A snapshot of the big deals set to shape the 2022 AFL trade period, led by North Melbourne No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis requesting a trade to South Australia.

JASON HORNE-FRANCIS (NORTH MELBOURNE)

The No.1 draft pick from 2021 rocked the Kangaroos on the eve of the trade period by requesting a move back to South Australia. Given Adelaide’s pursuit of Izak Rankine, Port Adelaide appear in the box seat to land Horne-Francis. The Kangaroos are expected to ask for a king’s ransom in exchange for the bullocking young midfielder, if they let him go.

JOSH DUNKLEY (WESTERN BULLDOGS)

Dunkley wants to join Brisbane but the Lions will have to negotiate hard to make it happen. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said Brisbane will need to “pony up” for the gun midfielder, who is coming off a best-and-fairest season. The Bulldogs are expected to demand two first-round draft picks for Dunkley, who wants to head north for lifestyle reasons.

LUKE JACKSON (MELBOURNE)

The premiership ruckman is returning to Western Australia and is expected to land at Fremantle. The deal appears unlikely to get done early though, as the Dockers do not have a great draft hand and are likely to need to shift players like Griffin Logue (North Melbourne), Blake Acres (Carlton) and potentially Rory Lobb (Bulldogs) to get some of the currency they need. West Coast do not appear to be in the picture.

BRODIE GRUNDY (COLLINGWOOD)

Two-time All-Australian Grundy is set to head to Melbourne as the Magpies attempt to relieve their own salary cap pressure. How much Collingwood get for Grundy is expected to depend on what proportion of the ruckman’s salary Melbourne are willing to pay. This deal is unlikely to get done until Luke Jackson’s move west is sealed. 

TIM TARANTO, JACOB HOPPER (GWS)

Both GWS midfielders want to get to Richmond, who are keen to refresh their on-ball brigade, but their deals are expected to be handled separately, as Taranto is out of contract while Hopper has a deal with the Giants for next year. The pair could potentially squeeze out premiership Tiger Jack Graham, who recently toured Port Adelaide.

IZAK RANKINE (GOLD COAST)

Rankine wants to get to his hometown of Adelaide and it seems inevitable the Crows’ pick No.5 will be involved. The super-talented forward, who could also move into the midfield, will be Adelaide’s main focus this trade period.

JACK BOWES (GOLD COAST)

Gold Coast need to clear salary-cap space and shifting the final two years of Bowes’ heavily back-ended contract is one way they can manage that. The Suns will reportedly package their pick No.7 with Bowes to a club keen to take the rebounding defender’s salary off their books. Geelong, Essendon and Hawthorn are among those interested.