Matthew Lloyd ranks $1.7m star as free agent to have biggest impact in 2026
We've seen a number of free agents sign with new clubs already, with the headliners clearly Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni to St Kilda, Sam Draper to Brisbane, James Worpel to Geelong and the looming move of Oscar Allen to Brisbane.
Of these, Essendon great Matthew Lloyd believes De Koning is capable of having the most impact on his new club in 2026.
Carlton received pick nine as compensation, with the Saints offering the ruckman a contract worth $1.7m per season.
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Tom De Koning of the Blues celebrates a goal. Getty
"I think of all of those, only one who moves the needle where you can jump maybe four spots on the ladder or something like that and that's De Koning," Lloyd told Nine's The Trade Off.
"I know he didn't have the best year, but he might have struggled to handle the pressure. I know Max Gawn said he can be the best ruck in the game.
"I think De Koning could really improve St Kilda. Silvagni is a role player, Worpel is a role player, Brody Mihocek is a role player now as good as he has been, and Draper still hasn't done a heap at AFL level, despite the way he's spoken about and coming back from the Achilles injury."
Melbourne is set to trade for Mihocek rather than sign him as a free agent, to not affect the compensation pick they received for the departing Charlie Spargo.
The Saints are the busiest team in this year's trade period. They're set to land the likes of Sam Flanders from Gold Coast, Leek Aleer from GWS and potentially Liam Ryan from West Coast.
But they will now lose ruckman Rowan Marshall, who has requested a trade to Geelong given De Koning has taken his spot.
Lloyd believes it makes sense, and doesn't see how De Koning and Marshall could play together.
Rowan Marshall wrestles with Todd Goldstein in a ruck contest. Getty
"Everyone out of St Kilda likes to say that Marshall is a forward and can play well as a forward. I've seen moments, but I certainly think he's a ruckman, not a forward," Lloyd said.
"I understand why he wants to leave St Kilda and when you bring all these players in on big money, you're always going to lose someone."
Marshall is contracted and the Cats will have to find a way to convince the Saints to let him go.
Geelong is in need of a starting ruckman, given Rhys Stanley is at the end of his career and youngster Toby Conway has not been able to get his body right.
