The 2023 AFL season is heating up, but players are already beginning to weigh up their futures beyond the year’s end. Here’s a roundup of the latest AFL trade rumours.
For a full list of free agents and out of contract players, check out our list here.
Adelaide Crows
Matt Crouch – No trade was forthcoming at the end of 2022 despite the 2017 All-Australian falling badly out of favour under Matthew Nicks. Is out of contract at season’s end and looks almost certain to depart, but offers appear thin on the ground, though has enjoyed an excellent end to the season having forced his way back into the senior team.
Tom Doedee – A restricted free agent, the Crows’ vice-captain has been linked to Brisbane as well as several other clubs. Is currently recuperating from a ruptured ACL.
Brisbane Lions
Darcy Fort – Has attracted interest from Port Adelaide after being stuck behind Oscar McInerney in Brisbane’s ruck pecking order and only occasionally playing when the Lions opt for two rucks.
Tom Fullarton – The 24-year old swingman is a person of interest for rival clubs having managed just 19 games in four years at the Lions, including none this season. Has managed 28 goals from 15 VFL outings and impressed.
Carlton Blues
Paddy Dow – Out of contract and having fallen well down the midfield pecking order in 2023, Dow’s VFL dominance will likely see him explore options elsewhere for a second start at the highest level.
Zac Fisher – Has courted heavy interest from North Melbourne after struggling to break into Carlton’s best 22 until being reinvented as a half-back late in the season. Could even attract a five-year deal from the Kangaroos, according to reports.
Jack Silvagni – Will be a restricted free agent at season’s end, but has found himself on the outer at times in 2023, which could prompt a move elsewhere. Reports have suggested the Blues will not offer him a contract extension at season’s end.
Collingwood Magpies
Trent Bianco – Has managed just one senior game at the Magpies in 2023, but prolific VFL form has seen him attract interest from rival clubs. Is without a contract for 2024.
Jack Ginnivan – Having been in and out of the Magpies team in 2023 after an excellent 2022, has been linked with the Western Bulldogs.
Ash Johnson – In and out of the Pies’ team at times in 2023, the mobile forward has attracted some interest from rival clubs, and is out of contract at season’s end.
Essendon Bombers
Darcy Parish – Turned his back on free agency, and interest from Geelong in particular, to sign a new five-year contract and remain with the Bombers.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher – Having become a lock in the Bombers’ best 22, the injury-prone key defender has become a player to watch for several teams. A native South Australian, both Adelaide and Port Adelaide are in the hunt, and he seems more likely to go than to stay.
Fremantle Dockers
Sean Darcy – Will be a restricted free agent at the end of 2024 and offers are already coming in, with reports suggesting Geelong have offered a five-year deal worth $1 million per season. However, the Dockers remain confident the star ruckman, who hails from Cobden in Victoria’s south-west, will re-sign with them.
Liam Henry – Has officially requested a trade out of Fremantle and to Victoria. The out-of-contract wingman has a number of interested suitors, chief among them Hawthorn, while the Western Bulldogs, Carlton, North Melbourne and St Kilda are also interested.
Geelong Cats
Brandan Parfitt – Has fallen down the Cats’ midfield pecking order in the last two seasons and appears likely to seek a fresh start next year.
Esava Ratugolea – Has forced his way into Geelong’s best 22 for much of the season as an intercepting key defender, but is again being courted by Port Adelaide among other suitors. Out of contract at season’s end, but the Cats fought hard to keep him from the Power at the end of 2022 and are expected to do so again. Reports have suggested his contract offer could be as much as $5 million over seven years should he explore a trade away from GMHBA Stadium.
Gold Coast Suns
Mabior Chol – Has two years to run on his Gold Coast contract, but having managed just eight games in 2023 after a 44-goal 2022, is being closely monitored by rival clubs in need of a tall forward.
Caleb Graham – The key defender is contracted until the end of 2026, but has fallen out of favour this season and has attracted interest.
Ben King – Is once again a person of interest for rival clubs, but is expected to not seek a trade until the end of his contract in 2024. However, Collingwood lead a long list of suitors trying to lure the key forward back to Victoria.
Brodie McLaughlin – A pre-season supplementary selection yet to debut, McLaughlin has reportedly become a person of interest for several clubs, having dominated the VFL in 2022 for Frankston.
Jeremy Sharp – Looks almost certain to return home to his native Western Australia, having not appeared for the Suns in 2023. Requested a trade to Fremantle during last year’s trade period which didn’t eventuate, and it seems certain he will be a Docker next season, potentially as a delisted free agent if a deal can’t be struck.
GWS Giants
Matt Flynn – Has fallen behind Kieren Briggs in the Giants’ ruck pecking order. Is out of contract at season’s end and may seek a trade elsewhere.
Jake Riccardi– Has established himself in the Giants’ best 22 in 2023, but is out of contract at season’s end and is being monitored closely.
Lachie Whitfield – Tied to GWS until the end of 2027, but with the club still reportedly suffering salary cap issues, has become a trade target due to his heavily back-ended contract. Is more likely to stay than leave, however.
Hawthorn Hawks
Tyler Brockman – Has requested a trade home to his native Western Australia, with West Coast the frontrunner for the 20-year old goalsneak’s services.
Chad Wingard – Out of contract at season’s end but revitalised his career with an excellent month towards the end of the season. However, ruptured his Achilles in Round 22 and faces 12 months on the sidelines.
Melbourne Demons
Brodie Grundy – Has four years still to run on a lucrative contract spread across the Demons and Collingwood, but having been banished to the VFL to work on his forward craft, speculation is rife the two-time All-Australian could seek a move to a third club at season’s end. Port Adelaide are the frontrunners, with coach Ken Hinkley as well as a group of players having met with Grundy during the finals bye week, while Geelong also loom as a potential new home.
Adam Tomlinson – Has a year to run on his contract with the Demons, but is looking to pursue more senior football opportunities elsewhere having served as a back-up for much of 2023.
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Todd Goldstein – Has repeatedly turned his back on offers elsewhere to remain at North Melbourne, but is out of contract at season’s end and looks to have fallen behind the younger Tristan Xerri in the ruck pecking order.
Ben McKay – Is looking likely to depart as a restricted free agent at season’s end, having appeared disinterested at times on-field in another frustrating season. Essendon have been heavily linked for months, but recent reports suggest Sydney are the new frontrunners for the key defender’s services. Hawthorn and Port Adelaide are also in the running. It has been reported the Roos could receive a compensation pick as high as pick 2, with the club saying they will match any bid that doesn’t net them a first-round compensation.
Tarryn Thomas – Is contracted to the end of 2024 and comes with a string of off-field controversies, but Essendon have expressed interest in a trade for the talented Roo after a strong return to the side in late 2023. Sydney also reportedly have interest.
Port Adelaide Power
Tom Clurey – The key defender has fallen out of favour with the Power amid a dire injury run in 2023, and is reportedly seeking a new home despite having two years to run on his contract.
Orazio Fantasia – Has denied reports he is seeking a return to former club Essendon at season’s end, having endured another frustrating run with injuries since being traded to the Power in the 2020 trade period. Will be out of contract at the end of 2023.
Mitch Georgiades – Turned his back on heavy interest from West Coast and Fremantle to sign a four-year contract extension tying him to the Power until the end of 2027.
Richmond Tigers
Dustin Martin – Once again speculation is rife that the triple Norm Smith Medallist could depart at season’s end, perhaps to Gold Coast and likely new coach Damien Hardwick.
Dion Prestia – Reports have surfaced that Prestia is interested in a return to Queensland to finish his career with either Brisbane or old club Gold Coast, the latter of which would mean a reunion with former Tigers coach Damien Hardwick. Is contracted through to 2024 and a trade is unlikely to be facilitated until it ends, especially with the Suns’ focus on bringing in top Academy recruits this off-season.
St Kilda Saints
Jade Gresham – A restricted free agent at season’s end, is yet to recommit to the Saints and looks likely to depart, with Carlton heavily linked.
Sydney Swans
Hayden McLean – Out of contract at season’s end, the ruck-forward has attracted some interest but is expected to re-sign.
West Coast Eagles
Tom Barrass – Was at the centre of fierce rumours suggesting he would walk out on the Eagles despite being contracted until 2027, but player and club are adamant he will remain having only briefly considered a trade to Sydney for family reasons.
Western Bulldogs
Bailey Smith – The Dogs have rubbished rumours Smith could depart, having attracted spectulation after falling out of the midfield rotation late in the season. Geelong are circling should he request a trade, while Hawthorn are also an interested party, but is contracted until the end of 2024.
Bailey Williams – Is expected to remain at Whitten Oval, but the South Australian native is a restricted free agent at season’s end and has attracted interest from Adelaide.
