Brad Johnson has named his Top 10 recruits from last year’s trade period.
The Western Bulldogs legend’s list is based on their impact and output for their new club in season 2023, not particularly taking into account what was given up in the trade to get them.
Johnson explained his ‘Legend’s List’ to Kane Cornes on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“The biggest impact throughout season 2023,” Johnson said.
“It’s tough, there are some players who have missed out.
“Just some names to throw out there - Will Setterfield, Oleg Markov, Conor McKenna, Jacob Hopper, Dan McStay, Jack Gunston, Willie Rioli, Karl Amon and Ollie Henry just outside (the top 10) that have had reasonable years for their new clubs.”
Johnson’s Top 10 trade recruits of 2023:
(Of players traded in the 2022 trade period)
10 - Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs)
Johnson: “When he was injured I think it showed the importance of how good he is as a player in this side.”
Cornes: “He was in the All-Australian conversation before he got injured.
“Was the number one intercept defender for a period for the fist half of the year before he broke his arm.
“He had a really big impact and was so important.”
9 - Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
Johnson: “He could have been higher.
“His Grand Final was excellent, and I rated him over the year.”
Cornes: “What a Grand Final. 13 tackles and the thing I loved about his game was his composure and ball use.”
8 - Toby Bedford (GWS)
Johnson: “I didn’t expect this rise from Toby Bedford.”
Cornes: “When you look at losing (Bobby) Hill, now Hill is a better player than Bedford, but he was a great replacement who they didn’t give much up for.
“I thought they had an excellent trade period last year, the Giants, considering they lost what we thought were two really key and crucial midfielders (Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper).”
7 - Bobby Hill (Collingwood)
Johnson: “Over the year he played a great role and he had an outstanding Grand Final.
“Next year, can he go to that next level again? Or does he even need to go to another level? Is it more just being consistent now?”
Cornes: “It’s a hard position to be consistent in, that small forward role, because it can be pretty lonely at times and you feel like you’re chasing backsides.”
Johnson: “I’d like him a little bit higher more often where he can get up to half-back and break back through.”
6 - Tim Taranto (Richmond)
Johnson: “He was very good throughout the majority of the year and polled quite well in the Brownlow.”
5 - Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
Johnson: “His second half of the year propelled him into the top five, it was excellent.”
4 - Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)
Johnson: “Look out with this guy!”
Cornes: “Port didn’t have to give up a lot to get him.”
3 - Blake Acres (Carlton)
Johnson: “I thought he was sensational for the Blues.
“His skill level was average in the first half of the season but he really got going in the second half of the year.
“I loved his support in defence. He was last line of defence on a number of occasions with his ability to push back and support then get going the other way.”
Cornes: “He had a big finals series.
“He started to kick goals as well.”
2 - Izak Rankine (Adelaide)
Johnson: “He’s energised the Adelaide Crows in a big way.”
Cornes: “He has big upside.
“The combination with Josh Rachele, they’re going to do some damage.”
1 - Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
Johnson: “I thought he was the number one recruit.
“His impact on the Brisbane Lions’ midfield was awesome. He added that layer of defensive pressure. He is the best in the comp at that aspect of the game.
“The way that they recruited him set them up to win a Grand Final, but they missed out by four points.
“I thought he was the pick of the year.”