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.
2:30PM – OUT-OF-FAVOUR DOGS UTILITY RE-SIGNS
Western Bulldogs utility Buku Khamis has reportedly signed a one-year deal to remain at the club, despite interest from rivals.
Khamis, 23, played just one senior game for the Dogs in 2023 but was impressive at VFL level, kicking 41 goals from his 18 games.
While there was reported interest from Collingwood and North Melbourne, multiple outlets reported on Friday that Khamis had settled on a one-year contract with his current club.
Khamis’ extension follows an eight-year contract extension for key forward Aaron Naughton.
12PM – FIRST FREE AGENCY DOMINO FALLS AS JORDON JOINS SWANS
We officially have our first free agency move, with Demon James Jordon signing with the Sydney Swans.
Melbourne will receive and end-of-second round compensation pick for the 22-year old’s departure.
Jordon has played 65 AFL games – including being the Demons’ unused sub in their 2021 premiership win – since being drafted with Pick 33 in the 2017 National Draft.
“James is a talented young midfielder who we think has a bright future ahead of him,” Swans head of football Charlie Gardiner said.
“We think he will be a valuable addition to our midfield group with his running ability and flexibility to play inside and out.
“He has had an impressive start to his career to date and comes with experience in a successful program at Melbourne, so we are confident he will make us better.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming James to the club.”
10AM – FULLARTON ASKS FOR DEES TRADE
Brisbane ruckman/key forward Tom Fullarton is set to request a trade to the Demons, reports AFL journalist Callum Twomey.
The 24-year does so in search of more senior opportunities, having played just 19 games across his career including none this season.
The Demons are meanwhile looking to beef up their forward and ruck stocks amid the looming departure of Brodie Grundy to Sydney and to help address their attacking woes.
Melbourne holds one of the best draft hands of any club, with Picks 5, 13, 25 and 33.
The Dees are then likely to receive a second-round pick for Grundy and compensation for James Jordon’s free agency move to the Swans, while James Harmes is also expected to get traded.
8AM – WHAT’S DUURSMA WORTH?
Port Adelaide’s Xavier Duursma could be on the move this trade period, with Essendon leading a group of interested rival clubs for his services after he underwent a medical at the Bombers this week.
Power footy boss Chris Davies left the door ajar for the 23-year old, who’s contracted for 2024, to depart Alberton, telling AFL Trade Radio how the club historically hasn’t stood in the way of players who want a fresh start elsewhere.
A former Pick 18 who hasn’t quite lived up to the same standards as fellow 2018 first-round draftees Zak Butters and Connor Rozee, what might Duursma cost in a trade?
“I don’t know what Xavier Duursma is worth, he’s a Pick 18 from a few years ago,” Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.
“Burst onto the scene in his first year with Rozee and Butters and has had some serious injury concerns and certainly hasn’t been able to command a regular spot as a starting 22 playing for Port Adelaide.
“Played some OK footy, but there’s no doubt some flaws in his game. I would think he’s (worth) sort of an early 30s pick.”
The Bombers are among the busiest clubs this trade period, set to land free agents Ben McKay, Jade Gresham and Todd Goldstein, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has requested a trade to Port Adelaide.
It’s believed Essendon, who currently holds Picks 8, 28 and 47, has discussed involving Duursma in a swap for Zerk-Thatcher.
Another report stated the Bombers had set an asking price of a first-round pick for Zerk-Thatcher.
“I think Pick 28 sort of makes sense (for Duursma),” AFL reporter Riley Beveridge said on AFL Trade Radio.
“For me, it doesn’t make sense as a straight swap with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, I think Duursma probably has a little bit more worth at the moment, given the fact he’s contracted as well.”
Cornes compared Duursma to Carlton winger Blake Acres, who last year cost the Blues a future third-round pick, though Acres was 27 years old at the time.
“He’s not dissimilar to Blake Acres I reckon. There’s some flaws in his game and his ball use is a little bit scrappy at times, but he’s seriously tough and knows how to play that wing role,” Cornes added.
“If you’re looking at a comparable player and how impactful Blake Acres was for the Blues, the Bombers perhaps could get something out of that.”
6AM – WHO WILL MOVE FIRST AS FREE AGENCY OPENS?
Last year it was Hawthorn – so who’ll make the first free agency signing of the 2023 exchange period?
Both restricted and unrestricted free agents can put pen to paper from 9am Friday, but some moves still seem a lot more complex than others.
So at Essendon, while they could make the first move by landing North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein – who’s an unrestricted free agent – it’d be a surprise if they signed his teammate Ben McKay or St Kilda mid-forward Jade Gresham (both restricted free agents) first.
After all there are still questions over exactly how much McKay and Gresham will be paid, and the level of draft compensation going back the other way.
Adelaide defender Tom Doedee has made the call to move to Brisbane, though again he’s a restricted free agent so the contract specifics could yet hold up that signing.
A simpler move would be GWS ruckman Matt Flynn heading to West Coast, although you suspect the Eagles’ officials probably won’t be in the office at 9am east coast time.
Melbourne’s James Jordon is expected to sign with Sydney – he’s eligible for free agency much earlier in his career than most because he was delisted a couple of years back – while the Swans are also hot on Fremantle defender Joel Hamling.
