The 2024 AFL trade and free agency is complete, and while the dust settles, footy fans will try to decipher if their club has improved ahead of next year.
A total of 28 players found new homes during the last two weeks, with more likely to don new colours in 2025 as delisted free agents or through the pre-season supplemental period.
However, those who failed to swap out their current guernsey for a new one are stranded.
From strong links to outlandish speculation,ย we take a glance at the FAILED trades...
Adelaide
The Crows attempted to land a few big fishes and ended up with Alex Neal-Bullen, Isaac Cumming and James Peatling.
Throughout the year, the West Lakes club reportedly looked at bringing Patrick Dangerfield back into the fold while it renewed its interest in Harrison Petty.
Gold Coast small forwardย Malcolm Rosas Jnr was also touted as a potential option.
All three have remained at their respective clubs.
Jack Lukosius was also a player the Crows wanted but lost to arch-rivals Port Adelaide.
Brisbane
The Lions were more focused on winning the flag than any off-field moves.
But they did express interest in injury-prone Carlton forward Jack Martin, who was looking for a fresh start.
It seems Brisbane was already planning for life after Joe Daniher, but Martin wasn't going to be the answer.
He will sign with Geelong as a delisted free agent.
Carlton
The Blues feel very strongly they have everything they need on their list, but when a name like Christian Petraccaย comes to light, you stop and consider it.
The long and lucrative deal the Demons star is on made it hard for any team to satisfy Melbourne and was ultimately the sticking point.
Collingwood
The Pies have been clear on bringing in players and not picks, hence their active interest in rival players.
A key defensive option was touted as necessary as the club had a vested interest in Mark Keane, Josh Battle and Tom Barrass to varying degrees.
Keane opted against a move to his former club and remained at Adelaide while the latter pair joined Hawthorn.
Collingwood also looked at bolstering their midfield group with young talent, looking at James Peatling, Bailey Smith, Alex Davies and Ben Hobbs to no effect.
Rory Lobb was also flagged as a potential option before his resurgence, while Jake Stringer was considered.
Deven Robertson will remain at the Lions for another year, although he desired to leave the Queensland club for more opportunity.
Tim Membrey, Jack Hayes andย Adam Tomlinson could find their way to the AIA Centre through the delisted free agency period.
Stringer (GWS), Peatling (Adelaide) and Smith (Geelong) also found new homes.
Essendon
The Bombers were adamant about bringing a small forward in, and although they'll secure NGA prospect Isaac Kako in that position, it didn't stop them from targeting established stars.
Enterย Tyson Stengle and Ben Ainsworth, along withย Joe Richards. The trio were seen as options, with only the latter joining a new club (Port Adelaide).
Harry Perryman was floated but eventually joined the Pies, while Harley Reid is being advertised as a future play, with Essendon keeping a close eye on him.
Brisbane'sย Jaxon Prior could still find his way on the list, but it would have to be through delisted free agency.
Fremantle
The Dockers would've gladly snapped up Liam Baker but ultimately lost out to cross-town rivals West Coast.
Melbourne forwardย Kysaiah Pickett's annual go-home saga popped up again, but no deal was struck.
Fremantle also looked intoย Jack Martin andย Joe Richards but failed to bring them across, as well as Isaac Cumming.
Geelong
The 2022 premiers wanted to bolster their midfield, which came in the form ofย Alex Davies and Jack Macrae, with the latter traded to St Kilda.
West Coast All-Australian forwardย Jake Waterman was a player of interest but remained put, signing a huge extension.
Gold Coast
The Suns were strong on bringing ready-made talent to the club, but their interest in a reunion withย Jack Martin was trumped by Geelong.
Isaac Cumming was also identified as a need, although John Noble and Dan Rioli joined Gold Coast instead.
Dustin Martin was heavily linked to the Suns and could still join them but is understood to be enjoying retirement.
GWS
The Giants were too aggressive in the trade space and focussed more on the retention of its stars, which didn't work for Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming, Nick Haynes and James Peatling.
They did bring in Jake Stringer.
Hawthorn
The Hawks landed most of their targets, but interest in Harry Perrymanย andย Bailey Smith was further down the agenda, with the pair signing at Collingwood and Geelong.
Melbourne
The Demons were heavily into Giants youngsterย Wade Derksen and were keen to bring him across but were unable to do so.
Former GWS playersย James Peatling andย Isaac Cumming were touted as potential options, whilst Jake Waterman was a player of significant interest.
Defensive duoย Josh Battleย andย Harry Edwards were also options.
North Melbourne
The rebuilding Kangaroos wanted to experience but failed to lure Jack Viney, Ollie Wines, Nathan Broad andย Jack Henry.
The quartet all remained put.
Port Adelaide
The Power wanted a crafty forward, and Will Hayward andย Ben Ainsworth came to mind.
Former GWS duoย Isaac Cumming andย Harry Perryman were flagged as halfback options but to no avail.
Bulldogs forward-mid Riley Garcia was another who Port Adelaide wanted but failed in luring him to South Australia.
Richmond
The Tigers were more concerned with retaining their stars but ultimately ended up with one of the best draft hands this century, including rivalling the expansion clubs.
They did, however, vest minor interest in Essendon midfielder Ben Hobbs.
St Kilda
The Saints were busy throughout 2024 and held many names as desirable options.
Midfieldersย Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel and James Peatlingย were considered by the Moorabbin club, with only the latter making a move.
Jacob Weitering was considered but opted to remain loyal to the Navy Blue.
Other defensive optionsย Jayden Laverde andย Adam Tomlinson also crossed the desks of St Kilda's list managers.
Brodie Kemp andย Ivan Soldo came late in the piece but were unable to move clubs.
Also, a watch on Luke Davies-Uniacke.
Sydney
Retention, retention, retention.
That's what the Swans worked on, and they had an impressive strike rate, although Chad Warner could opt to leave at the end of next year.
The 2024 grand finalists also consideredย Jake Stringer, but he joined cross-town rivals GWS.
West Coast
The Eagles were heavily intoย Tim English but failed to lure him to his home state.
Riley Garciaย andย James Peatling were mentioned in conversations, as was Power defender Tom Clurey, who couldn't strike a move.
Richmond'sย Shai Bolton elected Fremantle over West Coast as Carlton'sย Jack Carroll could join the club as a delisted free agent.
Deven Robertson will remain at the Lions for another year, although he desired to leave the Queensland club for more opportunity.
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs looked atย Daniel Houston andย Tom Barrass to sure up their back half but failed to make a successful pitch.
The pair joined fellow Victorian rivals, Collingwood and Hawthorn.
GWS mid-forwardย Xavier O'Halloran was also tipped to make the switch, but a deal couldn't be made.
