The AFL trade season has been a whirlwind of activity, with 34 players making the switch to new clubs. As the season progresses, it's time to assess the impact of these trades and free agency movements. Here's a breakdown of the midyear trade grades, with a focus on the players who have made a significant impact at their new clubs.
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 been on fire, his goals per game have improved, and he's taking more marks. The argument is that he should be doing more, given the talent around him, but his arrival has been a positive step for Sydney.
Will Hayward (Sydney to Carlton): B
Hayward's transition to Carlton has been a work in progress. He's getting more involved in the game, taking more marks, and improving his disposals. However, his goals per game have fallen, and he's still not a top-tier player. Carlton's decision to trade for him was a calculated risk, and it remains to be seen if he'll live up to expectations.
Clayton Oliver (Melbourne to GWS): A+
Oliver's move to GWS has been a resounding success. He's amassing more disposals and clearances, and his performance has been exceptional. The Giants got him for a third-round draft pick, which is a steal. Oliver's resurgence is a testament to his talent and the team's ability to develop players.
Jack Steele (St Kilda to Melbourne): A+
Steele's move to Melbourne has been a revelation. He's an elite tackler and has improved his disposals, contested possessions, and clearances. His performance has elevated Melbourne's midfield, and his trade grade is well-deserved. The fact that he cost Melbourne just a 2027 third-rounder is a bonus.
Christian Petracca (Melbourne to Gold Coast): A+
Petracca's move to Gold Coast has been a win-win situation. He's a dynamic midfielder and centre-forward, and his performance has been stellar. He's the second-highest rated player in the competition and has improved his use by foot. The trade price was high, but Petracca's impact has been worth it.
Patrick Retschko (Geelong to Richmond): B
Retschko's move to Richmond has been a positive one. He's carved out a role under Adem Yze and has become a mainstay in the team. His performance has been solid, and the trade was a calculated risk that has paid off.
Jack Buller (Sydney to Collingwood): D+
Buller's move to Collingwood has been a disappointment. He hasn't lived up to expectations, and his goalless start to the season was a setback. Collingwood's pursuit of Ben King suggests that Buller wasn't the long-term solution, and his performance has been a concern.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs to Gold Coast): B
Ugle-Hagan's move to Gold Coast has been a positive development. He's shown maturity and is ready to resume his high-potential AFL career. If he continues to improve, he could be a bargain for the Suns.
Finnbar Maley (North Melbourne to Adelaide): C
Maley's move to Adelaide was unexpected, and his role as a ruck-forward hybrid is a development. While expectations aren't high, he's got a bigger role to play in the future. The trade was a calculated risk, and it remains to be seen if he'll live up to the potential.
Jai Serong (Hawthorn to Sydney): A
Serong's move to Sydney has been a seamless fit. He's a nimble key defender and has fit into Dean Cox's side as a wingman. His performance has been above average, and he could become a premiership role player. Sydney's decision to trade for him was a smart move.
Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn to Melbourne): C+
Jiath's move to Melbourne has been a work in progress. He's a speedy rebounder, but his disposal and decision-making have been a concern. His progress has been halted by injuries, but he has the potential to be a key player for Melbourne.
Ollie Florent (Sydney to Carlton): B+
Florent's move to Carlton has been a positive one. He's a good kick and decision-maker, and his performance has been solid. His influence on the team is positive, and the trade was a calculated risk that has paid off.
Connor Budarick (Gold Coast to Western Bulldogs): B-
Budarick's move to Western Bulldogs has been a solid addition. He's a sneaky good player, and his defensive accountability is a positive. His early progress was halted by injury, but he's a good asset for the Bulldogs.
Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast to Essendon): D
Fiorini's move to Essendon has been a disappointment. He's been hampered by injuries and hasn't been a genuine difference-maker. The trade was a calculated risk, but his performance has been a concern.
Will Brodie (Fremantle to Port Adelaide): D+
Brodie's move to Port Adelaide has been a concern. He's occupying a valuable list spot, and his performance hasn't been impressive. The trade was a calculated risk, but his impact has been limited.
Tylar Young (Richmond to West Coast): B
Young's move to West Coast has been a positive development. He's a good defensive player, and his performance has been improving. He's building into the season well and is a key player for the Eagles.
Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast to Carlton): C+
Ainsworth's move to Carlton has been a positive one. He's lifted his disposals and has been playing in every game. While his impact hasn't been tremendous, he's a good asset for the Blues.
Corey Durdin (Carlton to Port Adelaide): B+
Durdin's move to Port Adelaide has been a quiet success. He's a goalsneak and has been a good addition to the forward line. His performance has been elite for a small forward, and the trade was a calculated risk that has paid off.
Campbell Chesser (West Coast to Carlton): D
Chesser's move to Carlton has been a fresh start that hasn't paid off. He hasn't been seen at the senior level since his first few games, and his future at the club is uncertain.
Brody Mihocek (Collingwood to Melbourne): B-
Mihocek's move to Melbourne has been a selfless role for the team. He's a seasoned leader and has been playing a role for the betterment of the team. His performance has been solid, and the trade was a calculated risk.
Liam Ryan (West Coast to St Kilda): B-
Ryan's move to St Kilda has been hit by injuries. Prior to that, he was showing potential and was a dangerous forward. The trade was a calculated risk, and it remains to be seen if he'll live up to expectations.
Max Heath (St Kilda to Melbourne): A-
Heath's move to Melbourne has been a positive development. He's being groomed to be Max Gawn's successor and is getting an invaluable apprenticeship. The trade was a calculated risk, and it's a positive scenario for the Demons.
Oscar Allen (West Coast to Brisbane): C
Allen's move to Brisbane has been a setback due to injuries. He was gaining confidence and building chemistry, but his future at the club is uncertain.
Sam Flanders (Gold Coast to St Kilda): B
Flanders' move to St Kilda has been a positive one. He's improved his disposals and has become a good asset for the Saints. While he's not a star-factor player, he's improved the team's overall depth.
Judd McVee (Melbourne to Fremantle): A-
McVee's move to Fremantle has been a seamless fit. He's playing in nine of the Dockers' games and has improved his intercept possessions, contested possessions, and groundball gets. The trade was a calculated risk, and it's a positive scenario for the Dockers.
Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane to West Coast): D
Starcevich's move to West Coast has been a concern. He's only now transitioning into WAFL playing minutes and has been hampered by injuries. The trade was a calculated risk, and his performance has been a worry.
Malcolm Rosas (Gold Coast to Sydney): A+
Rosas' move to Sydney has been a stunning success. He's the seventh-highest rated small forward and has kicked 1.4 goals per game. The trade was a calculated risk, and Sydney is glad they made the move.
Liam Reidy (Fremantle to Carlton): D
Reidy's move to Carlton has been a concern. He hasn't challenged Marc Pittonet for the starting ruck role, and his performance has been a worry. The trade was a calculated risk, and his impact has been limited.
Charlie Spargo (Melbourne to North Melbourne): D+
Spargo's move to North Melbourne has been a disappointment. He's dealt with injuries and has kicked only four goals in six senior games. The trade was a calculated risk, and his performance has been a concern.
Jacob Wehr (GWS to Port Adelaide): C-
Wehr's move to Port Adelaide has been a work in progress. He's not a difference-maker, and his performance has been indifferent. The trade was a calculated risk, and his impact has been limited.
Sam Draper (Essendon to Brisbane): B+
Draper's move to Brisbane has been a positive development. He's built into the year and is now starting to reap the rewards. Since Round 4, he's been a key player for the Lions.
Tom De Koning (Carlton to St Kilda): C+
De Koning's move to St Kilda has been a concern. His performance has dropped off, and his disposals, contested possessions, and clearances have suffered. The trade was a calculated risk, and his impact has been limited.
James Worpel (Hawthorn to Geelong): B-
Worpel's move to Geelong has been hit by injuries. His performance has been below average, and his effective kicks per game are a concern. The trade was a calculated risk, and his impact has been limited.
Jack Silvagni (Carlton to St Kilda): B-
Silvagni's move to St Kilda has been a work in progress. His performance has been indifferent, and his intercept possessions have fallen. The trade was a calculated risk, and his impact has been limited.
