We have graded every club’s performance – and ranked them from one to 18 – through the free agency and trade period to find the real winners and losers.
That process is hardly straightforward, given the different spots the sides occupy in the premiership race and just how much things can change once next season starts. Here are our best- and worst-performed teams in this year’s player movement window …
1. Carlton
In: Nick Haynes (GWS/free agency), picks 3, 38, 63 and 68 and a future second-rounder (tied to Brisbane)
Out: Picks 12, 34, 66, Matt Kennedy (Western Bulldogs/trade), Matt Owies (West Coast/trade) and future first- and second-rounders
Draft picks: 3, 38, 63, 68, 69, 72
Trade grade: A
This was an aggressive trade period from the Blues, who reshaped their list to make it more dynamic, freed up some salary cap space and gathered draft points to match bids on father-son twins Ben and Lucas Camporeale. They shocked the football world by convincing Hawthorn to part with pick 14 for future first- and second-rounder, which gave Carlton picks 12 and 14. They then packaged those with out-of-contract forward Owies and nabbed the Eagles’ prized pick three, putting them squarely in the frame for highly rated midfielder Finn O’Sullivan. The Blues met with Dan Houston but always felt Collingwood were in a stronger position in that race. They also offloaded contracted midfielder Kennedy for pick 38, while retaining swingman Brodie Kemp after the Saints showed interest.
2. Geelong
In: Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs/trade) and pick 45
Out: Picks 17 and 38
Draft picks: 45, 57, 75, 93
Trade grade: A
After hosting disgruntled Demon Clayton Oliver at Rhys Stanley’s farm just outside Geelong, the Cats made it clear they were prepared to nab Oliver only on their terms before Melbourne shut them down. They stuck firm with their offer of pick 17 for out-of-contract Bulldog Bailey Smith, while eventually adding 38 to sweeten the deal – but also nabbed 45 – amid their willingness to walk him to the national draft. That said, list boss Andrew Mackie denied ever threatening counterpart Sam Power that he would do that. This was another great fortnight for Geelong, who just keep finding ways to regenerate on the run. The Cats will also land Jack Martin as a delisted free agent to wrap up a tidy trade period.
Marlion Pickett, Shai Bolton, and Daniel Rioli have all left Richmond since the end of the 2024 season.Credit: Getty Images
3. Gold Coast
In: Elliott Himmelberg (Adelaide/free agency), Daniel Rioli (Richmond/trade), John Noble (Collingwood/trade), picks 39, 51, 61, 70, 76 and future first-rounders (tied to Collingwood and Port Adelaide)
Out: Jack Lukosius (Port Adelaide/trade), Rory Atkins (Port Adelaide/trade), picks 13, 29 and 50
Draft picks: 39, 41, 51, 61, 70, 76, 78
Trade grade: A
It always helps when you start with a solid hand, but they did great business bringing in the three players they targeted, while accumulating enough points to match an expected bid on academy graduate Leo Lombard. Adding two future first-rounders was sneaky good, too. Trading out Rory Atkins and Jack Lukosius in the three-club deal with Collingwood and Gold Coast also freed up significant salary cap space. They kept the crowd entertained, with their determination to trade pick 13 attracting more offers than a deceased estate’s townhouse. Surely, they have the list now to make finals, although list boss Craig Cameron was unwilling to say that out loud.
4. Hawthorn
In: Josh Battle (St Kilda/free agency), Tom Barrass (West Coast/trade), future first- and second-rounders (both tied to Carlton) and a fourth-rounder (tied to West Coast)
Out: Pick 14 and future first-, second- and third-rounders
Draft picks: 33, 71, 77
Trade grade: B+
The Hawks had an early win when Battle accepted their offer to join them as an unrestricted free agent, then they caused all sorts of drama by trading pick 14 to Carlton for future first- and second-round picks last Friday. That move surprised the Eagles, who had that pick earmarked to on-trade for Richmond’s Liam Baker, and left them in no mood to compromise on Barrass. Hawthorn had to hand over future first, second and third picks to get Barrass and a future fourth-round selection in return. The Hawks’ draft picks for next season will be tied to the Blues’ finishing position, and they will back themselves in to perform strongly.
5. Fremantle
In: Shai Bolton (Richmond/trade), 14 and a future third-rounder (tied to Richmond)
Out: Picks 10, 11, 18
Draft picks: 14, 30, 67
Trade grade: B+
They targeted Bolton from a long way out and landed him on the final day of the trade period without any late sweating. They paid a premium in giving up multiple first-round picks in a strong draft, with selections 10, 11 and 18 going to Richmond in exchange for the ex-Tigers star, pick 14 and a future third-rounder. The Dockers had a final shot at convincing Liam Baker to change his mind and join them instead of West Coast, but he did not budge. They still have a first-round selection in this year’s deep draft and landed a game-breaker as senior coach Justin Longmuir heads into the last year of his contract.
Luke Parker will bring an experienced hard edge to North Melbourne.Credit: James Brickwood
6. North Melbourne
In: Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs/trade), Jack Darling (West Coast/trade), Jacob Konstanty (Sydney/trade), Luke Parker (Sydney/trade)
Out: Picks 25, 44 and 67
Draft picks: 2, 62
Trade grade: B+
It’s tough being North Melbourne in this era, as they fill the club with young talent but struggle to get in the frame for elite talent. However, this was a good trade period for them despite Dan Houston making it clear he did not want to join the Roos, who remained somewhat in the hunt until Monday afternoon. They convinced West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling to come for pick 67 to support Nick Larkey, and Sydney champion Luke Parker for much-needed leadership, although they had to release pick 44 to the Swans, who always play hard. Scoring small forward Jacob Konstanty in the Parker deal was shrewd business, given he was a No.20 pick two years ago. Handing over pick 25 for Caleb Daniel may seem a tad rich, but they wanted experience and went out and got it. Keep a watch on North Melbourne’s pick two, which they may try to split into multiple assets.
7. Adelaide
In: Isaac Cumming (GWS Giants/free agency), Alex Neal-Bullen (Melbourne/trade), James Peatling (GWS/trade) and future third-rounders (tied to Melbourne and GWS Giants) and a fourth-rounder (tied to GWS Giants)
Out: Elliott Himmelberg (Gold Coast/free agency), picks 28 and 46 and a future second-rounder
Draft picks: 4, 64
Trade grade: B+
Alex Neal-Bullen’s leadership will be a real asset at the Crows.Credit: Getty Images
The Crows promised all year to be aggressive players in the trade market and targeted several players, eventually landing Cumming as a free agent, while also benefiting from Neal-Bullen’s wish to return to Adelaide for personal reasons. They knocked that trade over on day one for pick 28, then spent the remaining time haggling over Peatling. Peatling was a coup as he was in high demand after a breakout second half of the season, and they eventually gave the Giants a future second-round pick for the uncontracted midfielder, while getting two later 2025 selections back. They had a dip at the Suns’ Jack Lukosius, but he instead chose Port Adelaide to play alongside close friend Connor Rozee.
8. Brisbane Lions
In: Picks 27, 34, 42, 43, 49, 66 and a future third-rounder (tied to Essendon)
Out: Harry Sharp (Melbourne/trade), Picks 20, 73 and future second- and third-rounders
Draft picks: 27, 34, 42, 43, 49, 60, 66
Trade grade: B
The premiers’ first objective was to accumulate enough points to match bids for father-son gun Levi Ashcroft and academy graduate Sam Marshall, which they did by trading pick 20 for a swag of later picks. They also sent the hard-running Sharp to Melbourne for pick 49 and a future third-rounder that is tied to Essendon. Those negotiations saw them also engage in a pick swap with St Kilda. Brisbane will address Joe Daniher’s retirement in the delisted free agency market – ex-Sun Sam Day is one option – but are also optimistic that young duo Henry Smith and Brandon Ryan can step up to somewhat fill the void.
Collingwood recruit Dan Houston puts on the black and white stripes after he was traded from Port Adelaide.
9. Collingwood
In: Harry Perryman (GWS Giants/free agency), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide/trade) and pick 58
Out: John Noble (Gold Coast/trade), Joe Richards (Port Adelaide/trade), pick 36 and a future first-rounder
Draft picks: 52, 55, 58
Trade grade: B
The jury is out on the Magpies’ strategy, as they brought in Perryman and paid a solid price for Port Adelaide’s back-to-back All-Australian Dan Houston. Both are good players, but don’t really address the Magpies’ need for a tall forward, midfielders and a marking defender. List boss Justin Leppitsch had the training wheels on in his first season in the job as Collingwood gave away a future first-round pick for the second season in a row. They also lost Richards to Port Adelaide and Noble to Gold Coast. They are in it to win it and will have to worry about their lack of youth later. The Pies are considering St Kilda pair Tim Membrey and Jack Hayes, although it would likely be one or the other if they go down that recycled route.
10. Essendon
In: Picks 28, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65 and a future first-rounder (tied to Melbourne)
Out: Jake Stringer (GWS Giants/trade) and pick 9 and a future third-rounder
Draft picks: 28, 31, 40, 46, 53, 54, 65
Trade grade: B
Stringer is the big news here, finally joining the Giants via one of the last trades this year after weeks of speculation and other clubs withdrawing their interest. The Bombers had hoped for a better pick than 53 for the enigmatic forward, but also were unwilling to give him an extra year beyond 2025, so he was not part of their plans. It was a relatively quiet period overall for Essendon, as they executed their strategy without much drama. They decided to fall out of the top 10 in the draft rather than attempt the riskier play of getting ahead of a bid for academy graduate Isaac Kako, by trading out pick nine for Melbourne’s future first-rounder and a bunch of selections in this year’s draft. They had interest in the Giants’ Conor Stone, but he signed a two-year deal to stay in western Sydney.
11. Richmond
In: Picks 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23 (compensation for Jack Graham)
Out: Liam Baker (West Coast/trade), Shai Bolton (Fremantle/trade), Jack Graham (West Coast/free agency), Daniel Rioli (Gold Coast/trade), picks 32, 43, 45, 51, 61, 70, 76 and a future third-rounder
Draft picks: 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24
Trade grade: C+
A club is never happy when players of the calibre of Rioli, Bolton, Baker and Graham depart in one off-season, but the Tigers are now armed with the greatest single-year draft hand of any club not named Gold Coast or GWS. Having seven first-round picks in such a highly rated draft is a wonderful platform to replenish a list that still has some stars but lacks depth. There is a bit of everything in the 2024 draft class, but they have the chance to add two blue-chip midfielders at the top before adding promising prospects at both ends. List boss Blair Hartley has also not ruled out trying to add a second top-three selection. How quickly Richmond return to relevance will largely depend on this draft crop.
12. Melbourne
In: Tom Campbell (St Kilda/free agency), Harry Sharp (Brisbane/trade), pick 9 and a future third-rounder (tied to Brisbane)
Out: Alex Neal-Bullen (Adelaide/trade), picks 40, 49, 54 and 65 and future first- and third-rounders
Draft picks: 5, 9
Trade grade: B-
The Dees started the post-season with another public relations disaster when it became clear they had discussed Clayton Oliver with rival clubs, only for Geelong to attempt to muscle their way into a trade. That forced the Demons to again shut down the prospect of trading Oliver, as the Cats could not offer them what they may have contemplated in a deal. Their list boss, Tim Lamb, was forced into an awkward media conference, where he could say little of substance, except admitting the drama around Oliver and Christian Petracca may have impacted the willingness of players to join the club. That much was obvious when Dan Houston backflipped on the idea of becoming a Demon. Lamb did a good job gaining the club another top-10 pick (Essendon’s No.9) for a future first-rounder and a bunch of later selections. They traded in Lion Sharp for third-rounders but could not convince the Giants to trade swingman Wade Derksen.
13. Port Adelaide
In: Rory Atkins (Gold Coast/trade), Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast/trade), Joe Richards (Collingwood/trade), picks 13, 29, 36, 50
Out: Dan Houston (Collingwood/trade), picks 39 and 58, a future first-rounder
Draft picks: 13, 29, 36, 50
Trade grade: B-
They copped more criticism than was warranted when they eventually finalised a deal on the penultimate day of the trade period, where they gained Suns pair Lukosius and Atkins, Collingwood’s Richards, and picks 13, 29, 36 and 50, while losing Houston and a future first-round pick. Once they agreed to let Houston go – despite four years remaining on his contract – they were up against it, particularly once the dual All-Australian cooled on joining the Demons. There is no doubt they wanted a better return for Houston – ideally two first-round picks – but it was impossible. However, with Lukosius and pick 13, they could improve, even with the loss of the star defender. Ruckman Ivan Soldo wanted to play for St Kilda, but the Saints opted against recruiting him after his medical.
14. St Kilda
In: Picks 8 and 32 (compensation for Josh Battle), Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs/trade)
Out: Josh Battle (Hawthorn/free agency), Tom Campbell (Melbourne/free agency), pick 27
Draft picks: 7, 8, 32, 47
Trade grade: B-
The Saints had great fortune in receiving pick eight as compensation for losing free agent Battle to Hawthorn, and they now have two top-10 picks to try and boost their star power. They believe Macrae can help their midfield – after delisting veteran Seb Ross – and wanted to get him without paying much in the draft, eventually offering the Bulldogs’ pick 45. They made a late play for Carlton defender Brodie Kemp, but the Blues had little interest in letting the swingman go. Their biggest splash in the trade period came via president Andrew Bassat when he slammed the AFL’s draft system at the club’s best and fairest.
15. Western Bulldogs
In: Matt Kennedy (Carlton/trade), picks 17 and 25
Out: Bailey Smith (Geelong/trade), Jack Macrae (St Kilda/trade), Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne/trade)
Draft picks: 17, 25, 35, 48
Trade grade: C+
The Bulldogs waited until the last moments before unleashing a quarter-hour of (Sam) Power to trade the uncontracted Smith and pick 45 for Nos. 17 and 38, which enabled them to use the latter selection to recruit Carlton midfielder Kennedy. They received 45 from St Kilda for Macrae and also managed to convince North Melbourne to give them pick 25 for Daniel. They delivered on their promise to extract more from Geelong for Smith, and their late bid for Kennedy resolved an issue after the Giants refused to entertain a trade for Xavier O’Halloran, who the Bulldogs had targeted. Smith is the Dogs’ only major loss.
Jake Stringer will get a fresh start with the Giants.Credit: Getty Images
16. GWS Giants
In: Picks 16 and 21, Jake Stringer (Essendon/trade) and a future second-rounder (tied to Adelaide)
Out: Isaac Cumming (Adelaide/free agency), Nick Haynes (Carlton/free agency), James Peatling (Adelaide/trade), Harry Perryman (Collingwood/free agency), pick 53 and future third- and fourth-rounders
Draft picks: 15, 16, 21, 37, 56, 74
Trade grade: C
The Giants were dealt dual blows during the free agency period when Perryman left for Collingwood and Cumming joined Adelaide, although the first-round compensation picks of 16 (Perryman) and 21 (Cumming) improved their mood. They battled hard for a strong return for Peatling and managed to get a future second-round pick from the Crows and handed back a future third and fourth. After spending two weeks considering whether to recruit Stringer, they eventually came to the table late in the trade period to offer Essendon pick 53.
17. Sydney
In: Pick 44
Out: Luke Parker (North Melbourne/trade), Jacob Konstanty (North Melbourne/trade)
Draft picks: 19, 22, 44, 59
Trade grade: C
Having been big players in last year’s trade period, the runners-up had little appetite or room to trade heavily. They saw veteran Parker’s departure as an opportunity to get more draft capital – even if only modest – and ended up with pick 44 while also including Konstanty in the deal. The Swans tried to secure Gold Coast’s pick 13 with selections 19 and 22 early in the exchange period, but it was always Collingwood’s to lose. However, Sydney may attempt to work up the draft board as picks can be traded in the lead-up to, and during, the national draft.
18. West Coast
In: Jack Graham (Richmond/free agency), Liam Baker (Richmond/trade), Matt Owies (Carlton/trade), picks 12 and 73 and future first-, second- and third-rounders (tied to Hawthorn)
Out: Tom Barrass (Hawthorn/trade), Jack Darling (North Melbourne/trade), picks 3, 63 and 68 and future fourth-rounder
Draft picks: 12, 26, 73
Trade grade: C-
It was an interesting first trade period as list boss for ex-Richmond recruiting manager Matt Clarke, who drew the ire of his club’s fans when he traded pick three as part of a three-club deal to ensure Baker became an Eagle. They stood firm in wanting a strong return for premiership defender Barrass, and ended up with Hawthorn’s future first-, second- and third-rounders, so they will hope the Hawks don’t continue to soar. Darling was surplus to plans in a rebuilding team with enough tall forwards, while Graham and Owies effectively came for free to increase West Coast’s depth.
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