Six defenders set to shake-up AFL player movement space. This is where they could land

This year’s player movement period shapes to be all about the defenders, as updates come to light on six potentially-available backmen.

And while a host of backmen are tipped to relocate this year, there could be one powerhouse club — in desperate need of defensive reinforcements — left in the lurch.

In Fox Footy’s digital-only edition of Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun journalists Jay Clark, Jon Ralph and Scott Gullan pondered the futures of six possibly-on-the-move defenders.

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NICK HAYNES

The 2020 All-Australian, who has seen his senior opportunities at the Giants dwindle in recent years, is expected to cement a move to Carlton as a free agent this off-season — offering a much-needed boost to the Blues’ meandering defence.

“I think we all expect him to be at Carlton,” Ralph told Midweek Tackle’s digital-only segment.

“He’s on a back-ended deal this year of about a million bucks, and we just have to say that his normal wage is about $500,000. He’s done it selflessly.

“But you look at him at Carlton as a free agent. If they brought in Dan Houston as that interceptor and rebounder, you get Nick Haynes, you (have) Jacob Weitering, you (have) Mitch McGovern — I think it makes so much sense for a player you don’t have to give up a pick for.”

Haynes has played just eight senior games this season — the equal-lowest tally of his career with his 2012 and 2014 campaigns. He played nine VFL games this year for fruitful averages of 31.4 disposals and 11.0 marks.

While the 32-year-old has been remunerated handsomely during his 13-year GWS tenure, Ralph believes the utility’s main purpose at this stage of his career is playing regular footy in a successful AFL side.

“They (the Blues) can pay him whatever they want,” Ralph continued.

“He’s earned good money across his contract; I think, now, he wants to play senior games — he wants to have some modicum of success. You can’t do it playing VFL for GWS. It’s a smart move, get him in at the right spot, and potentially massive upside.

“I think they can get both (Haynes and Houston). I think that Haynes absolutely will be there, and Houston with some reconfiguration of the salary cap; moving on some of the players we’ve spoken about — they can definitely afford them both.”

HARRY PERRYMAN

The out-of-contract GWS utility has a mighty tempting offer sitting in front of him from Port Adelaide — reportedly bigger than contending offers from Hawthorn and GWS — who is keen to lure the New South Welshman to Alberton this off-season.

“Six-year deal at Port Adelaide at about $850,000, I think the Hawthorn deal and the GWS deal are (at) about $600,000,” Ralph reported on Fox Footy.

“I think Port Adelaide’s view is ‘you guys get hung up on the sixth year or the $850,000, but when they are free agents … that’s OK, because the front-ending of it, if they can win us a premiership, we’re all right with that’. You’re not giving away a first-round draft pick, so that’s their view.

“Right now, I would think that he wants to play midfield … well, he’s not breaking into the Port Adelaide midfield, he’s not breaking into the Hawthorn midfield, and we know he’s not in the GWS midfield.

“I think it’s less of a financial situation for him, but when you’re being offered six years at $850,000 (by the Power) — you’re probably passing up 1.5 million to stay (at GWS) — that’s very tough.”

The Collingullie product has been an integral cog in GWS’ defensive-half transitions, recording a career-best 4.2 rebound-50s to go along with 18.1 disposals and 4.9 marks per game across 20 senior matches in 2024.

ISAAC CUMMING

Given the threat of Houston’s departure this off-season, the Power haven’t stopped their rebounder pursuits at Perryman, with Ralph also stating the club’s considerable interest in a GWS teammate.

“He’s been offered four years (to stay) at GWS — (he’s) another player who Port Adelaide is very interested in, a four-year-deal,” Ralph told Midweek Tackle.

“He kicks it well, he’s very dependable, he’s had a few injuries right now — and that’s a concern for clubs like Gold Coast, who is kicking his tyres early on.”

However, Clark reported Port’s cross-town rivals were likelier to land the flanker’s services.

“I’m hearing Crows,” Clark told Fox Footy. “I think Adelaide could get Isaac Cumming, and that would cap a very busy trade period for them.

“(They’re) already looking at Jack Lukosius and Alex Neal-Bullen — they have said all year that they want to make big moves in this year’s trade period … I think Isaac Cumming is very much in the market at Adelaide at the moment.”

Nagging hamstring issues have limited the Broken Hill product to five senior games, but he returned to play in GWS’ qualifying final loss to Sydney last Saturday — recording 16 disposals, four tackles and three inside-50s.

ADAM TOMLINSON

The off-contract Demons defender is widely expected to depart as a free agent this October — with the focus now shifting to his landing spot.

After finishing at the Giants with three consecutive seasons of at least 24 senior games, Tomlinson’s Melbourne tenure hasn’t been anywhere near as fruitful — playing no more than eight games per season over the past four years, including eight in 2024.

“At Melbourne, he was really unable to establish himself throughout the year,” Clark said. “We know his best footy is probably behind him, so where does he land?

“St Kilda is one club that has been mentioned for Tomlinson. I also wonder (about) Collingwood; could he end up there?”

Ralph wondered: “Because they (the Saints) thought Josh Battle was their man, all of a sudden, hang on, there aren’t too many quality players out there — is it too late for them to try and get a Battle like-for-like here?”

Clark responded: “Difficult. That’s why Tomlinson and also Dan Houston — I know it’s a different role — thing is, Battle was two players in one because he could intercept in defence and he could use the ball so well. That is really hard to make up.”

JAYDEN LAVERDE

The only contracted player on this list, Laverde’s Essendon deal runs through next season before he is eligible for free agency.

But amid reports he and teammate Jake Stringer were denied longer-term deals by the Bombers, the veteran key defender could be available as a trade target.

Gullan called Laverde and St Kilda a “match”, citing the out-of-favour Dougal Howard.

“The problem for the Saints is they’ve lost faith in Dougal Howard,” Gullan told Midweek Tackle.

“He’s there, he came over from Port Adelaide, (and) Ross Lyon is not his best fan. (The Saints) have to find someone, and Laverde, as we know, he’s got links there — he fits the bill, doesn’t he?

“Similar size, he can play that role, so I would think Laverde at St Kilda is the match that we’re really going to look (out) for.”

The idea of a three-year deal for the 28-year-old was floated — the 131-gamer has played at least 19 senior games in each of the past four seasons, including 21 this year for Brad Scott’s Dons.

ALEX KEATH

With fellow key-position backman Buku Khamis penning a two-year extension on Tuesday, Gullan believes Keath’s future at the Western Bulldogs is clouded.

“He’s out of contract, and as we know, he’s out of the team,” he began. “Buku Khamis has re-signed, Rory Lobb’s become the greatest centre-half-back in football for six weeks … I think Alex Keath will be available; do you think anyone will take him?”

Clark said he would be “surprised” to see rival suitors for Keath, while Ralph stated: “he will find a rookie deal somewhere”.

The 32-year-old joined the Bulldogs from Adelaide in 2019, but after playing at least 15 senior matches in every season between 2020-23, Keath managed just five AFL games this year — and 11 VFL outings.

COLLINGWOOD’S ‘SIGNIFICANT ACHILLES HEEL’

The Midweek Tackle panel also discussed Collingwood’s position with regards to hunting defensive talent to support skipper Darcy Moore — especially after Irishman Mark Keane recently shunned a potential Pies return to remain an Adelaide Crow.

“They had a crack at Mark Keane, who has stayed at Adelaide on a three-year deal … I just worry for Justin Leppitsch (Collingwood’s current list boss), because he’d be looking at that back six that was a huge flaw which was exposed so consistently throughout the season in the Collingwood back half.

“They need someone to try and straighten them up and help provide support for Darcy Moore, but internally, are there any miracles they can swing? Can Charlie Dean come up … is there a wildcard? Can Reef McInnes (assist)?

“Unless they go and get a Toby Pink like North Melbourne from the state leagues … I wonder whether this is almost the number one objective for Justin Leppitsch and the Collingwood management group.”

Ralph added: “Their Achilles heel is significant, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to fill in that gap.”

The aforementioned Tomlinson, Laverde and Keath loom as low-cost potential outside targets for the Pies to consider. Collingwood currently holds Picks 33, 48 and 51 at this November’s national draft.