Whispering_Jack

It’s looking like at least one of Hore and Declase will be delisted before the draft. Most likely both.

Lots happening although the effect appears to me to be underwhelming. This is because we’re not seeing any big names changing clubs, presumably because of the effect that loss of revenue as a result of Covid19 is forcing clubs to rein in their spending. Carlton continues to be the most active club in terms of players coming in with Adam Cerra the biggest name to change clubs (although do I need to point out that he only polled 1 Brownlow vote this year while a certain midfielder with initials LD who polled 11 votes from 12 games is also in the group of players with new homes). * "Richmond have seven picks under 47, they're in an interesting phase. Do they go again or build for the future? With Tarrant coming in, I think they do a bit of both." — Matthew Lloyd * "Will Brodie was a dominant junior who hasn't been able to go on with it. I'm really pleased for him, it's a lifeline I wasn't sure he'd get. " — Lloyd re Brodie's likely move to Fremantle * DONE DEAL The Dockers send future second and fourth round picks to the Suns for Will Brodie, 19, 61 and 69. * BREAKING | Adam Cerra is a Blue! Fremantle receives pick six and a future third round pick. * DONE DEALS | Carlton has traded Sam Petrevski-Seton to West Coast for pick 52. That pick was then on-traded to the Western Bulldogs for Lewis Young — per multiple reports. * Collingwood set to move on its pick 22. The Pies set to do a deal with Fremantle for pick 27 and a future third-rounder. That looms as a circuit-breaker for the Jordan Clark discussions — Callum Twomey * BREAKING: "There is a lot going on between the Fremantle footy club and the GWS footy club, over a player well known to both of those clubs, that player being Rory Lobb about a potential return to the Giants." — Damian Barrett

I can’t see from the update here where Michael Hibberd has re-signed.

There’s an article about vanders in today’s Herald Sun. It seems likely that he will eventually find a home as a delisted free agent so, as to be expected, no compo for the Demons.

Luke Dunstan this morning on SEN Breakfast "The chatter will probably be 'you're not going to get a game, you'll be in the twos' but I'm going to back myself in. "Speaking to Goody, he really focused on my strengths... and I'm excited to be a part of a happy group that are playing good footy and winning games."

This hasn’t aged well, has it?

Current state of play:

With a week to go in this trade period, it’s clear that there’s scope for plenty more deals even though so much is moving at snail’s pace. Who would have thought that Melbourne could have found a well-credentialed depth player who cost it nothing and then took a place in the first round of the national draft? On top of that, you would think that there’s still the possibility of more movement whether it be on the player front or in terms of draft picks. The extent of that action is partly tied up with its out of contract players. As of a couple of days ago, they were believed to be Oskar Baker, Toby Bedford, Majak Daw ® (UFA), Kade Chandler ®, Kye Declase ®, Michael Hibberd, Marty Hore, Deakyn Smith ® and Daniel Turner ®. The word is that Baker, Bedford, Daw and Hibberd will/have been offered contact extensions and now, Chandler is in discussions with the Crows. I would expect at least one if not both of our mid season draft picks to have their terms extended - they hardly had the opportunity to show their wares in the truncated VFL season (in fact, they each played only 4 matches with Casey) and they deserve more. However, the extent to which Melbourne can trade players in will depend partly on whether it leaves some players out. The ultimate size of the list is finite. Still, the club’s recruiters and list managers have shown themselves to be resourceful so we have another week of following their moves (in between viewing replays of our finals achievements). Done Deals 1. Essendon signed unrestricted free agent Jake Kelly (Adelaide Crows) on Friday, October 1. Based on the player’s age and the contract offer, the AFL advised the Adelaide Crows the club would be eligible for a round three compensation selection, which would be number 44 on the current provisional draft selection order. 2. The Gold Coast Suns signed unrestricted free agent Mabior Chol (Richmond) on Friday, October 1. Based on the player’s age and the contract offer, the AFL advised Richmond the club would be eligible for an end of round two compensation selection, which would be number 38 on the current provisional draft selection order. 3. Carlton made an offer to restricted free agent George Hewett (Sydney) on Friday, October 1. The Sydney Swans elected not to match the offer the following day and Hewett is able to join Carlton immediately. Based on the player’s age and the contract offer, the AFL advised the Sydney Swans the club would be eligible for an end of round two compensation selection, which would be number 39 on the current provisional draft selection order. 4. Collingwood trade their future round two selection, future round three selection and future round four selection to the Gold Coast Suns for their round two (22), round three (46), round three (58), round five (79) and future round four selection. 5. Collingwood trade their round three selection (41) to Geelong for Nathan Kreuger and their round three selection (55). 6. Port Adelaide trade their future third-round pick to the Giants for Jeremy Finlayson. 7. Melbourne signed unrestricted free agent Luke Dunstan (St Kilda) on Wednesday October 6. 8. In a four-way trade, Melbourne trade their round three selection (45) to the Western Bulldogs for their first-round pick (17), St Kilda trade their round three selection (49) to Melbourne. The Adelaide Crows trade their round two selection (37) to Melbourne for a second-round pick (33) and a future first-rounder. The Adelaide Crows trade their round four selections (62, 66) and a future round four selection to St Kilda. The Adelaide Crows trade their round two selection (23) and round three selection (44) to the Western Bulldogs for a fourth-round pick (75).

What a day it’s been!!! In the space of 24 hours, Melbourne has turned the draft period on its head coming out of nowhere and landing player who some regard having limitations with his disposal but polled an average of close enough to one Brownlow vote per game and improving its draft hand in another deal. The day’s done deals:- • St Kilda midfielder Luke Dunstan has exercised his rights as an unrestricted free agent and joined Melbourne. Compensation for the Saints will depend on the details of Dunstan's contract with the Demons, which is believed to be a two-year deal. • Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Finlayson has been traded to Port Adelaide in exchange for the Power's future third-round selection. • A four-club trade involving Adelaide, Melbourne, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs took place whereby the Demons re-enter the first round of the Draft, while the Bulldogs stock up on draft points to land father-son prospect Sam Darcy. The details - The Crows will get the Demons' 2022 first-round selection and also gain picks 33 and 75. They will hand over picks 23, 37, 44, 62, 66 and a future fourth-round pick. The Saints pick up selection 49 in exchange for picks 62, 66 and the Crows' future fourth-round pick. The Bulldogs will part with picks 17 and 75 in order to attain picks 23, 44 and 45 while the Demons receive picks 17, 37 and 49 in exchange for their future first-round pick and Picks 33 and 45. Other trade news:- The Western Bulldogs are set to sign high-flying utility Tim O'Brien from Hawthorn. Demons’ small forward Kade Chandler is reportedly in talks with the Adelaide Crows after the two parties met last week. Geelong have confirmed their interest in delisted Crows forward Tyson Stengle this off-season, with the Cats among several potential suitors for the Woodville-West Torrens forward. Completed deals during trade period 1. Jake Kelly (Adelaide) joined Essendon as an unrestricted free agent. Adelaide received pick 42 (AFL) as compensation. 2. Mabior Chol (Richmond) joined Gold Coast as an unrestricted free agent. Richmond received pick 38 (AFL) as compensation. 3. George Hewett (Sydney) joined Carlton as a restricted free agent. Sydney received pick 39 (AFL) as compensation. 4. Collingwood traded a future second-round pick, a future third-round pick and a future fourth-round pick to Gold Coast in exchange for picks 22, 46, 58, 79 and a future fourth-round pick. 5. Geelong traded Nathan Kreuger and pick 55 to Collingwood in exchange for pick 41. 6. GWS’s Jeremy Finlayson joined Port Adelaide in exchange for a future third-round draft pick. 7. Luke Dunstan (St Kilda) joins Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent. 8. Four-way pick swap. Details: • Melbourne trade pick 45 to the Bulldogs for pick 17. • St Kilda send 49 to Melbourne. • Adelaide send 37 to Melbourne for 33 and a future first-rounder. • Adelaide send 62, 66 and a future fourth-rounder to St Kilda. • Adelaide send pick 23 and 44 to the Bulldogs for 75.

Doubt that there’s any logic in chasing pick 17 to get a Mac Andrew in this draft. Let me reiterate that it’s no reflection on him as a player but my assessment is that he’s one of a number who would fit in the mid-20s in this draft. From where he’s come since the start of 2021 that would be flattering but he’s been heavily hyped to the point where some people who consider themselves to be good judges are even putting him in top five contention. If that’s based on information dropped by someone on an AFL club’s recruiting staff, then good luck to him. My own assessment is that he sits around pick 25. If someone bids at that range I would be happy to see us match the bid. If he comes to Melbourne it would be terrific for him to learn the ropes as an understudy to Max Gawn, Luke Jackson and Majak Daw. It would be a great environment for him to learn the trade. From my observations, I wouldn’t use pick 17 to secure him because there are others who will fall within that range who can play midfield or in key positions and who are far more developed as footballers, some of who will be right to go in season 1.

It’s all happening today and Melbourne, which everyone thought would have a quiet time of it, is in the thick of things! * "I've never seen anything like it, how aggressive clubs have been in targeting other clubs' assistants. There's more movement going on with coaches than players!" — Matthew Lloyd after Ash Hansen, Steven King, Brad Miller, Craig Jennings & others found new clubs. * "MELBOURNE pursued unrestricted FA Luke Dunstan, who is expected to formalise a 2-year deal today. Vandenberg & Jones retirements mean he's likely to be called upon at some stage. Had interest from Suns & another developing club, but 'play the kids' threat there saw him pick Dees" — Sam Edmund * "I don't think the Will Brodie to Fremantle move is going to happy either." — Sam Edmund [Not sure if he means "happy" or "happen" or whether it matters] * "I think he's a chance at a rookie spot. If he's fit, he's got something to add to a side for sure." — Matt Rendell on Aaron vandenBerg * Deal done. Jeremy Finlayson will be a Port Adelaide player next year. The Power will give up a future third round pick. — Sam Edmund * "Geelong is interested, there's a number of clubs interested at the moment. I think he wants to be in Melbourne to be near Eddie Betts, who had a huge influence on him at Adelaide." — Sam Edmund on Tyson Stengle * "I wouldn't say negotiations are as close as what us and Carlton are with Cerra at the moment. But I expect the deal to get done." — Peter Bell on the Jordan Clark deal * DONE DEAL | Luke Dunstan has joined Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent. * Four way deal for draft picks • Bulldogs get picks 23, 44, 45 • Melbourne get picks 17, 37, 47 • Adelaide gets Melb future first round, 33, 75 • St Kilda gets 62, 66, Adel future fourth round — Callum Twomey

I love this game. Keep going Demons and we could end up with pick 2 and put in a bid for Nick Daicos 😀

The article refers to Chandler - see new thread.

Anyone remember his debut In the opening round of 2014 for St Kilda against Melbourne. They got hold of us in the third quarter and Dunstan was one of their best, earning AFL Rising Star nomination that night. Depth is a thing you can’t have too much of these days and we could be getting a player who picked up a swag of Brownlow votes.

* "I still think Freo are up to something. They're not happy losing Cerra and another young midfielder that will take three years will not appeal to them." — Kane Cornes * 'Nick Daicos is a great decision maker, his foot skills are excellent, and he has the ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard.' 'He's a well-rounded young man, and stood out among his peers as someone who embraced the group.' — AFL National Talent Head Coach, Tarkyn Lockyer ** BREAKING | Geelong has traded Nathan Kreuger and pick 55 to Collingwood for pick 41. And in one fell swoop, the Cats achieved what everyone thought was impossible. They managed to increase the average ago of their list! * "North and Richmond appear a long way apart in any deal for Callum Coleman-Jones. The Roos’ opening move to snare the 22-year-old ruck-forward saw them offer a future third-round pick, but also asked for the Tigers’ future fourth-round pick in return." — Sam Edmund * "Adelaide and Sydney could be haggling over Jordan Dawson right up until the trade deadline on Wednesday, October 13." — Cal Twomey.

• BREAKING | Geelong has traded Nathan Kreuger and pick 55 to Collingwood for pick 41. And in one fell swoop, the Cats achieved what everyone thought was impossible. They managed to increase the average ago of their list!

The late mail on today’s Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period stories - • Out-of-contract Bulldog Lewis Young has requested a trade to Carlton after playing nine games in Luke Beveridge's side in 2021. • Hawthorn ruckman Jonathon Ceglar is looking for a third club to call home. • The Bulldogs have their eyes on Ceglar's teammate and free agent Tim O'Brien as defensive cover if Young leaves. • Speculation around Peter Ladhams' future continues to be a talking point. • The only trade deal done today was the pick swap between Collingwood and Gold Coast over a pick swap that will help the Pies secure Nick Daicos at the draft.

With Jake staying, this thread becomes the first to move back to the general Demonland board.

The AFL Draft Central Power rankings for the month came out today as well. Draft Central Power Rankings: October 2021 They have Mac Andrew at number 7 which could see him going to the Tigers. Somehow, I can’t see him going there but it’s a funny draft. The thing that stands out to me after watching vision of a good proportion of those in contention for the draft is the evenness of this year’s pool of players. One observer remarked that you could virtually throw a blanket over a group of around 40 players who could get drafted anywhere between 10 and 50 and take your pick. In that regard, it’s not such a disadvantage for Melbourne to have one pick in the second round and two in the third.

Chris Doerre’s October Power Rankings (note: this is not a phantom draft). Highlights: • Jason Horne-Francis overtakes Nick Daicos but it’s obviously going to be a neck and neck battle for the number one spot in the draft; • Mac Andrew has dropped to number 10 but Doerre still ranks his projected draft range at between 2 and 10; • Andrew isn’t even the leading South Sudanese member of Doerre’s top ten. That honour goes to SA’s former Adelaide NGA, Leek Alleer from Central Districts who is number 9; • Mitch Owens (St Kilda NGA) has come into the top 20 from out of blue into number 11, although he hasn’t played for a couple of months. AFL Draft - October's Power Rankings: A new No. 1 emerges as we close in on draft

Do we have a definitive list of the numbers who are yet to be contracted at the club at this stage?

Due to Covid19 restrictions, the various states are conducting their own Draft Combines. The Vic Country NAB AFL Draft Combine took place in Bendigo last week with Sam Butler, brother of Saint Dan Butler the standout. 20m sprint 
Sam Butler (GWV Rebels) 2.970 seconds Tom Brown (Murray Bushrangers) 2.983 seconds Kai Lohmann (GWV Rebels) 2.986 seconds 2km time trial 
Cooper Hamilton (Bendigo Pioneers) 5:48 minutes Hamish Sinnott (GWV Rebels) 5:58 minutes Mitchell Knevitt (Geelong Falcons) 6:18 minutes Standing vertical jump Tom Brown (Murray Bushrangers) 72cm Sam Butler (GWV Rebels) 71cm Josh Gibcus (GWV Rebels) 68cm Running vertical jump Josh Gibcus (GWV Rebels) 89cm Sam Butler (GWV Rebels) 87cm Jai Serong (GWV Rebels) 86cm

Trades to date:- • Mabior Chol leaves Richmond, signs with Gold Coast Suns (Free Agency). Richmond gets a second round draft pick #38 • Jake Kelly leaves Adelaide, signs with Essendon (Free Agency) Adelaide gets a second round draft pick #39 • George Hewett (Restricted Free Agency) signs with Carlton after Sydney decided not to match the offer. Sydney gets a third round draft pick #44 • Gold Coast trades draft picks #22, 46, 58 and 79 and a future fourth-round pick with Collingwood for its second, third and fourth-round picks in 2022.

This morning’s Age newspaper said it all when it proclaimed that … “[R]eductions in list sizes and the salary cap are the major factors behind why this year’s player movement window is poised to be somnolence-inducing.” In fact all trade periods are somnolence-inducing but this one looms even larger to the point where it’s comatose-inducing. When it comes to Melbourne, it’s even less likely that the club will feature much at all in the next week or so, especially now that it’s been confirmed that Jake Melksham is staying. * "When everyone is saying let's sit back and not do a whole lot, there's an opportunity for Hawthorn to make some real gains and get into the draft early. "Are they bold enough to put a player up?" — Kane Cornes * "I know that's a huge comparison." — Kane Cornes says prospective no.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis has "Dangerfield-esque" attributes. * "A pick in the 30's or 40's is probably right for Jonathon Ceglar with Hawthorn telling him to explore. The Cats have 30, 32, 34 and could always use a ruckman." — Matthew Lloyd * "Gold Coast have held preliminary talks with North Melbourne about Darcy Macpherson. What's flying under the radar here is that he's actually a very good footballer!" — Riley Beveridge * "There's been recognition among the competition for a while the Bulldogs would have to part with Pick 17 to get Sam Darcy in. It's now up for sale and every club knows it." — Cal Twomey * "I think Hawthorn have some interest in Max Lynch." — Sam Edmund " Done deal. First trade for the year is in. Collingwood has traded its future second, third and fourth round picks to Gold Coast in exchange for picks 22, 46, 58, 79 and a future fourth-rounder. Good business - Pies get Daicos points, Suns load up for 2022." — Callum Twomey Done Deals 1. Jake Kelly (Adelaide) joined Essendon as an unrestricted free agent. Adelaide received pick 42 (AFL) as compensation. 2. Mabior Chol (Richmond) joined Gold Coast as an unrestricted free agent. Richmond received pick 38 (AFL) as compensation. 3. George Hewett (Sydney) joined Carlton as a restricted free agent. Sydney received pick 39 (AFL) as compensation. 4. Collingwood traded a future second-round pick, a future third-round pick and a future fourth-round pick to Gold Coast in exchange for picks 22, 46, 58, 79 and a future fourth-round pick.

It's being reported that the Demons are interested in Luke Dunstan who hit a purple patch in mid season for the Saints who haven't offered him a new contract. Dunstan played 12 games for the Saints in 2021, averaging 25 disposals, six clearances and five tackles, and also polling 11 Brownlow votes.