While finals may not yet be upon us, most clubs will already be working behind the scenes to prepare their movements for the upcoming trade period.
List management is crucial in the success and failure of a football club and sometimes the hard calls need to be made.
Here, we take a look at which fringe players at your club could emerge as targets for other list managers in 2018.
The fringe players from your club that should be targeted
Adelaide
Cam Ellis-Yolmen
Ellis-Yolmen is a big-bodied midfielder who has had a horrid run with injury. If the Crows get their full midfield contingent together, he’s not in their best team and could contribute more at another club.
Possible landing spots: Carlton or Essendon
Kyle Cheney
A number of teams are looking for key defensive stocks right now and Cheney is a player who would add depth at the position. The Crows are well stocked and he could be targeted by teams with that need.
Possible landing spots: Collingwood, Melbourne or Sydney
Brisbane
Ryan Bastinac
Bastinac has only managed the one game for the Lions this year and the ball-winning midfielder appears to be on the outer of the young Brisbane midfield. The 27-year-old may be worth a chance at a club in a position to attack the eight next year.
Possible landing spots: Adelaide, Collingwood or Essendon
Jake Barrett
The half-forward has found a role for the Lions and has been used through the midfield, but is still on the fringe of the side. The 22-year-old has shown enough to suggest he could be a handy player if things start to click.
Possible landing spots: Carlton, Essendon or Gold Coast
Carlton
Matthew Lobbe
Lobbe is much better than his position as Carlton’s third ruckman suggests. He competes hard and definitely could be better utilised by a team without a premier ruckman. Funnily enough, his old team needs a back-up ruckman more than most.
Possible landing spots: GWS, Port Adelaide (unlikely) or Richmond
Sam Kerridge
Kerridge is a big-bodied midfielder who won’t set the world on fire, but does provide depth and can help a young team in a development phase. He’s played consistent games for the Blues when healthy, but sits behind Ed Curnow, Matthew Kennedy and Patrick Cripps.
Possible landing spots: Essendon, Hawthorn or West Coast
Collingwood
Alex Fasolo
Fasolo has only played the one game this year – mainly due to injury – but with Collingwood’s forward line success, it seems most have gone passed him. He may have more luck with a fresh start elsewhere.
Possible landing spots: Gold Coast, Fremantle or Western Bulldogs
Ben Crocker
Crocker has played 10 games this year for the Pies and showed signs, but is also a fair bit behind the pecking order in the forward line. The 23-year-old is contracted, but could be used as trade bait if Collingwood lands Tom Lynch.
Possible landing spots: Brisbane, Gold Coast or Fremantle
Essendon
James Stewart
The Bombers have started to click with a smaller forward line and Stewart now finds himself going into 2019 fourth in the cue. Joe Daniher will return, Shaun McKernan and Mitch Brown both showed good form and even Cale Hooker can be used up forward.
Possible landing spots: Brisbane, Collingwood or Fremantle
Shaun McKernan
It’s unlikely Essendon will lose both key forwards, but it’s hard to see a reason for them to keep both. McKernan showed some decent form before getting hurt, kicking eight goals in three weeks. Was it enough to earn a new deal?
Possible landing spots: Brisbane, Collingwood or Fremantle
Fremantle
Michael Johnson
Johnson’s papers appear to be stamped at Fremantle, but he clearly has good footy left in him. He’s been used up forward and showed an ability to impact the game and could also provide a wealth of knowledge to a young team needing leadership.
Possible landing spots: Carlton or Gold Coast
Tommy Sheridan
Sheridan has only played 10 games this year, but is starting to find some consistent form. The defender has struggled to win as much of the ball as he’d like and might be someone who could benefit from a fresh start.
Possible landing spots: Geelong, Brisbane or Hawthorn
Geelong
Jordan Murdoch
The pacy winger has played 13 games this season, but is yet to truly lock down a spot in a stacked midfield. Murdoch is out of contract at the conclusion of this season, and there will be clubs lining up to secure his services.
Possible landing spots: Adelaide, Gold Coast or Carlton
Jackson Thurlow
A former NAB Rising Star nominee, the talented Thurlow just can’t find a permanent spot in a star-studded Geelong team with only 5 games in 2018 so far. Could provide run-and-carry to a team with some gaps on the half-back line.
Possible landing spots: St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, Carlton or Fremantle
George Horlin-Smith
Horlin-Smith has been in the system for 6 years but has only managed 51 games for the Cats. 2018 was the year he had to make count, but may need a fresh start elsewhere. There will be plenty of clubs looking for a lively mid-size forward.
Possible landing spots: Fremantle or Gold Coast
Gold Coast
Michael Barlow
The accumulator can’t seem to stay on the park, which is a shame as he’s a fantastic player to watch and just seems to love playing footy. Out of contract come season’s end, Barlow would be a huge asset at a club like Carlton – on and off the field.
Possible landing spots: Carlton, St Kilda or Essendon
GWS Giants
Tim Mohr
The reliable tall backman was a mature-age recruit for GWS, but has been forced out of the side by more exciting and attacking defenders. At almost 30, Mohr could serve as great depth at any number of clubs. Collingwood appear to be in serious need of key defensive depth.
Possible landing spots: Collingwood or Carlton
Matt Buntine
Former pick five in the draft, Buntine has had an inconsistent career. With 2017 written off due to an ACL tear, Buntine has to repay the faith GWS have shown in him. But the talented defender could also seek opportunity elsewhere and may be trade bait should be fail to solidify a best 22 position.
Possible landing spots: Collingwood or Gold Coast
Hawthorn
Will Langford
Had a very solid 2017 but has not been able to maintain his position in the side this year. Is an experienced finals performer and could provide hardness around the ball, great run and goalkicking ability to any of the mid-lower placed sides.
Possible landing spots: St Kilda or Gold Coast
Jon O’Rourke
A former pick 2, O’Rourke has had a career that has been stunted by both form and injury issues. With three games in a row in the seniors, he’s proven he can play – but can he lock down that best 22 spot? Might be worth looking for that second fresh start elsewhere.
Possible landing spots: Carlton, Gold Coast or Western Bulldogs
Melbourne
Jay Kennedy-Harris
Kennedy-Harris simply hasn’t been able to lock down a spot in Melbourne’s best 22. Has performed strongly at VFL level and most recently strung three games together in the AFL side. Perhaps Kennedy-Harris needs to find a home that can provide consistent opportunity at the highest level.
Possible landing spots: Western Bulldogs or Carlton
Tomas Bugg
The talented forward started his career at GWS before moving back home to Melbourne. Was suspended for his king hit on Sydney’s Callum Mills, and has struggled to find consistency in his performance since serving that suspension. Maybe a change of scenery is required to refresh Bugg.
Possible landing spots: Western Bulldogs, St Kilda or Gold Coast
North Melbourne
Brayden Preuss
The giant ruckman hasn’t been able to crack into a 22 that features Best and Fairest Winner and All-Australian Todd Goldstein who has returned to his best. A Queensland native, Preuss could seek opportunity back home – although with Jarrod Witts performing strongly at the Gold Coast, there might not be room there either.
Possible landing spots: Brisbane or Sydney
Taylor Garner
The livewire forward has had an injury-plagued career, but has shown glimpses of incredible talent. At 24 years of age, he could come into a lower-placed club and provide a bit of experience and excitement up forward.
Possible landing spots: Carlton, Gold Coast or Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Jimmy Toumpas
Toumpas’ days as a Port Adelaide player look to be numbered. The midfielder hasn’t played a senior game for the Power this year after registering just the two in 2017. Out of contract at the end of the season, the 24-year-old’s AFL career could be at the crossroads. A club that requires added midfield depth could give the former Demon another lifeline.
Possible landing spots: Carlton or Gold Coast
Jake Neade
Neade has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Port Adelaide’s side, having not played since Round 12. The small forward played just seven games last season and looks to be on the periphery under Ken Hinkley. With the 24-year-old also out of contract, a move away from the Power looks inevitable.
Possible landing spots: Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast or Fremantle
Richmond
Anthony Miles
A move away from Richmond looks a certainty for the out-of-favour Miles, after a string of dominant but unrewarded performances at VFL level. There will be no shortage of suitors for the prolific ball winner.
Possible landing spots: Carlton, Essendon or St Kilda
Sam Lloyd
Like Miles, Lloyd will likely look for further opportunities after being unable to become a permanent fixture in Richmond’s forward line. The out-of-contract forward will attract a lot of interest during the trade period.
Possible landing spots: Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast, Hawthorn or Fremantle
Shai Bolton
Another victim of Richmond’s success, Bolton could seek a fresh start after being starved of senior opportunities. Having put contract talks on hold until the end of the season, there will be a number of clubs monitoring his situation closely.
Possible landing spots: Fremantle or Gold Coast
St Kilda
Billy Longer
Longer has jostled with Tom Hickey for the number one ruck spot at St Kilda all season. Having played just five games, the former Lion could seek a fresh start elsewhere.
Possible landing spots: GWS, Brisbane or Port Adelaide
Jack Lonie
Lonie was linked with move away from St Kilda during last year’s trade period, but opted to sign a one-year deal. The out-of-contract small forward has shown glimpses of what he can do, which could open the door for a move away from Moorabbin.
Possible landing spots: Gold Coast, Fremantle or Western Bulldogs
Sydney
Dean Towers
The Swans utility has found it difficult to break into John Longmire’s plans, having played just one of the club’s last 10 games. His versatility could be handy for a number of clubs, with the 27-year-old coming out of contract at the end of the season.
Possible landing spots: Gold Coast or Fremantle
West Coast
Fraser McInnes
McInnes has played just three games in 2018 as hasn’t been able to find his niche in West Coast’s side. The 25-year-old has played just 14 games in seven season for the Eagles and it could be time for a fresh start with the club already stock-piled with ruckmen and key forwards.
Possible landing spots: St Kilda, GWS or Fremantle
Western Bulldogs
Jordan Roughead
The premiership ruckman has been in and out of the Western Bulldogs’ side all season due to indifferent form. Coach Luke Beveridge has put the heat on Roughead to lift his performances, otherwise a move away from the west could be on the cards.
Potential landing spots: St Kilda or Sydney
Shane Biggs
Biggs’ form has fallen by the wayside this season and he could be searching for a new club come the trade period. The out-of-contract defender was a key part of the club’s 2016 premiership side but could seeking a fresh start elsewhere.
Possible landing spots: Melbourne, Sydney or Collingwood
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