Top-five pick must ‘find a way out’; why trade west makes sense: 14 fringe players in rivals’ sights

We’ve hit the run home to the 2025 season, which means it’s crunch time for not only many teams, but several players around the league struggling for consistent AFL opportunities.

A move to a rival club during the off-season, however, could reinvigorate their careers.

In the latest episode of the Midweek Tackle digital-only show ‘Tackle The Headline’, Herald Sun reporters Lauren Wood, Glenn McFarlane and Jon Ralph assess 14 fringe players that could be in the sights of rival clubs.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

Henry Hustwaite (Hawthorn)

Glenn McFarlane says: “There’ll be some interest in him for sure. As we know, he pleaded with Sam Mitchell for a little bit of extra game time (in a pre-season documentary) … and when Will Day went out, there was an expectation he (Hustwaite) would be back and get in there a little bit more. But he was always one of the first out, subbed out of the game really quickly. I think he’ll get an opportunity, there’s enough spruik around him that he could get that (chance at another team).”

Sam Frost (Hawthorn)

Jon Ralph says: “If he’d gone to Sydney, he’d be playing on Sam Darcy … and he probably would’ve played every game all the way up to that. He’s got to find himself a new home.”

Who will Blues target in trade period? | 03:55

Jai Serong (Hawthorn)

Glenn McFarlane says: “He hasn’t played since that final last year. He’s one of the ones you’d think would get a role (at another club).”

Jon Ralph says: “He’s a beautiful kick, probably a third tall … but he’s someone who needs to get a start. You’ve just got to move out of a club that’s already got you two or three back in pecking order.”

Elijah Tsatas (Essendon)

Jon Ralph says: ‘When he does get in (to the Bombers’ AFL team), he plays as a flanker. He played against Adelaide and had those seven clearances. He looked electric, he looked so fantastic. My message to you, Elijah Tsatas: Find a way out of that football club. You need to find somewhere that values you.’ I understand they did a lot of work with him through David Rath on his kicking efficiency. He might not be an amazing kick, but he’s a clearance beast. Now Sam Durham is about to come back into that side, Will Setterfield – who’s only 27 – is playing great football and maybe does things off the ball that’s better than Elijah Tsatas. But he’s a Pick 5, he absolutely has talent and you’ve got to find a club – wherever that is, whether that’s North Melbourne or Richmond – that would say: ‘We value you and we’ll give you some elite centre square opportunities.’”

Dylan Shiel (Essendon)

Jon Ralph says: “It’s really hard, because he’s not going to be at a contender and then clubs at the bottom of the ladder – like Richmond, North Melbourne, West Coast – probably want to blood their own kids. That’s the real challenge for those players who are 32 and 33. He’s been a very good player, but right now he’s just not in Essendon’s plans.”

Jedd Busslinger of the Bulldogs. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Jedd Busslinger (Western Bulldogs)

Jon Ralph says: “I think of a club like West Coast and say: ‘Why wouldn’t they have a crack at Jedd Busslinger?’ He is contracted until next year. He came into that side, played on Jesse Hogan and did a fantastic job. Then he played as the sub the next week and got something like 30 minutes – and then even when they needed another key-position defender, Ryan Gardner came in ahead of him. He’s a first-round pick, I know the Western Bulldogs think he’s got some real potential there – but they’re not showing they believe in him by their selection decisions. If I was West Coast, they’re bringing in some young, elite kids, they’ve just lost Jeremy McGovern, I think he’d fit really nicely into their back six.”

Riley Garcia (Western Bulldogs)

Jon Ralph says: “It’s hard to find midfield time there. Obviously Adam Treloar has gone out (with injury), but he’s had 38 and 39 possessions in his only two (VFL) games coming back from injury. He just signed a three-year deal, so the Dogs would say ‘you’re going nowhere’. But I think some clubs like Port Adelaide and West Coast, who were really pushing hard for him, would think: ‘He’s probably even a better player a year on.’”

Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)

Glenn McFarlane says: “He’s determined to play on, I can tell you that. He’s desperate to play on. It’s the hardest side to break into at the moment, Collingwood, they’ve got such depth … He’s had the body issues, he thinks he’s been able to get on top of that now. His form has been modest, there’s been some good games in the VFL and there’s been some average games. But we know he’s experienced, we know he could come back in the back-end of the season to give himself a real crack. Is he going to get there? It’s lineball I reckon at this stage … Would he go somewhere else? He’d love to stay at Collingwood if the opportunities were there.”

Drama ahead of Roos' 100-year night | 03:16

Connor Budarick (Gold Coast Suns)

Jon Ralph says: “They (the Suns) have got five elite half-backs at the moment. Connor Budarick had a magnificent pre-season, they’ve pushed him onto a wing and he’s getting some gametime there. I think some Victorian clubs would say: ‘We really like him as that running half-back, he makes elite decisions, he’s got a nice step.’”

Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast Suns)

Jon Ralph says: “Another one who’s played a lot of time in the VFL and he’s playing on the other wing.”

Alex Davies (Gold Coast Suns)

Jon Ralph says: “He’s a real bull-at-the-gate midfielder, they got him from their Cairns zone but he’s not playing regular (AFL) football. Some clubs might like that ballistic midfielder who’s got some upside.”

Malcolm Rosas (Gold Coast Suns)

Jon Ralph says: “He’ll be elsewhere. They gave him some tough love and tried to shop him around over the last off-season to try and spark him into greater professionalism. He’ll move on.”

Butters speaks on trade request rumours | 02:23

Lloyd Johnston (Gold Coast Suns)

Jon Ralph says: “He’s not getting a game right now. Some people would say he’s got as much talent as anyone in the league, (but) still working through his professionalism.”

Ned Moyle (Gold Coast Suns)

Jon Ralph says: “He’s stuck behind Jarrod Witts, but he signed that four-year deal. Gold Coast’s view is: ‘You’ve signed it knowing you might have to wait, there’s no way we’ll trade you at the end of this season.”

Click here to read article