Three big questions ahead of the upcoming AFL trade period

The 2024 trade period is just around the corner.

And with that comes the three big questions from the AFL Trade Radio team.

Damian Barrett, Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge identified what they believe to be the biggest questions ahead of what promises to be a busy trade period.

Damo’s big question: Will Jake Stringer find his way to Collingwood?

“I’ve got a feeling it is the Pies,” Barrett said on the AFL Trade Radio launch.

“I know there’s some opposition to it, there’s some reticence to the potential of him going to the Collingwood footy club from within the operations there, but I also know there’s some strong push from other people at the club.

“To me it will be one that does drag out a little bit. They’re debating it as we speak. I know that some senior members of the footy department do want him.

“I could see it working. It’s a forward line that is already different. They personally want to see how it looks with Brody Mihocek and Dan McStay in the same team. That’s only happened five or six times.

“Jame Elliott got back to good fitness so that’s still a part of the play, Bobby Hill with that dynamic and then Beau McCreery. I think if you add Stringer to that, they’re going to be right there again.”

__Cal’s big question: How many players will Freo acquire? __

“Fremantle is in the best no-lose position of this trade period,” Twomey said.

“Either they get these players in Shai Bolton and Liam Baker and they offer up their full hand of three first-round picks to make it happen for the Tigers.

“Or they get one of them, which is a good result, or they get none of them and take three quality picks to the draft which is a great draft.

“I think their best scenario is still to get the two players. They are still striving for that elusive first premiership, I don’t think they’re that far away.

“You bring in two players who have those premiership credentials, I think it’s the best result for them. I still think they’re in the mix for Liam Baker and I would still have them as favourites for Shai Bolton as well.

“They’d have two give up the picks and I think they’d be prepared to do that.”

Riley’s big question: Who will land Dan Houston?

“It’s going to be fascinating to see,” Beveridge said.

“Port Adelaide has put an asking price on his head of two first-round picks. He’s obviously got that contract that runs through until 2028.

“He with with four clubs a couple of weeks ago - Carlton, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Collingwood. St Kilda are now probably out of that mix with leaves him with three options.

“Carlton doesn’t want to give up Pick 11, they’ve been really firm on that, they want to be in this year’s draft. So what do they give up? It makes it really difficult for them to get a deal done.

“The Western Bulldogs don’t have a first-round pick. They’ll probably get back into this year’s draft through Bailey Smith, but that could go right down to the wire which would make it difficult to do a Dan Houston deal after that.

“We know Collingwood don’t have a first-round pick because they gave it up last year for Lachie Schultz.

“At the moment it’s difficult to find out who wins this situation to get Dan Houston. The deal seems so hard for these three clubs.”

Twomey added: “There’s still a possibility (he stays at Port).

“He doesn’t dislike Port, there’s no angst there at all, it’s just that he’s got this strong pull to get home.

“He’s got four years to go on his contract. If I’m Port Adelaide I’m saying, ‘You’re staying here until we get a deal done’.

“If Carlton want him then they’ll have to put their first pick on the table.”

The free agency window opens on Friday, October 4 before the 2024 trade period kicks off on Monday, October 7.