'Perfect fit': One realistic trade target for all 18 AFL teams

More than half the AFL teams are one weekend away from off-season mode and locking right into the upcoming trade space.

But every side will be looking at their own respective depth charts and pondering moves they can make, without breaking the bank.

With that in mind, we've put together one player acquisition for all 18 clubs, with the idea being these players are realistically gettable.

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Hawthorn, for example, might be after Zak Butters, Sam Walsh or Harley Reid, but which midfielders could they go after if they miss out on a superstar? That's what we're looking at here.

The goal has been to address team needs with these trades. For example, there's a world where Essendon loses two ruckmen this off-season and therefore needs to add depth in the trade period.

It's worth adding, these targets are realistic because the players themselves clearly have potential as targets, not necessarily because the clubs have been linked to them, though that may also be the case.

Adelaide

Target: Callum Ah Chee (Brisbane)

The Crows have a pretty complete list. They have one of the best defensive groups in the AFL, their midfield mix is the envy of most teams and they certainly have enough height around the ground.

They have been linked with out of contract Brisbane forward Callum Ah Chee, who is a proven big-game finals performer and a perfect cherry-on-top player for this list.

If not him: The Crows should consider adding another ruckman to their list behind Reilly O'Brien, potentially someone like Hawthorn's Ned Reeves.

Brisbane

Target: Mitch McGovern (Carlton)

Brisbane will likely bring in pair Oscar Allen and Sam Draper in free agency, filling their key forward and ruck needs in a huge scoop for the club.

A fringe move around the edges of their list could be adding out-of-favour Carlton key defender Mitch McGovern, who would thrive as a third tall back in the Lions' system and provide some necessary depth.

If not him: Western Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis could provide a similar service and is younger than McGovern.

Carlton

Target: Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne)

Carlton needs class and impact above all else and a goal kicking machine like Bayley Fritsch would take a lot of pressure off Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

He's a different type of forward to anything the Blues have and would be a perfect fit for them. Melbourne may look to hit the draft and change their own forward mix, with Fritsch linked with a move out of the club at points this season.

If not him: Carlton will need key defensive depth if Jack Silvagni and Mitch McGovern leave and could look for a cheap short-term replacement. Potentially another player from Melbourne in Tom McDonald or Brisbane's Darcy Gardiner.

Collingwood

Target: Elijah Tsatas (Essendon)

Tsatas has struggled to get a game in Essendon's deep midfield and the Magpies could offer him a fresh start in a new system.

Collingwood needs young midfielders given Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Tom Mitchell are rapidly approaching the end of their careers and Tsatas ticks a lot of boxes for them.

If not him: The Pies could take a swing at St Kilda's Marcus Windhager, who remains out of contract. He would be a perfect long-term midfield addition for them.

Essendon

Target: Liam Reidy (Fremantle)

If Essendon loses Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein retires, the Bombers could look at someone like Fremantle's Liam Reidy as a ready-made ruck replacement.

Nick Bryan is still working his way back from a torn ACL and the Dons could be quite light on ruck stocks in 2026 if they don't find someone in the trade period. 

If not him: As mentioned, Reeves from Hawthorn is another ruckman who could be on the move.

Fremantle

Target: Jesse Motlop (Carlton)

Originally an academy player of Freo, Jesse Motlop is out of contract and would make sense to replace Michael Walters on Fremantle's list in 2026.

A small forward with an abundance of talent, Motlop has not quite clicked into Carlton's system and would benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. 

If not him: The Dockers should absolutely be in the hunt for Ah Chee, if the Crows don't land him.

Geelong

Target: Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)

St Kilda's cash splash for Tom De Koning will likely see Marshall spill out and fall perfectly into the lap of a grateful Geelong.

Rhys Stanley would be weighing up retirement and Toby Conway can't get his body right. This is a no-brainer for the Cats.

If not him: The Cats have been linked with Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel, who would give them a much needed boost in the clearance and contest game.

Gold Coast

Target: Dylan Shiel (Essendon)

Thanks to generous academy helpings, Gold Coast's list has few holes and boasts a ton of depth. So much so a midfielder or small forward could get squeezed out.

Couple that with someone like David Swallow retiring, and a veteran depth piece like Dylan Shiel could tick the box for a year and take some load off Matt Rowell, Touk Miller and Noah Anderson at stages throughout the season.

If not him: The Suns are reportedly after Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott, who would be a fascinating piece in an already deep forward line, giving them extra firepower.

GWS

Target: Sam Frost (Hawthorn)

Frost is trapped behind Hawthorn's key defensive additions in Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, as well as captain James Sicily.

A return to where he started his career at the Giants would make sense given GWS will likely lose key defender Leek Aleer. Sam Taylor has also had pretty consistent injury concerns across his career.

If not him: The Giants could potentially lure midfielder Angus Sheldrick from crosstown rivals Sydney. They could certainly benefit from the midfield depth.

Hawthorn

Target: Angus Sheldrick (Sydney)

Speaking of Sheldrick, he is a pure midfielder the Hawks could target if their big swings don't come to fruition.

Hawthorn has been looking for a star midfielder, but prying those out is challenging and Sheldrick both fits their age profile and would likely slot straight into their best side, particularly if Worpel leaves.

If not him: Someone like Sam Flanders at the Suns could be looking for a fresh start and midfield opportunity and would fit in nicely at Hawthorn.

Melbourne

Target: Marcus Windhager (St Kilda)

Melbourne's midfield group needs to get younger. There's no point rolling out Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca unchanged under a new coaching regime in 2026.

Windhager has proven he can be a prolific ball winner and also tag opposition stars. The Dees need young talent and he would tick those boxes. 

If not him: If Neil Erasmus is squeezed out of a deep Fremantle midfield rotation, he also makes perfect sense for Melbourne.

North Melbourne

Target: Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane)

The Roos are clearly after a tough, defensive leader for their backline, having targeted Collingwood's Brayden Maynard, and Starcevich is the next best thing.

Pairing him and Jaxon Archer together down back would give North Melbourne some edge and toughness in defence, though they are taking a risk on the Lion's concussion issues.

If not him: North should consider an offer for out of contract Geelong midfielder Mitch Knevitt, who has struggled to break into their regular side.

Port Adelaide

Target: Alex Davies (Gold Coast)

Alex Davies has shown he belongs at AFL level, but has struggled to play consistent footy at Gold Coast given their depth at the position. He would slot immediately into Port's starting midfield in 2026.

The Power are at a weird point, after falling further ladder wise than any other team in 2025, as they transition to a new coach. Stocking up on young, available talent seems like the right course of action and Davies is worth a shot.

If not him: Essendon's Tsatas also fits a similar bill here for the Power.

Richmond

Target: Malcolm Rosas (Gold Coast)

Another Gold Coast player linked with a move out for greater opportunity, Rosas would be a great addition to Richmond's forward line.

The Tigers have Seth Campbell, Maurice Rioli and Steely Green, but Rosas would certainly be in their best side as a small forward and mix well with the existing group.

If not him: Davies, another Sun, would also make sense for Richmond in 2026 as they build out their list.

St Kilda

Target: Liam Ryan (West Coast)

St Kilda has effectively locked in both Carlton's Tom De Koning and GWS' Leek Aleer, so it'll be interesting to see what else they get up to in the trade period.

They've been linked with West Coast small forward Liam Ryan, likely in an attempt to put the finishing touches on their list ahead of a push for finals in 2026. Ryan would add a different skillset and pair nicely with Jack Higgins. 

If not him: Rosas or Motlop would fill a similar need for the Saints if they're keen for small forward depth.

Sydney

Target: Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn)

The Swans are clearly after a tall forward in this year's trade period, having been linked with the likes of Charlie Curnow and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Curnow feels unrealistic and Ugle-Hagan presents his own unique challenges.

Hawthorn has its fair share of key forward depth and Lewis would likely benefit from a fresh start at Sydney, where he can be the focal point.

If not him: A veteran option would be Collingwood's Brody Mihocek, who would reportedly consider a move for a multi-year deal.

West Coast

Target: Judd McVee (Melbourne)

Judd McVee is a very talented half back who would immediately improve an Eagles side desperate for quality and dependability.

The West Aussie is out of contract and West Coast should be doing what they can to convince him to come home.

If not him: As well as simply adding pieces to their best 23, the Eagles would benefit from a midfield leader. If they could pry St Kilda captain Jack Steele out or offer Geelong's Mitch Duncan a year, they could be great mentors for Harley Reid and the young group around him.

Western Bulldogs

Target: Darcy Gardiner (Brisbane)

The Dogs' key defensive depth has been a bit shaky of late, particularly as they've looked to move on from veteran Liam Jones.

Gardiner would be a handy addition for the Dogs and bolster their defensive group for the next few seasons. 

If not him: Add the Dogs to the list of teams who would benefit from securing a backup ruckman, in case Tim English goes down. Sydney's Peter Ladhams would fit the bill nicely.