Herald-Sun rankings of the trade/free agency recruitsAl Paton, Sam Landsberger
October 26, 2012 5:00PM 1. Brian Lake (Hawthorn)
Fills the one big gap in the Hawks' line-up. Could turn the runner-up into the premier. Can't ask for much more than that.
2. Brendon Goddard (Essendon)
Bombers needed some elite talent to complement Jobe Watson and they got it on the first day of free agency. Not sure exactly where BJ fits into the Bombers' line-up.
3. Greg Broughton (Gold Coast)
Freo says he didn't fall out with Ross Lyon but he could be forgiven for wondering why he was being moved all over the ground when he dominated every time he went into the midfield. Great get for the Suns.
4. Danyle Pearce (Fremantle)
Not a lot of noise about this one but the Rising Star Award winner delivers the outside pace Freo needs. Will love the wide open spaces of Subiaco - and taggers going to Stephen Hill.
5. Troy Chaplin (Richmond)
Continues the theme at Richmond (and on this list) of trading for specific needs. Everyone knew the Tigers needed a key defender and in Chaplin they have one. Finished top-three in Port Adelaide's B&F in 2009 and 2010.6. Josh Caddy (Geelong)
A top-10 draft pick with two years’ experience under his belt. Caddy, an inside midfielder, played every match for the Suns this year and was the ideal trade target after missing out on Travis Boak. Also knows how to kick multiple goals, booting thee against the Cats this year.
7. Tom Hickey (St Kilda)
We’ve seen him only 12 times at AFL level but those in the know say this kid will be big. Hickey should slot in next season to lend Ben McEvoy a hand in the ruck, a key area the Saints needed instant aid in. Pick 13 was a high price, but the Saints got 26 back and they say Hickey could’ve gone 7-12 in the draft, anyway.
8. Hamish McIntosh (Geelong)
The Cats still want to challenge and to do that they need an A-grade ruckman, a clear deficiency this year. Chris Scott is praying his knees hold up.
9. Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast)
Wellingham eases the loss of Tom Swift and Koby Stevens by adding another layer to West Coast’s engine room. At 24 and after 92 games (including a flag) he’s set to enter his prime, but he did cost the Eagles a first-round pick. Buddy, time to find a new housemate.
10. Clinton Young (Collingwood)
The dashing line-breaker with a raking left foot adds much-needed zip to Nathan Buckley’s side, particularly after Wellingham’s defection. Prying him from a fellow contender makes the signing even sweetener, while you have to wonder if Young would have left the Hawks had he kept his feet in the last quarter of the Grand Final.
11. Jared Rivers (Geelong)
Rivers said himself he’s no Matthew Scarlett but a ready-made replacement will help plug a hole and keep the Cats competitive with the best in the business. They snagged him for free and, like Harry Taylor, Rivers comes with that forward flexibility.
12. Quinten Lynch (Collingwood)
The Pies tried to turn Chris Dawes into Leigh Brown this year and it didn't work. Now they have a Brown clone.
13. Chris Dawes (Melbourne)
Dawes’ value dipped after a horror 2012 but if the power forward can rediscover his premiership form as he reunites with Mark Neeld the Dees will have an imposing attack.
14. Aaron Edwards (Richmond)
The journeyman cost just pick 74 and will take some heat off Jack Riewoldt. At 28 the sharp-shooter still has a few bags of goals left as the likes of Ty Vickery and Todd Elton develop.15. Koby Stevens (Western Bulldogs)
The tall, tough, inside midfielder perfectly fits Brendan McCartney’s blueprint and at 22 the Dogs think he’s ready to explode. A ferocious tackler, he was starved of games due to West Coast’s star-studded midfield but should slot into the Whitten Oval mix immediately.
16. Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions)
Moloney wins clearances, an area Voss’s side struggled in, and cost the Lions nothing. Was the Dees best player in 2011 before falling out of favour this year. He’s 28 but Brisbane hopes to squeeze four years out of him.
17. Jamie Cripps (West Coast)
The Eagles got the homesick Saint relatively cheap, and while he might take time to win a place in John Worsfold's side, he showed potential as a junior. The first-round pick knows where the goals are and performed OK as a substitute for Scott Watters this season.
18. Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne)
Pick 11 in the draft just three years ago, Gysberts showed enormous promise with 15 games in 2011 before, like many, having his papers stamped early by new coach Mark Neeld. The inside midfielder can kick goals and should earn more game time at Arden St.
19. Angus Monfries (Port Adelaide)
Monfries stopped the rut of Port Adelaide bleeding players and his class and goal sense will prove handy. Needs to take that next step though, particularly to earn the midfield time he craves.
20. Stephen Gilham (GWS)
The one and only experienced player recruited this season by the expansion club. Had knee surgery in 2011 and couldn't get back into the Hawks' side this season, playing just six matches. Phil Davis will be very happy to have another experienced body in the GWS back half.
21. Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide)
One of the original Giants'17-year-old selections, Hombsch played just nine matches this year but comes with huge potential. Long way to go yet though.
22. Chris Knights (Richmond)
Half-forward with a booming left foot who spent most of last season in the SANFL but has shown an ability to break lines and kick goals in the past. Follows Tiger pattern of recruiting to fill a gap in the list.23. Tom Murphy (Gold Coast)
At least he won't have to worry about getting dropped for the Grand Final at his new club. Former Hawk will get a lot more games took, adding experience to the back half.
24. Cam Pedersen (Melbourne)
We've heard often enough in recent weeks that he is a swingman who can play back, foward or ruck. A lot like Stefan Martin really. Played two matches for North this year.
25. Stefan Martin (Brisbane)
Fills the key-position void in Brisbane’s attack, while his versatility will aid their ruck stocks, especially with the clock ticking for Ben Hudson.
26. Angus Graham (Adelaide)
An old-fashioned ruckman who can make a contest in the middle but doesn't have too many strings to his bow. Insurance if Sam Jacobs goes down and might get more of a crack with the Jesse White trade falling through.
27. Jordan Russell (Collingwood)
The medium defender became a VFL regular in 2012 and while that could continue at the Pies next year, he’s solid insurance for no cost. Russell, a top-10 pick, was popular at the Blues and rated highly as a leader.
28. Cale Morton (West Coast)
No.4 draft pick never fulfilled his potential in six seasons at the Dees. Will be hoping to follow footsteps of Josh Hill and playing in a better side will help. Not in best 22.
29. Trent Dennis-Lane (St Kilda)
The former Swans small forward boasts good pace and goalsense, but his lack of defensive work kept him out of the senior side. Hard to see him cracking through at the Saints, who are flush for similar players.
30. David Rodan (Melbourne)
Now at his third club after being delisted by Port Adelaide - Melbourne could have got him for nothing in the draft but chose to use the pick in a trade instead. Quick and has a crack but his found a perhaps unwanted niche as the perfect sub.
31. Shannon Byrnes (Melbourne)
Knows where the goals are but has played just nine games in the past two seasons. Will add some zip, and the experience of two flags, to the Dees, but far from a top-liner.
32. Tom Young (Western Bulldogs)
The Dogs have an abundance of inside midfielders, Young compliments that with some outside run and precise kicking. The 20-year-old has showed a bit in nine appearances with the Pies but yet to establish himself as an AFL player.
33. Matt Spangher (Hawthorn)
Remember this guy? Played 16 games for the Eagles then 16 for the Swans, but none this year. Replaces Murphy and Gilham as a back-up defender.
34. Lewis Stevenson (Port Adelaide)
A dashing half-back who was on the fringe of selection for West Coast this season but couldn't add to his 10 senior games, which all came in 2010.
35. Campbell Heath (Port Adelaide)
Defender had surgery twice on his left knee and was delisted after playing two games, then redrafted as a rookie last year but couldn't earn promotion. A project.
WHO KNOWS?
In no particular order, another six players landed on AFL lists as part of trade deals, but are yet to be exposed at the top level.
Tom Lee (St Kilda)
Jack Martin (Gold Coast)
Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)
Dom Barry (Melbourne)
Jed Anderson (Hawthorn)
Jake Neade (Port Adelaide)
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-recruit-brian-lake-tops-our-afl-trade-rankings/story-fnfll94y-1226504094861
