The first official day of the AFL Trade Period is upon us!

After months and months of speculation, all signs point towards 2025 being one of the biggest and busiest trade periods in recent memory.

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Free agency began on Friday and four players have already found new homes for 2026 in Tom De Koning (St Kilda), Jack Silvagni (St Kilda), Sam Draper (Brisbane) and James Worpel (Geelong).

But there are three genuine A graders who could be on the move across the next 10 days including Carlton’s Charlie Curnow, Essendon’s Zach Merrett and Melbourne’s Christian Petracca.

It’s been reported that Curnow will seek a fresh start away from the Melbourne bubble and has been linked with both Sydney and Geelong as potential destinations.

However, Carlton has made its position extremely clear, he’s not for sale, but could he force his way out?

“Our position on Charlie has been pretty clear for quite some time now,” Head of List Management Nick Austin told Carlton Media.

“We had a really honest conversation with Charlie at the end of the season and again, every decision we make is in the best interests of the Carlton Football Club,” he said.

“He’s had a chance to go away over the break and have a bit of a refresh, but we fully expect him to be a Carlton player in 2026.”

Austin confirmed the club is progressing in trade discussions to bring three players into their fold including West Coast’s Campbell Chesser, Fremantle’s Liam Reidy and Western Bulldogs swingman Buku Khamis.

The club is well placed to match a bid for father-son youngster Harry Dean at the National Draft, while Jack Ison is an Academy talent who could also add some excitement to their list.

Draper leaves Essendon for Lions | 00:20

“It’s an opportunity for us to refresh our list in a lot of ways… it’s been a challenging year but we feel like the competition is extremely close. We’ve lived the highs and lows of that closeness over the last few years and I guess looking forward, it’s an opportunity for our guys to come together, work really hard,” Austin said.

“We got some feedback this year that there’s a bit of a gap that we need to close, so I guess making some changes and refreshing it all and bringing it together come day 1 of pre-season.”

Cameron pips Daicos for Pies B&F | 01:43

Elsewhere, Essendon captain Zach Merrett appears determined to make a move to arch rivals Hawthorn, despite being contracted until the end of 2027.

Merrett became a six-time best and fairest winner earlier this month and is chasing September success with the rising Hawks, although like the Blues and Curnow, the Bombers believe Merrett will be playing in the red and black next year.

Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca has nominated the Gold Coast Suns as his preferred trade destination as the Dees and Suns begin brokering a deal for one of the competition’s biggest stars.

Elsewhere, Gold Coast’s Sam Flanders wants to become a Saint, Rowan Marshall has requested a trade to Geelong and Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver has been told to explore his options.

‘Maybe a few more 16 disposal games!’ | 00:22

West Coast Eagles skipper Oscar Allen has his eye on joining the reigning premiers, while Judd McVee, Brody Mihocek, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Callum Ah Chee could all be playing in different colours next year.

There are plenty of other moves set to happen during what looms as a blockbuster trade period.