AFL

5 months ago

Cameron Mooney’s best and worst performing clubs of the 2024 AFL Trade Period

By Lachlan Geleit

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Three-time premiership forward Cameron Mooney has listed his three best and two worst-performing clubs from the 2024 AFL Trade Period.

Every team made moves over the trade and free agency window and Mooney has picked out those clubs that he thinks did the best and worst business.

He explained each of his choices on The Warm Up with Worlo and Moons.

Best-performing clubs

Hawthorn

IN: Josh Battle, Tom Barrass. OUT: Nil. Draft hand: 33, 71, 77.

“Of course, Hawthorn, I thought they were absolutely brilliant,” Mooney said on The Warm Up with Worlo and Moons.

“I know Josh Battle came in as a free agent, but I'm just throwing him in this period as well.

“With Tom Barrass and Battle, they got exactly what they wanted down back.

“They've gone to the draft over the last three or four years, they've got all their kids they don't need any more.

“They're here and now – I’m picking them for a top-four lock.

“Lock them in for a top-four spot.”

Carlton

IN: Nick Haynes. OUT: Matt Owies, Matthew Kennedy. Draft hand: 3, 38, 63, 68, 69, 72.

“They had Matt Owies who they were walking out the door and they somehow got pick three in that deal.

“I think it's one of the most incredible deals.

“I don’t think they’ll really miss Matt Kennedy, he is a really solid player, but they've got enough of those players … they need leg speed.

“Well done to Carlton.”

Richmond

IN: Nil. OUT: Liam Baker, Shai Bolton, Jack Graham, Daniel Rioli. Draft hand: 1, 6, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23, 24.

“Richmond I'm giving a huge tick to.

“They just got picks left, right and centre and that’s what everyone told them to do.

“Just get rid of anybody worth anything, get all the picks in and start again.

“Well done to them.”

Worst-performing teams

West Coast

IN: Liam Baker, Matt Owies, Jack Graham. OUT: Tom Barrass, Jack Darling. Draft hand: 12, 26, 73.

“Liam Baker is a very good player, I'm not sure he's a big game changer, but he's a very solid citizen and you bring in Owies well who Carlton didn’t want.

“But when you lose pick three, I’m not sure if I’m a West Coast person that I’m thrilled with that.

“With Baker, I love him, but for a pick three, that's a big one.”

Port Adelaide

IN: Jack Lukosius, Joe Richards, Rory Atkins. OUT: Dan Houston. Draft hand: 13, 29, 36, 50.

“Port Adelaide didn’t have a great trade period.

“Poor old Ken Hinkley, they’re just trying to push him out the door here I swear to God.

“You lose Houston, a two-time All-Australian and one of the best half-back flankers in the game.

“He and his partner wanted to come to Melbourne, but not in the north of Melbourne.

“And apparently the Melbourne Football Club came knocking and he said, ‘That's not the environment for me’, and that’s probably not a bad decision.

“They get in Lukosius and Atkins which is probably not like-for-like, I wouldn't have thought (while losing Houston).

“Lukosius is very, very talented but laconic. He can give you great or can give you rubbish.

“He needs to pull his finger out.”