Trading places: 10 massive hypothetical off-season moves

While the finals race is heating up, there's already plenty of attention towards the upcoming trade period. With financial cuts looming and players demanding more trades than ever before, there's no reason to believe this upcoming off-season won't be as wild and unpredictable as the season proper. So, then - how about 10 massive trades we'd like to see to get the ball rolling? Trade one Brisbane receive: Ben Brown North Melbourne receive: Late first-round pick Ben Brown and North Melbourne have had an absolute shocker of a year. But that means his trade value has never been lower – let’s not forget this is a guy who has kicked 60 goals three seasons in a row before this horror campaign. If Brown can recapture his 60-goal a season form he is just the straight-kicking assassin the Lions need If Brisbane don’t want to give up picks, could they dangle Eric Hipwood or Daniel McStay? They have two first round picks, with one tied to Port Adelaide. [caption id="attachment_33611" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Ben Brown of the Kangaroos celebrates kicking a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Trade two Adelaide receive: Jackson Hately Adelaide: Early second-round pick The Giants' salary cap is bursting at the seams and young gun Jackson Hately could be let go to help relieve some pressure. The out-of-contract midfielder has reportedly emerged as the Crows' number one target, and being from Adelaide and no doubt wanting more regular senior opportunities, it makes sense on both ends. [caption id="attachment_59803" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Jackson Hately of the Giants marks during the round 16 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Brisbane Lions at GIANTS Stadium on July 07, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos via Getty Images )[/caption] Trade three Western Bulldogs receive: Luke Breust Hawthorn receive: Early second-round pick If the Hawks are going to go all in on a rebuild, players like Luke Breust and Jack Gunston won't be in their next premiership side. Breust would add some much needed veteran class to polish to a Bulldogs forward line that has struggled at times this season. For a player the calibre of Breust, the Hawks would be aiming to get a late first, but considering he'll be 30 in November, they might have to settle for an early second. That being the case, the Dogs might have to trade up if their current second round pick doesn't do it for the Hawks. [caption id="attachment_21729" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Luke Breust of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Hawthorn Hawks at Etihad Stadium on July 07, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Trade four Gold Coast receive: Rory Laird Adelaide receive: First-round pick The Crows have become accustomed to mass exoduses in recent years – after a horror year, could more big guns be out the door? One player linked with a move last off-season was star defender Rory Laird. With his contract expiring at the end of 2021, the Crows, if they are forced to trade him, would want to do it sooner rather than later. Laird would shore up Gold Coast’s defence, providing some much needed class and experience to a burgeoning Suns list. [caption id="attachment_30412" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Rory Laird of the Crows in action during the 2019 AFL round 07 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on May 05, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos/Getty Images)[/caption] Trade five Essendon receive: Ollie Wines, third-round pick Port Adelaide receive: Orazio Fantasia, first-round pick Both his manager and coach laughed off the rumours, but others insist Ollie Wines was eyeing a move home to Victoria last off-season, and in particular to Essendon or Carlton. Both would love a big-bodied midfielder like Wines, but Port were reportedly interested too in Essendon’s Orazio Fantasia. Make no mistake – Port should do everything possible to hold onto Wines. But if he really does want to return home, this trade would probably make the most sense. [caption id="attachment_31532" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Ollie Wines of the Power looks on during the round 17 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Port Adelaide Power at Optus Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Trade six Fremantle receive: Angus Brayshaw Melbourne receive: Early second-round pick For sentimental reasons, we'd love to see Angus link up with his little brother Andrew at Freo, but he'd fit the Dockers' list profile too. Melbourne probably need to squeeze out someone like Brayshaw - their midfield has long been criticised as one-paced, and if they were forced to choose between Oliver, Viney, and Brayshaw, it's obvious who they'd pick. Demons fans might want something better than just a second round pick, but Brayshaw's value isn't as high as it once was, especially after his stellar 2018 campaign. [caption id="attachment_22066" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Angus Brayshaw of the Demons runs with the ball during the round 11 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Melbourne Demons at Etihad Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Trade seven St Kilda receive: Ben Cunnington North Melbourne receive: First-round pick Many have called on the Kangaroos to get ruthless and truly commit to a rebuild, but could they really part ways with the heart and soul of their midfield, Ben Cunnington? Jonathan Brown thinks “you’d definitely get a first-rounder for him” – the gun midfielder is 29, and if he gets his body right he should have several years left at the top level. The Saints were aggressive last trade season and look set to be again – their CEO told AFL Media recently they were eyeing “some more quality and depth in the midfield”. Could Cunnington be the man to make them a genuine contender? [caption id="attachment_19985" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Ben Cunnington of the Kangaroos is tackled by Toby Nankervis of the Tigers during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Trade eight Melbourne receive: Jeremy Finlayson GWS: Late second-round pick With the salary cap seemingly always putting pressure on the Giants' list, the predicted financial consequences from COVID-19 will definitely lead to at least a few casualties. One of those might be Jeremy Finalyson, who is out of contract at the end of this year. The Giants would probably welcome a second round pick and the reduced load on their salary cap, while the Demons would love to offer some support to Sam Weideman in the forward line. [caption id="attachment_34433" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Jeremy Finlayson of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at GIANTS Stadium on August 03, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos via Getty Images )[/caption] Trade nine Carlton receive: Jack Graham Richmond receive: Late second-round pick This would make a lot of sense. Graham burst onto the scene in 2017 as a 19-year-old, booting three goals in the grand final. While he hasn't always been a first 22 lock since then, he's been a solid contributor in a very competitive Tigers senior list. There were reports that Carlton are prepared to make him a four-year offer, and that security and a starting midfield gig could be enough to pry him away. [caption id="attachment_35236" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Jack Graham of the Tigers grabs the ball during the Second AFL Preliminary Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 23, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Trade ten Essendon receive: Jesse Hogan Fremantle receive: Third-round pick This, of course, would only be if Joe Daniher walks. If so, a one-year experiment with Jesse Hogan wouldn't be the worst idea for the Bombers. With Hogan's trade value at rock bottom, it'd be high reward and low risk for Essendon to give the 25-year-old one final chance to recapture his best. Fremantle look to have given up on him already, and would be seemingly happy to cut their losses and dump his salary. [caption id="attachment_32321" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 01: Jesse Hogan of the Dockers looks upfield during the round 11 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Fremantle Dockers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 01, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption]

Trading places: 10 massive hypothetical off-season moves

ICYMI: They’re saying it will be wildest trade period ever. Here are 10 huge moves we would love to see 👇

5. Trade five

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

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...

The one thing on your AFL team’s wish list this Christmas

FOLLOW US

		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