New faces, selection squeezes: Every AFL club’s best 22 for 2023 after the trade period

A whopping 36 players found new homes for the 2023 season after one of the most remarkable trade periods in AFL history.

A mega trade deal saw four clubs get involved to send pick one to GWS and last year’s number one draftee Jason Horne-Francis to Port Adelaide.

While the draft and delisted free agency will mean more changes, we now have a good sense of how teams will look in 2023.

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Foxfooty.com.au predicts and analyses your club’s best 22 for next season.

ADELAIDE CROWS

B: Andrew McPherson, Jordon Butts, Patrick Parnell

HB: Brodie Smith, Tom Doedee, Chayce Jones

C: Jordan Dawson, Rory Laird, Mitchell Hinge

HF: Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty, Riley Thilthorpe

F: Josh Rachele, Taylor Walker, Shane McAdam

FOLL: Reilly O’Brien, Ben Keays, Sam Berry

I/C: Nick Murray,Rory Sloane, Jake Soligo, Harry Schoenberg

Key off-season ins: Izak Rankine

Key off-season outs: Luke Brown, James Rowe

WE SAY: The Crows will be looking to further improve on their eight-win season with a squad that suddenly has solid depth compared to previous years. It includes a massive boost of starpower in Izak Rankine in the forward line alongside fellow young guns Josh Rachele, Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty that will create plenty of excitement among the Crows faithful. Meanwhile Rory Sloane returns from his ACL injury, although the 32-year old may no longer be a walk-up starter in the 22, and we’ve excluded Paul Seedsman amid his uncertain AFL future due to his concussion issues. We couldn’t find space for the likes of Matt Crouch, Josh Worrell, Lachlan Murphy, Wayne Milera and Josh Worrell, highlighting the club’s improved depth. Is a finals berth out of the question?

BRISBANE LIONS

B: Daniel Rich, Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner

HB: Keidan Coleman, Marcus Adams, Brandon Starcevic

C: Zac Bailey, Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage

HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Jack Gunston

F: Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher, Lincoln McCarthy

FOLL: Oscar McInerney, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley

I/C: Cam Rayner, Jarryd Lyons, Noah Answerth, Dayne Zorko

In: Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston, Will Ashcroft*

Out: Mitch Robinson, Dan McStay 

WE SAY: We could be looking at the premiership favourites right here. The Lions were arguably the biggest winners of the trade period after adding boom recruits Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston to provide big boosts to the midfield and forward line respectively. Gunston is an upgrade on new Magpie Dan McStay, while Dunkley fleshes out an already potent midfield. Brisbane may have the most balanced, deepest line-up in the competition, with virtually no holes. So much so that we snubbed likely No. 1 pick and father-son prodigy Will Ashcroft despite that fact that both he and fellow father-son prospect Jaspa Fletcher are yet to officially join the list.

CARLTON

B: Caleb Marchbank, Jacob Weitering, Lewis Young

HB: Adam Saad, Mitch McGovern, Sam Docherty

C: Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps, Adam Cerra

HF: Jack Martin, Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni

F: Zac Fisher, Harry McKay, Jesse Motlop

FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Sam Walsh, George Hewett,

I/C: Tom De Koning, Matt Kennedy, Nic Newman, Zac Williams

In: Blake Acres

Out: Jack Newnes, Liam Stocker, Will Setterfield

WE SAY: The Blues’ best 22 for 2023 is as talented and loaded as any side in the competition as Michael Voss’ group will enter the new season with as strong a prospects as anyone. It comes despite a much more quiet trade period from Carlton compared to in previous years, with Blake Acres the sole addition, but a valuable addition of that to hold down the wing with elite two-way running. The Blues’ back six feels the most settled it’s been in years, while their midfield could well be the deepest in the competition, led by Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and George Hewett. There may yet be some uncertainty with the forward mix as we’ve left out both Corey Durdin and Matt Owies. Marc Pittonet stays in the No. 1 ruck role over Tom De Koning for now, although the club could give the latter increased opportunities in the position.

COLLINGWOOD

B: Isaac Quaynor, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard,

HB: Nick Daicos, Jeremy Howe, Scott Pendlebury

C: Josh Daicos, Jack Crisp, Steele Sidebottom

HF: Jamie Elliott, Dan McStay, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jack Ginnivan, Brody Mihocek, Beau McCreery

FOLL: Darcy Cameron, Jordan De Goey, Tom Mitchell

I/C: Taylor Adams, Patrick Lipinski, Nathan Murphy, John Noble

In: Tom Mitchell, Dan McStay, Bobby Hill, Billy Frampton

Out: Brodie Grundy, Ollie Henry

WE SAY: The Pies line-up similarly to how they ended 2022 but are boosted by off-season recruits Tom Mitchell and Dan McStay. Mitchell provides an extra inside midfielder they lacked last year – and rounds out a talented on-ball brigade – while McStay gives them another marking target up forward that will back up Darcy Cameron in the ruck. Bobby Hill remains outside the 22 for now given he, Jack Ginnivan and Beau McCreery all play a similar role and Will Hoskin-Elliott provides another aerial presence, but that will clearly be a big watch over the pre-season. Collingwood also added Billy Frampton to fill Jordan Roughead’s void deep in defence and to allow Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe to push higher up the ground, but it remains a tough back six to crack into.

ESSENDON

B: Jordan Ridley, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jayden Laverde

HB: Andy McGrath, Jake Kelly, Mason Redman

C: Nic Martin, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell

HF: Archie Perkins, Sam Weideman, Matt Guelfi

F: Jake Stringer, Peter Wright, Kyle Langford

FOLL: Sam Draper, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish

I/C: Will Setterfield, Jye Caldwell, Harrison Jones, Nick Hind

In: Sam Weideman, Will Setterfield

Out: Michael Hurley, Devon Smith, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Aaron Francis

WE SAY: There’s enough reason for optimism that the Bombers can bounce back under Brad Scott from their disappointing season, with a solid mix across the board and upside in the likes of Archie Perkins, Jye Caldwell and Harrison Jones. Sam Weideman and Will Setterfield could prove to be handy off-season additions that have both shown plenty at AFL level before but struggled for regular opportunities. Key for Essendon will be its back six really gelling and becoming much harder to score against, and the foundation of a solid defence is there. We couldn’t find room for the likes of Nik Cox, Will Snelling, Sam Durham, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Ben Hobbs and Zach Reid, but they all have clams to being named Round 1.

FREMANTLE DOCKERS

B: Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox, Heath Chapman

HB: Hayden Young, Alex Pearce, Jordan Clark

C: Nathan O’Driscoll, Andrew Brayshaw, James Aish

HF: Nat Fyfe, Luke Jackson, Michael Frederick

F: Lachie Schultz, Matt Taberner, Michael Walters

FOLL: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Will Brodie

I/C: Jye Amiss, Jaeger O’Meara, Brandon Walker, Sam Switkowski

In: Luke Jackson, Jaeger O’Meara

Out: Rory Lobb, David Mundy, Blake Acres, Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker

WE SAY: Although the Dockers have lost plenty of experience over the off-season – in particular club great David Mundy and gun forward Rory Lobb – their starting 22 still stacks up among the best sides for 2023. Star recruit Luke Jackson comes in to support Sean Darcy in the ruck while playing a hybrid role up forward to give them a different look. And the loss of Lobb will ideally be off-set by improvement from Jye Amiss and a bounce-back season from Matt Taberner after his 2022 was hampered by injury. Jaeger O’Meara will be another useful addition, but he won’t walk into the Dockers’ star-studded midfield led by Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, as evident by Nat Fyfe already being used predominantly in attack.

GEELONG CATS

B: Jake Kolodjashnij, Jack Henry, Sam De Koning

HB: Zach Tuohy, Tom Stewart, Jed Bews

C: Mitch Duncan, Patrick Dangerfield, Max Holmes

HF: Isaac Smith, Jeremy Cameron, Brad Close

F: Tyson Stengle, Tom Hawkins, Gary Rohan

FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs

I/C: Zach Guthrie, Tom Atkins, Mark O’Connor, Brandon Parfitt

In: Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes, Ollie Henry

Out: Joel Selwood Shaun Higgins, Quinton Narkle, Luke Dahlhaus, Cooper Stephens

WE SAY: The reigning premiers just keep on keeping on with a side that looks primed for yet another flag tilt, led by probably the best defence in the competition. A spot in the midfield opens up after Joel Selwood’s retirement, with Brandon Parfitt the obvious replacement to go with more midfield opportunities for Tom Atkins. Off-season recruits Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes will also be in the mix for an on-ball role in the senior team. Fellow new addition Ollie Henry’s pathway into the 22 is less clear, with both the former Magpie and Gryan Miers missing the cut for now, although they’re every chance to be there Round 1 and have key roles to play into the future. It’s also possible Geelong picks up Geelong Falcons captain Jye Clark with Pick 7 in the draft as another contender to play senior footy straight away.

GOLD COAST SUNS

B: Sean Lemmens, Sam Collins, Ben Long

HB: Charlie Ballard, Caleb Graham, Jy Farrar

C: Brandon Ellis, Touk Miller, Elijah Hollands

HF: Joel Jeffrey, Mabior Chol, Ben Ainsworth

F: Malcolm Rosas, Ben King, Nick Holman

FOLL: Jarrod Witts, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson

I/C: David Swallow, Jack Lukosius, Sam Flanders, Alex Davies

In: Ben Long

Out: Josh Corbett, Izak Rankine, Jack Bowes

WE SAY: It’s hard to leave Levi Casboult out of the side after a career-best 35 goals in 2022, but with Ben King back someone will have to make way. Ben Long should slot in nicely down back, while the losses of Jack Bowes and Josh Corbett won’t hurt too much given they were in and out of the senior side. Tom Berry will have to bide his time as well, with the likes of Malcolm Rosas and Nick Holman in the frame.

GWS GIANTS

B: Isaac Cummung, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun

HB: Lachie Whitfield, Harry Himmelberg, Nick Haynes

C: Harry Perryman, Josh Kelly, Lachie Ash

HF: Brent Daniels, Jake Riccardi, Daniel Lloyd

F: Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Toby Bedford

FOLL: Braydon Preuss, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Green,

I/C: Finn Callaghan, Callan Ward, Jacob Wehr, Adam Kennedy

In: Toby Bedford

Out: Matt De Boer, Bobby Hill, Tim Taranto, Tanner Bruhn, Jacob Hopper

WE SAY: It’s a mini-reset under Adam Kingsley and there’s a fair bit of talent he won’t have access to when season 2023 gets underway. Key among them is obviously Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio have fared well in the middle, but it opens up the door for Tom Green to do even more along with Finn Callaghan as he continues to develop. Toby Bedford isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Bobby Hill but should play a similar role in the forward line. Aaron Cadman is likely to come in via the draft with pick No.1, so it’s up to Jake Riccardi to seize his spot in the side early.

HAWTHORN

B: Blake Hardwick, James Sicily, James Blanck

HB: Changkouth Jiath, Sam Frost, Will Day

C: Lachlan Bramble, Josh Ward, Karl Amon

HF: Dylan Moore, Jacob Koschitzke, Connor Macdonald

F: Luke Breust, Mitch Lewis, Lloyd Meek

FOLL: Ned Reeves, Jai Newcombe, Chad Wingard

I/C: James Worpel, Jarman Impey, Jack Scrimshaw, Finn Maginness

In: Karl Amon, Cooper Stephens, Lloyd Meek

Out: Ben McEvoy, Liam Shiels, Tom Phillips, Daniel Howe, Kyle Hartigan, Jack Gunston, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara

WE SAY: It may well take until round one for us to realise just how different this team is from even the one that took to the field in 2022. Luke Breust is now the only player there who is 30 or older, with the likes of Ben McEvoy and Jack Gunston gone. Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara were being phased out of the midfield already, but it’s still a considerable void they leave. Karl Amon will slot in perfectly on a wing and could get some minutes in the midfield as well. Lloyd Meek and Ned Reeves may start the season together before Sam Mitchell makes a call on the setup and its merits. Cooper Stephens should be right in the mix too.

MELBOURNE

B: Harrison Petty, Steven May, Michael Hibberd

HB: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Lever, Christian Salem

C: Ed Langdon, Jack Viney, Lachie Hunter

HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Tom McDonald, Kysaiah Pickett

F: Jacob Van Rooyen, Max Gawn, Bayley Fritsch

FOLL: Brodie Grundy, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca

I/C: James Jordon, Charlie Spargo, Tom Sparrow, Trent Rivers

In: Brodie Grundy, Josh Schache, Lachie Hunter, Josh Schache

Out: Majak Daw, Mitch Brown, Jayden Hunt, Toby Bedford, Luke Jackson, Sam Weideman

WE SAY: Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy will be the tag-team drawing the most fascination in 2023. Gawn may be wayward with his set shots, but he does seem to be the more capable forward and could start there next season, while Grundy takes up the mantle of the number one ruckman. Ben Brown’s form has been sporadic at best, so he might fall out of the senior side. Lachie Hunter should be given a chance on the wing to start at his new club. Jacob Van Rooyen is due for a crack. Jake Bowey and James Harmes lead a list of fringe players that may rotate through the side next season.

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: Aiden Corr, Ben McKay, Lachie Young

HB: Luke McDonald, Griffin Logue, Tarryn Thomas

C: Bailey Scott, Ben Cunnington, Darcy Tucker

HF: Jaidyn Stephenson, Callum Coleman-Jones, Cam Zurhaar

F: Paul Curtis, Nick Larkey, Tristan Xerri

FOLL: Todd Goldstein, Jy Simpkin, Ben Cunnington

I/C: Tom Powell, Will Phillips, Curtis Taylor, Jack Ziebell

In: Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker

Out: Jason Horne-Francis, Jed Anderson, Kayne Turner, Josh Walker

WE SAY: It’s never easy losing the number one pick, but the Roos will being in another two top-end draft picks by the time the draft is done and are looking OK in terms of on-field talent. Jack Ziebell is in this side given his leadership capabilities, but from an on-field perspective he needs to lift. If Ben Cunnington is fit and firing, it will be an enormous boost to the lineup. It does, however, raise questions about Hugh Greenwood’s role and whether he fits in. Darcy Tucker might start on a wing, while Griffin Logue will slot in down back.

PORT ADELAIDE

B: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Tom Clurey, Tom Jonas

HB: Dan Houston, Aliir Aliir, Ryan Burton

C: Kane Farrell, Ollie Wines, Miles Bergman

HF: Jeremy Finlayson, Todd Marshall, Jason Horne-Francis

F: Junior Rioli, Charlie Dixon, Sam Powell-Pepper

FOLL: Scott Lycett, Zak Butters, Connor Rozee

I/C: Travis Boak, Willem Drew, Mitch Georgia’s, Orazio Fantasia

In: Jason Horne-Francis, Junior Rioli

Out: Steven Motlop, Robbie Gray, Sam Skinner, Sam Mayes, Karl Amon, Martin Frederick

WE SAY: Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli aren’t a bad pair of pickups, particularly when no players are going out the other way. It means players like Xavier Duursma are likely to spend more time on the fringes in 2023. Scott Lycett’s return after his injury-riddled 2022 campaign means the second ruck/forward spot becomes interesting. Jeremy Finlayson relished more responsibility in the back half of 2022 so it will be fascinating to see how his performances fare in 2023. Rioli can come in and play a similar role to that of Robbie Gray.

RICHMOND

B: Dylan Grimes, Robbie Tarrant, Nathan Broad

HB: Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta, Dan Rioli

C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Jacob Hopper, Marlion Pickett

HF:Tim Taranto, Jack Riewoldt, Shai Bolton

F: Noah Cumberland, Tom Lynch, Maurice Rioli Jr

FOLL: Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Dustin Martin

I/C: Liam Baker, Jayden Short, Trent Cotchin, Tyler Sonsie

In: Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper

Out: Josh Caddy, Kane Lambert, Matthew Parker, Shane Edwards, Sydney Stack, Jake Aarts, Riley Collier-Dawkins

WE SAY: Damien Hardwick has got two new ‘set and forget’ operators in Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. Both will add immediate depth and potency to a Richmond midfield brigade that has at times been very thin. Their arrivals won’t make things any easier for Jack Graham as he attempts to break into the side more consistently, but it’s a healthy competition for spots. Dustin Martin’s position is highly dependant on how his body holds up, but with a great pre-season he could return to his midfield-forward best. The likes of Josh Gibcus may have to bide their time at the start of the year.

ST KILDA

B: Ben Paton, Dougal Howard, Callum Wilkie

HB: Jack Sinclair, Josh Battle, Brad Hill

C: Dan McKenzie, Brad Crouch, Hunter Clark

HF: Marcus Windhager, Tim Membrey, Jade Gresham

F: Dan Butler, Max King, Jack Higgins

FOLL: Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Seb Ross

I/C: Jack Hayes, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jack Billings, Mitch Owens

In: Zaine Cordy

Out: Paddy Ryder, Dan Hannebery, Jarryn Geary, Josiah Kyle, Dean Kent, Darragh Joyce, Ben Long

WE SAY: The Saints picked up Zaine Cordy as an unrestricted free agent, but it’s hard to see him actually cementing a spot in the best 22, so he may be consigned to a similar fate as he was during his time at the Bulldogs. St Kilda has purportedly decided to reinvest in its youth, so there really isn’t any excuse for not exposing the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mitch Owens to as much senior game time as possible in 2023. There have been some key retirements through the off-season, so it gives the likes of Tom Campbell and Zak Jones their chance to try break back into the side.

SYDNEY SWANS

B: Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin, Paddy McCartin

HB: Nick Blakey, Robbie Fox, Jake Lloyd

C: Dylan Stephens, Callum Mills, Justin McInerney

HF: Isaac Heeney, Sam Reid, Will Hayward

F: Tom Papley, Lance Franklin, Ryan Clarke

FOLL: Tom Hickey, James Rowbottom, Luke Parker

I/C: Chad Warner, Logan McDonald, Oliver Florent, Errol Gulden

In: Aaron Francis

Out: Josh Kennedy, Callum Sinclair

WE SAY: The team set to make the least changes for 2023, the Swans were fairly inactive during the trade period. The 2022 beaten grand finalists only acquired Aaron Francis from the Bombers – and he’s no certainty to walk into their starting line up. Logan McDonald looms as an interesting watch in 2023 after becoming the GF heartbreak tale when he was dropped to make way for Hayden McLean. But if Sam Reid’s fit, the need for McLean as a back-up ruck lessens.

WEST COAST EAGLES

B: Shannon Hurn, Tom Barrass, Brady Hough

HB: Liam Duggan, Jeremy McGovern, Jayden Hunt

C: Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed, Jamaine Jones

HF: Jamie Cripps, Oscar Allen, Luke Shuey

F: Liam Ryan, Jack Darling, Zac Langdon

FOLL: Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly, Andrew Gaff

I/C: Campbell Chesser, Connor West, Greg Clark, Bailey Williams

In: Jayden Hunt

Out: Josh Kennedy, Jackson Nelson, Luke Foley, Jack Redden, Hugh Dixon, Junior Rioli

WE SAY: West Coast had a year to forget in 2022. But their injury/Covid crisis gave the club plenty of looks at their young talent – unfortunately not many hold their spot heading into 2023. Oscar Allen will be a welcome addition to a forward line hit hard by the loss of veteran Josh Kennedy. Ex-Demon Jayden Hunt comes onto a half-back flank in a defence bolstered by an injury-free Jeremy McGovern, meaning Harry Edwards misses out. The club had massive praise for rookie Campbell Chesser before he was placed on the inactive list without playing a senior game due to a long-term injury. So expect him to get the nod to debut early in 2023. Jake Waterman is another forced out of the best 22, alongside Josh Rotham and Sam Petrevski-Seton.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: Ed Richards, Liam Jones, Alex Keath

HB: Bailey Williams, Ryan Gardner, Bailey Dale

C: Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith

HF: Rhylee West, Rory Lobb, Sam Darcy

F: Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Josh Bruce

FOLL: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar

I/C: Jason Johannisen, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Caleb Daniel, Laitham Vandermeer

In: Rory Lobb, Liam Jones

Out: Zaine Cordy, Josh Schache, Lachie Hunter, Josh Dunkley, Stefan Martin, Mitch Wallis

WE SAY: The Bulldogs needed to bolster their backline and they get the chance with Liam Jones returning to the kennel. Jones missed the 2021 season after failing to adhere to the AFL’s health and safety protocols, but he’s stayed involved through the QAFL. Recruit Rory Lobb walks into the best 22, but it won’t be at the expense of young talent Sam Darcy. Coach Luke Beveridge will have to find a balance between his tall timber of Aaron Naughton, Darcy, Lobb, Josh Bruce and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Darcy could also head down back if needed. Skipper Marcus Bontempelli can head forward with Laitham Vandermeer waiting on the bench. The likes of Jason Johannisen, Roarke Smith, Buku Khamis and Anthony Scott will have a fight on their hands to grab a spot in the 22.