The ONE trade each AFL club should make this off-season

The 2022 trade period is open, with all 18 clubs set to continue their wheeling and dealings to both add and subtract from their list for next season. In what shapes to be one of the most significant exchange periods in the league's history, we've looked to identify each club's top target for the off-season. Here's your side's priority signing as the 10-day trade window opens... Adelaide Izak Rankine An easy one right off the bat given Rankine shapes as Adelaide's No.1, and only, trade target of the off-season. The key for the Crows will be not to give up more than required, with the Suns likely to press for a substantial package in return for the small forward. Pick 5 is almost a certainty to be involved in a deal, while the Suns could be eyeing Pick 23 as part of the trade for Rankine. If the Crows can work their way to offering a later, future pick or get a pick back themselves, we'd consider that a win. [caption id="attachment_126274" align="alignnone" width="2560"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Izak Rankine of the Suns celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 22 match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Geelong Cats at Metricon Stadium on August 13, 2022 in the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Brisbane Josh Dunkley The Lions' only trade target after Jack Gunston looks to move to Brisbane through free agency. The departing Hawk may be involved in a trade to help the Lions hold the best compensation possible for the departure of forward Daniel McStay, but even then Dunkley remains a priority for Brisbane. Pick 15 alone might get the deal done. It won't be ideal for the Dogs, but they won't be getting close to the two first-round picks they demanded two years ago from Essendon for the onballer. Brisbane may look to involve their future first-round pick instead as they look to pile as many draft points as possible to secure father-son prospects Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher through the National Draft. Dunkley will add another layer to the Lions' already star-studded midfield, likely complementing star pair Lachie Neale and Hugh McClugagge. Dunkley will also offer a formidable forward-midfield rotation along with the likes of Zac Bailey and Cameron Rayner. Carlton Blake Acres Having cried out for a senior wing option for years, the Blues look designed to finally get their man through Blake Acres. In what is shaping as a bargain deal for the Blues, Acres is set to join a lethal engine room at Princes Park in a return to Victoria. Immediately stepping into the role as Michael Voss' first-string width option, Acres will be hoping to replicate his stellar 2022 season as Carlton eyes a finals berth. [caption id="attachment_123918" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Blake Acres during the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between Richmond and Fremantle (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)[/caption] Get this trade done and the Blues can then turn their attention to the draft earlier than most. Collingwood Billy Frampton Not the biggest name set to don the black and white from 2023, with Frampton perhaps at the back of a five-man queue looking to make their way to Collingwood in the coming weeks. Tom Mitchell, Brayden Fiorini and Bobby Hill are also seen as likely trade assets for the Magpies, while Dan McStay will join the club through free agency. And while Frampton won't wow fans with his CV across five seasons with the Crows and Power, his fit into Craig McRae's system and the glimpses he's shown as a key defender, albeit minor, are why he gets the nod here. It's likely Frampton grabbed the attention of rival clubs across a red-hot two-week period in April where he dazzled as an intercept defender in Rounds 5 and 6. Across this short window, Frampton averaged 24 possessions, 6.5 rebounds 50s, 9 marks and 2.5 intercept marks with a kicking efficiency of 91.7%. With Collingwood looking to bolster their key-backman stocks, Frampton could be a diamond in the rough for their premiership tilt next season. Essendon Jack Bowes The Bombers aren't looming as the major off-season player we've come to expect from the Tullamarine club, however, they have been tied to the Suns' mouth-watering package of Jack Bowes and Pick 7. While another top 10 pick will come with great interest to the Bombers, the addition of Bowes to Brad Scott's squad is sure to give the club some flexibility through their middle and back third. Perhaps missing some height in their engine room, Essendon could look to call on Bowes as an onballer almost immediately, while a spot in their backline would see Bowes placed alongside the likes of Jordan Ridley, Mason Redman and Jayden Laverde to form a formidable rearguard that packs a punch. Fremantle Luke Jackson Quite an obvious one, but it's perhaps more of a matter of not giving up too much for the wantaway Demons tall. Melbourne is understood to be wanting at least an opening top 10 pick and another first-round selection on top of that. Not overs by any means. But how do the Dockers get there? They currently hold Picks 13, 73, 86, with Pick 13 likely to be part of the package that gets that deal done. [caption id="attachment_115646" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Luke Jackson during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)[/caption] Fremantle could look to get involved as a third party in a trade that includes Pick 7 and Jack Bowes, who have been coupled as a package by the Suns. If the Dockers can offer a sizeable package of Picks to please the Suns and the club Bowes is keen to get to, then they may have their pair of picks to please the Demons. Both North Melbourne (Pick 1) and West Coast (Pick 2) have their early selections up for grabs and could be open to a trade should the Dockers be able to piece together a strong enough package. Geelong Pick 7 It's safe to be said that the Cats will also secure the services of gun Sun Jack Bowes in their purchase of Pick 7, but it's the draft selection Geelong are sure to have most of their attention set on. Bowes will add a silver service to Geelong's backline and midfield, but if the Cats can get their hands on their second top 10 pick since drafting Joel Selwood, it'll go a long way for their 2022 plans and beyond. The Cats haven't used a first-round pick since 2020, meaning they'll be required to take one into either this year's or next year's draft or go into deficit. With targets Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry potentially demanding first-round picks each, bringing in Pick 7 will allow the Cats to freely part ways with their opening selections for the next two years while not needing to go into deficit and hinder their future draft hands further. With the aforementioned Selwood now out the door, the Cats could also use Pick 7 to invest in a prospect touted to be of a similar mould to the champion skipper in local talent Jhye Clark. An off-season additions list of Bowes, Bruhn, Henry and Clark will have the premiers well set for the seasons to come. Gold Coast Ben Long Seemingly the only name on the Suns' wishlist, Long makes this selection quite a straightforward one. Having already requested a move to Carrara, a trade between the Saints and Suns could be confirmed on the opening day of the trade window. [caption id="attachment_118425" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Ben Long during the AFL match between Hawthorn and St Kilda in Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)[/caption] Long is sure to offer some run and muscle at half-back, with Stuart Dew already set to be without Wil Powell, Connor Budarick and Lachie Weller due to injuries across the opening half of next year. Gold Coast have a mountain of work ahead of them this off-season, however, most of their business will be facilitating deals that will see them lose players and gain picks as they plan to shift their salary cap position for 2023 and beyond. GWS Toby Bedford The young Melbourne forward has lodged his request to land with the NSW side, with the Giants quickly filling the void of Bobby Hill. Hill is expected to land with Collingwood in the opening few days of the trade window, with Bedford set to take his place in GWS' small forward pecking order as he eyes greater opportunities at AFL level. After going unused as a medical sub on eight occasions in 2022, Bedford will look to cement his place in Adam Kingsley's side across the pre-season to partner with Toby Greene in attack. Bedford aside, it looks unlikely the Giants will be bringing in any other names in the trade window. Hawthorn Pick 7 Another club in the race for Jack Bowes and the Suns' Pick 7, the package probably comes as no better fit than Hawthorn as Sam Mitchell continues to bolster his squad with youthful talent. Another first-round pick will see the Hawks add to their current hand of Picks 6, 24, 50, 62 and 79, seeing the brown and gold hold two top 10 selections for this year's draft. The lethal draft hand gives the Hawks greater flexibility to cover some of the remaining weaknesses the club are still working with through their list rebuild. Also likely to gain a first-round pick for the potential departure of Tom Mitchell, the Hawks could enter the 2022 National Draft with three early selections and set themselves up for a promising push for premiership contention in the years to come. Melbourne Brodie Grundy Another club that isn't shaping to be a major player in the off-season as far as acquisitions go. Grundy, albeit with some hesitancy, will find himself at the Demons this trade period as the Pies plan to shed his hefty long-term contract. Collingwood are expected to pay up to $300,000 for each season of Grundy's remaining five years. [caption id="attachment_82648" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Brodie Grundy of the Magpies walks off the field after the Magpies lost the round one AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] The dual Copeland Trophy winner will link up with the only ruckman that has been placed above him in the past decade in Max Gawn, with their partnership set to see be an interesting one to unfold. The Demons will likely give up a first-round pick for Grundy, a selection they will receive from Fremantle for Luke Jackson. North Melbourne Griffin Logue The Roos have a number of names said to be considering moves to Arden Street, but none come more integral than the addition of a key-position player like Logue. North Melbourne are in need of adding to their spine whether that be in defence or attack, with Logue able to accommodate the club's needs at either end of the field. The departing Docker is more suited as a backman and can slot into a spot next to Ben McKay and Aidan Corr to form a formidable triple-tall threat for the Roos. Also capable of being swung forward and having an impact, the Roos are sure to rely on Logue's versatility should they need more spark moving forward. Either way, with Logue destined to join the Roos this off-season, the former top 10 pick is sure to fill a void one way or another for North Melbourne. Port Adelaide Jason Horne-Francis An 11th-hour bombshell that landed just before the trade window's opening, Power fans will be over the moon at the thought of adding Jason Horne-Francis to their midfield. They will be needing to give up Pick 8 and their 2023 first-round pick, and potentially more, but it could all be worth it for the Roos' No.1 Pick. The Power may also need to be open to parting ways with a player should North Melbourne stand strong in negotiations, while both clubs could delay a deal until next year when Horne-Francis' contract comes to an end. With Connor Rozee, Ollie Wines and Zak Butters already mixing in Ken Hinkley's midfield, the addition of Horne-Francis could see the Power rise back into the top eight in no time. Richmond Tim Taranto It's really a 'take your pick' between Taranto and teammate Jacob Hopper, with the pair both on their way to Punt Road and set to have a significant impact on Damien Hardwick's midfield planning. But Taranto's age, rapid emergence to stardom and ball-winning ability gives him the edge over Hopper, with the Victorian product also shooting straight into contention for a leadership position with Richmond for the years to come. [caption id="attachment_120854" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Lachie Whitfield, Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto of the Giants look dejected after losing the round 9 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium on May 15, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Neither Taranto nor Hopper will come cheaply either, with the former already said to be demanding Picks 12 and 19 from the Giants, a package that is likely to outweigh GWS' demands for Hopper. But either way, the Tigers will gain two ready-made stars and sacrifice their draft hand for this year, and a portion of next, 12 months after an all-out attack on the draft that is already bearing fruit. St Kilda Esava Ratugolea The most left-field option on this list given no links have been made between the Saints and the contracted Cat, but the match-making reasons aren't far from obvious. After losing Paddy Ryder to retirement, athletic tall Rowan Marshall looks set to carry the workload for St Kilda in what will be his first season as the club's solo ruck option. But a move for Ratugolea, who is currently contemplating his options for 2023, from the Moorabbin club might just be one of the more suitable trade plans in what is shaping to be a chaotic next 12 days. Able to play as both a ruck and as a forward target, Ratugolea can slot into Ryder's place within Brett Ratten's desirable rotation. Having also trained as a key defender in the latter half of this year, Ratugolea may also be the man to aid St Kilda's defensive woes that have surfaced in recent seasons. Sydney Aaron Francis Like some of the aforementioned clubs, the Swans haven't been looped into the chaotic rumour mill that has been in overdrive since early September. But one name that has been linked to the grand finalists is out-of-contract Bomber Aaron Francis, who is a more than suitable selection for the Swans should they get their way. In need of target depth in attack and some more stability in their defensive stocks, Francis can offer a service at either end of the field for Sydney. [caption id="attachment_20739" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Aaron Francis of the Bombers runs during the Essendon Bombers training session at The Hangar on January 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Since joining the Bombers as the sixth overall selection in 2015, Francis has failed to live up to the expectations of a top pick but could benefit from a fresh start in the Harbour City. The likes of Paddy McCartin, Ryan Clarke and Tom Hickey have all flourished since joining the Swans, and Francis could certainly do the same. West Coast Deven Robertson In an ideal world, Luke Jackson is the most desired target for West Coast this off-season, but all signs point to the young star joining cross-town rivals Fremantle. So turning their attention to Perth product Deven Robertson, the Eagles can add to their midfield, and more importantly younger talent, as they plan for the future in what is sure to be a list flip in the coming 12-24 months. The Eagles' interest comes amid Brisbane's pursuit of Bulldog Josh Dunkley, a move that could see Robertson left on the fringes of the Lions' best 22. With the opportunity to play full-time midfield minutes with West Coast, a return to his home state could have Robertson open to a move to the Eagles this off-season. Western Bulldogs Rory Lobb It remains to be seen whether the Dogs can still pry Lobb out of Fremantle given the Dockers' stubbornness to disallow the in-form ruck-forward's trade request to Whitten Oval. The Dogs will continue their attempts to please Fremantle, who are seen likely to eventually give in to their requests, but it won't come smoothly. Lobb will likely come at the cost of a second-round selection given Fremantle's firm stance, with the Dogs boosting their already star-studded key-position stocks. With Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Tim English, Sam Darcy and Josh Bruce already running the ranks under Luke Beveridge, Lobb is sure to add plenty of competition.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

The ONE trade each AFL club should make this off-season

The 2022 trade period is open! Here’s what your your club’s priority will be 👇

14. Richmond

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

Former Hawk turns to American punting, signs with College team

Every AFL team’s 2025 list ranked 1-18

“An outstanding signing”: Ex-Sun makes club switch for 2026

“Over the moon”: Local club lands services of cut Carlton midfielder

Former Collingwood list manager, AFL staffer joins Victorian club in newly...

FOLLOW US