The 2022 AFL Trade Period is officially over with 36 players finding new homes.
Some of the game's biggest players were moved on for a variety of reasons, with Luke Jackson, Brodie Grundy and Jason Horne-Francis leading the charge for moves.
A mega-trade also took place involving four clubs whilst drama ensued on the period's last day as 7:30pm loomed on Wednesday night (October 12).
Don’t support the AFLW? Unbelievable. Win the ultimate AFLW 2022 supporter pack thanks to Furphy.
Once the embargo concluded at 3:00pm, 11 players were traded to rival clubs.
Of the 36 moves, five of those were Free Agents including Jayden Hunt, Liam Jones and Daniel McStay.
With fans and supporters led to believe that there are winners and losers of the AFL Trade Period, Sporting News has decided to review all 18 clubs.
Ranking from 1-18, here is what we think:
1. Geelong
The 2022 premiers pulled off the heist of the year, securing three former first-round selections for nearly nothing.
Tanner Bruhn (pick 12, 2020), Ollie Henry (pick 17, 2020) and Jack Bowes (pick 10, 2016) all joined the Cats from rival clubs.
Bowes also come across with Gold Coast's pick seven as Geelong sets its sights on back-to-back premierships.
A club that has missed one finals series since 2006 continues to amaze the football world as the word re-build is not in their vocabulary.
Re-generation is the way of the future.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
7, 58, 64
2. Richmond
The Tigers added a pair of GWS midfielders in an area they struggled in throughout 2022.
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper immediately add toughness and grunt to the side but also offer another layer of versatility.
Hops in the Yellow & Black 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vyko0vHJhX
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) October 12, 2022
Players like Dustin Martin, Shai Bolton and Trent Cotchin don't need to shoulder majority of the midfield responsibility.
Hopper and Taranto will allow Martin and Bolton to play more forward, forming one of the strongest front halves in the competition.
They did give up picks 12,19 and 31 in this year's draft but were clearly prepared to attack high-end talent rather than developing youth.
Bold move but should reap the rewards in 2023.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
53, 63
Don’t support the AFLW? Unbelievable. Win the ultimate AFLW 2022 supporter pack thanks to Furphy.
3. Port Adelaide
One of the clubs involved in the mega trade that resulted in landing both Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli.
The Power did give up early selections to secure the pair but were quickly intent on adding talent to shoot back up into premiership contention.
Ken Hinkley did lose Karl Amon to Free Agency and the Hawks but they do have the ability to fill the spot with some of their younger talent.
Horne-Francis also joins Connor Rozee and Zak Butters as the future of the club and will quickly be the best midfield in the coming years.
Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli go to Port Adelaide as part of a four-way mega trade. 🚨
— 7AFL (@7AFL) October 10, 2022
Details: https://t.co/VUI4gbdWVM pic.twitter.com/6q4ZvOzgdw
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
33, 60
4. Brisbane
Brisbane have defied the odds and added two experienced players that will slot in perfectly in the senior side.
The Lions have been flagged to lack toughness in the midfield, which Josh Dunkley personifies.
Jack Gunston's acquisition could be the most slept on trade. He Averaged two goals a game in 2022 and has the ability to roam up the ground and play as the link-man.
GOOD morning 🥰 pic.twitter.com/TVtAu1JFby
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 11, 2022
Daniel McStay and Tom Berry did find new clubs but wasn't a huge loss given their inclusions.
The club also has enough draft picks to secure father-sons Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher, with the former believed to be ready for round one in 2023.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
34, 35, 36, 38, 55, 56, 73
5. Melbourne
The Demons did extremely well to counterbalance their departures, with all four expected to look at opportunities elsewhere.
Brodie Grundy is a straight swap for Jackson as is Josh Schache for Sam Weideman.
Lachie Hunter's deal at the death was one of the surprise moves of the trade period and adds another experienced winger to the side, freeing up Angus Brayshaw to play through the midfield.
The club also holds pick 13 and 37 (as well as future selections) and can add young talent in the upcoming draft.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
13, 37
6. Fremantle
Speaking of a player exodus, Fremantle had five players depart throughout the trade period.
However, this was offset with the acquisition of Luke Jackson from Melbourne as the Dockers expect him to be a number one ruckman in the competition soon.
The additions of Jaeger O'Meara and Josh Corbett are also sweeteners to Justin Longmuir's side.
Three new additions to the Purple Army 💜
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) October 12, 2022
Can't wait for 2023. #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/Ux1Q7sWPh6
However, Fremantle's issue will still be their tall forwards, especially now Rory Lobb has joined the Western Bulldogs.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
30, 44, 67, 76
Don’t support the AFLW? Unbelievable. Win the ultimate AFLW 2022 supporter pack thanks to Furphy.
7. Adelaide
Not the busiest period by the Crows but they got their man.
Izak Rankine wanted to return to his home state throughout the season and a deal was brokered to allow him.
Adelaide's forward six looks as dangerous as any in the competition and has plenty of potential going forward.
Excited to see more of this next year 🤩#weflyasone pic.twitter.com/HsvkFa3Dj2
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) October 10, 2022
They do lose Billy Frampton to Collingwood but isn't a huge loss given he wasn't provided much opportunity in the senior side since crossing from Port Adelaide at the end of 2019.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
23, 46
8. Collingwood
It was well-known that the Pies were experiencing a salary cap bust and needed some relief.
Brodie Grundy's departure is bittersweet, especially given he was contracted until the end of 2027.
Ollie Henry wanted to join his brother at Geelong and the club wanted their due pay.
However, the procurement of Bobby Hill, Daniel McStay, Billy Frampton and Tom Mitchell offers the club much more balance.
Rate Collingwood's #AFLTrade period out of 10. 👇#9WWOS pic.twitter.com/H9cM8WFCxm
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) October 12, 2022
In a Moneyball type of scenario, these players were brought in on a needs-basis and will play a role under coach Craig McRae.
Three picks within 30 and plenty of young talent on their list. These moves could be a stroke of genius from the master Graham Wright.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
16, 25, 27, 51
9. Western Bulldogs
Rory Lobb and Liam Jones immediately add strength at either end for the Dogs.
The pair are nearing the end of their careers but clearly offer experience and a unique skillset that not many players possess.
Josh Schache and Zaine Cordy felt pushed out and rightfully so given Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy, Josh Bruce, Alex Keath, Ryan Gardner and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan are on the list.
However, the loss of Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter stings.
A massive day for the Dogs!
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) October 12, 2022
Sam Power breaks down everything that happened with Josh Dunkley, Rory Lobb, Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache.
Watch Deadline Day live: https://t.co/MgvUAk9EeM pic.twitter.com/mhxSIjl6fa
Dunkley won their 2022 best-and-fairest and wanted out for the second time in three years, speaking to a potential issue with club culture.
Hunter's departure was shocking from the outside looking in but what may be good for his career: a fresh start.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
11, 21, 39, 69
10. Carlton
Very quiet by their standards.
Dealt with Will Setterfield in good faith and trading him to Essendon.
Brought in Blake Acres who can play on the wing, his preferred position.
Blacres in Navy Blue. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/vWN0W4wNog
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) October 5, 2022
Adds another dynamic to their stacked midfield.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
10, 29, 49, 66
11. Essendon
Targeted high-end talent but weren't able to sell them on Essendon's prospects.
Setterfield adds a unique type of midfielder to the mix and will most likely start in round one whilst Sam Weideman will help out Peter Wright up forward.
Wrapping up the '22 trade period.
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) October 12, 2022
Aaron Francis played four games in 2022 and wasn't seen as a regular in the Bombers line up.
Failed to bring in some big names but didn't lose any. Pass mark.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
4, 22, 54, 62, 68, 72
Don’t support the AFLW? Unbelievable. Win the ultimate AFLW 2022 supporter pack thanks to Furphy.
12. West Coast
A club who finished 17th is unlikely to draw in rival players.
Failed to bring in Luke Jackson but found a winner in Jayden Hunt.
Split pick two for eight and 12 in a smart decision by the Eagles.
Also has another two selections in the first 30 so will be able to bring in youth.
The club is clearly looking at adding players from the upcoming draft.
Trade recap with list manager Rohan O'Brian 👇https://t.co/i8cIwi78w4
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) October 11, 2022
The loss of Junior Rioli isn't ideal but has struggled in the past three years due to injuries and off-field indiscretions.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
8,12, 20, 26
13. Sydney
Super, super quiet.
Aaron Francis can be deployed as a swingman but will struggle to play senior football.
🗣 “This gives me a great opportunity to play my best football. Sydney is a club with an excellent culture and great leadership and it’s probably the best environment for me to find my potential." #Bloods
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) October 12, 2022
The back six is the strongest in the competition while the Swans need help up forward.
Francis didn't provide too much in the front half for Essendon, but a fresh start could be a god-send.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
14, 17, 42, 75
14. North Melbourne
Despite a lot of negative talk about the Kangaroos, they weren't the biggest losers of the Trade Period.
Losing Jason-Horne Francis is a big deal but they probably cashed in more now then if they held him to his contract for one more season.
Brought in Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker as well as picks two and three.
Trading out pick one, it's obvious the club is keen to bring in more high-end talent in waves given the Horne-Francis selection didn't work out.
However, North Melbourne did essentially give away two pick ones.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
2, 3, 40, 43, 59, 70
Don’t support the AFLW? Unbelievable. Win the ultimate AFLW 2022 supporter pack thanks to Furphy.
15. GWS
Another club who suffered from mismanagement of their player contracts which almost forced out pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.
Bobby Hill and Tanner Bruhn wanted fresh starts and didn't see a future with GWS.
The fact another three top 10 players have left the club is another hint at the club's potential mismanagement.
Just TWO players GWS has taken with their first pick at the draft from 2011-2020 have stayed with the club 😳#9WWOS #AFLTrade pic.twitter.com/S6ubibob8R
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) October 11, 2022
However, the club does go into the upcoming draft with one of the strongest draft hands ever, holding picks 1,15,17,18 and 31 as well as 57 and 61.
Clearly the club is attempting to rebuild and their is hope with new coach Adam Kingsley.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
1, 15, 18, 19, 31, 57, 61
16. St Kilda
Disappointing to say the least.
The Saints set out to acquire Jordan De Goey and Jack Bowes but failed.
Recently appointed GM Geoff Walsh announced that the club will inject top-end talent.
"One of the things the Saints need to do over this trade and draft period and the next, and even the next, is an injection of top-end talent," Walsh said.
"We need an injection of top-end talent."
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) October 5, 2022
New St Kilda GM of Football Geoff Walsh on the Saints' direction. @SENBreakfast | #AFL pic.twitter.com/7YPieCjxH1
Sorry Saints fans, didn't happen.
Zaine Cordy does add some more backline depth but wasn't a requirement given the club ranked seventh for Points Against (1715) in 2022.
Ben Long started to play some consistent football but obviously didn't see a future at St Kilda.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
9, 28, 32, 47
17. Gold Coast
Arguably one of the worst trades in AFL history involving Jack Bowes and pick seven according to Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes.
"No hope, no idea. The Jack Bowes deal was the worst trade in AFL history plus they lost a fourth-year gun in Izak Rankine. An utter disaster for the Gold Coast Suns," Cornes said on SEN.
Jack Bowes has expressed his frustration with Gold Coast, saying he never wished to be traded and felt underappreciated at the club.
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 11, 2022
Kane believes the Suns have had a "dreadful" trade period. pic.twitter.com/KFbSTVPb0s
Bowes leaves the club along with Rankine and Josh Corbett.
The expansion club doesn't even hold a strong draft hand, with one pick (five) in the top 40.
Ben Long and Tom Berry do add youth to the side but haven't shown consistency at the top level.
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
5, 45, 71, 74
18. Hawthorn
A lot of questionable decisions by the Hawks.
Bringing in Karl Amon was a good choice but to pay him north of $600,000 season for five years is debatable.
Letting go of Jack Gunston, Jaeger O'Meara and Tom Mitchell to three contenders has put the club on the back foot.
Only James Worpel remains from the 2021 leadership team and even he was struggling throughout 2022.
Lloyd Meek does add ruck depth which includes Ned Reeves and Max Lynch.
One pick in the first round doesn't cut it for a club that lost 439 games experience.
Surreal pic... Hawthorn's leadership team in 2021. Only Worpel remains. #AlwaysHawthorn pic.twitter.com/L0550Y2q04
— Hawk Talk Podcast (@HawkTalkPod) October 12, 2022
| Trades |
|
2022 Draft picks
6, 24, 41, 48, 50, 52, 65
Don’t support the AFLW? Unbelievable. Win the ultimate AFLW 2022 supporter pack thanks to Furphy.
