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Bickley: A mid-season trade period would only favour Victorian clubs
Connor Scanlon • May 28th, 2025 12:42 pm
AFL great Mark Bickley has thrown shade on the idea of a mid-season trade period, warning it would unfairly favour Victorian clubs.
His comments came after Collingwood coach Craig McRae heavily endorsed the concept, arguing it would help struggling teams, boost fan engagement, and grow the game overall.
McRae told reporters: “I think there’s opportunities out there for the competition to keep growing.
“You look at Essendon who don’t have keys (position players) at the moment, they could benefit from a trade period where someone at another club is potentially not getting a game.
“I keep bringing it up every year. I think it will create urgency and energy for teams who aren’t fighting at the top of the ladder.
“Fans would like it and it gives you (the media) more stories to talk about.”
But speaking on SEN SA Breakfast, two-time Adelaide premiership captain Bickley said the logistics of a mid-season trade period aren’t that simple.
“This is where it's so complex,” Bickley said.
“It's fine for Craig McRae with his Collingwood team because (at) Collingwood a bloke might live in Collingwood and he's not getting a game, and he says, ‘Well I might go and play for Essendon’.
“Well, guess what?
“He didn't have to move house. He doesn't have to move his kids out of school.
“And so (for) Melbourne teams, it's absolutely fantastic.”
Bickley then highlighted how it would be nearly impossible for interstate clubs to try and lure Victorian players mid-season.
“But how about if you're the West Coast Eagles, and you're trying to convince someone from Collingwood to come and play for your team,” Bickley added.
“The (player is) saying, ‘Well, I don't want to move away from my family. I don't want to move my kids out of school’.
“So, it's very much geared around and advantageous to the Melbourne clubs.
“Because there's 10 teams in Melbourne that have a massive advantage over the interstate teams.”
As debate around the mid-season trade period heats up, Bickley’s warning adds another layer to what’s shaping as a major talking point for AFL decision-makers.
