Demonland

Part Three - HIGH ANXIETY The weekend that sits in the days before the end of the AFL’s trade period is often looked upon as being the perfect calm before the storm. We’ve seen the free agency period come and go in unspectacular fashion with relatively few players changing clubs and the trades thus far have similarly made very few waves. In fact, they’ve caused barely a ripple although the various media have been full of speculation about who might eventually trade places. As usual, the really big trades are still to be finalized and it’s likely there will be some tension and anxiety surrounding them before the clock ticks past 7.30pm this coming Wednesday to signal the official end of the AFL Trade Period. The stand offs as to the value of Luke Jackson and Brodie Grundy continue and Toby Bedford’s deal remains in limbo but the draft experts keep assuring us that their trades will be finalized in the coming days. Aside from the trades involving Melbourne, the Jason Horne-Francis and Josh Dunkley moves have created the most consternation, the Gold Coast salary dump and gifting of Draft Pick 7 and Jack Bowes is apparently waiting on a direction or blessing from the AFL hierarchy. The Izak Rankine and Ollie Henry deals will get done as the clubs involved will eventually see sense. There will no doubt be a few more pick swaps and other player movements in play and even a surprise or two before it’s all over. It’s worth remembering that the trade period is part of a process that deals with the end of careers for players and in some cases, a change in the direction of their careers. And, of course, with so much emphasis on draft picks during the period, it’s also about the start of many playing careers in the AFL. To this end, Monday morning will also see the opening of nominations for the AFL National Draft to be held over two nights on 28 and 29 November with the Preseason and Rookie Drafts to follow. The vibe I’m receiving around the coming draft is that beyond the first couple of picks, it’s an even field right into the teens up to the end of the first round. If that’s the case, then some of the decisions about to be made surrounding the contentious trades might not necessarily be the cause of too much anxiety in the end. The current state of play - FREE AGENCY 

FRIDAY (Unrestricted) Karl Amon (Port Adelaide) to Hawthorn. The Power receive a Round Two selection (currently No. 27) in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft. MONDAY (Unrestricted) Jayden Hunt (Melbourne) to West Coast. The Demons receive a Round Three selection (currently No. 52) in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft. TUESDAY (Unrestricted) Daniel McStay (Brisbane) to Collingwood. The Lions receive a Round Two selection (currently No. 35) in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft. Liam Jones (Carlton) to Western Bulldogs. The Blues receive a Round Three selection (currently No. 49) in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft. WEDNESDAY (Unrestricted) Zaine Cordy (Western Bulldogs) to St Kilda. No compensation pick TRADES MONDAY Bobby Hill (GWS Giants) and pick 40 to Collingwood in exchange for pick 43 
and a future second-round selection Tim Taranto (GWS Giants) to Richmond in exchange for picks 12 and 19 TUESDAY Blake Acres (Fremantle) to Carlton in exchange for a future third-round selection Melbourne trades picks 33, 43 and 53 to Port Adelaide for pick 27 WEDNESDAY Griffin Logue (Fremantle), Darcy Tucker (Fremantle) and Fremantle’s future third-round pick to North Melbourne in exchange for the Kangaroos’ future second, third and fourth round pick GWS Giants trade pick 21 and a future second round pick to Brisbane for pick 15 Ben Long (St Kilda) and a future fourth round pick to Gold Coast for pick 32 Tom Berry (Brisbane), pick 46 and a future second round two pick to Gold Coast for picks 25, 36 and 56 THURSDAY 

 Josh Corbett (Gold Coast Suns) to Fremantle for the Dockers’ future fourth round pick FRIDAY Tanner Bruhn (GWS Giants) to Geelong for the Cats’ pick 18 Brisbane trades pick 25 to The Cats for picks 38,48, 55 and a future second round a future fourth round pick

The athletic high flyer struggled with injury but was back on the cusp of senior selection during the finals series when he had the sole of medical substitute. Deserves a free run to show his wares. "The athletic but injury-prone defender signed a two-year contract extension in August to tie him to the Demons until the end of 2024. Smith managed just seven senior games in 2022 after he was forced to undergo surgery to repair a fractured bone on the inside of his ankle, which he hurt in round 7. Was the unused medical sub for the Demons’ two finals. Will be hoping for a better run with injury next year, but the Demons like his flexibility to play at both ends of the ground." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 25 February 1996 Height: 191cm Weight: 88kg Games MFC 2022: 7 Career Total: 28 Goals MFC 2022: 0 Career Total: 1 Games CDFC 2022: 6 Goals CDFC 2022: 1

The skillful small forward/winger has completed his second season at the club still without a senior promotion but came close on more than one occasion. He showed enough in his best games that he has the ability to take step forward in 2023 and the opportunity will come. "The Demons’ first-round selection in the 2020 national draft, the midfielder-forward is still yet to make his senior debut. Signed a two-year contract extension mid-year to tie him to the club until at least the end of 2024." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 24 March 2002 Height: 179cm Weight: 81kg Games CDFC 2022: 19 Goals CDFC 2022: 23

Returned from his ACL injury in the opening round to take his place in the Demons’ strong defensive line up but his position has been overtaken by Harry Petty and he found himself on the outer where he nevertheless played an important role in Casey’s premiership campaign. "The key defender was assessing his options during the trade period, frustrated with his lack of senior football. Following his return from an ACL injury, Tomlinson played just eight senior games in 2022 as he struggled to get a game behind May, Lever and Harrison Petty. Next season could be make-or-break for him at the Demons." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 8 October 1993 Height: 194cm Weight: 95kg Games MFC 2022: 8 Career Total: 168 Goals MFC 2022: 0 Career Total: 35 Games CDFC 2022: 14 Goals CDFC 2022: 0

The pacy winger has been around the club for five seasons but continues to struggle when it comes to breaking into the Melbourne team. Played a pivotal role in Casey’s premiership. Date of Birth: 25 May 1998 Height: 184cm Weight: 88kg Games MFC 2022: 0 Career Total: 15 Goals MFC 2022: 0 Career Total: 4 Games CDFC 2022: 20 Goals CDFC 2022: 2

The former Melbourne Next Generation Academy player is being groomed for a similar small defender role to that previously held by Neville Jetta but is still a way off breaking into the strong Demon defence. Missed the VFL Grand Final through injury. "The rookie-listed defender is yet to make his senior debut, but made regular appearances for the Casey Demons. Signed a new contract in August to retain a spot on the rookie list for next season." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 22 August 2002 Height: 181cm Weight: 72kg Games CDFC 2022: 17 Goals CDFC 2022: 0

I'm excited for SOS Woewodin

There is still a chance Dogga will be a Demon in 2023 according to the Demons calendar on the AFL Store.

1 goal 2 from 5 games. 3 wins 2 losses. 13 marks. Dropped for their Elimination Final.

From a journo or caller?

In his brief but exciting career at Melbourne, the mobile young ruckman has won a premiership and a NAB Rising Star Award but recently announced that the lure of home was irresistible. Date of Birth: 29 September 2001 Height: 199cm Weight: 100kg Games MFC 2022: 22 Career Total: 52 Goals MFC 2022: 11 Career Total: 30 Brownlow Medal Votes: 2