Crystal Ballers: Where will these players be in 2027?

The SEN Fireball crew are doing some crystal balling.

The question: Where will these players be in 2027?

Tom Morris was quizzed by David King and Kane Cornes on several players who are being linked with possible moves this coming trade period.

Morris said: “I want to preface this by saying I don’t know 100 per cent.

“This is a risky segment.”

Crystal Ballers - player movement

Zak Butters (Port Adelaide): “Western Bulldogs is my tip for Zak Butters,” said Morris.

Zac Bailey (Brisbane): “Adelaide is my tip for Zac Bailey.”

Ben King (Gold Coast): “Still hasn’t signed, it’s so interesting. But Gold Coast.

“No one knows (why it’s taking so long to re-sign), it’s very interesting. I don’t think anyone will come for him late, they’re not haggling over money, it’s lifestyle. Does he want to live in Melbourne? Or be on the Gold Coast with his partner?”

Lachie Neale (Brisbane): “It’s very hard for me to say when he hasn’t even made his mind up yet. I think Collingwood.

“From a family perspective (going back to Perth make sense), but he wants to play in a premiership. I think Collingwood offers more of a chance of that than West Coast for example, and Freo don’t necessarily need him.

“Adelaide are a chance, absolutely.”

Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn): “I think he stays at the Hawks.”

Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood): “I think Pendles is a really good chance to retire.

“Especially if Collingwood don’t play finals and he’s sore. Nobody would begrudge him for retiring.

“It would be a brave coach to say you need to retire. That would be a very brave call for Collingwood to make.”

Toby Greene (GWS): “I think he stays at the Giants. Three-year deal, franchise player, if they finish the season well…

“Comes home after his contract finishes.”

King added: “I think he’ll be at the Cats.”

Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne): “He wants four years at Melbourne. If they can’t give him four years then everything is on the table.

“I’m going to say stay for the moment.”

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong): “Goes on again at the Cats, I reckon.”

Patrick Cripps (Carlton): “Cripps stays at Carlton.

“The big question mark is in 18 months’ time.”