AFL Trades

In early October, the trade period began. It ran through October 17. A number of players had previously told their clubs they wanted to go elsewhere. Some were restricted or unrestricted free agents. 

Fremantle was the first club to sign a player during the free agency period. They signed Richmond defender Reece Conca. Conca, 26, is originally from West Australia and decided he wanted to return home after eight seasons and 204 games for the Tigers.

Richmond will receive an end of second round draft selection as compensation. Conca missed out on Richmond's 2017 premiership due to a serious foot injury but did play in the VFL finals series, including the Grand Final loss to Port Melbourne.

Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus told the club at the end of the season he wanted to leave. Geelong has signed him as an unrestricted free agent. Dahlhaus, 26, joined the Bulldogs as a rookie in 2010 and played 154 games including the 2016 premiership. Dahlhaus is a versatile player who can play forward and midfield.

Geelong has traded the injury-ravaged Lincoln McCarthy to Brisbane. The Cats also gave Brisbane their Round Three and Round Four draft selections. Brisbane gave Geelong their Rounds Three and Four selections. The Cats used the Round Three selection they received to secure South Australian key position player Nathan Kreuger. Kreuger, 19, was destined for Carlton as an AFL "special assistance" selection. Under the rules, the Blues are allowed to pre-list two players who have previously been eligible for the draft. The Cats traded their Round Three selection to Carlton for Kreuger. Kreuger debuted in the SANFL in 2018 and kicked 22 goals in 13 games. Originally from Darwin, Kreuger moved to South Australia to further his career. He represented South Australia at the 2017 national under-18 championships, played with the Flying Boomerangs ( the junior Indigenous team) and progressed through the junior levels to senior ranks. Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said the club had been tracking Kreuger's career and were impressed with his athleticism, skill and versatility.

The Tigers traded Corey Ellis, Anthony Miles and their 2019 Third Round draft selection to Gold Coast for the Suns" 2019 Round Three selection. Miles, 26, and Ellis, 21, both requested trades for better opportunities. Miles, drafted as a rookie in 2014, played 60 games for the Tigers, managing only one game in 2018 due to Richmond's midfield depth. He was a co-winner of the 2018 VFL Liston award (VFL equivalent of the Brownlow) as well as the VFL club's best and fairest award. Ellis was drafted in 2014 and played 27 games. He was an emergency for the 2017 Grand Final.

Gold Coast was also eligible for AFL special assistance and singed two players: Josh Corbett from the Werribee (VFL) and Chris Burgess from West Adelaide (SANFL).

Before the season was over, Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch told the club he wanted to leave. Lynch was a restricted free agent. the Tigers made an offer and the Suns did not match it, leaving Lynch free to sign a seven year deal with Richmond. Lynch, 25, was drafted by the Suns in 2010 and was an inaugural member of the expansion team. He played 131 games and kicked 254 goals for the Suns. He was a co-captain in 2017 and 2018 but was stripped of the captaincy when he told the club he was leaving. He was named All-Australian in 2016, a four time leading goalkicker with the club and won the club's best and fairest on two occasions.

Eagle premiership player Scott Lycett also requested a trade back home to South Australia. Port made an offer to Lycett, a restricted free agent. The Eagles declined to match the offer, leaving Lycett free to join the Power. Lycett, 26, is a former Port Adelaide junior and played six SANFL games for the club before being drafted by West Coast in 2010. He played 75 games and kicked 45 goals for the Eagles. Lycett said it was a difficult decision to leave but is excited about returning home and playing for the club he supported as a kid.  

Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo, 26,  is now a Blue. crossed to Carlton as an unrestricted free agent after 101 games and 133 goals for the Magpies. Collingwood will receive selection 57 at the draft as compensation. Despite an injury-interrupted career, list manager Stephen Silvagni believes the club's newly recruited high performance manager Andrew Russell (crossed from Hawthorn) will be able to get the best out of Fasolo. Fassolo injured his shoulder during the preseason in 2018 and did not play a senior game until Round Nine. In his only game for the year, he badly injured an ankle which ruled him out for the rest of the year. Fasolo was drafted by Collingwood in 2010. He played 13 games in his debut season 2011 including the Grand Final loss to Geelong and was named the Pies' best first year player as well as being a Rising Star nominee. He was the club's leading goal kicker in 2016.

Carlton signed Special Assistance Player Shane McAdam from the Sturt (SANFL). Carlton then traded the talented forward to Adelaide in three-way trade involving the Sydney Swans to obtain forward Mitch McGovern. Before the season ended, McGovern told the Crows he wanted to be traded and nominated Carlton as his preferred destination. The Blues receive a future third round selection from Adelaide in exchange for McAdam and a future round five selection. The Crows also are getting Sydney's Round One selection in return for selections 26 and 28 from Carlton and selection 40 from the Crows. McGovern was drafted by the Crows in 2014 and played 48 games, kicking 67 goals. McAdam, 23, is a medium-sized forward who impressed in his first season in the SANFL kicking 31 goals in 17 games this year. He is renowned for his forward line pressure against opposition defenders and has speed, agility and a strong overhead marking ability (catching the ball in the air). McAdam was recruited from West Australia and and equaled Eagle Nic Naitanui’s running vertical jump record at the 2015 Draft Combine, while also ranking first in the 20 meter (22 yards) sprint and second in the agility test. The Swans also received two of Carlton's Round Two selections.  

The Brisbane Lions traded their Round Two, Round Four and Round Five Selections to the Gold Coast Suns for their Round Two, Round Three and Round Five selections.

Port Adelaide traded Jared Polec, Jaspar Pittard and their Round Three selection to North Melbourne for North's Round One selection and their 2019 Round Four selection. Polec, from South Australia,  was originally drafted by Brisbane and played 16 games 2011-2013 before being traded to Port. Polec, 25, requested to be traded. He played 90 games for Port. Pittard played 128 games for Port, was a Rising Star nominee in 2011 and was named best club man and All-Australian in 2016.  

Sydney traded Gary Rohan to Geelong for the Cats' Round Four selection. Rohan, 27, is from Geelong and played his junior career with Geelong in the TAC Cup before being drafted by the Swans in 2009. He played 108 games and kicked 96 goals for the Swans. He requested to be traded so he, his wife and child could be closer to family.  

North Melbourne traded Ryan Clarke to the Sydney Swans for Sydney's Round Four selection. Clarke, 21, was drafted in 2015 and played 40 games. Originally drafted as a midfielder, he became a hard-running defender. Clarke was out of contract this year. 

St Kilda traded ruckman Tom Hickey, their Round four selection and their 2019 Round Four selection to West Coast for the Eagles' Round Two selection and their 2019 Round Four selection. Hickey, 27, was originally drafted by Gold Coast as a talent access selection in 2010 ahead of the Suns' first year in the AFL. He played 12 games in two seasons before being traded to the Saints where he played a further 55 games. Hickey requested a trade to seek other opportunities.

GWS traded midfielder Will Setterfield, 20, and their number 71 selection to Carlton for their number 43 selection and a future Round Two selection. The Blues were set to snare Setterfield in 2016 but being a member of the Giants' Academy, GWS quickly matched Carlton's offer. An ankle injury interrupted his first season in 2017 but he managed two games. He was set for a big 2018 but a ruptured ACL in the preseason ruled him out for the year. List manager Stephen Silvagni, who was GWS' list manager before returning to Carlton, said he had followed Setterfield during the under-18's tournament and rated him highly. Setterfield requested a trade for better opportunities and nominated Carlton as he preferred option.  

Brisbane traded their Round Two, Round Four and Round Five selections to Gold Coast for the Suns' Round Two, Round Three (currently number 41), Round Three (currently number 44) and Round Five selections.  

 Fremantle traded their Round One selection and their future Round Three selection to Port Adelaide for their Round One, Round Two (currently number 23), Round Two (currently number 30) and Round Three selections. 

 Like Gary Rohan, midfielder Dan Hannebery also told the Swans he wanted to return home to Victoria with the Saints his designated club. Sydney traded him and their Round Two selection (on traded from Carlton) to St Kilda for for the Saints' Round Two selection (on traded from the West Coast Eagles), and their 2019 Round Two selection. Hannebery was drafted in 2008 and played 208 games for the Swans. A life member of the club, Hannebery was the 2010 Rising Star winner (rookie of the year), was named All-Australian in 2013, 2015 and 2016, won the AFL Coaches' Award as Player of the Year in 2015 and was a member of the 2012 premiership team.

Melbourne traded Dean Kent to St Kilda for the Saints' Round Four selection. Kent, 24, was out of contract at the end of this season and requested a trade to St Kilda for better opportunities and signed a three-year contract. Kent was drafted in 2012 and played 83 games with the Demons. He played a career best 20 games in 2016 but hamstring and shoulder injuries and fluctuating form restricted him to just 11 games in the past two seasons. The Demons were set to offer him a new deal, but with his wife recently giving birth to their first child, the three-year deal means more security for his young family.  

 Melbourne traded Dom Tyson to North Melbourne for ruckman Brayden Preuss and North's Round Four selection, which was on traded from the Swans. Tyson, 25, played 107 games and finished second the club's best and fairest in 2014 and fourth in 2016. Tyson was originally drafted by GWS in 2012 and played 13 games before being traded to Melbourne in 2013. Preuss was picked up by North in the 2015 rookie draft and played just eight games in 2017.

Richmond traded  forward Sam Lloyd to the Western Bulldogs for their Round Four selection. Lloyd was drafted by the Bulldogs in 2013. He played 57 games and kicked 69 goals but has recently taken the occasional turn in the midfield. He played only seven games for the Tigers in 2018. Despite showing strong from in the VFL in 2017, he was overlooked for the senior side for the Grand Final. He did play in the Tiger's VFL team's premiership and won the Norm Goss Medal as best on ground in that game. 

Gold Coast traded Jack Scrimshaw and their 2019 Round Four selection to Hawthorn for the Hawks' 2019 Round Three selection. Scrimshaw, 20, is a talented defender from Victoria, and has been compared to Hawthorn's own Grant Birchall. He was drafted in 2016 and played four games in 2017. Scrimshaw suffered a concussion and fractured his cheekbone in April, but finished the 2018 NEAFL season strongly, collecting 31 disposals in Gold Coast’s last game.

Gold Coast traded their Round Four selection (on traded from North Melbourne) to the Adelaide Crows for their 2019 Round Four selection.

Geelong traded midfielder George Horlin-Smith to Gold Coast for the Suns' Round Four selection. Horlin-Smith was drafted in 2010 and played 51 games for the Cats. Horlin-Smith was awarded the Tom Harley Award as best clubman.

Richmond traded small forward Tyson Stengle to Adelaide for the Crows' Round Four selection (on traded from the Gold Coast Suns). Stengle, 19, was drafted by the Tigers as a rookie in 2017 from South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Woodville-West Torrens. He played two senior games that year for the Tigers but was very impressive in his VFL games. The Tigers offered him a new contract but he requested a trade back home to South Australia for more playing opportunities.

GWS traded Tom Scully to Hawthorn for the Hawks' 2019 Round Four selection (on traded from Gold Coast). Scully, the number one pick in 2009, was drafted by Melbourne and played 31 games for the Demons before crossing to GWS in a huge six-year deal. In his time with GWS, he has suffered ankle issues which restricted him. After seven seasons with GWS, Scully requested to be traded back to Victoria with Hawthorn his preference. Scully, 27, played 152 games for the Giants. He suffered a serious ankle injury in Round Two this season which ended his year. According to Hawthorn, he is still six or seven weeks away from being able to run, but the club is confident the medical staff can get him right for 2019.

Hawthorn traded Taylor Duryea to the Western Bulldogs for their 2019 Round Four selection. The Bulldogs could have signed Duryea as a free agent, but opted to trade for him so as to not impact the compensation selection they received for Luke Dahlhaus crossing to Geelong.  Duryea played 119 games for the Hawks in nine seasons and was a member of the 2014 and 2015 premiership sides. Primarily a defender, he has also shown an ability as a forward. in 2013, he was named best first year player.

Gold Coast traded midfielder Aaron Hall to North Melbourne for North's Round Four selection. Hall, 27, is originally from Tasmania and was drafted by the Suns in the 2012 preseason draft and played 103 games, but was restricted to just six in 2018 due to injury. Hall was out of contract at the end of the year and wanted a fresh start elsewhere. He also wants to play finals and nominated North as his preferred destination.

Hawthorn traded Ryan Burton, their Round One, Round Two and 2019 Round Four (on traded from the Western Bulldogs) selections to Port Adelaide for Chad Wingard and Port's 2019 Round Three selection. Burton, 21, played 47 games for the Hawks in three seasons and ran second in the 2017 Rising Star award. He joins the club he supported growing up. Wingard, 25, requested a trade to Hawthorn at the end of the year after 147 games and 232 goals with Port. Wingard was Port Adelaide’s leading goalkicker in 2015 and 2016, club best and fairest in 2013 and Gavin Wanganeen Medalist in 2012. He was a Rising Star nominee in 2012, named All-Australian in 2013 and 2015 and played in the International Rules in 2014 and 2017.

Brisbane traded the versatile Sam Mayes and their Round One selection to Port Adelaide for their Round One ((on traded from Fremantle), Round Two (on traded from Hawthorn) and 2019 Round Three (on traded from Fremantle) selections. Mayes, 24, is originally from South Australia and returns home to be closer to family. He played 101 games and kicked 26 goals in six seasons with the Lions. He has the ability to play defense, forward and on a wing. He was a Rising Star nominee in 2012.

Brisbane traded their Future Round One selection to Gold Coast for the Suns' Round One selection and their future Round Two selection and future Round Three selection (on traded from Hawthorn).

Fremantle traded midfielder Lachie Neale and their Round Two selection (on traded from Port Adelaide) to Brisbane for the Lions' Round One selection (currently selection number 6, on traded from Port Adelaide), Round One selection (currently number 19, on traded from Gold Coast). Neale, 25, played 135 games for the Dockers since being drafted in 2011. He is considered one of the best midfielders in the AFL, averaging 30 disposals in 2018. He is also highly ranked for contested possessions and clearances. He was the Dockers best and fairest in 2016 and 2018, runner-up in 2017 and was named All-Australian in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Off the field, Neale served as ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which helps seriously ill children.

Melbourne traded Jesse Hogan and their Round Four selection (on traded from St Kilda) to Fremantle for the Dockers' Round One (on traded from Brisbane) and Round Two (on traded from Port Adelaide) selections. Hogan, 23, is originally from West Australia and has been the subject of interest by Fremantle for several years. Hogan said discussions with Nat Fyfe and Coach Ross Lyon persuaded him to join the club. After four seasons, 71 games and 152 goals for the Demons, Hogan believed the time was right for him to move back to his hone state.

GWS traded Rory Lobb, their Round One, Round Three selection (currently number 43, on traded from Carlton) and Round Three selection (currently number 47) to Fremantle for their Round One selection (currently number 11, on traded from Port Adelaide) and Round One selection (currently number 19, on traded from Brisbane). Lobb, 25, requested a trade back to his home state after 74 games 2014-2018 for the Giants. He will add much needed ruck depth to Fremantle.

North Melbourne traded their Round Two selection to Fremantle for the Dockers' Round Three selection (currently selection number 47, on traded from GWS), their Round Three selection (currently selection number 49, on traded from Port Adelaide) and their Round Three selection (currently selection number 55, on traded from Brisbane Lions).

Gold Coast traded defenders Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij to Melbourne for the Demons' number six selection. May, 26, played 123 games in eight seasons and was appointed co-captain alongside Tom Lynch in 2017. Kolodjashnij, 23, is originally from Tasmania and played 78 games since his 2014 debut. He has battled concussion issues in recent seasons but Melbourne's footy manager Josh Mahoney doesn't think that will be an issue in the future with the medical staff confident it won't inhibit him. Twin brother Jake plays for Geelong.

Port Adelaide traded defender Jack Hombsch to Gold Coast for the Suns' 2019 Round Four selection (on traded from Adelaide Crows). Hombsch, 25, played 98 games since crossing from GWS. He was one of the inaugural players for GWS and played 9 games in 2012 and was traded to Port at the end of the year. Renowned for his community work, Hombsch is a three-time winner of Port's John McCarthy Award for community service as well as winning the AFL’s 2017 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Geelong traded defender Jackson Thurlow to the Sydney Swans for their Round Four selection. The Tasmanian was drafted in 2012 and played 46 games. He was a Rising Star nominee in 2015.

St Kilda traded the their Round Two selection (on traded from Sydney Swans) to Melbourne for their Round Two and Round Three selections.

The Western Bulldogs traded defender Marcus Adams to Brisbane for the Lions' Round Two and 2019 Round 3 (on traded from Gold Coast) selections. Adams, 25, played 27 games in three seasons but ankle and shoulder injuries restricted him to just six games in 2018.

The Western Bulldogs traded Jordan Roughead to Collingwood for their Round Four selection. Roughead, 28, played 138 games for the Bulldogs over nine seasons. Roughead has the versatility to play as a key back, key forward and ruck. He was an important member of the Bulldogs’ 2016 flag side, carrying the ruck for much of that year.

Essendon traded midfielder Travis Colyer to Fremantle for their 2019 Round Four selection. Coyler, 27, returns home after 87 games in nine seasons with the Bombers. He was one of the players suspended for the 2016 season due to the supplements saga. He bounced back to have a career best season in 2017.

GWS traded midfielder Dylan Shiel and their future Round Two selection to Essendon for their Round One and future Round One selections. Contracted through 2019. Shiel requested a trade back home to Victoria with Essendon his choice of club. Shiel, 25, was drafted by GWS in 2011 and was an inaugural Giant. He played 135 games.

The Sydney Swans traded defender Nic Newman to Carlton for Carlton's future Round Four selection. Newman, 25, was selected by the Swans in the 2015 rookie draft and played 31 games for the Swans.

Brisbane traded Dayne Beams, their Round Three selection (currently number 41, on traded from Gold Coast), Round Three Selection (currently selection number 44, on traded from Gold Coast) to Collingwood for their Round One, Round Three and future Round One selections. Beams was originally drafted by Collingwood in 2009 and played 110 games including the 2010 premiership. Honors with the Magpies include a Rising Star nomination in 2009, All-Australian in 2012 and club best and fairest in 2012. He requested a trade to Brisbane in 2014 to be closer to his ill father (who passed away in 2018). Honors with the Lions include club best and fairest in 2015 and club captain 2017 and 2018. He relinquished the captaincy early in the season after the passing of his father. He played 58 games for the Lions and requested a trade back to Collingwood so he and his wife and child could be closer to their families and the support network they can provide as he admitted to suffering mental issues after his father's death.  

Sources: afl.com.au, sen.com.au, AFL Club websites, theage.com,au, foxsports.com.au, AFL Club Media Releases - Claire White (St Kilda), Chelsea Collins (Hawthorn), Danielle Balales (Carlton), Josie Fielding (Brisbane), Anna Carew-Reid (Collingwood), Leigh Meyrick (Richmond), Nicki Malady (GWS), Stacey Oates (Geelong), Loukas Founten (Port Adelaide), Luke Morfesse (Fremantle), Ian Shuttleworth (Adelaide), Karla Zanardo (North Melbourne), Adrian Ceddia (Western Bulldogs), Patrick Keane (AFL), AFL Record Season Guides