AFL Trade Period 2022 and Fantasy

2022 AVERAGE: 60.7 (6 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $477,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Meek looks likely to be the No. 1 ruck at the Hawks, but like many rucks next year, is likely to have a companion, or decent compeition at the least. Reeves and Lynch are big chances to be playing. This will naturally lower his ceiling if they’re buddying up, but being priced at 53, Meek should still be an option for a second ruck in Classic and in the mix as a bench option for Draft. That is, until we know a bit more about how the Hawks are going to line up and that he is definitely their king pin. The 24-year-old averaged 104 in the WAFL last season with 9 of 15 scores being 110+. Some coaches are calling Meek an absolute lock, but I think we should temper expectations as his numbers when Darcy was out of the side weren’t exactly earth shattering (62.2). R2 OPTION.

JAEGER O’MEARA TO FREMANTLE

2022 AVERAGE: 82.1 (21 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $688,000

FANTASY VERDICT: New coach Sam Mitchell pushed him out of the midfield this year, averaging 61% of CBAs after attending 71% and 73% the two years prior. JOM averaged mid-to-high-90s in the four years prior after bursting onto the scene averaging 89 and 93, plus playing every game, in his first two years at the Suns. Priced at 82, O’Meara is value but we’ll need to monitor the midfield rotations at the Dockers. Brayshaw, Brodie and Serong were mainstays this year with the retired Mundy next on the list. Basically, he should get at least Mundy’s minutes with the chance to increase his CBAs on this year and push back into the mid-90s average again. WATCHLIST.

RORY LOBB TO WESTERN BULLDOGS

2022 AVERAGE: 66.4 (19 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $557,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Lobb finally found his way out of Freo and landed at the Dogs. He’ll play that forward-ruck role which may cause a few dramas for Tim English as they share time. I don’t think it will be a massive issue, but it is a flag. We’re not picking Lobb in Classic… but he has some use as a plug-and-play depth player in Draft. PASS.

TOM MITCHELL TO COLLINGWOOD

2022 AVERAGE: 96.3 (21 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $808,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Our Pig has found himself a new sty at the Pies! Like other pigs before him, Swanny and Grundy, we’re hoping that he’ll thrive there. If it was a couple of years ago, we could be predicting a 125+ average like years past but things have changed under Macrae. Still, that 96 he’s priced at presents plenty of value as Mitchell will primarily be an inside midfielder again at Collingwood. Sam Mitchell gave him 53% of CBAs this year compared to the 80% he was attending in his Brownlow year. We will discuss the goings on at the Hawks in an upcoming podcast. VALUE LOCK.

OLLIE HENRY TO GEELONG

2022 AVERAGE: 49.7 (13 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $417,000

FANTASY VERDICT: There’s not enough to think that Henry will produce decent enough scores as a small forward to be Fantasy relevant. He’s cracked 80 just once in his 25 games. PASS.

COOPER STEPHENS TO HAWTHORN

2022 AVERAGE: 51.8 (5 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $369,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Averaged 88 this year in the VFL, Stephens should get a decent shot at the depleted Hawks. Their rebuild is going to be a good thing for us Fantasy coaches. Stephens plays as an inside midfielder and only made his debut this season after being on the list for three years. Although listed as MID-only, this is the same price Will Brodie started at last season and could have a similar impact in Fantasy … but may not be a keeper due to the lack of DPP. VALUE OPTION WITH OPPORTUNITY.

JOSH DUNKLEY TO BRISBANE

2022 AVERAGE: 108.8 (22 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $912,000

FANTASY VERDICT: We all know how good this man is. Even when playing as a MID-FWD, Dunks can be relied upon for a ton (let’s forget about the end of 2021 coming back from injury). The good news with his move to the Lions is that he’s going to have a much more secure role that will see an increase on his 50% CBAs which had him sharing his time like all the Dogs. Goes ahead of Lyons, who was dropped for the finals. It’ll be interesting to see what it means for development of Rayner and Bailey. Dunkley has some chance of holding FWD status and if so, then expect him to be a top 1 or 2 forward option… even as a MID only, should figure in top 10 or so. GUN!

LACHIE HUNTER TO MELBOURNE

2022 AVERAGE: 76.2 (9 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $693,000

FANTASY VERDICT: We’ve seen some great numbers from Hunter in the past with 103.3 average in their premiership year, 105.4 in 2018 and then a BCV of 114.4 in 2020. He’s priced as low as he’s been since 2015. Hunter will slot onto a wing – which in recent times hasn’t been elite for scoring. His move to the Dees is possibly good news for Brayshaw who should hold down a DEF or MID role rather than be outside. DRAFT RELEVANT.

JOSH SCHACHE TO MELBOURNE

2022 AVERAGE: 51.7 (7 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $451,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Depth player for the Dees? Not Fantasy relevant for us. PASS.

SAM WEIDEMAN TO ESSENDON

2022 AVERAGE: 45.1 (10 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $378,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Hopefully it’s a Two Metre Peter 2.0 for my Dons, but I don’t think he’s going to be on our radar for Fantasy. He did averaged 82 in the VFL this year finishing the year with scores of 98, 117 and 101 with extra time in the ruck. PASS.

AARON FRANCIS TO SYDNEY

2022 AVERAGE: 40.5 (4 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $326,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Despite being priced at 39, we’re unlikely to see Francis make us much cash as he’s average less than 50 across his career. PASS.

JACOB HOPPER TO RICHMOND

2022 AVERAGE: 66.1 (7 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $678,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Priced at 80.8 (discounted off 88.8), Hopper has some value as his PB average was 93.5 back in 2019. Like Taranto mentioned before, he’s landed at the Tigers where scoring Fantasy points haven’t been a massive thing for us coaches. Hopefully Hopper gets a good chance through Richmond’s midfield and can boost his numbers. More Draft relevant as the 66 average from last year is what’s next to his name. I’ll be bumping him up to at least 85 average when compiling my midfield rankings. Could be a good late round pick. Another thing to think about is the likelihood of Short going back to defence where he scores better. WATCHLIST.

BILLY FRAMPTON TO COLLINGWOOD

2022 AVERAGE: 69.5 (6 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $513,000

FANTASY VERDICT: 2022 was Frampton’s best averaging season which was somewhat inflated becasue he had two 90+ scores in his six games. His discount prices him at 61, which is still about 10 points higher than any season average he’s produced in his five year career. PASS.

JACK BOWES TO GEELONG

2022 AVERAGE: 55.4 (5 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $574,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Trade of the Decade? Crazy to think that the Cats could get this done, along with Pick 7, for a future third. Ridiculous really. Bowes cops a discount on his 2021 average of 80, so is priced at 68.4. Cheap for what he can do, but what will his role be at Geelong? Will points be easy to come by for him? There’s a lot of water to flow under the bridge but he should still retain DEF status and be an option for us an all forms of the game. WATCHLIST.

BRODIE GRUNDY TO MELBOURNE

2022 AVERAGE: 93.3 (6 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $785,000

FANTASY VERDICT: RIP Set and Forget! For years the best combo in Fantasy has been Gawn and Grundy. Simon Goodwin has taken that seriously for the real game and put the two best rucks in the comp together. Sadly, it spells the end of them being the top two averaging Fantasy rucks moving forward and hard to justify taking either of them early on in Draft or as value options in Classic. Grundy was snouted as the Ruck Pig in 2019 thanks to back-to-back 120+ seasons; a feat never seen before for rucks… including Big Cox. Grundy’s discount priced him at 93.6 (so basically the same as what he averaged from his six games). I’m bullish on his hunger as a 28-year-old due to what he’s been through this year. He should be set for a big one, fantasy aside. G&G will be splitting their time in the ruck which is going to cap both of their scoring. An injury would send stocks of the other one flying if that happens throughout the season now that Jackson has departed. Makes Darcy Cameron a possible option at the Pies… more on that in an upcoming podcast. STILL A GUN, BUT WATCH, WAIT AND SEE.

JACK GUNSTON TO BRISBANE

2022 AVERAGE: 60.4 (16 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $507,000

FANTASY VERDICT: It’s unlikely that a 31-year-old will be on our Fantasy radar unless heavily discounted. While he was a solid player for Draft leagues from 2014-2018 with an average in the high 80s while missing just three games, time has probably caught up with him as he’s needed bulk goals to have fieldable scores. How’s he fit with Hipwood and Daniher? Does he get a run up the field and be Richo-esque? I don’t think he’s going to figure much for Fantasy in 2023 despite coming in with his lowest average next to his name since his debut season in 2010. PASS … FOR NOW.

JASON HORNE-FRANCIS TO PORT ADELAIDE

2022 AVERAGE: 62.4 (17 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $523,000

FANTASY VERDICT: We know JHF will be a Fantasy gun, but maybe not in his second year… and maybe not with the logjam at the Power with midfielders (however, Horne-Francis may not be as flexible as others who get a run through the guts and may leapfrog some). His keeper stocks probably drop slightly going to Port for the short term, but he’ll be a sweet option in the future. He may retain the MID/FWD status that he picked up this year which would make JHF a massive name for the watchlist this pre-season, especially in Draft. SOME UPSIDE, BUT NOT AS A FANTASY MID ONLY.

JUNIOR RIOLI TO PORT ADELAIDE

2022 AVERAGE: 56.7 (13 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $475,000

FANTASY VERDICT: I’d like to think there’s some improvement after getting back into the game this year following two years out after that Powerade bottle saga. There’s even a 9 next to his name this year that brings his average down slightly. Unlikely to figure as an option for Classic, but depending on available FWD stocks, could be worth a late round pick in Draft. PASS.

WILL SETTERFIELD TO ESSENDON

2022 AVERAGE: 68.9 (12 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $578,000

FANTASY VERDICT: The former Giant and Blue can score. In the last five games of this year when he was given a run with the Blues, he averaged 88 off the back of his 111 average in the VFL from eight games. While as a MID only (likely as he played as a wingman in his AFL appearances) he may not be a sexy pick priced at 69 (nice)… but he could be a decent name to consider late in Draft if the Bombers play nice with him over the pre-season. We have to remember he’s only 24 and was Pick 5 in his draft year. WATCHLIST.

IZAK RANKINE TO ADELAIDE

2022 AVERAGE: 59.1 (18 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $496,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Great get for the Crows, but it’s likely that if he’s going to remain as a forward, his Fantasy relevance was pretty much only when he was rookie priced. Unless he becomes a midfielder, it’s a pass… but who knows what could happen in the future? A bit of a MID/FWD? PASS.

LUKE JACKSON TO FREMANTLE

TRADE – Friday October 7

2022 AVERAGE: 71.3 (20 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $598,000

FANTASY VERDICT: We got a bit excited when Max went down and LJ gave us 125 in that sweet, sweet play only to have him out the next week with a knee (and Gawn returning soon after). Realistically, we can’t expect a heap unless he’s Freo’s No. 1 ruck. That aint happing while Sean Darcy is there. RUC/FWD IS ALWAYS HANDY LATE IN DRAFT.

TOBY BEDFORD TO GWS

TRADE – Monday October 10

2022 AVERAGE: 43 (8 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $339,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Small forward, a couple of years into the system. You’d want him to be a bit cheaper to consider him as a cash cow. PASS.

TANNER BRUHN TO GEELONG

2022 AVERAGE: 53.2 (16 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $446,000

FANTASY VERDICT: The slow burn could be even slower now that he’s as the Cats. The main midfielders would still be ahead in the pecking order (Selwood has obviously retired to open up a spot) just like they were at the Giants… but with FWD status, if there’s a look into the midfield, the third-year player could have some upside. Midfield rotations will be key to his Fantasy game. In round 11 he scored his first and only ton in 28 games when he attended 50% of GWS’ centre bounces, again, a career high. His two VFL games this year returned scores of 88 and 103 while last year he averaged 82.1 from eight games. Big pre-season watch on Bruhn as to what his role is likely to be. I think it might be more of the same FWD-MID stuff so likely to be a keeper stash and may not make the big leap we’d need him to this year. WATCHLIST.

JOSH CORBETT TO FREMANTLE

TRADE – Thursday October 6

2022 AVERAGE: 41 (3 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $377,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Priced at 45… but averaged 71 in the VFL. Only adds depth to the Dockers’ list, you would think he’d have to be getting a fair bit go right to even crack the ones. PASS.

TOM BERRY TO GOLD COAST

2022 AVERAGE: 42.5 (2 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $271,000

FANTASY VERDICT: Berry has just 15 games to his name over his three seasons. A top score of 62 (after ripping off the vest in round eigth this year) and a couple of 50s throughout his career doesn’t hold much hope for scoring output playing as a forward pocket… but possibly an opportunity will present at the Suns. Berry averaged 91.2 in the VFL this year with top scores of 132 and 128. CHEAP IF GETTING A CONSISTENT GAME.

BEN LONG TO GOLD COAST

2022 AVERAGE: 57.9 (18 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $486,000

FANTASY VERDICT: The defender-come-forward hasn’t given us much Fantasy love over the years… altough there were some positives at the end of the season with scores of 92, 73 and 138 in his last month. PASS.

DARCY TUCKER TO NORTH MELBOURNE

2022 AVERAGE: 51.6 (12 games)
2023 PROJECTED PRICE: $433,000

FANTASY VERDICT: If he maintains dual-position status, which is likely, Tucker will have to be considered as he’ll be priced at under 52, the lowest of his seven year career. Opportunity should present itself at the Roos after a season full of vest wearing and being thrown into a variety of roles from half-back to wing to forward. He averaged 100 in the WAFL, which includes a 10 point game… and a couple of monsters with 142 and 178. Tucker’s PB season was 2019’s 72.4 average where he played all 22 games. One to watch this pre-season to see where he will fit in at North Melbourne as he’s clearly unders and could be a nice runway for a mid-season upgrade. WATCHLIST.

GRIFFIN LOGUE TO NORTH MELBOURNE