21 AFL stars Tassie should chase… and their chances of leaving, as fresh rules to blow up trade market

Tasmania’s ability to poach uncontracted players in the coming years has the potential to cause chaos and blow up the AFL player movement market.

In the latest episode of the Midweek Tackle digital-only show ‘Tackle The Headline’, CODE Sports reporters Lauren Wood, Josh Barnes and Jon Ralph break down some of best AFL players who’ll be out of contract at the end of either 2027 or 2028 … and how high they’ll be on Tasmania’s radar.

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The Midweek Tackle panellists divided 21 players into six categories regarding the likelihood of the Devils chasing or landing them.

‘GRAB IT PAYDAY’ – make the most of your chance and cash in

Jon Ralph says …

“Taj Hotton, I think, is a ‘no’. He’s a homebody, he wants to stay here. He’ll get massive cash at Richmond.

“Josh Smillie, he’s never going to get that good cash. But if by the end of next year he’s played very little at Richmond, it might almost be that one where you think, Jordan Ridley-style, ‘can another fitness program get me right?’ It’ll be a really important year for him in his third season.

“Harry Armstrong has shown huge potential at Richmond. He’s just going to slot in there nicely. I think Tom Lynch would go around for another year next year and I can’t see him moving on.

“Beau McCreery is the one I’ve got a real target on if I’m Tasmania. He’s a cultural driver, he plays very good football. He’s not a superstar, but he’s never going to get the big bucks at Collingwood. So the real conundrum for Tasmania is: Are you really paying someone like Beau McCreery $1 million, a pressuring high half-forward? It’s a lot of money to pay for a bloke who might not change your fortunes.”

Josh Barnes says …

“Nic Martin. Injury issues have followed him the last year and a half. That’s why I had him in ‘go payday’ because this might be his one chance to cash in and get a really big contract and try and be a culture setter.”

‘NO CHANCE’ – not going to Tasmania

Jon Ralph says …

“Izak Rankine, who’s an uncontracted player next year. I think Adelaide is already making waves trying to get that contract done.

“Nas Wanganeen-Milera, if he goes anywhere it won’t be to (Tasmania) … Carl Dilena the St Kilda CEO said ‘we’re having some preliminary chats, some discussions’. They’ll be really keen to get that one done a long way ahead of time.”

‘STALKING HORSE’ – use Tasmania to your benefit to get more money

Jon Ralph says …

“Nate Caddy on this list is (out of contract) in 2028. You’d imagine, though, he’d be very, very keen to just hold off on his deal at Essendon for a very long time. Massive leverage, he’s going to have his pick of 18 clubs if he wants to move when Tassie comes in. But if I’m him, I want to see a lot of success before I consider a contract extension.

“Jonty Faull, he’s someone that’s just starting to come good. But you’re not going to get mega bucks at Richmond. They (the Devils) might think one of these key forwards – whether it’s him (Faull) or an Armstrong – ‘we can build a side around that kind of player’. Let’s face it, you can have a lot of midfielders, (but) you need a big dog, an aggressive forward. That’s why someone like Jonty Faull is a bit of a chance.”

Josh Barnes says …

“I think the amount of players Richmond brought in and are going to be out of contract probably together, it means one or two of them are going to get pinched by Tasmania or probably somewhere else. This is where if you’re a Jonty Faull or even a Luke Trainor, you’ve got to try and make the most of it and say: ‘This guy is getting this much, what about me? Tasmania wants to pay me this much, give me those big bucks.’

“Kai Lohmann is another one that, similar to Beau McCreery, I don’t think he’ll ever get monster money at Brisbane. He’s probably the 10th to 12th best player there … he’s not a superstar but he’s a very good player. This is where he could use them (the Devils) and say: ‘Hey, they’ve offered me $900,000, can you match that?’ I think it’s a good opportunity for him.”

Jon Ralph says …

“Lachie Ash will get a fat deal at GWS, so he will stay. He doesn’t really want to go to a club that’s going to struggle.

“Will Day is another one who, let’s face it, is just so loyal. He’s not going anywhere.

“Alix Tauru, by the end of his third year, he will put off contract talks until next year. So many mouths to feed (at St Kilda) – Cal Wilkie just got a nice fat deal, so did Jack Silvagni – could Tassie say to themselves: “Could we get a Harry Armstrong or Jonty Faull and an Alix Tauru, who you can build around? Tauru is the kind of guy by the end of next year will not be getting great money at St Kilda, but maybe can get it at Tasmania.”

‘WHY WOULD YOU?’ – your club is in the flag window, you’d be silly to leave

Josh Barnes says …

“It’s hard to see Logan Morris, Sam De Koning or Jack Ginnivan leaving. But they’ve all won premierships – Ginnivan won it at Collingwood obviously – so do they consider: ‘I’ve already done the deed team-wise, do I get my cash now?’

“Logan Morris is going to write his own cheque you would think when he comes out of contract and is ready to talk on that.

“Sam De Koning, similar, has always been in that position as a highly-touted key-position player.

“I think those players would be better off staying. But if they’ve had enough of winning, you can always move on for more money.”

‘CAN’T LET IT HAPPEN’ – may as well shut the club door if this guy joins Tassie

Jon Ralph says …

“Sam Lalor. Adem Yze has already said ‘we’re really considering a serious offer for him’. I’m sure he’ll be signed away pretty early.

“I know you can talk about Colby McKercher or Ryley Sanders, but Finn O’Sullivan is one bloke I think to myself: ‘He could be our captain in five years.’ He’s got everything. He tags, he’s got leadership, he can play offensive on-field. I just think he can do it all and can be that cultural driver. North Melbourne will have to move heaven and earth to sign him because I think he’s the kind of guy Brendon Gale would love.”

‘HEAVEN AND EARTH’ – Tassie needs to throw everything at this guy

Jon Ralph says …

“Matt Rowell is a free agent next year and everyone will come for him. I get the feeling if he left it’d be for Victoria.

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