Ranking every player moved in the 2022 AFL Trade Period based on their fantasy relevance
A lot of posturing and back and forth amounted to a crazy end to the AFL trade period. A flurry of deals just minutes before the deadline saw nearly twice as many players change postcodes compared to a season ago and there are bound to be ripple effects of those moves felt throughout the fantasy community. Not every move mattered from a fantasy context, but some relevant names will don new jerseys in 2023 and they’ll be worth monitoring over the summer.
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36. Zaine Cordy
Free Agent Signing
Saints fans are glad they’ve strengthened their back-6, but let’s pretend like Zaine Cordy is on anyone’s fantasy radar.
35. Aaron Francis
Bombers receive: Pick №37, 2023 4th round pick (via Sydney)
Swans receive: Aaron Francis, Pick №42
With an average under 50 in his seven-year career, you can ignore Aaron Francis too. Besides, there’s not a high likelihood that he’ll feature in Sydney’s regular side.
34. Billy Frampton
Crows receive: 2023 3rd round pick (via Collingwood)
Magpies receive: Billy Frampton
Collingwood’s newest backman averaged a surprising 69.5 points last season, boosted by a pair of 90’s early in the campaign. I think those scores are a clear anomaly and you can avoid Frampton in 2023.
33. Sam Wiedeman
Demons receive: Pick №37
Bombers receive: Sam Weideman, Pick №54, Pick №72
Another key position player who won’t be fantasy relevant. Solid get for the Dons though.
32. Toby Bedford
Demons receive: Pink №44
Giants receive: Toby Bedford
I still have doubts over whether Bedford will feature in GWS’ best 22, although he may slot nicely into Bobby Hill’s role. Still a pass.
31. Josh Schache
Bulldogs receive: 2023 4th round pick (via Western Bulldogs)
Demons receive: Josh Schache
Solid depth piece for Melbourne and Jacob Van Rooyen will be bummed that Schache came across from the Dogs. No fantasy potential however.
30. Griffin Logue
Dockers receive: 2023 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks (via North Melbourne compensation from AFL)
Kangaroos receive: Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker, 2023 3rd round pick (via Fremantle)
There were some fruitful fantasy scores in Griffin Logue’s box scores from 2022, but expect him to take up residence as a key back. He’ll be a great boost for North’s team even if there’s no fantasy upside.
29. Liam Jones
Free Agent Signing
Returning to the AFL, Liam Jones boasts a career fantasy average of 48.9 points from his 161 career games. Don’t expect that number to increase in his second chapter with the Bulldogs.
28. Daniel McStay
Free Agent Signing
It’s hard to see McStay scoring over 65 points in Collingwood colours, despite showcasing his versatility this year for the Lions. Could aid their forward line, but he shouldn’t be in yours.
Image from collingwoodfc.com.au
27. Bobby Hill
Giants receive: Pick №43, 2023 2nd round pick (via Collingwood)
Magpies receive: Bobby Hill, Pick №40
Another boost for the Pies’ front six, Bobby Hill gives them another dynamic threat in front of the sticks. Not much to speak of from a fantasy standpoint though.
26. Ollie Henry
Magpies receive: Tom Mitchell, Pick №25
Hawks receive: Cooper Stephens, Pick №41, Pick №50
Cats receive: Ollie Henry
The trend continues with Ollie Henry another forward who switched clubs but isn’t expected to expand his fantasy game.
25. Josh Corbett
Suns receive: 2023 4th round pick (via Fremantle)
Dockers receive: Josh Corbett
The former Gold Coast Sun ranks a bit higher than some of the other forwards who switched clubs after Freo flagged that he’ll play a unique role a bit higher up the ground. Still, I’ll be stunned if he tops 50 points per game in purple.
24. Junior Rioli
Kangaroos receive: Pick №2, Pick №3, Pick №40, Pick №43, 2023 1st round pick (via Port Adelaide)
Giants receive: Pick №1, Pick №53, Pick №57
Eagles receive: Pick №8, Pick №12, 2023 1st and 2nd round picks (via Port Adelaide)
Power receive: Junior Rioli, Jason-Horne Francis, 2023 3rd round pick (via (Fremantle)
After breathing life into his career in 2022, there could be some upside if Port choose to inject Junior Rioli sporadically into the midfield. It’s more likely that he’ll be a goal-scoring threat and keep his average under 60 though.
23. Rory Lobb
Dockers receive: Pick №30, 2023 2nd round pick (via Western Bulldogs)
Bulldogs receive: Rory Lobb
I’m very intrigued to see what role the Bulldogs choose to have Rory Lobb play, but no matter which end of the ground he features at his fantasy scores won’t be too plentiful.
22. Jayden Hunt
Free Agent Signing
Hunt managed to feature in 20 games for Melbourne last season, however, he averaged a very pedestrian 10 disposals and 38.9 fantasy points. Look for him to expand his role and scoring prowess on a wing for West Coast.
21. Izak Rankine
Suns receive: Pick №5, 2023 3rd and 4th round picks (via Adelaide)
Crows receive: Izak Rankine, Pick №46, 2023 4th round pick (via Fremantle)
With just 48 games to his name, Izak Rankine has seen his fantasy output increase in each season so far. He displayed an innate goal sense during his time with the Suns and I can’t see Adelaide playing him anywhere else, which will limit his fantasy output.
20. Lachie Hunter
Bulldogs receive: 2023 3rd round pick (via Western Bulldogs)
Demons receive: Lachie Hunter
I feel like this is where we flip the script and start to talk about players that have some fantasy worth. Hunter may only have value in Draft leagues, but if he can carve out a niche in the Dees’ lineup he’s worth monitoring.
19. Ben Long
Saints receive: Pick №32
Suns receive: Ben Long
Ben Long won’t light up the world, but after being subbed out of three games last year he’s better than the 54.9 points he averaged. Look no further than his 27-touch, 17-mark performance in Round 23, when Long scored a career-high 138 points.
Image from cairnspost.com.au
18. Tom Berry
Lions receive: Pick №25, Pick №36, Pick №56
Suns receive: Tom Berry, Pick No, 46, 2023 2nd round pick (via GWS)
With his starting price projected to be under $300K, Tom Berry could become a name that floats in and out of fantasy sides next year. He did average 91.2 in the VFL this season, although in 15 senior appearances, he has failed to produce a score higher than 62. Keep half an eye on him.
17. Jack Gunston
Hawks receive: Pick №48, 2023 4th round pick (via Brisbane)
Lions receive: Jack Gunston
The now-former Hawthorn champ doesn’t purely rely on goals to rack up his fantasy points, which is always a handy plus value. Jack Gunston looks set to play a similar role in QLD for the Lions, but I can’t justify picking the 30-year-old.
16. Blake Acres
Dockers receive: 2023 3rd round pick (via Carlton)
Blues receive: Blake Acres
This season just gone was easily the best of Blake Acres’ career, and as a result, Carlton has opted to pay the man and bring him back to VIC. He recorded five 100+ scores in his 18 games and looks to be a potential Draft target.
15. Jaeger O’Meara
Hawks receive: Lloyd Meek, 2023 2nd round pick (via Western Bulldogs)
Dockers receive: Jaeger O’Meara, 2023 4th round pick (via Hawthorn)
There could be some meat on the bone in terms of fantasy value when it comes to Jaeger O’Meara. Returning to WA, JOM will look to complement a budding Dockers midfield and improve on his average of 82.1 points. Look for him to push that average into the 90’s if he’s used heavily at centre bounces.
Image afl.com.au
14. Tanner Bruhn
Giants receive: Pick №18
Cats receive: Tanner Bruhn
While adding a former first-round pick to the list is a bonus for Geelong, I don’t think we’ll see Tanner Bruhn immediately reap the rewards. The young gun isn’t guaranteed a hefty amount of midfield clock and while he may be tabbed with MID/FWD status next season, we’ll need to watch his preseason role before considering Bruhn for our sides.
13. Jason Horne-Francis
Kangaroos receive: Pick №2, Pick №3, Pick №40, Pick №43, 2023 1st round pick (via Port Adelaide)
Giants receive: Pick №1, Pick №53, Pick №57
Eagles receive: Pick №8, Pick №12, 2023 1st and 2nd round picks (via Port Adelaide)
Power receive: Jason-Horne Francis, Junior Rioli, 2023 3rd round pick (via (Fremantle)
The trade for Horne-Francis doesn’t change a ton for keeper league owners, but there is some intrigue around the former №1 pick rolling into next season. Likely to be restricted to MID status only, I can’t see a world where JHF offers coaches a ton of upside in year two. He may turn into a star of the future at Alberton, and yet, I can’t find too many reasons to pick him for 2023.
12. Jacob Hopper
Giants receive: Pick №31, 2023 1st round pick (via Richmond)
Tigers receive: Jacob Hopper, Pick №53, Pick №63
I was all in on Jacob Hopper when the rumours suggested he was going to Geelong, but at the Tigers, I wonder if there’s enough footy to go around for his scores to benefit. Don’t get me wrong, adding Hopper to the mix makes the Richmond midfield a scary prospect, just don’t expect him to be much more than 5–10 points better than the 80.8 points he’s priced at.
11. Karl Amon
Free Agent Signing
The first player to officially change squads in the player exchange period, Karl Amon’s class will be crucial for a rebuilding Hawthorn side. For the past two seasons, he’s gone on to average 95+ and there’s reason to believe he can do it again and become a handy Draft target.
10. Brodie Grundy
Magpies receive: Pick №27
Demons receive: Brodie Grundy
There aren’t too many coaches who will consider Max Gawn or Brodie Grundy for their starting ruck spots, and understandably so. For the last five seasons, either Gawn or Grundy has been the premier fantasy ruckman, although we’ll need to see how they coexist before we consider investing in one or both of them.
9. Will Setterfield
Blues receive: 2023 4th round pick (via Carlton)
Bombers receive: Will Setterfield, Pick №68
Over the last five games of the season, Will Setterfield recorded scores of 101, 77, 72, 99 and 89 with Carlton and there’s optimism around him maintaining that form for the Bombers. Let’s observe his role over the preseason to see how often Essendon wants the footy in his hands.
8. Luke Jackson
Demons receive: Pick №13, 2023 1st and 2nd round picks (via Fremantle)
Dockers receive: Luke Jackson, Pick №44, Pick №67
Set to own RUC/FWD status, Luke Jackson’s main appeal comes in Draft leagues. With his starting price projected to sit around the $600K mark, there is a world where Jackson offers potential as a fantasy prospect, but that won’t happen unless he’s Freo’s №1 ruck.
7. Cooper Stephens
Magpies receive: Tom Mitchell, Pick №25
Cats receive: Ollie Henry
Hawks receive: Cooper Stephens, Pick №41, Pick №50
There wasn’t a lot of buzz around Cooper Stephens
6. Darcy Tucker
Dockers receive: 2023 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks (via North Melbourne compensation from AFL)
Kangaroos receive: Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker, 2023 3rd round pick (via Fremantle)
The appeal of regular AFL games was a huge drawcard in Darcy Tucker returning to Victoria after Fremantle threw his magnet all over the place in his 14 games this year. Should he keep his DEF positioning there’s a world where Tucker becomes a player worth starting with as a potential stepping stone to an elite player 5–6 weeks in.
Image youtube.com
5. Jack Bowes
Suns receive: 2023 3rd round pick (via Geelong)
Cats receive: Jack Bowes, Pick №7
Gold Coast’s stuff up in Geelong’s gain and there’s a world where Jack Bowes becomes a popular starting option. A lot of that hinges on the new Cat maintaining DEF status, with his price discounted after managing just 5 games last season. Let’s wait and see what his price is/what position he’s listed as, but Bowes is certainly one worth watching.
4. Josh Dunkley
Bulldogs receive: Pick №21, 2023 1st and 2nd round picks (via Brisbane), 2023 4th round pick (via Geelong)
Lions receive: Josh Dunkley, 2023 3rd and 4th round picks (via Melbourne)
The most popular player from a season ago and the best forward option going around, Josh Dunkley heads to Brisbane with his sights set on another flag. He’ll likely have a much more secure role with the Lions and I won’t be surprised if he complements Lachie Neale perfectly and produces a year averaging 110+.
3. Lloyd Meek
Dockers receive: Jaeger O’Meara, 2023 4th round pick (via Hawthorn)
Hawks receive: Lloyd Meek, 2023 2nd round pick (via Western Bulldogs)
There’s decent competition for the №1 ruck mantle at Hawthorn next year and the trade for Lloyd Meek on further complicates the situation. You would think that Meek’s arrival moves him to the top of the depth chart, but if he takes to the field with Ned Reeves or Max Lynch by his side, his fantasy ceiling will be impacted. If he can be utilised as a solo ruck, however, there’s nothing wrong with considering Meek for your R2 slot to commence the season.
2. Tim Taranto
Giants receive: Pick №12, Pick №19
Tigers receive: Tim Taranto
Fantasy numbers don’t flow at Richmond, but that could change with Tim Taranto’s arrival. Jayden Short is expected to move back into defence with TnT poised to do a lot of the heavy lifting as an inside midfielder. If he keeps his FWD status and the Tigers use him the way we expect, pounce on Taranto as your F1/F2 and reap the rewards.
1. Tom Mitchell
Cats receive: Ollie Henry
Hawks receive: Cooper Stephens, Pick №41, Pick №50
Magpies receive: Tom Mitchell and Pick №25
We all know what Tom Mitchell is capable of at the peak of his powers and his fantasy average of 95.6 last year was the first time he dipped below triple-figures since 2014! Expect Mitchell to return to his ball-winning best at the Pies and as a result, he’ll be a value lock for coaches in one of their midfield slots.
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