The mid-season trade grades are in, and it's time to assess the impact of players who have switched clubs during the off-season. From Charlie Curnow's resurgence at Sydney to Clayton Oliver's dominance at GWS, the AFL season has seen some surprising turns and strategic moves. Here's a breakdown of the trades and their implications, with a focus on the players' performances and the teams' strategies.
Charlie Curnow (Carlton to Sydney): C+
Curnow's move to Sydney has been a strategic one, taking away the opposition's defender and allowing Sydney's other players to develop. While he hasn't reached his peak goal-kicking heights, his improved performance and increased goals per game are notable. The argument for his value lies in his ability to support other players and contribute to the team's success.
Will Hayward (Sydney to Carlton): B
Hayward's transition to Carlton has been a positive one, with improved performance and increased involvement in scoring. His goals per game have increased, and he's taking more marks and making more disposals. However, his overall rating remains low, indicating a need for further development.
Clayton Oliver (Melbourne to GWS): A+
Oliver's move to GWS has been a significant win for the team. His improved performance, including increased disposals and clearances, has made him a top-rated player. The Giants' acquisition of Oliver, despite the trade cost, has been a strategic move to strengthen their midfield.
Jack Steele (St Kilda to Melbourne): A+
Steele's move to Melbourne has been a revelation. His elite tackles and above-average disposals, contested possessions, and clearances make him a valuable asset. The trade, despite the cost, has been a strategic move to strengthen Melbourne's midfield.
Christian Petracca (Melbourne to Gold Coast): A+
Petracca's move to Gold Coast has been a win-win situation. His upper-echelon midfield skills and centre-forward dynamism have made him a top-rated player. The trade, despite the heavy price, has been a strategic move to strengthen Gold Coast's midfield and forward line.
Patrick Retschko (Geelong to Richmond): B
Retschko's move to Richmond has been a strategic one, with the Tigers acquiring a player who would have otherwise been delisted. His role under Adem Yze has been positive, and he's become a mainstay in the team.
Jack Buller (Sydney to Collingwood): D+
Buller's move to Collingwood has been underwhelming. The team's lack of scoring power is a concern, and Buller's performance hasn't met expectations. The trade, despite the cost, has been a strategic move to address the team's weaknesses.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs to Gold Coast): B
Ugle-Hagan's move to Gold Coast has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with high potential. His maturity and readiness to resume his career make him a valuable asset.
Finnbar Maley (North Melbourne to Adelaide): C
Maley's move to Adelaide has been a developmental one, with the team acquiring a player for the future. His role as a ruck-forward hybrid is a strategic move to address the team's needs.
Jai Serong (Hawthorn to Sydney): A
Serong's move to Sydney has been a strategic one, with the team acquiring a nimble key defender. His good foot skills and smart decisions make him a valuable asset.
Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn to Melbourne): C+
Jiath's move to Melbourne has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a speedy rebounder. His foot speed and alignment with the team's style make him a valuable asset.
Ollie Florent (Sydney to Carlton): B+
Florent's move to Carlton has been a strategic one, with the team acquiring a player with good kicking and decision-making skills. His increased disposals and metres gained make him a valuable asset.
Connor Budarick (Gold Coast to Western Bulldogs): B-
Budarick's move to Western Bulldogs has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with defensive accountability and transition skills.
Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast to Essendon): D
Fiorini's move to Essendon has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player hampered by injury and not a genuine difference-maker.
Will Brodie (Fremantle to Port Adelaide): D+
Brodie's move to Port Adelaide has been a strategic one, with the team acquiring a player for a valuable list spot. However, his performance hasn't met expectations.
Tylar Young (Richmond to West Coast): B
Young's move to West Coast has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player as defensive depth. His improved performance and rating make him a valuable asset.
Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast to Carlton): C+
Ainsworth's move to Carlton has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with increased disposals and score involvements. His performance has been good, despite the team's struggles.
Corey Durdin (Carlton to Port Adelaide): B+
Durdin's move to Port Adelaide has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with improved goal-kicking and score assists.
Campbell Chesser (West Coast to Carlton): D
Chesser's move to Carlton has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player who hasn't broken into the side. His future in the AFL is uncertain.
Brody Mihocek (Collingwood to Melbourne): B-
Mihocek's move to Melbourne has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with a selfless role and leadership skills.
Liam Ryan (West Coast to St Kilda): B-
Ryan's move to St Kilda has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with improved performance and impact.
Max Heath (St Kilda to Melbourne): A-
Heath's move to Melbourne has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player being groomed to be Gawn's successor. His apprenticeship and regular senior footy make him a valuable asset.
Oscar Allen (West Coast to Brisbane): C
Allen's move to Brisbane has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player hampered by injury. His extended period of absence is a concern.
Sam Flanders (Gold Coast to St Kilda): B
Flanders' move to St Kilda has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with improved performance and asset value.
Judd McVee (Melbourne to Fremantle): A-
McVee's move to Fremantle has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with improved performance and asset value.
Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane to West Coast): D
Starcevich's move to West Coast has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player hampered by injury and concussion issues.
Malcolm Rosas (Gold Coast to Sydney): A+
Rosas' move to Sydney has been a significant win for the team. His stunning performance, including high ratings and goal-kicking, has made him a top-rated player.
Liam Reidy (Fremantle to Carlton): D
Reidy's move to Carlton has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player who hasn't challenged the incumbent ruck role.
Charlie Spargo (Melbourne to North Melbourne): D+
Spargo's move to North Melbourne has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player with an inauspicious start and concussion issues.
Jacob Wehr (GWS to Port Adelaide): C-
Wehr's move to Port Adelaide has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player with an indifferent start and not a difference-maker.
Sam Draper (Essendon to Brisbane): B+
Draper's move to Brisbane has been a positive one, with the team acquiring a player with improved performance and asset value.
Tom De Koning (Carlton to St Kilda): C+
De Koning's move to St Kilda has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player with a drop in performance and ratings.
James Worpel (Hawthorn to Geelong): B-
Worpel's move to Geelong has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player with injury interruptions and below-average ratings.
Jack Silvagni (Carlton to St Kilda): B-
Silvagni's move to St Kilda has been underwhelming, with the team acquiring a player with indifferent performance and ratings.
