Trade Talk: The six players that should seek a move

Which players could leave at season’s end in moves that could benefit both club and player?

Inspired by Brad Scott’s comments about Zach Merrett and that perhaps he should have been let go by Essendon, SEN’s Sam Edmund has compiled a list of six players.

These are the moves that would be good for both the player and the club at the end of this year.

Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast)

“At season’s end he’s an unrestricted free agent. His coach (Damien Hardwick) had called him one of the best rucks in the game,” he said on SEN’s Locked In.

“He signed a two-year deal when he was still co-captain so he’d be well paid. But he’s turning 34.

“Perfect timing for the Suns to move him on. He wants to keep playing, clubs are always looking for rucks.

“It’s a no-brainer because Ned Moyle is coming with an absolute bullet, and Jarrod is on borrowed time.

“I think that’s good for him to keep playing and good business for Gold Coast.”

Lachie Neale (Brisbane)

“Another unrestricted free agent. Obviously a move would be good for him for personal reasons.

“His coach (Chris Fagan) has already given him his blessing. The Lions didn’t choose this path or this situation to eventuate, but talk about selling high.

“He signed a three-year extension in 2022 after his first Brownlow so he’d be on pretty big coin.

“A lot of stars to keep happy up there and a lot of them young. So the cash off the books would be very handy and they’d get compo as well.

“From a business sense this is very appealing for Brisbane.”

Hayden McLean (Sydney)

“Contracted until 2027 but not playing. Played one game, kicked three goals and took a couple of big contested marks.

“While the Swans would ideally want to keep him it could be good fro move him on once Joel Amartey re-signs, then you’ve got Charlie Curnow, then you’ve got Logan McDonald.

“You might even get a second-rounder back. I think that’s good business for Sydney.”

Kane Cornes added: “McLean is 27, he is perfect for a club like Essendon.

“Give him a I’ve-year deal, put him next to Nate Caddy as a bigger body, and he could also back-up ruck if you need him to.

“Give them a second target so not everything is channeled through Caddy.

“That’s a club that could use McLean.”

Sean Darcy (Fremantle)

“Long-term contract, I’m not saying that is the reason to trade him.

“The reason to trade him is they just can’t be taking Luke Jackson out of the ruck. They just can’t be doing that.

“Mason Cox is the reliever and relievers are easy to secure once Cox retires.

“Get something for Sean who plays in the only position he can - ruck - at another club.

“The time has come because he’s not getting back in there I don’t reckon.”

Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide)

“Another ruckman, there’s a common theme.

“Lachie McAndrew has given him windburn on the way past. He’s signed until 2028, he signed when he was vice-captain too.

“So while he’s not on insane money it’s above the AFL average so the Crows benefit, Reilly benefits, moving on and playing, because Lachie has gone past him.”

Elijah Tsatas (Essendon)

“We could talk about Zach Merrett, we could talk about Jordan Ridley, but I’ve got Elijah Tsatas.

“They’ve got a strategy, Essendon, we know that. Get more picks, get more drafts under the belt.

“A guy who has played 19 times in three and a half seasons after being taken at Pick 5 in 2022, you get something relatively handy back.

“Then the kid can potentially play consistently. He’ll definitely want that.

“Essendon might have seen enough and they get a pick in the other way. Win-win.”