AFL Trade podium: Vossy's gold, silver & bronze for done deals

Trade period wrapped up for 2026 in a subdued manner.

No last second fallout or hysteria as we saw 12 months ago. But some big deals were done across the fortnight, clubs were aggressive in their strategies and picks were flying around.

So who came out of it best off? Sam Edmund and Michael Voss award their gold, silver and bronze medals for Trade Period 2026.

BRONZE: Geelong

Edmund: They get Toby Greene in, Rowan Marshall, Jordan Ridley but they missed on Zak Butters. They did give up a bit though, they were really aggressive. Pick 14 for Marshall, next year’s first for Ridley. They have brought in three guys that can make a massive difference.

Voss: No debate.

They have backed in that Geelong talent factory because they back themselves in to bring talent through. They haven’t historically had first round draft picks. They’re certainly third, Bulldogs have elevated themselves from where they were. Geelong have closed the gap.

Marshall suits Geelong’s style. Then Greene, this guy has not been spoken about enough. We talk about Butters and how good he is, this guy is a star. To add him into that forward line and mix it up with Danger who might only play 15-16 games, that’s a scary proposition.

Toby Greene has snuck under the radar, he’s been released for Pick 36, a bonafide star.

SILVER: Hawthorn

EDMUND: When you miss the Grand Final by a kick and you go and add a 70-goal kicker in Ben King, then a high expense and silky ball user in Zach Merrett over four years, it’s good business. They were always going to lose a few.

VOSS: No doubt silver, very close to gold. The reality is, like all prelims there are always hard luck stories. When you finish in a matter like Hawthorn… what they have been able to do, they had patience with Merrett, he would have cost them big a year ago. But the two they have fit their needs.

To have Merrett come in with depth in midfield, if anyone thought they had vulnerability it was probably there. Then another goal-kicking threat in Ben King; he probably doesn’t need to be the 70 a year, with Jack Gunston and Mitch Lewis and Mabior Chol.

How is Calsher Dear going to get a game? The fact they converted him to convince him to stay… and buy into what they're about, says they have got them all believing that they are on the cusp of something special.

GOLD: Western Bulldogs

EDMUND: The Dogs get the gold medal, any time you get the best layer in you have to be in the conversation but more that butters, the have added Jordon Butts which is a massive box tick.

Rory Lobb can settle down back they have ruck relief in Hudson O'Keeffe, Finn Maginness comes in they get Sam Darcy back. They are the biggest winner of the trade period for me.

VOSS: Not only what they have brought in but it’s the impact it has elsewhere; we have spoken about the midfield with Butters, Bont and Richards and what that becomes, but if we go to defence and they have had a structural issue there for a while. They're an assertive defence but they have lacked that big guy, they have had to play above their weight.

By having that big man there it has a ripple effect. A simple trade like O’Keefe - which cost very little maybe a future fourth – the gaping hole when English wasn’t playing, to have him come in is a great impact.

Now they have flexibility with Lobb. The gaping hole which made it hard for the midfield, disappears.

Sam Darcy comes back, he is a bonafide star that they have missed. All of a sudden there's not as much stress on the small forwards. The flow on effect of this is significant. That’s why they get the gold medal.