The AFL’s next trade domino is beginning to wobble. These are the five rucks at the centre

The AFL’s ruck dominoes haven’t fallen yet, but they’re beginning to wobble.

At the centre of the discussion over the coming months will be five names: Tim English, Rowan Marshall, Bailey Williams, Kieran Briggs and Reilly O’Brien.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Intriguingly, only West Coast’s Williams — a restricted free agent — and Briggs are currently without contracts beyond 2026, with the former’s situation especially adding another layer to what is traditionally a shallow market.

New centre-bounce rules have significantly reshaped the ruck landscape this season, while changing list dynamics have also cast fresh uncertainty over the futures of players such as Briggs and O’Brien.

While the out-of-contract market is headlined by key forwards, midfielders and defenders, the ruck landscape is no less fascinating. The links are less defined for now, but it’s a space that shapes as one to watch closely as the home-and-away season comes to a close.

These are the five rucks generating the most intrigue ahead of October’s trade period.

TIM ENGLISH

Why is an All-Australian ruckman contracted until the end of 2029 at the centre of trade speculation?

Conversation around Tim English’s future was ignited after four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis told Fox Footy’s On The Couch last month he would be “surprised” if the 28-year-old remained at Whitten Oval in 2027, describing him as “gettable”.

It was a report that prompted coach Luke Beveridge to emphatically dismiss the speculation, but you only had to look at the Bulldogs’ clash with Sydney last Friday night to understand why Lewis’ comments hold notable weight.

English attended just a quarter of the centre bounces in Round 17, with utility Rory Lobb instead entrusted with the primary ruck duties. The 208cm big man was shifted behind the ball in an unfamiliar role, a move that yielded little reward.

Beveridge revealed the following Thursday that the 2023 All-Australian “wasn’t totally ready to play” against the Swans, and remains in doubt to face West Coast this Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

Limited by knee and concussion issues throughout 2026, English has endured a disrupted campaign but still appears a central figure in the Bulldogs’ long-term plans.

Before signing his five-year extension in August 2024, the South Fremantle product was heavily linked with a return home to West Coast. Whether those links re-emerge remains to be seen.

The Eagles are still working through contract negotiations with restricted free agent Bailey Williams, who remains unsigned beyond 2026. While the expectation remains that Williams stays loyal to the Eagles, the longer his contract remains unresolved, the more inevitable external speculation around West Coast’s ruck plans becomes.

ROWAN MARSHALL

Another of the competition’s premier rucks, Rowan Marshall, remains contracted beyond this season. But as foxfooty.com.au first revealed in May, the 30-year-old shapes as one of the more intriguing names to watch again this trade period.

The Saints are understood to be more open to discussing a trade than they were 12 months ago should the right offer emerge, after standing firm when Geelong came calling last year.

Much of that has been driven by the arrival of Tom De Koning as a restricted free agent from Carlton on a lucrative long-term deal, fundamentally changing St Kilda’s ruck dynamic.

Having spent years as the Saints’ undisputed No. 1 ruck, Marshall’s interest in exploring his options last off-season centred on greater opportunity, with Geelong emerging as his preferred destination.

However, the rapid development of 21-year-old Mitch Edwards may leave the Cats slightly less reliant on adding another established ruck.

With De Koning currently sidelined by broken ribs and a punctured lung, Marshall has reclaimed the mantle as St Kilda’s primary ruck for the next month or so. Unlike some of the competition’s bigger-bodied rucks, the changes to centre-bounce rules appear to have had little impact on his game.

And if the Bulldogs were to unexpectedly lose Tim English? Marshall would quickly become one of the most logical replacements on the market.

BAILEY WILLIAMS

West Coast restricted free agent Bailey Williams remains one of the more fascinating names yet to recommit for 2027 and, perhaps unexpectedly, could prove pivotal in shaping the wider ruck market.

It’s clear to note that right now, the 26-year-old is still widely expected to remain an Eagle as discussions continue over what is understood to be a long-term offer that could stretch to six years.

However, the absence of a completed deal entering the back half of the season has naturally fuelled speculation about his future.

Williams has arguably enhanced his value more than any other out-of-contract player in 2026, emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AFL’s centre-bounce rule changes. After beginning the year in a battle with former Giant Matt Flynn for West Coast’s number one ruck role, the Dandenong Stingrays product has firmly established himself as the Eagles’ first-choice big man.

Victorian clubs, including Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, have been loosely linked with Williams, while Richmond remains in the market for an established ruck as it plans for life after captain Toby Nankervis.

Williams has publicly stated he is enjoying his football in Perth and wants to remain at the Eagles. Only on Friday did 22-year-old teammate Elijah Hewett knock back Victorian interest to stay put at the nest until the end of 2030.

But, until a contract is signed, rival clubs will continue to monitor the situation closely; and so too will fellow ruckmen whose own futures could be influenced by his decision.

KIERAN BRIGGS

GWS big man Kieran Briggs also finds himself facing an uncertain future.

The unrestricted free agent remains without a contract offer for 2027 as Round 18 approaches, placing his future firmly under the spotlight.

The Giants’ decision to hand former Category B rookie Nick Madden a four-year extension on July 1 has only added to the intrigue, reinforcing the club’s long-term faith in the emerging 22-year-old.

Foxfooty.com.au first revealed Madden had been heavily linked with Richmond before ultimately committing to western Sydney, a move that could yet see the Tigers redirect their attention towards Briggs should he become available.

Despite playing 83 AFL games, Briggs appears to have slipped down GWS’ list of priorities amid negotiations with several key players, including captain Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Jake Stringer, Jake Riccardi and Max Gruzewski.

As an unrestricted free agent, the Pennant Hills product would almost certainly attract interest if he reached the open market. While he may not command the same attention as Tim English or Rowan Marshall, Briggs looms as an experienced number one ruck option in a competition where proven big men remain in short supply.

REILLY O’BRIEN

Perhaps no established ruckman has been impacted more by the AFL’s new centre-bounce rules than Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien. Yet, his situation has largely flown under the radar.

The 30-year-old signed a three-year contract extension in July last year, tying him to West Lakes until the end of 2028.

Despite that security, the 2020 Adelaide club champion has managed just one AFL appearance in 2026 — the Crows’ Round 4 loss to Fremantle, where he played only 35 per cent game time in a shared ruck role with Lachie McAndrew.

McAndrew, who played just two senior games for Sydney before joining Adelaide as an SSP (Supplemental Selection Period) signing in February last year, has since established himself as Matthew Nicks’ preferred number one ruck.

Before McAndrew’s Round 1 selection this season, Nicks had never deployed a genuine two-ruck structure, with O’Brien carrying the ruck responsibilities across the bulk of his 147-game AFL career.

Now, the emergence of Toby Murray as a forward-ruck option has left O’Brien effectively third in line, making senior opportunities increasingly difficult to come by.

Unsurprisingly, he has dominated at SANFL level, averaging 18.4 disposals, 35.9 hitouts and 6.5 marks across Adelaide’s reserves campaign.

O’Brien has long been regarded as a consummate professional and remains contracted for another two seasons, meaning Adelaide is under no pressure to entertain offers. But given his resumé and diminished opportunities, it would be no surprise if rival clubs at least explored whether he could be prised away.

A club searching for experienced ruck depth, such as Essendon, would appear an obvious fit should the situation evolve.

Click here to read article