AFL take backs: If every club could take one former player back

AFL clubs have had to farewell a number of players they wish they hadn't. This is their chance for one 'tack back' - getting back a player they lost to a rival through the trade window or free agency. We've gone through all 18 clubs and selected the former active player they would love to take back. Adelaide Patrick Dangerfield Dangerfield headlines a long lists of star departures from the Crows, with the likes of Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), Jake Lever (Melbourne), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Jarryd Lyons (Gold Coast) and Ricky Henderson (Hawthorn) all finding the exit in the last decade. The Brownlow medalist dealt instant heartbreak for his fellow fans after having one of the more dominant seasons by one player during his first year at Kardinia Park. The injection of Dangerfield into the Crows midfield would give them the boost of confidence they currently play without. [caption id="attachment_462" align="alignnone" width="630"] Patrick Dangerfield of the Crows handballs during the round six AFL match. Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac[/caption] Brisbane Elliot Yeo The Lions gave up both Yeo and Sam Docherty during the 2013 trade period and have been kicking themselves since. Yeo pips the Carlton defender following his dominant last three seasons, winning two best and fairests, two All-Australian selections and a premiership medal. Add Yeo's two-way running into Chris Fagan's flashy midfield and they're one step closer in 2020. [caption id="attachment_32776" align="alignnone" width="1191"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Elliott Yeo of the Brisbane Lions kicks the ball during the NAB Cup AFL Grand Final match between the Carlton Blues and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Carlton Josh J. Kennedy The influential trade of Kennedy for Chris Judd proved to hold the era-changing impact both parties were searching for in the trade. Since leaving Carlton, Kennedy has booted 600 goals for the Eagles, winning two Coleman Medals and remains one of the household names in the league. The Blues would welcome back Kennedy's eye for goal with open arms, as the club struggles to fill the void that he once left. [caption id="attachment_20901" align="alignnone" width="1476"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Josh Kennedy of the Blues in action during the round seven AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground May 14, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] Collingwood Jarrod Witts A left-of-centre selection for Collingwood given they already have Brodie Grundy, but the Magpies could've seriously revolutionised the two-man ruck system by having two top five ruckmen on their list. The Gold Coast captain has proven his worth since leaving the Holden Centre, dominating in the middle of the ground as one of the Suns' only stars and winning their Best and Fairest in 2019. Add Witts into the Magpies rotation and Grundy is given the freedom to dominate around the ground. [caption id="attachment_7329" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Jarrod Witts of the Magpies and Max Gawn of the Demons compete in the ruck during the round 18 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 1, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Essendon Bachar Houli It has been 10 years since Houli last pulled on the red sash and has since made a name for himself in Richmond's backline. While the Bombers already possess some of the best half-back runners in the league, the two-time Premiership Tiger would add insurance for the homesick Conor McKenna, if the Irishman does depart. [caption id="attachment_30100" align="alignnone" width="1513"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Bachar Houli of the Bombers celebrates a goal during the round 18 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and St Kilda Saints at Etihad Stadium on July 30, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)[/caption] Fremantle Lachie Neale An obvious choice for the Dockers. Neale dominated in his first season with the Lions, polling 26 votes to finish on the podium for the Brownlow medal. Perhaps it was the same Neale that has played sidekick to Nat Fyfe all this time, but add his midfield prowess back into the Dockers midfield and they're chances at the top eight skyrocket. [caption id="attachment_23387" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Lachie Neale of the Dockers looks to pass the ball during the round 12 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on June 10, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Geelong Tim Kelly Kelly has only just left the Cats and is already believed to have left a large void in Geelong's midfield. There's no doubt the Cats would quickly welcome him back to Kardinia Park, forming a stronger side than their 2019 minor premiership squad. Kelly's return added to the strong incoming recruits of Jack Steven and Josh Jenkins places Geelong right back into premiership contention. [caption id="attachment_33697" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Tim Kelly of the Cats handpasses the ball during the 2019 AFL round 20 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on August 03, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast Tom J. Lynch The star Tigers forward is one of many former Suns players they'd like to have back. Lynch headlines the list after just one season apart from the Gold Coast, having booted 63 goals during his sole season in the yellow and black as the clubs leading goalscorer for 2019. Lynch led the Suns' goal kicking tally for four straight seasons between 2014 and 2017 and would add to be a much needed target for the Suns once again. [caption id="attachment_19752" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 7: Tom Lynch of the Suns kicks on goal during the 2018 AFL round 03 match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Greater Western Sydney Adam Treloar Arguably the most star-studded list of recent departures, the Giants did a great job of maintaining a strong list given the magnitude of A-grade players they let go. The GWS midfield still boasts to be one of the more entertaining in the competition, but with the ever-injured squad continuing to struggle with rehabilitation, an extra force into the engine room couldn't hurt. Treloar would fit into the Giants' system as one of their best followers and would even aid Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly to play vital roles at either ends of the ground. [caption id="attachment_20922" align="alignnone" width="683"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Adam Treloar of the Giants looks upfield during the round 23 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Etihad Stadium on September 6, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Hawthorn Lance Franklin Perhaps the missing piece to Alistair Clarkson's play for the fifth premiership trophy; the star forward that helped win his first two. The eight-time All-Australian has become a once-in-a-generation player and would slot straight back into the Hawks forward group. With 944 goals to his name, it would only be fitting for Franklin to bring up the illustrious 1,000-goal mark where it all started - in the brown and gold. [caption id="attachment_20972" align="alignnone" width="2048"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Lance Franklin of the Hawks celebrates kicking a goal during the round 21 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 16, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Melbourne Jeremy Howe The high-flying Howe that once left the Demons would return as a defensive juggernaut for the Demons growing backline. Howe's ability to play both tall and small would assist the roles of Jake Lever, Steven May and Neville Jetta as Melbourne will look to capitalise defensively and perhaps push back into finals contention in 2020. North Melbourne Braydon Preuss Many were left scratching their heads when Preuss left for Melbourne, with the Kangaroos having no clear succession plan for the ageing Todd Goldstein. Fast forward a year and Preuss has an extra handful of games under his belt and can perhaps take over the role from Goldstein in due time once again. The Kangaroos will want to hold onto his services this time around, as strong 2nd-string ruckman are looking to dry up. [caption id="attachment_21648" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 7: Braydon Preuss of the Kangaroos and Toby Nankervis of the Tigers compete in a ruck contest during the AFL 2018 JLT Community Series match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Ikon Park on March 7, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Port Adelaide Chad Wingard Another player to have had just the one season away from their former club, Wingard would still find the transition back to Port Adelaide as comfortable as any. The youthful injection Port stumbled across in 2019 would be sure to gel well with the cancelled absence of Wingard, with his electrifying presence in Ken Hinkley's forward line sure to cause havoc around the league. Richmond Sam Lloyd Call this a romantic take back. While the Tigers may not need another goal sneak and target up front, Lloyd's sole season with the Bulldogs in 2019 may just give him that second chance. Lloyd struggled to make Richmond's starting list in his last few seasons with the club, but after leading the Bulldogs in goal kicking last year with 39 to his name, there may be another opening for him. Lloyd's return would at least mount further pressure on the Tigers forward line, with the club delivering premiership success given their strength in numbers within their attack. [caption id="attachment_23543" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Sam Lloyd of the Tigers celebrates kicking a goal during the round five AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 24, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] St Kilda Tom Lynch Lynch played just the six games for the Saints before departing the club in 2011 for Adelaide, where he has now played 134 games and has booted 187 goals, including four seasons with 30+ goals. Lynch has proven to be one of the league's best defensive forwards of the last decade, averaging strong numbers for tackles and contested possessions in the Crows' forward third. A return to the Saints would add much needed flair and experience to the St Kilda forward structure, with the club moving towards a top eight finish. [caption id="attachment_29640" align="alignnone" width="2048"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Tom Lynch of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 19 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Metricon Stadium on July 30, 2011 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney Tom Mitchell Originally pushed out of the Swans side due to their already star-studded midfield, Mitchell's return to Sydney would be the perfect match for Sydney. Mitchell played behind three All-Australian midfielders in 2016, forcing his departure to the Hawks. With the Swans now in the middle of a rebuild, the Brownlow medalist's level of ball accumulation and skill would be a vital acquisition. [caption id="attachment_8045" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Tom Mitchell of the Swans in action during the round 20 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power at Sydney Cricket Ground on August 6, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] West Coast Scott Lycett Lycett's final game as an Eagle was the clubs prized 2018 Grand Final victory over Collingwood in dramatic fashion, with their starting ruckman leaving for Port Adelaide in the upcoming free agency period. Lycett made a name for himself for bettering All-Australian ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy in consecutive weeks during their run to premiership glory, an ability that would come in handy down the road. With the fitness of Nic Naitanui reaming a concern for the Eagles, the insurance Lycett would bring for Adam Simpson wouldn't go astray. [caption id="attachment_24367" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Scott Lycett of the Eagles celebrates the win during the 2018 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Western Bulldogs Shaun Higgins A two-time Syd Barker medalist for North Melbourne, the silky veteran would add that extra touch in midfield the Dogs could need. Luke Beveridge's side is well within the premiership window, with perhaps some extra experience needed to get them over the line. The 32-year-old still averages close to 30 disposals a game for North Melbourne and would give the Bulldogs some great outside run while sharing the workload on the forward flank. [caption id="attachment_25366" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 17: Jacob Surjan of the Power handballs whilst being tackled by Shaun Higgins of the Bulldogs during the round 12 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Port Adelaide Power at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption]

AFL take backs: If every club could take one former player back

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