By Peter Ryan
Credit:
Club efforts to convince star players such as West Coast sensation Harley Reid, North Melbourne star Luke Davies-Uniacke and Port Adelaide dynamo Zak Butters to leave their clubs will increase significantly if the AFL allows clubs to trade future picks two years in advance.
That’s the view of three industry sources speaking on the condition of anonymity as the AFL considers changes to the player-movement rules, which includes increasing the number of years in advance clubs can trade picks from one year to two years.
Zak Butters will be a restricted free agent in 2026 with any offer to prise him out of Port Adelaide needing to be massive.Credit: Getty Images
One of the barriers stopping clubs from making big-money plays for the game’s best players has been their inability to come up with a trade package that would at least make the rival club consider the deal.
But with most clubs having the salary-cap space to dangle big offers at players, a more significant question has become whether a realistic deal can be reached, particularly if a player is still under contract. The potential to offer picks in three successive drafts makes mega deals involving big names more realistic.
If, for example, Reid wanted to depart West Coast at the end of 2026 when he had been at the club for the mandatory three seasons post-draft, then the market for his services would grow significantly if clubs were able to trade first-round picks two years in advance and the reward for the club losing a player with such talent would at least be closer to market price.
He is yet to commit to the Eagles beyond 2026, with clubs expected to consider ways to secure him. Both Butters and Davies-Uniacke will be restricted free agents when next out of contract, but it’s likely a trade would be needed to secure them if they left. Tasmania’s pending entry to the competition will also accelerate the demand for talent.
Another club source said some clubs and their list managers might be conservative in trading away quality future picks two years in advance, as they have been burned before in attempting to predict the fortunes of not just the opposition but their own team.
Are Eagles players settled?
One of the first orders of business for West Coast after Adam Simpson’s departure will be shutting down any prospect of premiership defender Tom Barrass seeking a trade with three seasons remaining on his contract.
Barrass flirted with the idea of joining Sydney last season and has been linked to the Western Bulldogs this year, but he remains a key plank in the Eagles’ defence as they build towards the future.
West Coast pair Tom Barrass and Jake Waterman celebrate a goal.Credit: AFL Photos
West Coast skipper Liam Duggan is a free agent, but he has publicly expressed his desire to remain at the Eagles and the club had been confident of retaining him well before Simpson’s time as coach ended on Tuesday.
They also locked in veteran Elliot Yeo for three years last month and No.1 pick Reid is on a fixed deal that lasts until the end of 2026. Key players Oscar Allen, Jake Waterman, Jeremy McGovern and Tim Kelly are contracted until the end of 2025 while Liam Ryan, who plays his 100th match this round, is signed until 2026.
Veteran Andrew Gaff is 32 and out of contract as a free agent. He has played just three senior games this season, but is in good form in the WAFL. Defender Josh Rotham is an attractive prospect to other clubs as a free agent.
Mid-season pick Jai Culley is out of contract after having his career interrupted with a knee reconstruction, but could get a chance to press his claims under an interim coach, while Alex Witherden remains out of contract despite being a regular in defence in 2024.
McDonald yet to re-sign
Melbourne are considered the least likely destination for in-demand free agent Josh Battle, who has been heavily courted by the Hawks as he weighs up whether to remain at the Saints. But the Demons have flexibility to consider their options as the year plays out.
Tom McDonald has been a valuable player at the Demons.Credit: AFL Photos
Premiership forward Tom McDonald remains unsigned despite being a key plank in defence alongside Steven May and Jake Lever in 2024. The free agent has played 15 games and shown again his ability to play a role at either end of the ground. Another veteran defender, Adam Tomlinson, is also out of contract.
Negotiations on Giants’ free agent Isaac Cumming’s next contract are expected to take off now that the running defender is playing after soft-tissue injuries delayed his AFL return until round 16. The 25-year-old was happy to wait until he returned before discussing his contract with the Giants.
He showed his class last season and would be an attractive prospect to other clubs monitoring discussions.
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