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

Every AFL side has lost important players over the years, and it can be painful seeing them dominate for another club, especially the ones most loved. We have gone through every club and identified the one player they would most love to take back: Adelaide Patrick Dangerfield - The Crows have lost some good players in recent years, but none greater than Patrick Dangerfield, who went on to win a Brownlow Medal the following year and is one of the best players in the competition. Brisbane Sam Docherty - It is sometimes forgotten that Sam Docherty started his career in Brisbane, who is now arguably the premier rebounding defender of the competition and an All-Australian. Carlton Josh Kennedy - Ask any Carlton fan and they will tell you he was worth surrendering for Chris Judd, but Josh Kennedy has become one of the most dominant power forwards of the modern era, winning two Coleman Medals and three All-Australian caps. And the Blues could sure use him now. Collingwood Dayne Beams - Dayne Beams netted Collingwood pick five, which they used to draft Jordan de Goey, as well as Jack Crisp, but he is still a game-winning midfielder that Pies fans would solely miss. Essendon Paddy Ryder - The Bombers have seen a few players walk, and Paddy Ryder is the most influential of the lot, who was the 2017 All-Australian ruckman. Fremantle Sam Mengola - Sam Menegola spent three seasons on the Dockers list without getting a game, and it must pain them to see the silky midfielder rack up possessions at the Cattery and think, 'what if'? Geelong Josh Caddy - The former Sun and Cat is in career-best form in 2018 for the Tigers, even putting his name into All-Australian contention. There is no doubt that Geelong could find a place for him in their forward line. Gold Coast Jaeger O'Meara - If this story was written at the end of the season, there could well be a different player here. Jaeger O'Meara is an elite talent that would help attract players to the Gold Coast, and retain them. GWS Adam Treloar - Known for sensationally stating the Pies "had a better list than Richmond" when he left GWS, Adam Treloar is an A-grade midfielder with line-breaking speed that the Giants miss. Hawthorn Buddy Franklin - Probably the best player on this list, Buddy Franklin is the superior forward of the modern era and one of the greatest AFL players of all time. Melbourne Tom Scully - Narrowly edging out Stefan Martin for this spot, Tom Scully would provide the Demons with class and outside run, something their midfield is lacking. North Melbourne Cameron Pedersen - The Roos have done a good job of retaining all their good players, but a forward line with Ben Brown at full forward and Cam Pedersen at centre half forward could have caused opposition serious headaches. Port Adelaide Ben Jacobs - Nothing but a fringe player in his days at Port, Ben Jacobs has gone on to become one of the AFL's best taggers for North Melbourne. Richmond Brett Deledio - The Tigers have not lost many good players in recent, but winning a premiership with Brett Deledioat the helm would have been deserving. St Kilda Ben McEvoy - Big boy McEvoy is an imposing ruckman that gives his midfield first use, and the Saints have never really found a worthy replacement since his departure to the Hawks in 2014. Sydney Tom Mitchell - An absolute ball-winning machine, Tom Mitchell was a whipping boy of sorts for John Longmire, but he could be a Brownlow Medallist when it is all said and done. Western Bulldogs Callan Ward - One of the best skippers in the competition, the Bulldogs sure could use Callan Ward for his leadership and hard-hitting attitude to every contest nowadays. West Coast Brad Ebert - A seriously underrated midfielder, Brad Ebert could really enhance the Eagles' engine room in 2018.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	7	6	1	24	178.1
2	FRE	6	5	1	20	142.7
3	HAW	6	5	1	20	118.2
4	GC	6	4	2	16	126.9
5	NMFC	6	4	2	16	120.8
6	GEEL	6	4	2	16	116.1
7	MELB	6	4	2	16	94.2
8	WB	7	4	3	16	91.8
9	BL	6	3	3	12	111.7
10	ADEL	6	3	3	12	105.3

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

The one player every club would love to have back.

St Kilda

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

FULL TIME: Bulldogs vs Sydney – Round 7, 2026

AFL Appeal Board: St Kilda’s Lance Collard learns fate

FINAL TEAMS: Bulldogs vs Sydney – Round 7, 2026

Blues submit Hollands findings

AFL Teams Round 7 2026: Confirmed line-ups, ins and outs

FOLLOW US