AFL NSW/ACT Player Watch – Free Agency and Trade Period
The AFL Free Agency and Trade Period is in full swing, so AFL NSW/ACT provides you with an update on all local talent heading into this year’s national draft, which is set to take place in the second week of December.
ZAC WILLIAMS
Narrandera’s Zac Williams is officially a Carlton player after the GIANTS elected not to match the Blues’ bid for the restricted free agent.
The 26-year-old played his junior football for the Narrandera Eagles, joining the GIANTS Academy at the age of 15.
He was selected with pick 54 in the 2013 rookie draft, becoming the first GIANTS Academy graduate to play senior AFL when he made his debut in round 5, 2013.
The speedy half back played 113 games for GWS and joins Carlton on a lucrative six-year deal.
ISAAC SMITH
Hailing from Cootamundra, Smith, a veteran of 210 games and three premierships with Hawthorn, will chase a fourth premiership down the highway at GMHBA Stadium in 2021.
In a stunning move to begin free agency last Friday, the 31-year-old exercised his rights as an unrestricted free agent to join Geelong on a two-year-deal.
Taken at Pick 19 as a mature age recruit in the 2010 National Draft, Smith debuted in Round 7 of the following year and played a pivotal role in Hawthorn’s three-peat success.
Hawthorn received a third-round compensation pick (currently No.42) in return.
Elsewhere, key forward Jesse Hogan will continue his career at a third AFL club after joining the GIANTS on a one-year contract.
The 25-year-old kicked 152 goals from 71 matches during his stint with Melbourne before joining Fremantle in 2018.
Hogan played 19 games for Fremantle and joins the GIANTS in exchange for pick No.54, which GWS received from West Coast for small forward Zac Langdon.
The GIANTS now hold draft picks 10, 30, 43, 51, 73 and 87.
The Sydney Swans, who are yet to make any movement in free agency or the trade period hold picks 3, 22, 54, 56 and 76.
What are the key player movement dates?
October 30-November 6: AFL Free Agency Period
November 4-12: AFL Trade Period
November 20: List Lodgement No.1
November 27: List Lodgement No.2
November 30: AFL Draft Nominations close
w/c December 7: NAB AFL Draft and Rookie Draft (exact date to be confirmed)
Mid-December: Final List Lodgment & TPP estimates
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