Brendon Goddard and Julian De Stoop have put forward their list of the players and situations to follow this trade period.
On AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Mornings, Goddard and De Stoop discussed the players they believe will provide plenty of intrigue over the course of the next few weeks.
Adam Treloar
De Stoop: “Adam Treloar is a fascinating one. Contracted until 2025.
“We heard him on AFL 360 a few weeks ago where he picked his words pretty carefully, saying ‘I’m still contracted’, but the feeling is he won’t be at Collingwood next year.”
Goddard: “His comments were interesting. It was almost letting everyone know his situation and his feelings without directly giving up too much.
“Talking about his contract and how he wants to stay at the footy club, so if anything were to happen, he’s put it back onto Collingwood, hasn’t he, so the blood will be on their hands.”
Josh Dunkley
De Stoop: “He’s become such a key player at the Bulldogs. He’s got two years to go but the Bombers are confident they can get him across the line.”
Goddard: “I think we were all astonished when his name was thrown out. A guy that you thought was fully committed to the Bulldogs, Bulldogs fully committed to him. He was arguably untouchable.
“I know he’s had a difficult year in a sense with his injury and not finding the continuity he had off the back-end of a great last couple of years.
“An area where Essendon needs to get better. Maybe there’s a conversation that was had between Adrian Dodoro and he’s close with Dunkley’s family who has a friend who is close to him who gets a whisper that he’s a little bit…
“You’d love to know how this has come about.”
De Stoop: “It just hasn’t come about out of nothing though, has it?”
Goddard: “Correct.
“I don’t think Adrian and Essendon are sitting there going, ‘Who do we target?’, and it lands on Dunkley. ‘Let’s throw the bait out there, let’s plant the seed and see what comes of it’.
“I don’t think that’s the case. If that’s the case, no disrespect to Dunkley, you’d be targeting a few others. There has to be something that’s happened that we don’t know about for them to get to this point where his name is thrown up.”
Jesse Hogan
De Stoop: “This one’s little bit different. Jesse Hogan is contracted for next year but all the noises out of Perth suggest he’s no certainty to be at the Dockers next year.
“How much interest do you think other clubs would have in Jesse Hogan? The talent versus some of the red flags we’ve seen.”
Goddard: “It’s a weird transition. Melbourne supporters would know his reasons for leaving. It was all about getting home.
“He’s obviously battled some issues prior to leaving. Him going there thinking or feeling that would actually help him in his progress towards feeling better and getting better. I don’t think that’s panned out. I think there’s been a number of issues since he’s been back home.
“There hasn’t been a lot said. Whether he feels he needs to get out of there or the club actually feel like they’re now headed in different directions.
“We haven’t got enough information but if I’m another club, I’m probably seeing too many red flags. There’s too many things to suggest he’s still got some issues and he’s not in a position to produce his best football.
“If you could possibly get him for next to nothing, then maybe.”
Ben Brown
De Stoop: “I’ve been staggered at the slows on Ben Brown because of one year where he had some injuries.
“The way they (North Melbourne) were playing football, he wasn’t going to be much good this year.”
Goddard: “Not only the slows but how it all eventuated. Them saying pretty well he’s gettable, or trade-able and he won’t be here next year, essentially.
“Putting all their cards on the table then shooting themselves in the foot with having no value or leverage off Ben Brown.
“It’s a funny one. It’s really extraordinary. To think the years that he’s produced and how kind of cold and slow it is for Ben Brown.
“I think he needs to be the second or third forward. I think he’s too one-dimensional (to be the main man).”
Tom McDonald
De Stoop: “It’s been a real struggle, firstly with injury and then form.
“Two questions: Is he better as a forward or defender from here on in? And if you’re a club, say the Giants who have sort of been linked to Tom, is he a player of interest?”
Goddard: “I think he should be but I think his versatility is one of his appealing things.
“Whether he’s a forward or a back, I’m a bit on the fence with that.
“He’s had to play a slightly different role with Jesse Hogan leaving and (Sam) Weideman not quite maturing and progressing like they’d hoped.
“I don’t see why he couldn’t turn himself into a really good defender based on his athleticism. Even a wing role. That’s one of his appealing things is his agility and versatility and that he can play a number of roles.”
Jeremy Cameron
De Stoop: “How do you see this one playing out?
“Let’s assume that they (the Giants) match the offer, therefore a trade has to go. Geelong has got three first-round picks to play with.
“Is it as simple as two first-round picks gets the deal done?”
Goddard: “It is for GWS, but probably not for Geelong.
“Based on the complicated system of compensation, the length of the deal and the money…
“For GWS, it is straightforward. Here’s the picks, give us a deal. For Geelong, it’s not. So you are going to get a bit of kick-back.
“There’s plenty to play out.”
Joe Daniher
Goddard: “Not only him (Cameron) but we talk about Joey Daniher and the way Essendon deal with that.
“So there’s those two in particular, I think there’ll be a bit of kick-back from clubs and a bit of to and fro because of the compensation and the money side of it.”
Adam Saad
De Stoop: “Should it be as simple as pick 7 for Adam Saad?”
Goddard: “I think so. Third in the best and fairest, durable, one of the more exciting, attacking half-backs in today’s game.
“It’s a big loss for Essendon. They’ve got a pretty big hole to fill there. He’s a player that Essendon targeted, needed and wanted.
“I think it’s pretty fair with what he’s got to offer.”
Isaac Smith
De Stoop: “If you’re Isaac Smith and you’ve been at that club for a decade, do you just take the two years?
“Or if you are getting offered three years from others, do you have to look at it seriously?”
Goddard: “I think you have to look at it seriously.
“I think this is why it’s taking him so long. It hasn’t been as clear-cut, it’s almost creating more confusion for him because if Hawthorn offer him a one-year deal, it’s easier to make a decision.
“Whether it is about loyalty and sticking with Hawthorn through what would be a rebuild phase essentially, and not play finals.
“Or go to a club like Melbourne with great security and finish off playing finals. It’s alluring for a player that has achieved so much.”
Aliir Aliir
De Stoop: “Given where the Swans are and their build, and young key position players aren’t easy to find, would you be reluctant to let go of Aliir?”
Goddard: “I think so.
“Where does he fit in at Port (Adelaide)? It seems a bit odd. Whether they want to add a bit of depth.
“How does this one come about? For a player it’s great to have options. What it will do is force Sydney’s hand.”
Listen to the full chat about the list below: