Trade Crystal Ballers: Pies "front of line" for Walter

The SEN Fireball crew are doing some crystal balling.

The question: Where will these players be in 2027?

Tom Morris was quizzed by David King and Kane Cornes on several players who are being linked with possible moves this coming trade period.

Morris said: “I want to preface this by saying I don’t know 100 per cent.

“This is a risky segment.”

Crystal Ballers - player movement

Zach Merrett (Essendon): “Merrett goes to Hawthorn,” said Morris.

“He's not worth three first rounders anymore. I still think one, maybe two, depending on the numbers of those first rounders.”

Jed Walter (Gold Coast): “I think Walter goes because Ben King stays.

“I think Collingwood is at the front of that queue.”

Jordon Butts (Adelaide): “Interest from clubs. North Melbourne, the Dogs as well have had interest in the past.

“I think more likely to stay at the Adelaide Crows.”

Darcy Wilson (St Kilda): “It's big because of the pay packet that's being afforded to Mattaes Phillipou for 2027 and 2028, which is $1 millon per year over the duration of that deal.

“Understandably, Darcy Wilson is probably looking at that going 'I probably deserve $1.2 (million)!' But, St Kilda doesn't have unlimited money, and there is a lot of interest in Darcy Wilson.

“More than half a dozen clubs have enquires around Darcy Wilson, including Geelong and North Melbourne.

“It's a crystal ball, so I think Geelong, but I think, more likely, he just leaves somewhere. I don't know where. St Kilda will have to pay him, and pay him a fair bit to keep him.”

Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast): “I think he will want to go again, and I think he will want to go to Hawthorn.

“I just don't know how he gets to Hawthorn if Hawthorn also get Zach Merrett, so I've also got my eyes on Melbourne for Bailey Humphrey.”

Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood): “I think he goes around again. All the indications are that he goes around again.

“People close to him say he is motivated, and he is feeling physically okay.”

Zak Butters (Port Adelaide): “Western Bulldogs is my tip for Zak Butters,” said Morris.

Zac Bailey (Brisbane): “Adelaide is my tip for Zac Bailey.”

Ben King (Gold Coast): “Still hasn’t signed, it’s so interesting. But Gold Coast.

“No one knows (why it’s taking so long to re-sign), it’s very interesting. I don’t think anyone will come for him late, they’re not haggling over money, it’s lifestyle. Does he want to live in Melbourne? Or be on the Gold Coast with his partner?”

Lachie Neale (Brisbane): “It’s very hard for me to say when he hasn’t even made his mind up yet. I think Collingwood.

“From a family perspective (going back to Perth make sense), but he wants to play in a premiership. I think Collingwood offers more of a chance of that than West Coast for example, and Freo don’t necessarily need him.

“Adelaide are a chance, absolutely.”

Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn): “I think he stays at the Hawks.”

Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood): “I think Pendles is a really good chance to retire.

“Especially if Collingwood don’t play finals and he’s sore. Nobody would begrudge him for retiring.

“It would be a brave coach to say you need to retire. That would be a very brave call for Collingwood to make.”

Toby Greene (GWS): “I think he stays at the Giants. Three-year deal, franchise player, if they finish the season well…

“Comes home after his contract finishes.”

King added: “I think he’ll be at the Cats.”

Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne): “He wants four years at Melbourne. If they can’t give him four years then everything is on the table.

“I’m going to say stay for the moment.”

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong): “Goes on again at the Cats, I reckon.”

Patrick Cripps (Carlton): “Cripps stays at Carlton.

“The big question mark is in 18 months’ time.”