Which AFL clubs won the trade period and why the compromised drafts played a huge part
The 2026 AFL trade period saw significant movement, with 30 players switching clubs and a focus on high-quality talent rather than fringe players. Analysts are evaluating which teams successfully positioned themselves for future success through these trades.
Why it matters
Professional sports trade periods are critical for team development and long-term competitive strategy in the AFL.
Geelong acquired Rowan Marshall and was one of the big winners of the teams that are looking for a "win now" approach. ( Getty Images: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos )
Link copied Share Share article If footballing dreams are lived out in September, they are first shaped in October and November.
If you nail an off-season it can set you up for years to come. If you stumble it can hurt for even longer.
The 2026 off-season class was one of rare quality. Instead of list-cloggers and fringe players that sometimes monopolise trade chatter, this year's crop is full of proven stars .
Lachie Neale, Scott Pendlebury, Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene, Zak Butters, Rowan Marshall and Ben King all found new clubs, among a host of others. It would be hard to find a trade period with a better combined resume than the one we've just seen.
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