AFL Trade Period 2026 and Fantasy

A total of 30 players switched clubs across the 2026 AFL Trade Period. I’ve gone through a look at each club’s ins and what it could mean for Fantasy next season.

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In the tables I’ve included what each player will be priced at. If you want to work out what their price will be based on 2026 pricing system, you can multiply the priced at figure by 10490. Currently we don’t know what the pricing will be for 2027.

Also included is a projected position. This is based on what Champion Data are classifying them as at the end of the season (with some educated guesses for DPP). Check out Heff’s great work at keeperleaguepod.com.au for all the positions.

No incoming players.

Not a lot to say here. They held onto Nick Murray so he’ll soften the defensive blow after Jordon Butts went to North as a free agent. Although it wasn’t a trade, Harry Cunningham came as a DFA. Solid citizen that’s going to be 33 at the end of this year, but nothing that’s shaking things up for Fantasy.

No incoming players.

With no one in, it’s all about the flow on effect of the outs. Lachie Neale is the key name after being the Lions’ main man for CBAs with 78% for the year in the tight rotation with Dunkley and Washcroft. That opens things up for the next in line. Is it Hugh McCluggage (who is cheap…), Zac Bailey, Cam Rayner and/or Levi Ashcroft who benefit?

Keidean Coleman doesn’t change much as he wasn’t in the best 23 at the end of the year, but it could mean we’re seeing the evolution of the half-back line in the post-Zorko era. A watch for keeper league coaches.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Joel Amartey		FWD	50	50.4	15	❌
Lachie Whitfield		DEF	100	99.8	21	✅

A decent win for the Blues as Lachie Whitfield comes into defence. It will mean the end of a heap of Fantasy relevance from Nic Newman in the future, especially with Billy Wilson‘s progression. NN was good this year going at 93 before his hammy. Points were there in the Blues’ backline and we can probably expect Whit to be pretty similar to what he’s done before. He may have a decent start with no Cowan or Derkson for the first couple of games.

Joel Amartey isn’t a Fantasy name to consider but does it give Harry McKay a buddy to help his game?

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Lachie Neale		MID	102	102.2	23	⏳
Jesse Hogan		FWD	63	49.1	9	❌
Flynn Riley		RUCK	47	65	1	❌

Lachie Neale comes in to take bulk CBAs sitting next to Nick Daicos who attended 79% of centre ball ups. This will be a change as Ed Allan (57%), Jordan De Goey (49%) and the departed Scott Pendlebury (40%) were the next in line for CBAs. We don’t start Neale priced at over 100 and it might be wise to watch Daicos priced at 117 as things will look different … but hey, it is still Nick Daicos.

We’ll see Jesse Hogan play at his fourth club as they need a key forward. Not sure Flynn Riley plays, but adds depth for Darcy Cameron support while Oscar Steene is sidelined following his ACL.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Jack Bowes		MID	68	69.9	9	🤔
Keidean Coleman		DEF	66	66	13	🤔

The ins aren’t as good as the outs. Zach Merrett leaves a big hole in the midfield. This is going to be a big watch in the pre-season as there was a big spread for the Dons. You’d be thinking Dyson Sharp and Sullivan Robey are the kids they want to have a crack at giving clock to. You’d think a fit Jye Caldwell, priced at 74, has plenty of upside if he is the be getting the midfield minutes (he went from 65% in 2025 when he averaged 104 to 52% this year).

Jack Bowes will want some midfield time and will be useful due to experience but he is a versatile player who may not necessarily be a permanent fixture. Bowes may present some Fantasy value at 68 considering he has been 80+ before, but only a late, late punt in draft as a MID-only selection.

Different players, but Jordan Ridley out and Keidean Coleman in will be interesting. Ridley has shown he can score but consistency (including being on the park) was his downside. Coleman the same to be honest. Kiddy wasn’t part of the Lions’ best 23 as they were humming at the end of the year. We have spoken about it every year since the 2023 Grand Final, but he was ELITE in those finals. He scored 106 in the prelim and then racked up 63 in the first quarter against the Pies in the Granny. He finished with 127 and was runner up in the Norm Smith. Kiddy is classy with the ball and at his best he’ll be the one who they’ll want to give the Sherrin to off the back flank.

What we’ll be watching is how it all looks for Archie Roberts – and the rest of them – down back and where the points (plus ball) will be distributed. Do they try to move the ball differently under Spike? Or do they try and then revert to holding the pill due to how crap they’ll be?

No incoming players.

Not a lot happened to our Wharfie Time team. NOD left to the Tigers which will open up a wing role. Could it be the DFA Dominic Bedendo who gets a chance? He averaged 80 for Port Melbourne this year with 15 disposals, four marks, four tackles and two goals per game. He played two games for WB in 2022. A possible basement priced-player to watch this pre-season.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Toby Greene		FWD	86	85.6	21	⏳
Jordan Ridley		DEF	56	57	7	💰
Rowan Marshall		RUCK	83	83.3	21	✅

The biggest Fantasy stud of the trade period is Rowan Marshall. His numbers are elite as the solo man. Knocked out averaged of 117, 117 and 106 in the three seasons prior to TDK joining the Saints this year. When he attended 60% or more ruck contests this year, he went at 122. Geelong have always wanted to get in a decent ruck and finally got it done this year after chasing him in 2025. A lock for us priced at 83 … however, do they completely say goodbye to Mitch Edwards? Do they play together? Is Conway going to be a thing? Surely they just roll with Ro as the No.1 man.

There’s value in Jordan Ridley priced at 56 if he can get his body right and the Cats’ backline use him well enough. Marks is how he builds his score. He’s had a handful of seasons going 72+ with his best in 2024 at 88. The issue is that Ridley isn’t on the park with just 26 games to his name in this last three seasons.

Toby Greene is likely to be the fourth highest priced FWD to start next season. I don’t think starting the 33-year-old who isn’t going to get the midfield role to help his scoring is wise thing. We can wait to see how it pans out. Realistically, the watch will be on Miers but probably Mannagh at 76 who had some stinkers last year (mostly due to lack of time in the middle, but hit some decent numbers when injected there through last few games).

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Scott Pendlebury		MID	79	79.2	17	❌
Aiden Schubert		FWD	36	49	1	🐮
Sam Butler		FWD	56	59.4	8	🤷‍♂️

I’m not sure what to expect from Scott Pendlebury, but he’ll most certainly be managed in his two season of playing (as he transitions into two years of coaching). Does he play half the games? Are they in plug-and-play roles? I don’t think he has too much of a flow on effect for others.

Aiden Schubert is the younger replacement for Ben King who left as a free agent. Schubert played the one game this year and will be a top end rookie-priced option. We can’t expect heaps from the 195cm key position player who averaged 66 from his 17 VFL games.  It is doubtful that he retains his RUCK/FWD DPP that he had this season as positions are allocated from this year’s games. If he looks set to be a permanent fixture in the Suns’ F50 make up, you could consider him as a slow burning cash cow with Read and Walter the bigs ahead of him.

Will Sam Butler play? He is pretty much a pass in Fantasy despite his FWD status. Butler’s best Fantasy game was his two-goal and nine goal effort in the final against Adelaide in 2025… but has been dominant at VFL level averaging 106 this year and 99 the previous season.

No incoming players.

No one in, but a heap of best 23 players out. Firstly, Lachie Whitfield leaves a hole – and some points on the table – in the backline. Does Lachie Ash move back there more consistently? He isn’t cheap, but maybe we know what we will be getting from him as a DEF rather than the midfielder we saw him have to do a bit this year (don’t forget Tom Green returns). Fonti is the other that may have more responsibility and could see an increase on his 73 return from this year.

Kieren Briggs going out means Nicholas Madden assumes the No.1 ruck spot with no real challengers. He went at 68 and there is some certain upside for the guy who had his top score of 111 earlier this year and has knocked out averaged of 105, 100, 96 in the last three VFL seasons. A cheap R2 play.

Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan moving on means for a new-look forward line, but nothing too Fantasy relevant.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Zach Merrett		MID	104	104.1	23	⏳
Ben King		FWD	49	48.9	23	❌
Josh Goater		DEF	49	55.3	6	❌

Ugh. Zach Merrett has gone from the Dons. Sad times. He’s gone 11 straight seasons averaging 100+. Does this change at the Hawks? They were the top scoring team this year, but it was a spread. Impey’s 90.2 average was the best with the midfielders failing to crack 90 (Newcombe 88, Ward 90, Day 81). It is a wait and watch on Merrett priced there. Although there was some lip service about his versatility, he’ll be an inside midfielder. Does Zach’s epic Fantasy game trump Hawthorn’s system and remains a 100+ guy under Sam Mitchell?

The largely Fantasy irrelevant Ben King pushes one of their talls down the pecking order (Mabior Chol? Calsher Deer?) while Josh Goater is depth for the defence.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Zane Duursma		FWD	36	36.1	15	😑
Will McLachlan		FWD	23	28	1	🐮
Bodie Ryan		DEF	35	40.6	5	🤷‍♂️

We have a basement-priced player on the watchlist for the Dees as Will McLachlan makes his way down south after seven games for the Lions over the last two years. There’s nothing to write home about in his AFL appearances at the three-time premiers; however, VFL numbers are solid with an 81 average this season and 81 the year before. If he gets a chance, we’ll lock him in as a FWD.

Cal and Roy’s boy Bodie Ryan adds sine depth and might be a little expensive as a rookie with poor job security but could be be earmarked for Trent Rivers’ half-back spot? At a similar price will be Zane Duursma. Next year will be his fourth in the system… can he average over 36? Geez.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Nick Blakey		DEF	86	86	22	🦎

The Lizard slithered his way to the Roos as their biggest signing since forever. Nick Blakey is probably better suited to that other game, but has pumped out back-to-back averages of 86 and 85. As Sydney’s kick-in king, does he maintain those numbers at the Roos? Caleb Daniel and Luke Parker shared duties this year. Is Caleb on the way out? Or does Colby continue to be used in different roles? There is a lot of unknown with a new coach and possible system. Blakey is probably a pass for Fantasy but the magnet shuffling will be interesting to see how that moves Fantasy points around.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Luke Pedlar		FWD	47	47.3	10	❌

Before we get to the only in, it’s all about what Zak Butters out means. Jase Burgoyne and Miles Bergman got the bump at the end of the year when Butters missed. Rozee was missing then as well, so it’ll be him and JHF first ones in … then you’ve got Drew, Wines and the two mentioned to rotate through. Joe Richards is another name who had some positive midfield appearances. Could be too many players thrown around to consider any of them, even with the potential upside.

Luke Pedlar comes in for Port. Luke Pedlar won’t be coming into your Fantasy team.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Kieren Briggs		RUCK	72	71.9	18	⏳
Nathan O’Driscoll		MID	64	64.1	16	❌

Life after Nank is being looked after with Kieren Briggs making his way to the Tigers from GWS. Cal loves him. Some blind faith from back-to-back 92 averaging seasons? The issue will be that the 27-year-old will likely be sharing with Toby Nankervis. I’m not sure the captain of the club takes a backseat to him. In saying that, his body has let him down and Briggs will possibly be number one for a chunk of the season. Briggsy could be one to target for a Keeper league for 2028 solo time when Nank heads to Tassie!

The worst photo of the trade period was of Nathan O’Driscoll. He was a good starting pick in 2025 when he went 85, 79 and 99 before injury. He was priced a lot cheaper than he is now and he’s at the poor scoring Tigers. The wing role may not see a crazy amount of upside and he has to be a pass priced at 64.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Sam Marshall		MID	43	56	2	🐮

20-year-old Sam Marshall went at 91 in the VFL this year from his 16 games. Isn’t quite the cheap rookie price, could be a cow if he gets a run at it with the Saints. The former Lions Academy pick played 11 games in his first season (2025) where he wore the sub vest 5 times for an average of 41. A top score of 94 versus Freo was by far his best return. One to watch, but not sure he’s going to do enough when Guns-n-Rooks will be in vogue.

Rowan Marshall leaving can only mean good things for Tom De Koning. His first year as a Saint wasn’t great, sharing the ruck role with Rowan but also copping injuries. He’ll be priced at 64 which is down from the 88 and 85 he averaged at the Blues before last year’s Trade Period. A contender as the lock for R2 at a great price point. Alex Dodson is next in line and could be the R3 option.

No incoming players.

As Nick Blakey exits, the Swans backline will be the story of the pre-season for us Fantasy coaches as we note Callum Mills misses the year with an ACL. Who picks up the points? Matt Roberts has shown plenty of Fantasy touch previously. He averaged 83 in 2025 which included a hot start (vest and VFL came later in the year). Could there be 20 points upside on his priced at 67 number? Riley Bice is another who went bang early in the year with scores of 103, 87, 108 from round one.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Trent Rivers		DEF	77	77.4	16	📈
Jack Viney		MID	62	DNP	DNP	💰

A couple of blokes come to the Eagles and should slot into the best 23. Trent Rivers probably arrives with most likely a settled half-back role. He went at 82 in 2024 and 2025 which included a bit of mid clock (50% CBAs averaged 87) with some of his best scores coming from high mark games in a half-back role. There could be some upside, but maybe a Draft relevant player.

Jack Viney didn’t play a home-and-away game, therefore he gets a full 30% discount on his 88 average from 2025. We’ve seen solid numbers across his career, including five 90+ season averages. Hopefully his body is all good as he heads west. You’d think he slots into the midfield next to Harley. The role should give him 20+ points of value and a solid starting pick.

Player	From	Proj. Position	Priced at	2026 AVG	2026 GMS	Emoji
Jordon Butts		DEF	41	42.2	9	❌
Finn Maginness		FWD	43	45.7	6	🏷️
Hudson O’Keeffe		RUCK/FWD	30	28.3	3	❌
Zak Butters		MID	105	104.5	17	⏳

Zak Butters got done. Basically it’s a wait on him. I don’t think you can start the former Port player with a 105 priced at figure next to his name. The midfield lose Libba, but he’s going to be next to Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards who both went 100+ this year. Matt Kennedy went at 97 and was the third banana with 49% of CBAs (Libba 4th with 44%). Does this become a massively tight rotation of Richards, Bont, Butters meaning less time for Kennedy, Freijah and Sanders? Does Bont play a bit more forward? Either way, while they managed to score a bit together this year as a midfield group, I’m not sure there’s any winners in this at all!

Jordon Butts won’t be a Fantasy option but could help those that rack up – Bailey Dale – off half-back due to having a decent defender back there. Hudson O’Keeffe and Finn Maginness are depth options, but old mate Finnger could come in and do a tagging role… but with that stacked midfield, can the afford the spot? I don’t think so.