Dwayne Russell is anticipating this upcoming trade and free agency period to be one of the busiest in recent memory.
With less than two months to go of the regular season, talk around some of the biggest names who will be involved in this year’s trade period is heating up.
Brisbane Lions forward Dan McStay remains out of contract, Melbourne young gun Luke Jackson is yet to re-sign while Western Bulldogs on Friday night confirmed their interest in ruckman Rory Lobb if he opts to leave Fremantle.
Combined with the constant speculation around the future of three-time Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin, Russell is foreshadowing this year’s trade period could be “the biggest summer of all time”.
“Is there going to be a bigger (trade) merry-go-round than we’ve ever seen,” Russell questioned on AFL Nation.
“Dan McStay could leave and go to Collingwood, Luke Jackson goes and leave to Fremantle, Rory Lobb leaves and going to Western Bulldogs and Dustin Martin leaves and go to Sydney…that would be the biggest summer of all time.”
It emerged this week that uncontracted Giant Tim Taranto could be on the move, with several Victorian clubs signalling their interest in the midfielder.
Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy believes Taranto is an “All-Australian candidate” but urged clubs not to overpay for midfielders.
“I think he’s a very good player,” he said.
“He can go forward and kick goals, he’s an All-Australian candidate at his best and they don’t grow on tress but you still need three or four of them in your side.
“You can’t pay overs for them like you can for a key forward.
“I think he’s an outstanding talent but again, you need three or four of (players like Taranto) and you can’t pay them all one million dollars.”