The upcoming AFL trade period promises significant movement among ruckmen, potentially involving a third of the league. Central to this situation are free agents Tom De Koning from Carlton and Sam Draper of Essendon, both of whom are expected to leave their respective clubs this off-season. De Koning is rumoured to be headed to St Kilda on a lucrative deal worth $1.7 million per season, while Draper is attracting interest from both Adelaide and Brisbane.
The departure of these two players could set off a “domino effect” in ruckman recruitment across the league. For instance, Reilly O’Brien from Adelaide is out of contract and could be sought by either the Blues or Bombers to fill their ruck needs. With Nick Bryan of Essendon recovering from a torn ACL and Todd Goldstein nearing retirement age, the Bombers are particularly desperate for ruck support.
If Draper decides to stay with Essendon, it raises questions about whether Bryan could become attractive to other clubs as a long-term ruck option. Brisbane seems to be in a good position, having signed premiership ruckman Darcy Fort, though securing Draper could lead to his reconsideration of ongoing commitments with the Lions.
Fremantle’s situation adds another layer of complexity, as their dual ruckmen, Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy, may be in jeopardy of splitting, with implications for both players’ futures. Jackson has drawn speculation about a potential return to Melbourne, especially if the Dockers decide to part with Darcy, who is struggling with injuries.
Geelong could also be impacted dramatically, as Rhys Stanley may retire, leaving them searching for a ruck replacement. There are discussions surrounding St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall, whose fate may be tied to De Koning’s potential arrival.
Matthew Lloyd, a former Essendon star, has voiced concerns that losing Draper could create considerable challenges for the Bombers, given their current ruck landscape. With the increasing scarcity of effective ruckmen in the league, clubs may explore opportunities to acquire depth options from rival teams, akin to Hawthorn’s previous acquisition of Lloyd Meek from Fremantle.
Colleges such as Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron appear to be staying put, as reports indicate he intends to sign a long-term contract, diverting attention away from clubs like West Coast, who are currently managing younger ruckmen with potential.
Consequentially, the trade period is likely to unveil numerous possibilities, particularly for clubs in search of immediate ruck solutions. Potential scenarios could see St Kilda acquiring De Koning while losing Marshall, Geelong pursuing Marshall if Stanley retires, or Adelaide fetching Draper at the expense of O’Brien. As the trade window nears, all eyes will be on these pivotal movements within the ruckman sphere of the AFL.