Search

show me:

Trading places provides an AFL lifeline

3 minute read

A batch of injury-prone footballers have this season rekindled their AFL careers after being traded from their original clubs.

GARY ROHAN poses during a Sydney Swans AFL portrait session in Sydney, Australia.
GARY ROHAN poses during a Sydney Swans AFL portrait session in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

THE BEST OF THE AFL'S TRADES IN 2019

Here's some of the footballers who have rejuvenated their AFL careers at new clubs in the 2019 season, defying their wretched medical history to flourish.

GARY ROHAN (Geelong from Sydney)

A broken leg, hamstring woes, concussions, fractured hand and personal tragedy - the death of his daughter - Rohan copped rotten luck in his nine years and 106 games for Sydney. The Cats traded pick 39 for him at last years draft and he's been a revelation with 16 goals from all seven games in the blue-and-white hoops.

TOM SCULLY (Hawthorn from GWS)

The top pick at the 2009 draft departed the Giants after a horror ankle injury restricted him to just one game last season. GWS also were suffering a salary cap squeeze and the Hawks swooped, giving up just a 2019 fourth-round draft pick. Has played six games for Hawthorn, averaging 21 disposals, with most believing his best is yet to come.

LINCOLN McCARTHY (Brisbane from Geelong)

Left the Cats after a wretched run with injuries restricted him to just three senior games in the past two seasons - last year was ruined him hamstring complaints. After only 29 games in seven seasons in Geelong, has played every game for the Lions so far to rekindle his career.

JORDAN ROUGHEAD (Collingwood from Western Bulldogs)

After playing every game - 25 of them - in the Bulldogs' premiership year of 2016, Roughead managed the same amount of matches in the following two seasons. After falling out of favour, the Dogs traded him to Collingwood in return for pick 78 which now appears an outright steal, given he's played all seven games this season and been a mainstay in the Magpie defence.

REECE CONCA (Fremantle from Richmond)

Never got going at Richmond after being recruited with pick six in the 2010 draft. A string of ailments including groin, foot and recurring hamstring problems. The Perth native played 18 games for the Tigers last season before being traded back home as an unrestricted free agent and has been solid in all seven games for the Dockers this season.

DEAN KENT (St Kilda from Melbourne)

The Demons off-loaded Kent for pick no.59 after he played just 11 games in the past two injury-ruined seasons - including a shoulder injury in the last home-and-away game last season which ruled him out of the finals. Has played all seven games for the Saints, the best of them against his former club when he kicked three goals.

JACK HOMBSCH (Gold Coast from Port Adelaide)

Was highly-valued at Port before knee, hip and groin injuries curtailed his output and he fell below others in the pecking order of Power defenders. The Suns gave up just a future fourth-round draft pick to secure the versatile backman and he has played every game for Gold Coast this season.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au