WHO SHOULD your club trade? Who should it keep?
They're the two most important questions every trade period, and now we know what more than 1200 fans would do if they were in charge of their club's list management, after they responded to our survey.
Read on for the wish list of each club's fans, as well as the best individual fan response for all 18 teams. We've also plucked out a dream trade that would leave your club team smiling at the end of football's busiest off-field month.
What most of you said: The Crows need to go after a quality inside midfielder like Tom Rockliff, Dustin Martin or Jaeger O'Meara. Michael Hurley has also been thrown up as an option to bolster key position stocks, as has Will Minson as a back-up in the ruck. Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Ricky Henderson and David Mackay could be used as trade bait along with a first-round pick to make these moves happen.
Best entry: I would look at bringing in a star midfielder such as Tom Rockliff who might be looking for a trade. I would also look for a backup ruckman such as Will Minson as there is too much reliance on Sam Jacobs to be fit week in, week out. I would try to use our first-round pick in a possible trade for Rockliff as the club is in 'win now' mode. I would also consider getting more depth in key defenders due to the reliance on Daniel Talia.
Dream trade: Tom Rockliff in exchange for a first-round pick. - Ty, Berri (SA)
What most of you said: The most common theme is the need for a more mature key defender. There are mixed thoughts on whether Daniel Merrett should play on or retire, but the desire to trade for either Alex Rance or chase free agent Michael Hurley is strong. There's not a lot of love for small forwards Josh Green or recently re-signed Lewy Taylor, with many punters wanting to move them on.
Best entry: The highest trade priority is a key defender in the 24- to 28-year-old age bracket, like Tom McDonald or Alex Rance. Draft focus should centre on midfielders who use the ball well and another rebounding defender. Aggressively chase young out-of-contract midfielders like Tom Mitchell, Brad Crouch, Dion Prestia or Jaeger O'Meara and I'd delist anyone not likely to be in the best team in two to three years.
Dream trade: Alex Rance for first round draft pick (No.2) - Sam, Brisbane (Qld)
What most of you said: The Blues must have another substantial cull at the end of this season, with at least eight changes made to their list. It is time for Levi Casboult and Andrejs Everitt to be traded, and they need to add some midfield depth and another key position player.
Best entry: I would put Levi Casboult up for trade. I would expect a pick between 20-32 and the Lions and Dockers to show some interest. Trade Andrejs Everitt to the Suns for pick 23 and then trade picks 22 and pick 23 for a top 12 pick. Put Nick Graham up for trade and hope for a pick between 30-40. I would delist Jason Tutt, Clem Smith and Jayden Foster, and offer small contract extensions to Dylan Buckley, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Kristian Jaksch, Dennis Armfield and Matthew Dick. Need to lock Zach Tuohy to a new three-year deal ASAP. Take best-available midfielder with first pick and key position defender with top 12 pick.
Dream trade: Andrejs Everitt and pick 22 to Suns for Jaeger O'Meara or Dion Prestia. - Jim, Noble Park North (Vic)
Will the Blues move Levi Casboult to another club this October? Picture: AFL Photos
What most of you said: Pies fans were satisfied with their club's midfield talent but were concerned about a lack of quality talls in defence and attack. There were many calls to discard loyal servants Alan Toovey, Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer and Nathan Brown, which would free up some cash, and also proposals to trade the likes of talls Jarrod Witts, Jesse White and little men Jarryd Blair and Marley Williams, to get back into the early rounds of the draft. There was much excitement over father/son prospects Josh Daicos and Callum Brown. As for trades, many Pies fans often wanted the world in exchange for chicken feed.
Best entry: I would trade Marley Williams back to his home state of Western Australia either for a second-round pick or as part of a deal that snared a player like Michael Walters, Chris Mayne or Nick Suban. I would delist Brent Macaffer as I don't see him being part of our next premiership. I would also draft a crumbing forward to kick two or three goals a game.
Dream trade: Send Marley Williams and a second-round pick to Fremantle for Michael Walters. - Daniel, Silvan (Victoria)
What most of you said
The overriding desire from Essendon fans is another key forward, some more class through the midfield and some extra depth down back. Supporters seem open to the idea of having pick No.1 up for trade, but only if the club can bring in an elite A-grade player. Courtenay Dempsey, Adam Cooney, Jason Ashby, Shaun Edwards, Nick Kommer, James Gwilt and Shaun McKernan were all regularly mentioned as possible delistings at the end of the season.
Best entry
Assuming Michael Hurley, Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton return, we need goal kickers and quality ball users, preferably through a draft rebuild. Trade Michael Hibberd as Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has looked good this year. Melbourne's second-rounder is a good starting point to get this deal done. A little left-of-centre, but recruiting Travis Cloke to support Joe Daniher is worth serious thinking. Willing to ship No.1 pick, but only for a Godfather offer from GWS or Gold Coast. I might be tempted with Jaeger O'Meara circa 2014, but I want a sweetener(s) as two years of knee issues is worrisome. Otherwise we pick first in November.
Dream trade: Essendon's first-round pick this year (No.1 overall) and a fourth-round pick traded to GWS for Jonathon Patton, Devon Smith, Will Hoskin-Elliott and GWS's fourth-round pick. - Caleb, Geelong (Vic)
What most of you said: Sweeping change is what is being called for at Fremantle. Key position players are the priority. Cam McCarthy, Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb and Shane Kersten are the names most believe the Dockers should target. Bradley Hill is another but some have questioned the need for another outside midfielder. Almost every player on the list is also on the trade table.
Best entry: With Matthew Pavlich retiring, Fremantle's most pressing need is for a key forward. Ideally with Cam McCarthy having been out of action for a year, Greater Western Sydney trade the troubled youngster for a third-round pick. I don't agree that Bradley Hill is worth a pick between 15-20. I would be inclined to wait until 2017 to get a deal done. Fremantle's need for a player like Hill is not that pressing. Beyond that, Fremantle needs talent with elite skills and decision making. The 2016 draft is the best place for that.
Dream trade: Pick No.3 for Jesse Hogan - Alex W, Perth (WA)
What most of you said: Replacing an ageing defence remains the Cats' biggest concern, with most hopeful that Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel continue their careers in 2017. Many suggest Nathan Vardy, Shane Kersten, Jordan Murdoch or George Horlin-Smith could provide some value at the trade table if the Cats want to improve their position in the draft order.
Best entry: After strong seasons Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel should sign for another year. Shane Kersten and Nathan Vardy can be moved on from a side that favours Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley and Zac Smith as bigs. Both players could attract second or third round selections although if Mitch Clark retires one could stay. Jordan Murdoch, George Horlin-Smith, Josh Cowan and Billie Smedts are also superflous after being given enough chances to solidify their positions. Murdoch will attract interest from rival clubs chasing outside speed while Horlin-Smith may attract interest for a late draft pick.
Dream trade: Richmond midfielder Brett Deledio in exchange for a future first-round draft pick. - Satch, The Netherlands
Nathan Vardy is the sort of player who could attract interest. Picture: AFL Photos
What most of you said: Suns fans are happy with their list, with a few changes needed around the fringes. Most are resigned to losing Dion Prestia and want something big back in return, while others are hoping to deal for Essendon's pick number one to get the best young talent in the country and still add academy prospect Jack Bowes further down. Small forward Brandon Matera seems a popular piece of trade bait, despite having a year to run on his contract.
Best entry: Gold Coast should trade Dion Prestia and pick No.8 (Melbourne's first-round pick it acquired last year) to Essendon for pick No.1. They would then have two top-five picks and hopefully grab academy products Jack Bowes and Brad Scheer further down. They should also chase free agent Michael Hurley hard. I'd see if they could get anything for Brandon Matera, Matt Shaw and Clay Cameron and delist Seb Tape, Luke Russell and Danny Stanley.
Dream trade: Either Prestia and pick No.8 for Essendon's pick No.1, or Prestia and a second-round pick for Trent Cotchin. - Greendogg, Palm Beach (Qld)
What most of you said: The wealth of quality players on the Giants' list is hard to ignore, and so is the host of young stars plugging away in the NEAFL. Adam Tomlinson, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jack Steele and Jake Barrett were the names most thrown up as trade possibilities, with Richmond's Alex Rance a big name the punters want in Sydney.
Best entry: Our club has a raft of midfield talent to choose from and more help coming in via the draft. Every week we have a lot of midfielders fighting for the same spots and next year we have to shorten our list. Therefore, I would bundle up a couple young midfielders and a draft pick or two to bring in a big name. Imagine Rance, Shaw and Davis together in the same backline. Come on Giants; let's make a team an offer they can't refuse! Finally, I would give Stevie J one more year, if he stays healthy, one more tilt at the flag would be sweet.
Dream trade: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jack Steele and a second-round draft pick to Richmond for Alex Rance. - Blaine, Port Adelaide (SA)
What most of you said
Target inside midfielders and in particular Tom Mitchell from the Sydney Swans. Plenty of Hawk fans are also convinced that key forward Tim O'Brien won't make it and are keen to see what he is worth at the trade table. There is plenty of faith that the club will take the opportunity to extract full market value for Brad Hill if the speedster wants to return home to Western Australia.
Best entry
Play hardball with Fremantle over Brad Hill and demand a first-round pick for him, take an inside mid to cover impending retirement of Sam Mitchell, take a future pick if needed because Mitchell has a couple of years left for the kid to learn from him. Billy Hartung gets his chance on the wing in Hill's absence. Go hard at Tom Mitchell, offer him the keys to the house including the kitchen sink, he is worth $800,000 and need him to improve contested ball numbers. Go nowhere near Jaeger O'Meara, not even Andrew Russell can fix him.
Dream trade: Brad Hill to Fremantle in exchange for Matt Taberner to replace the injured Jarryd Roughead. - Warren, (Vic)
Hawk fans are keen to test the trade waters with Tim O'Brien. Picture: AFL Photos
What most of you said: Many Melbourne supporters seem prepared to delist or trade Jack Grimes, Jack Trengove, Chris Dawes, Heritier Lumumba, Lynden Dunn and Colin Garland. The Demons' improvement has been noted but, as Paul Roos has flagged, fans believe the club needs to add an A-grade midfielder to the list, as well as a suitable back-up ruck option to Max Gawn, to give itself the best chance of sustained finals success.
Best entry: Improve the backline with additional height and skill, target a specialist second ruckman/tall forward similar to (Callum) Sinclair, (Josh) Jenkins, (Rhys) Stanley to relieve Gawn. Shed some of the deadweight older players that have been limited to the VFL in 2016.
Dream trade: Michael Hurley for Christian Salem and a future pick first round in the 2017 draft. - Patrick, Mitcham (Vic)
What most of you said: The majority of Roos fans are calling for an injection of talent and pace in the midfield, and believe that packaging talls like Aaron Black and Lachie Hansen with draft picks could achieve it. Quality midfielders Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, Brad Crouch and Tom Mitchell's names keep cropping up, as does a move to snare gun defender Michael Hurley. Judging on readers' thoughts, veterans Nick Dal Santo, Drew Petrie and/or Jarrad Waite's time might be up.
Best entry: The Roos' up and coming tall stocks look promising, so in the draft we need to target some quick, outside, prolific ball-winning midfielders who use the ball well. Consider trading Aaron Black to Fremantle in exchange for Nick Suban. Consider retiring Nick Dal Santo and either of Drew Petrie or Jarrad Waite. Need to find a trade to get Jaeger O'Meara to the club. Delist Robin Nahas, Farren Ray, Lachie Hansen and Aaron Black (if no trades). Rookie list Tom Gribble from Werribee. Look into GWS players struggling to get a game – such as Jack Steele, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Jake Barrett.
Dream trade: Jaeger O'Meara from the Gold Coast to North Melbourne in exchange for Aaron Mullett, Lachie Hansen and a second-round draft pick. - Simon, Leeton (NSW)
What most of you said: The Power needs an immediate upgrade in the midfield and experienced defenders. Jaeger O'Meara, Michael Barlow and Adam Tomlinson could fill the need in the midfield. The Power could also trade fringe players such as John Butcher, Matthew Lobbe and Paul Stewart for draft picks to build through the draft.
Best entry: Port needs a lift in the midfield and Jaeger O'Meara fits the bill. He's been in a close relationship with Kenny and loves Kenny's work (well, I'm guessing, after all, who doesn't love Kenny, right?). Port also needs to keep its first-round pick. Port is overwhelmed with forwards and with Billy Frampton on the rise, Trengove is good in the ruck, Paddy Ryder coming back and Matty Lobbe on the outer, they can afford some trades. Trade Lobbe, Aaron Young or Jake Neade and second pick for O'Meara. Delist Kane Mitchell, John Butcher, Jay Schulz and Alipate Carlile to open up room for young talent. These delistings are with a heavy heart, but it's time to be ruthless.
Dream trade: Matthew Lobbe, Aaron Young and second pick for Jaeger O'Meara. - Glenn, Strathalbyn (SA)
Will Matthew Lobbe find a new home during the off-season? Picture: AFL Photos
What most of you said: The middle-tier Tigers have run their race and need to make way for draft picks in a rebuild. Ty Vickery is the player most supporters want to leverage at the trade table. Others to make way include Brandon Ellis, Shaun Grigg, Reece Conca and Jake Batchelor. The club needs a young ruckman like Greater Western Sydney's Tom Downie, and Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia should be the priority trade target. Fans are split on whether the club's best five players should be untouchable or traded while their currency is high. Of this group, fans were most willing to let go of Brett Deledio or Jack Riewoldt.
Best entry: Richmond supporters cannot tolerate a rebuild or another period of 'down years'. Furthermore, supporters will not swallow a soft draft with recycled duds. Quite simply, the philosophy should be to keep our top six, another four players with natural improvement like Nick Vlastuin and Ben Lennon, and keep most of the 1-3 year kids. The rest are on the trade table. Land two big guns, most likely Prestia and Michael Hurley. Up for trade: Ivan Maric, Conca, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury, Jacob Townsend, Vickery, Kane Lambert, Batchelor, Andrew Moore, Brandon Ellis and Grigg. Recruit fast, tall players with elite disposal. Operate a team with quality and class topped up with speed and youth. Lose the bulging mid tier.
Dream trade: Michael Hurley for Ty Vickery and a second-round pick. - Thai Tigers, Thailand
What most of you said: A lack of young, key defenders was identified as the primary weakness. There was a general view that Sam Fisher needed to retire to make room for Jake Carlisle. Delisting players who had been in the system for a few years without much return was called for.
Best entry: Delist fringe players (Josh Saunders, Luke Delaney, Tom Lee, Brodie Murdoch) and retire Sam Fisher. This leaves us in need of key defenders, as well as more outside run in the midfield. Players like Nathan Freeman and Blake Acres should be the blueprint for our midfield going forward. Above all, we need to recruit players who are good decision-makers and have excellent disposal efficiency, particularly in defence. We have a good core of younger talent and are ready to trade for free agents or experienced players to complement our list – we should look at acquiring top-end talent with our first draft pick.
Dream trade: First-round picks in 2016 and 2017 and Tom Curren to Gold Coast for Jaeger O'Meara and a second-round pick in 2016. - Maddy, Caulfield (VIC)
What most of you said: Many of you think that Ben McGlynn should join Ted Richards in retirement at the end of the season, while it seems to be a 50/50 split on whether Tom Mitchell will be at the Swans next year. Jaeger O'Meara and Michael Hurley were two big names to pop up in the dream trade.
Best entry: In the two years since Tim Membrey was squeezed out of Sydney's forward line plans, Adam Goodes has retired, injury struck Sam Reid, and Kurt Tippett has now found his niche as a ruckman. The forward line this year has sometimes been undersized as a result. Reid returning from injury may help, but the Swans may target a tall at the draft. Sydney should also target depth through trading, a running half-back and key defender are priorities. Jack Grimes, Trent McKenzie, and Dylan Buckley have at times found themselves on the outer at their respective clubs and might fit in well.
Dream trade: Tom Mitchell to Carlton in exchange for Dylan Buckley and Carlton's first-round draft pick. - Max Bird, Devonport (TAS)
Tom Mitchell appears central to the Swans' off-season moves. Picture: AFL Photos
What most of you said: The majority of Eagles fans are desperate to recruit some more midfield talent. WA players such as Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow, Patrick Cripps and Stephen Coniglio are recurring names as trade targets as are Tom Mitchell and Cam Ellis-Yolmen. Eric Mackenzie, Mitch Brown and Tom Lamb are three names that consistently come up as possible options to trade out in return for some midfield talent.
Best entry: I would focus on recruiting midfielders as the key position depth is good. I would delist Kane Lucas, Patrick McGinnity and Alec Waterman as well as retire Sam Butler. If Tom Lamb wants to go home, try and trade him for a second-round pick. I would try to trade either Eric Mackenzie or Mitch Brown for a late first-round or early second-round pick. The Eagles should then focus on the best available midfielders in the draft and maybe trade for Cam Ellis-Yolmen or Jack Steele for a second-round pick.
Dream trade: First-round pick for David Swallow - Nigel de Burgh, Yokine (WA)
What most of you said: The Bulldog faithful were staunchly united in their view that the club should do everything in its power to bring suspended Bomber Michael Hurley to Whitten Oval. A ruckman is also on their shopping list with Gold Coast's Tom Nicholls, Geelong's Nathan Vardy and Fremantle's Zac Clarke all targets.
Best entry: The Bulldogs have a really deep list but lack quality key position players in both the back and forward areas of the ground. I think they should target another key position back (Hurley) to help Adams and Roberts, and a forward (Paul Stewart from GWS, Nathan Vardy from Geelong) to help Stringer and Boyd. The ruck is also an issue with Roughead needing help. With ample smalls, the club should also look to trade out a few midfielders (Lin Jong, Koby Stevens) because in the 2018 draft we have another son of a gun in Rhylee West to come in.
Dream trade: First-round draft pick and Tom Campbell to Essendon for Michael Hurley - Michael Stewart, Virginia, Queensland.