Let the deals begin.
The 2023 AFL exchange period gets underway today with the opening of free agency, allowing a certain group of players to find new homes.
Follow updates throughout Friday below and join our live trade chat from 9am-5pm AEDT at the bottom of the article.
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10AM – FULLARTON ASKS FOR DEES TRADE
Brisbane ruckman/key forward Tom Fullarton is set to request a trade to the Demons, reports AFL journalist Callum Twomey.
The 24-year does so in search of more opportunities, having played just 19 games across his career including none this season.
The Demons are meanwhile looking to beef up their forward and ruck stocks amid the looming departure of Brodie Grundy and to help address their attacking woes.
MORE TO COME.
8AM – WHAT’S DUURSMA WORTH?
Port Adelaide’s Xavier Duursma could be on the move this trade period, with Essendon leading a group of interested rival clubs for his services after he underwent a medical at the Bombers this week.
Power footy boss Chris Davies left the door ajar for the 23-year old, who’s contracted for 2024, to depart Alberton, telling AFL Trade Radio how the club historically hasn’t stood in the way of players who want a fresh start elsewhere.
A former Pick 18 who hasn’t quite lived up to the same standards as fellow 2018 first-round draftees Zak Butters and Connor Rozee, what might Duursma cost in a trade?
“I don’t know what Xavier Dursma is worth, he’s a Pick 18 from a few years ago,” Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.
“Burst onto the scene in his first year with Rozee and Butters and has had some serious injury concerns and certainly hasn’t been able to command a regular spot as a starting 22 playing for Port Adelaide.
“Played some OK footy, but there’s no doubt some flaws in his game. I would think he’s (worth) sort of an early 30s pick.”
The Bombers are among the busiest clubs this trade period, set to land free agents Ben McKay, Jade Gresham and Todd Goldstein, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has requested a trade to Port Adelaide.
It’s believed Essendon, who currently holds Picks 8, 28 and 47, has discussed involving Duursma in a swap for Zerk-Thatcher.
Another report stated the Bombers had set an asking price of a first-round pick for Zerk-Thatcher.
“I think Pick 28 sort of makes sense (for Duursma),” AFL reporter Riley Beveridge said on AFL Trade Radio.
“For me, it doesn’t make sense as a straight swap with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, I think Duursma probably has a little bit more worth at the moment, given the fact he’s contracted as well.”
Cornes compared Duursma to Carlton winger Blake Acres, who last year cost the Blues a future third-round pick, though Acres was 27 years old at the time.
“He’s not dissimilar to Blake Acres I reckon. There’s some flaws in his game and his ball use is a little bit scrappy at times, but he’s seriously tough and knows how to play that wing role,” Cornes added.
“If you’re looking at a comparable player and how impactful Blake Acres was for the Blues, the Bombers perhaps could get something out of that.”
6AM – WHO WILL MOVE FIRST AS FREE AGENCY OPENS?
Last year it was Hawthorn – so who’ll make the first free agency signing of the 2023 exchange period?
Both restricted and unrestricted free agents can put pen to paper from 9am Friday, but some moves still seem a lot more complex than others.
So at Essendon, while they could make the first move by landing North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein – who’s an unrestricted free agent – it’d be a surprise if they signed his teammate Ben McKay or St Kilda mid-forward Jade Gresham (both restricted free agents) first.
After all there are still questions over exactly how much McKay and Gresham will be paid, and the level of draft compensation going back the other way.
Adelaide defender Tom Doedee has made the call to move to Brisbane, though again he’s a restricted free agent so the contract specifics could yet hold up that signing.
A simpler move would be GWS ruckman Matt Flynn heading to West Coast, although you suspect the Eagles’ officials probably won’t be in the office at 9am east coast time.
Melbourne’s James Jordon is expected to sign with Sydney – he’s eligible for free agency much earlier in his career than most because he was delisted a couple of years back – while the Swans are also hot on Fremantle defender Joel Hamling.
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