 3 and the Suns fans should expect Anderson, Berry and Long to be consistent contributors in 2023. If there is going to be a considerable improvement for the Suns in terms of ladder position, it is likely going to be sourced from the developing players already listed - boosted by the return of spearhead, Ben King. While Bowes and Corbett were on the outskirts of the Suns team in 2022, they are both poised to play at the top level at their new clubs and their absence impairs the depth of Gold Coast's list.
GRADE: D+
GWS GIANTS
IN
Aaron Cadman, Toby Bedford, Max Gruzewski, Darcy Jones, Harry Rowston, Jason Gilbee, Toby McMullin, Nick Madden
OUT
Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto, Tanner Bruhn, Jarrod Brander, Matt De Boer, Bobby Hill, Zach Sproule, Jake Stein
SUMMARY
Another draft and another exodus of players and a multitude of first round selections. It is almost impossible to assess the Giants off-season exchanges as they seem to be in a perpetual cycle of trading out established players 5 or 6 years after being taken at the draft. To be fair to the Giants, at least this time around they were more considerate with their choices in what will likely be a stint at the bottom half of the ladder. Taking Aaron Cadman at the first selection in the draft could restore the hole left by Jeremy Cameron and the Giants believe the GWV key forward will have a lengthy stay in orange and charcoal. Oft-used substitute, Bedford is essentially a straight swap for Bobby Hill, while the double-departure of former top-ten picks, Taranto and Hopper to Richmond might allow for Tom Greene to further establish himself as the predominant extractor - while the recruiting of Jones and Rowston help ameliorate the loss of the new Tigers. Versatile tall, Max Gruzewski has showed glimpses of aerial prowess at both ends of the ground who will be well supported by similar players like Harry Himmelberg and Jesse Hogan. This is an off-season that can only really be judged in hindsight especially with the unknown factor surrounding first time head coach Adam Kingsley at the helm.
GRADE: C
HAWTHORN HAWKS
IN
Karl Amon, Lloyd Meek, Cooper Stephens, Fergus Greene, Cam Mackenzie, Josh Weddle, Jack O'Sullivan, Henry Hustwaite, Bailey Macdonald, Josh Bennetts
OUT`
Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O'meara, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels, Ben McEvoy, Kyle Hartigan, Jackson Callow, Connor Downie, Daniel Howe, Tom Phillips, Jack Saunders
SUMMARY
There were brutal, confusing and compelling list changes made at the Hawks over the past couple of months. While the club is in a rebuilding stage, the offloading of both brownlow medalist, Mitchell and former Sun, O'meara, leaves their midfield skinny and shallow. That's fair enough if they aren't in coach, Sam Mitchell's next premiership window but it begs the question of why the club signed the high-priced free agent in 27 year-old, Karl Amon when they traded out the pair for salary alleviation. Without the premiership experience of Gunston, Shiels and McEvoy, the raw crop of players may struggle with a lack of guidance. Mackenzie and Weddle add to the promising list although their expected early appearances may be premature and detrimental in the absence of sufficient leadership. Hawthorn supporters should have very low expectations next season albeit excited at Mitchell's indication to blood young talent.
GRADE: D
MELBOURNE DEMONS
IN
Brodie Grundy, Lachie Hunter, Josh Schache, Matthew Jefferson, Jed Adams, Will Verrall, Oliver Sestan, Kyah Farris-White
OUT
Luke Jackson, Oskar Baker, Toby Bedford, Jayden Hunt, Sam Weideman, Mitch Brown, Majak Daw, Fraser Rosman
SUMMARY
It was an eventful trade period for Tim Lamb and the Dees after settling to trade the 2021 rising star winner, Luke Jackson home to the Dockers and 'stealing' the established ruckman, Brodie Grundy from Collingwood. It's a move that will improve Melbourne's team in the short term but the loss of a generational talent who was tipped to be the successor of Max Gawn is one that will leave a bitter taste in the club that invested a lot of time into the Western Australian. With Ben Brown and Tom McDonald on the wrong side of 30 as well as the retirement of Daw and Mitch Brown, it was obvious Matt Jefferson would be selected at pick 15 as the best available key forward. In tandem with Jacob van Rooyen, the Dees may have secured their long-term forward solution over the past 2 drafts. Hunt, Bedford, Weideman and Baker were all handy contributors in the red and blue but their positions are diluted and are better off for seeking opportunities at rival clubs. Expect Lachie Hunter to slot right onto the MCC wing who has the class and finesse to polish up the delivery into the forward 50. The Dees have been criticized for not optimising their entire squad and while the trade period was not necessarily a net gain, the natural development of the likes of Bowey, Chandler and Van Rooyen will likely keep Melbourne in premiership conversations.
GRADE: B
NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS
IN
Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Brayden George, Cooper Harvey, Blake Drury, Daniel Howe, Liam Shiels, Hamish Free
OUT
Jason Horne-Francis, Jed Anderson, Jared Polec, Atu Bosenavulagi, Tom Lynch, Josh Walker, Patrick Walker, Matt McGuinness, Kyron Hayden
SUMMARY
On paper, losing both the 2021 and 2022 first selection is hard to justify but bringing in Sheezel and Wardlaw as a result whilst having an extra first round selection in next year's draft is more than a satisfactory return especially with the appointment Alastair Clarkson as head coach creating an environment for them to flourish. Despite Horne-Francis' abrupt exit, his value would likely have declined further next season being out of contract and in turn, acquiring two Victorian boys eradicates the go-home factor. Griffin Logue is a auspicious addition to what has been vulnerable back six while former Hawks, Howe and Shiels reunite with Clarkson to provide experience the callow list. Touted a first round prospect, the Roos have put faith in Brayden George who will miss the entire 2023 season with a knee injury. With many draft picks being exchanged, the Kangaroos supporters will have to wait several years to judge the success of this year's off season but with the cards they have been dealt, they have played them astutely.
GRADE: A-
PORT ADELAIDE POWER
IN
Jason Horne-Francis, Junior Rioli, Francis Evans, Tom McCallum, Thomas Scully, Kyle Marshall, Nathan Barkla
OUT
Karl Amon, Robbie Gray, Steven Motlop, Martin Frederick, Sam Mayes, Taj Schofield, Sam Skinner
SUMMARY
The Power have been heralded as the big winner from the mega-trade where they received Horne-Francis and Rioli while trading out pick 8 and next year's first and and second round selections. Horne-Francis though has been condemned for his immature attitude and could disrupt the culture at the Power while Rioli looks to bolster Port's small forward stocks after Gray and Motlop retired and Fantasia continues to battle with injuries. If Horne-Francis can develop into the midfielder that made North Melbourne select the South Australian at pick 1 then he could be the missing piece in the centre of the ground with his contested ability. Amon is set to be a major loss as the 27-year old leaves in his prime, accumulating 15 brownlow votes in 2022. Even though the market is small, list manager, Jason Cripps should have looked at adding another lock-down defender allowing Aliir Aliir to return to his intercepting best instead of being an accountable one-on-one defender. Aside from their early-season failure, Port were competitive against the top sides but continued to leak goals from a particular forward as Pickett, Bolton, Lobb and Hawkins got the better of their opponents edging their teams over the line this season against Port Adelaide.
GRADE: B-
RICHMOND TIGERS
IN Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Kaleb Smith, Steely Green, Seth Campbell, Tyler Young
OUT
Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert, Josh Caddy, Jake Aarts, Sydney Stack, Matthew Parker, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Will Martyn
SUMMARY
The Tigers lost a few premiership stars due to retirement as Edwards, Lambert and Caddy hung up the boots while they were ruthless in their list cuts, delisting former first-rounder, Collier-Dawkins alongside Aarts and Stack who had promising starts to their career at Punt Road. Ex-Giants Taranto and Hopper take the headlines who can now form a formidable centre line with Shai Bolton and Dion Prestia. The pair came at a cost however as the Tigers gave away three first round selection in the process implying their intentions to contend for a fourth flag in seven years. Importantly, Ivan Soldo was not part of the trades with GWS maintaining Richmond's ruck depth after Nankervis. Similar to the Power, the Tigers could have looked at adding another proven defender as their backline seems to be their achilles heel and was once the foundation of their premiership success. They'll be hoping Josh Gibcus can take his game to another level next season.
GRADE: A
ST KILDA SAINTS
IN
Zaine Cordy, Mattaes Phillipou, James Van Es, Ollie Hotton, Isaac Keeler, Angus McLennan
OUT Ben Long, Paddy Ryder, Jarryn Geary, Dan Hannebery, Dean Kent, Darragh Joyce
SUMMARY
It could not have gone much worse for the Saints since their round 23 loss to the Swans after sacking Brett Ratten months after signing him on a deal keeping him as head coach until 2024. Long's move to Gold Coast after best afield performance in his last game as a Saint could turn out to be a regrettable loss. The Saints are in an awkward position as the board believes their list is underperforming suggesting a desire to play finals but many will hold the view that their current group of players won't take them to the promised land. The appointment of Ross Lyon accentuates the perplexion - a coach known for getting the best out of players but neglecting the youth. A dull trade period, picking up Bulldog Zaine Cordy meant the Saints invested in the draft. Mattaes Phillipou could be the Bontempelli-type that they missed in 2013 taking Jack Billings in the antecedent pick while James Van Es could help solidify an often undersized backline in the coming years. With Max King out for a large portion of. the season with shoulder surgery it is hard to make a case for the Saints to make the finals. As outsiders it's difficult to get a grasp as to where the Saints are at and the club may not know themselves.
GRADE: D-
SYDNEY SWANS
IN
Aaron Francis, Jacob Konstanty, Caleb Mitchell, Cooper Vickery, Jaiden Magor, Cameron Owen, Will Edwards
OUT Josh Kennedy, Callum Sinclair, Sam Naismith, Colin O'Riordan, Ben Ronke, Lewis Taylor, James Bell, Barry O'Connor
SUMMARY
Like Carlton, the Swan had a quiet trade period welcoming Aaron Francis without losing a player. Runners up in 2022, the Swans will want to go one better next season but with a young team they don't need to fill any specific needs rather develop the players they already have. Small forward, Jacob Konstanty was seen to be a bolter taken at pick 20 and could play a role in the side next season with Papley getting more midfield time in addition to the delisting of Bell, Taylor and Ronke making way. The Gippsland local's frontal pressure and ability to pounce on opposition mistakes epitomises Sydney's method in the front half of the field.
GRADE: C
WEST COAST EAGLES
IN
Jayden Hunt, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, Harry Barnett, Coby Burgiel, Noah Long, Tyrell Dewar, Jordyn Baker
OUT Junior Rioli, Josh Kennedy, Jack Redden, Jackson Nelson, Hugh Dixon, Tom Joyce, Zac Langdon, Patrick Naish
SUMMARY
In what was a season to forget, the Eagles have at least laid a platform to build on in the coming years. In a team that finished above wooden spooner's, North Melbourne due to a greater percentage, it was still difficult to pinpoint the next rising superstar from the Eagles side. The adversity of the season lead them back to draft. Holding pick 2 the Eagles made a bold move to split the pick receiving selections 8 and 12 in return. It was a move that enabled them to pick up two Western Australian midfielders in Ginbey and Hewett to inject youth into their aging midfield. With the go-home factor so prevalent in today's game in was a positive move as there were no Western Australian prospects worthy of going in the top 5. Jayden Hunt comes into a backline with speed and dash to compliment the dependable key backs of Mcgovern and Barrass. Josh Kennedy's retirement may have come a year too early for Adam Simpson though - the forward kicking 37 goals in just 15 matches showing he was still West Coast's most prolific goal-scorer. Harry Barnett's selection was a necessary investment to succeed Naitanui with the club opting out of the Luke Jackson trade while Burgiel could play a role as soon as next season with his versatility and polish.
GRADE: A-
WESTERN BULLDOGS
IN
Rory Lobb, Liam Jones, Jedd Busslinger, Charlie Clarke, Oskar Baker, Harvey Gallagher
OUT Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter, Josh Schache, Stefan Martin, Zaine Cordy, Stefan Martin, Charlie Parker, Mitch Wallis, Louis Butler
SUMMARY
Already stacked with talls, Rory Lobb's acquisition still remains bewildering. There is no doubt he is a proven forward but with Ugle-Hagan, Naughton, Darcy and Bruce already on the list it's inevitable one or two of the quartet will now fall out of favour. There have be suggestions to move Naughton to half-back which seems a strange move after he topped their goal kicking charts with 51 majors last season. Welcoming Liam Jones back to the kennel should consolidate their back third in the short term with the Dogs hopeful, Busslinger can become the stalwart when he finishes up. A swap of wingers with Melbourne will likely see Baker take Hunter's spot although that appears to be a downgrade from the 2018 Charles Sutton medalist. The reigning best-and-fairest, Dunkley's move to Brisbane not only diminishes the midfield of the Dogs but upgrades the squad of one their premiership competitors. The dogs have the midfield cattle to cover even the player of Dunkley's calibre but his tenacity and tackling ability was integral to the side.
GRADE: D
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