AFL trade news: Paddy Dow only uncontracted Carlton player after re-signings

On the eve of the AFL transfer period, Paddy Dow is the last unsigned player for Carlton after the Blues renewed their commitment to a trio of injured players for the 2024 season.

Sam Durdin, David Cuningham, and Caleb Marchbank all received new one-year contracts on Friday, giving Carlton the most playing-list stability in more than ten years as it enters the upcoming season.

The only seven list changes for the Blues for the third straight season will be the trades of speedster Zac Fisher and Dow.

It follows an eventful eight-year stretch in which the Blues lost an average of 11 players each offseason between 2013 and 2020.

After overcoming recurring injuries in 2023, Marchbank and Cuningham reemerged as crucial components of Carlton’s senior team. Marchbank, one of the Blues’ best players in the finals, rejoined the team in round 20 and played eight straight games after playing only four in the previous three seasons.

Carlton list boss Nick Austin lauded Marchbank’s perseverance to fight back from repeat knee injuries and a fractured vertebrae in his neck that derailed his 2022 campaign.

“Caleb’s return to the senior side has been welcomed, slotting into the back six with a team-first mindset. He has had some really strong moments this season and his ability to perform under pressure late in the season was impressive,” Austin said.

“We also need to acknowledge the journey it has taken for Caleb to get to where he is now.

“It is a huge credit to his diligence and drive to see him back and playing so well. We look forward to seeing him continue to emerge over the next 12 months.”

Austin said Cuningham, who was dropped for the preliminary final but played a major role in Carlton’s second half of the season as a half-forward, had shown “incredible resolve and grit” after he played only four games in 2021 and missed all of last year.

Durdin, 27, has been retained as key defensive depth for a third season at the Blues after he was recruited in the 2022 mid-season draft.

St Kilda appears the likely landing spot for Dow, who would reunite with list manager and the man who recruited him to the Blues in 2017, Stephen Silvagni.

The 23-year-old midfielder played 10 games this season but started five as the substitute, with former North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell telling AFL Trade Radio that Dow had been “harshly dealt with” by the Blues.

“I actually think Paddy Dow has been harshly dealt with at Carlton, to be fair,” Ziebell said on Thursday.

“I reckon he’s got some unbelievable talent (and has) been starved of opportunity.

“When he’s been given that opportunity, and obviously we’re not in the four walls of that football club and we’re not sure exactly how he’s performing to those standards, but from the outside looking in, he’s got some ability.”

Fisher’s manager Andrew McDougall said the left-footer also wanted more opportunities at senior level after being limited to 12 games in 2023.

The 25-year-old is expected to join North Melbourne during the trade period, which begins on Monday.

“It’s probably more about opportunity for Zac. He loves all the players there, such a great club, Carlton, and he’s got some really close friends,” McDougall told AFL Trade Radio.

“It’s more an opportunity piece for him if things do eventuate … he’s had a bit of interest from a few clubs, obviously getting dropped a few times in the lead-up.”

AFL trade LIVE: Swans snare premiership duo; Dogs star makes bold contract call

Let the deals begin.

The 2023 AFL exchange period got underway today with the opening of free agency, allowing a certain group of players to find new homes.

Recap from Friday below and join our trade chat from 9am-5pm AEDT at the bottom of the article.

6.30PM – THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

Ruckman Matt Flynn has officially landed at West Coast on a three-year deal signed on Friday.

Flynn had fallen out of favour at the Giants, where he had been at the age since the age of 12 as an Academy product, and opted to explore his options elsewhere.

Earlier this week, he nominated West Coast as his club of choice to take up the mantle left by retired Eagles great Nic Naitanui.

“You look at the West Coast list and you’ve got some very good bookends, some very good players through the middle still,” Flynn said.

“The potential is there so the opportunity to play but then the opportunity to help build the club back up in a sense will be pretty good too.”

Flynn arrives at the Eagles as unrestricted free agent, with GWS to receive an end of second round selection – currently pick 40 – as compensation.

“We’re sad to see Matt leave the club, but it’s the best decision for his career,” Giants footy boss Jason McCartney said.

“He’s a wonderful teammate and person but we just aren’t in the position to provide the opportunities that Matt needs at this point in his career.

“We thank him for being a valuable member of our club for a long time now and we wish him nothing but the best at the Eagles.”

Flynn has played 33 games for the Giants after being taken with pick 41 in the 2015 draft, including nine matches this season.

6PM – SWANS SIGN SECOND PREMIERSHIP WINNER

Sydney has made their second big move on the opening day of free agency by signing a second premiership player.

Following on from the signature of Melbourne’s James Jordon, Fremantle announced Joel Hamling was also on his way to the Swans.

In a statement, the Dockers confirmed Hamling had chosen Sydney instead of re-signing with Fremantle after falling out of favour in a backline led by the likes of Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan.

“Joel has been a highly valued member of our team since he joined the Club at the end of 2016,” Dockers footy boss Peter Bell said.

“To see Joel return to AFL football this year after such a long period out of the game and play the football we know he is capable of, was really pleasing to see.

“It is always a hard time of year, but Joel has a young family and clearly his decision to explore his options as a delisted free agent played a factor in that.”

Hamling has played 91 AFL games across his career at the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle – including in the Dogs’ 2016 premiership win.

But he’s managed just six games for the Dockers since 2019 amid a horror run of injury.

Given Hamling was delisted by Geelong in 2014, the 194cm defender was free to move to the club of his choice, with no trade required as a delisted free agent.