Snap judgments: The area each AFL club needs to address this trade period and off-season

Mark Bickley has taken a look at every AFL list and provided a snap judgment on which position they need to improve in this trade period.

The two-time Adelaide premiership captain has blitzed through each of the 18 clubs with a blink analysis of the area they must address this trade and draft period.

Read Bickley’s thoughts from SEN SA Breakfast below:

Adelaide: Midfielders and a new ruckman.

“The Crows need mids and a younger ruckman on their list. Reilly O'Brien needs some support.”

Brisbane: Forwards to replace Joe.

“The Lions need a forward to replace Joe Daniher. That would be a need for them as they’re pretty well covered in mids and defence.”

Carlton: Mids to support Cripps, Walsh.

“The Blues need mids, they need support for Sam Walsh and in particular, Patty Cripps. I know Adam Cerra is there but he had a wretched run with injuries.”

Collingwood: Need players all over.

“They need players in all different parts of the ground. They have an ageing list and there is some discussion around that the might fall off the cliff. I think they need some young, quality players.”

Essendon: Need mids to support Merrett.

“The Bombers need mids and support for Zach Merrett. Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell improved that area in 2024, but they still need extra resources.”

Fremantle: No absolute need. X-factor maybe with Shai.

“The Dockers are one of the better balanced teams. Their defence is reasonably well-stacked, they’ve got some quality mids, Josh Treacy up forward looks ok and Jye Amiss as well.

“I didn’t see an absolute need for Freo so they’re probably trying to add quality and some X-factor with Shai Bolton.”

Geelong: Midfielders and a ruckman.

“The Cats need mids and a ruckman. I think Rhys Stanley is probably getting towards the end of his career. They need some support for Patrick Dangerfield and others. They’ve introduced some young mids but more quality there would be great.”

Gold Coast: Forward backup to support King.

“Their midfield looks pretty solid, their defence looks solid as well and they’ll probably add Daniel Rioli to that. They need some forward backup for Ben King to take a little bit of pressure off him.”

GWS Giants: Support for Hogan.

“The Giants need support for Jesse Hogan, particularly another marking forward would be handy.”

Hawthorn: Support up forward.

“The defence looks like it has been sorted out as they’re getting Barrass and Battle in. So they probably need some support up forward for Mabior Chol and Calsher Dear (for the short term before Mitch Lewis comes back).”

Melbourne: Forwards.

“The Demons need some more forwards. Bayley Fritsch shoulders too much of the goal kicking load.”

North Melbourne: Key defenders and forwards.

“North needs key defenders and key forwards. They have Nick Larkey at one end, and now Jack Darling. They definitely need support in defence.”

Port Adelaide: Key forwards.

“I think Port needs some forwards. There’s still question marks around Todd Marshall and where his future lies in regards to his concussion. They’re hoping Ollie Lord is going to be great, but I think some more support in the front half. Their midfield is pretty solid and defence is ok.”

Richmond: Everything with their cleanout.

“The Tigers need quality everywhere. They’re losing Dylan Grimes, Liam Baker, Dan Rioli, Dustin Martin, Marion Pickett, Jack Graham and Shai Bolton - that leaves a huge hole. They need quality players and they’ll get the opportunity through the draft.”

St Kilda: Midfield class.

“The Saints need some class through the midfield. They have good contested players but need some class bursting away from stoppage.”

Sydney: Forwards and backs.

“The Swans need key position players forward and back. They’ve got some at both ends, but they’re short in defence. The forwards haven’t quite been able to cut it.”

Western Bulldogs: Mids – support for Bont with outgoings.

“The Bulldogs need mids, support for Marcus Bontempelli. Jack Macrae might go, Tom Liberatore is getting older.”

West Coast: Defenders to replace Barass.

“The Eagles are going to need some defenders to replace Tom Barrass.”