The 2026 AFL trade and free agency period is complete. Some teams improved, some have stagnated, and others, well, seemed to have gotten worse.
READ: Every player move from the 2026 off-season
Here's how every team fared over the last two weeks:
Adelaide
Incoming: N/A
Outgoing: Jordon Butts, Luke Pedlar
2026 draft selections: 15, 32, 35, 43, 56, 92
I'm not sure what the Crows' gameplan was this trade and free agency period, but it's fair to say the club sat on its hands and did next to nothing. Losing key defender Jordon Butts to the Bulldogs obviously weakens them, while just one draft selection inside the top 30 is unlikely to provide much immediate support. Adelaide's list profile remains fine, and maybe they will surprise us all in 2027, but you just get the sense so many other clubs have passed them by over the last two weeks.
Grade: F
Brisbane
Incoming: N/A
Outgoing: Lachie Neale, Sam Marshall, Will McLachlan, Keidean Coleman
2026 draft selections: 21, 27, 28, 45, 79, 97
The Lions were the biggest winners of last year's off-season (and season!), but this year was a different story. All year it seemed a formality they would lose the services of dual Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale, who ultimately signed with Collingwood as a free agent. They also waved goodbye to Keidean Coleman and Sam Marshall, two players who had struggled to crack the best 23 of late. No picks inside the top 20 would be concerning for 17 other clubs, but the Lions still have so much young talent at their disposal and are primed to challenge again in 2027.
Grade: C-
Carlton
Incoming: Joel Amartey, Lachie Whitfield
Outgoing: Hudson O'Keeffe, Flynn Riley
2026 draft selections: 13, 18, 31, 50, 61, 72, 90
The Blues addressed two areas of weakness this off-season. The addition of free agent Joel Amartey provides spearhead Harry McKay with a stable forward line partner, while the Lachie Whitfield signing offers run, experience, and a kick-first option off halfback, the perfect piece to fit into Josh Fraser's system. Carlton really didn't give up much to land Whitfield, either. And barring Essendon taking a stab at talented father-son prospect Cody Walker with pick No. 1, the club has also ensured it has enough draft capital to match any bids that will come for him.
Grade: A
Collingwood
Incoming: Lachie Neale, Jesse Hogan, Flynn Riley
Outgoing: Scott Pendlebury
2026 draft selections: 11, 30, 67, 68, 70, 88
The Magpies had been crying out for a true inside midfielder, and they landed arguably the best in the competition in Lachie Neale. The two-time Brownlow Medal winner is an elite ball winner and clearance player, and should perfectly complement superstar Nick Daicos. Collingwood also signed Jesse Hogan, a man that won the Coleman Medal just two years ago, and gave up virtually nothing for him. The loss of champion Scott Pendlebury obviously stings, but you have to feel this club is in a stronger position now than it was two weeks ago.
Grade: A
Essendon
Incoming: Jack Bowes, Keidean Coleman
Outgoing: Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley
2026 draft selections: 1, 17, 25, 80
Former skipper Zach Merrett finally got his wish of a fresh start at the Hawks, while fellow experienced player Jordan Ridley also departs the club for the Cats. The additions of Jack Bowes and Keidean Coleman are fine, but are either going to be difference makers in a side that's been languishing at the bottom of the ladder for several years? I'm not so sure. The only saving grace for the Bombers is that they hold pick No. 1. They simply have to make the most of that selection.
Grade: D
Fremantle
Incoming: Dom Bedendo
Outgoing: Nathan O'Driscoll
2026 draft selections: 19, 40, 60, 63, 78, 96
The Dockers were incredibly quiet during the trade and free agency window, but that's not exactly a bad thing. Remember, if not for Will Ashcroft and Logan Morris, Fremantle win the 2026 premiership. There was absolutely no reason for the Dockers to panic and overpay for someone after their Grand Final heartbreak, instead, this club, with its plethora of youth and talent, should feel as if it can contend for years to come. Trust the process and go again in 2027.
Grade: C
Geelong
Incoming: Toby Greene, Jordan Ridley, Rowan Marshall
Outgoing: Jack Bowes
2026 draft selections: 36, 57, 62, 75, 93
Every year the Cats just find a way to bring big names through the door, and 2026 was no exception. Rowan Marshall was tipped to join 12 months ago and finally makes the move from St Kilda to bolster the club's ruck stocks. Toby Greene adds class, experience, and unrivalled goal-kicking nous to the forward line. Jordan Ridley is a stable and still wildly underrated defensive asset. The best part? To land this trio the club only had to give up midfield depth piece Jack Bowes, and some draft capital. They won't be much of a feature at the upcoming draft, but they don't have to be. These Cats are in win-now mode.
Grade: A
Gold Coast Suns
Incoming: Scott Pendlebury, Aidan Schubert, Sam Butler
Outgoing: Ben King
2026 draft selections: 8, 85
Scott Pendlebury might be a champion of the game, but there's no denying the Suns just got worse. The addition of 38-year-old Pendlebury doesn't outweigh the seismic loss of spearhead Ben King, a man who has booted 230 goals over the last four seasons. How do they replace him? Perhaps it's the incoming Aidan Schubert, but he's years away from having a real impact. Making matters worse, it seems Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell is likely to request a trade back to Victoria at the end of next season. This club is in a real precarious spot right now. A penny for Christian Petracca's thoughts...
Grade: C-
GWS Giants
Incoming: N/A
Outgoing: Toby Greene, Kieren Briggs, Jesse Hogan, Lachie Whitfield
2026 draft selections: 9, 20, 26, 59, 77, 86
Just two years ago Toby Greene, Kieren Briggs, Jesse Hogan, and Lachie Whitfield were probably four of the Giants' most important players. None of them remain at the club after an action-packed trade and free agency window, with GWS instead opting to clear out and trust the youth underneath. It's a move that will either make the Giants look like geniuses or total fools, but even those who are incredibly bullish about the approach would concede there is likely to be some pain on the immediate horizon.
Grade: D
Hawthorn
Incoming: Zach Merrett, Ben King, Josh Goater
Outgoing: Finn Maginness, Aidan Schubert, Sam Butler, Bodie Ryan
2026 draft selections: 29, 37, 71, 94
The Hawks should probably be the 2027 flag favourites after a whirlwind two weeks that's seen them finally land former Essendon skipper Zach Merrett, as well as Ben King. Merrett adds depth, experience, and A-grade ball use to Hawthorn's midfield group, while King provides a focal point in attack, taking the burden off the ageing Jack Gunston. Sure, Hawthorn gave up some depth, but their best 23 has improved out of sight and they still have draft collateral over the next few years to ensure talent keeps coming through the door.
Grade: A+
Melbourne
Incoming: Zane Duursma, Will McLachlan, Bodie Ryan
Outgoing: Jack Viney, Trent Rivers
2026 draft selections: 4, 14, 48, 52
Just about everyone panicked when the Demons farewelled premiership heroes Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver last year, and look how that turned out. This club seems to have a plan for the future and it isn't prepared to compromise on what it wants. Melbourne has nailed its draft picks in recent times and with selections four and 14 this year, you'd expect two more highly talented prospects to join the ranks. Who knows if Zane Duursma will work out, but they've landed him for a fraction of what the Kangaroos gave up at the draft three years ago. It's a low risk punt worth taking.
Grade: C
North Melbourne
Incoming: Nick Blakey
Outgoing: Zane Duursma, Josh Goater
2026 draft selections: 33, 49, 66, 74, 84
Credit to the Kangaroos, they finally landed a big name. The only problem is I'm not sure Nick Blakey is the superstar many are claiming. There's no doubt Blakey will add drive and dash off halfback, but is he the player you look to in the closing stages of a tight game? North also gave up a truckload of future draft capital to get him through the door which will hurt them in the coming years. And then there's the Zane Duursma fiasco. Losing a player the club invested pick No. 4 in just three years ago is an unmitigated disaster. With no selections inside the top 30 this year, it will be a rare draft without the Roos being a major player.
Grade: C+
Port Adelaide
Incoming: Luke Pedlar
Outgoing: Zak Butters
2026 draft selections: 7, 12, 22, 24, 34, 46, 65
You're never going to feel great when a player of Zak Butters' class and calibre walks out the door, but the silver lining for Port Adelaide is that Dougie Cochrane should be set to walk back in. The academy talent is the consensus best player in the upcoming draft and the Power are in a position to match any bids on their man. Expect Port to be heavily involved in the draft over the next couple of years as they look to rebuild around the likes of Cochrane, Connor Rozee, and Jason Horne-Francis.
Grade: B
Richmond
Incoming: Kieren Briggs, Nathan O'Driscoll
Outgoing: N/A
2026 draft selections: 2, 5, 44, 81
The Tigers found Toby Nankervis' successor in Kieren Briggs, who crosses from the Giants as a free agent. That's a nice win. Nathan O'Driscoll was unable to find a place in Fremantle's best team of late but should receive far more opportunity in the black and yellow jumper in 2027. Richmond has two more picks inside the top five, though they are likely to be shuffled down a few spots with bid matching on Dougie Cochrane and Cody Walker, and they simply must nail them. Even still, this side will remain incredibly young in 2027.
Grade: C
St Kilda
Incoming: Sam Marshall
Outgoing: Rowan Marshall
2026 draft selections: 10, 16, 41, 51, 69, 87
The Saints went all-in last year, signing Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Liam Ryan, and Sam Flanders. They weren't nearly as busy this off-season, and few expected them to be. Long-time ruck Rowan Marshall departs the club for the Cats, while Sam Marshall joins and should bolster their midfield stocks. Outside of that, St Kilda will be hoping to cash in with their two first round draft selections. If not, it could spell the end of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's tenure. This team wouldn't want to be starting 2027 slowly...
Grade: C
Sydney Swans
Incoming: N/A
Outgoing: Joel Amartey, Nick Blakey
2026 draft selections: 6, 38, 39, 47, 54, 76, 95
Two best 23 players departed the Swans this past fortnight with halfback Nick Blakey being traded to the Kangaroos and key forward Joel Amartey signing with the Blues as a free agent. Don't forget, Callum Mills is unlikely to suit up for the entire year after suffering an ACL injury during this year's finals campaign. That's three best 23 players to replace! Who knows what's happening with Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner? Swans fans will be praying for a hit with pick No. 6 at the upcoming draft to soften the blow.
Grade: C-
West Coast Eagles
Incoming: Jack Viney, Trent Rivers
Outgoing: N/A
2026 draft selections: 3, 23, 58, 64, 73, 82
It's clear the Eagles don't want to take the same approach as the Tigers and rely solely on the kids. Instead, they're continuing to add experienced pieces around their young talent in an effort to ease the rebuild and avoid a nosedive in morale. Jack Viney and Trent Rivers add premiership experience to the club and they haven't had to give up too much to get them. West Coast will feature prominently at November's draft with pick No. 3, 23, as well as a compensation pick in the likely scenario that the club's first selection is pushed back by a bid.
Grade: C+
Western Bulldogs
Incoming: Jordon Butts, Finn Maginness, Hudson O'Keeffe, Zak Butters
Outgoing: N/A
2026 draft selections: 42, 53, 55, 83, 89, 91
The Bulldogs now possess the most dynamic midfield trio in the game with Zak Butters joining skipper Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards in the red, white, and blue. It's a marquee signing for Luke Beveridge's team that simply has to put them into premiership contention. Jordon Butts also joins the club and will bolster what's traditionally been a weaker defensive unit. Don't forget about key forward star Sam Darcy, who will return from a season-ending ACL injury.
Grade: A+