There’s three days left in the AFL trade period – but still plenty to get done.
We’ve already seen ample movement across the opening week of a busy exchange window.
Like always, however, the biggest moves and real fireworks will come in the lead into the Wednesday 7.30pm buzzer.
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That includes a watch on the three superstars headlining the exchange window — Zach Merrett, Charlie Curnow and Christian Petracca — as suitors desperately try to get deals done.
Foxfooty.com.au runs through what every club still needs to get done ahead of the trade deadline.
ADELAIDE CROWS
It’s looking like Callum Ah Chee will be the 2025 minor premiers’ sole addition of the trade period. But getting a deal done with Brisbane has proven problematic, with Adelaide not willing to part with its first-round pick, No. 16, or a future first rounder. One issue is that Adelaide has no capital between that Pick 16 and its next selection, No. 48, with Ah Chee’s value realistically probably somewhere in that middle ground. But bare in mind the premiership Lion is out of contract and just turned 28. And so the Crows might need to get creative and find a way to reshuffle their draft hand, or a future second-rounder could be the key. They also had a good crack at Christian Petracca but missed out and even took a swing at Ryley Sanders.
Who’s already gone
Matt Crouch (retired), Brodie Smith (retired), Lachie Murphy, Harry Schoenberg, Kieran Strachan, Karl Gallagher
Who’s arrived: TBC
Current 2025 draft picks
16, 48, 55, 57, 73, 75
BRISBANE LIONS
Dom Ambrogio and his team would be sitting comfortable going into week two with the signatures of Sam Draper and Oscar Allen secured. While also getting a nice return for Brandon Starcevich — moving up from Pick 19 to Pick 16 and adding Pick 22, which will help them match a bid for academy player Daniel Anabelle that could come as early as in the top five. Brisbane’s main order of business now is getting the best possible return for Crows-bound Callum Ah Chee as it searches for a first-round pick. If they got Adelaide’s Pick 16, that could allow the Lions to draft Anabelle and another first-rounder in what would be a home run off-season. But the Crows haven’t been willing to pay that high a price. It could end up being a variety of pick swaps and/or involve future picks.
Who’s already gone: Sam Day (retired), Brandon Ryan (delisted), Darcy Craven (delisted), Oscar McInerney (retired), Brandon Starcevich (trade, West Coast Eagles)
Who’s arrived: Sam Draper (free agent, Essendon), Oscar Allen (free agency, West Coast)
Current 2025 draft picks
17, 23, 44, 45, 51, 56, 68, 79
Latest AFL draft whispers | 06:59
CARLTON
The busiest club of the trade period so far with three moves already done before the weekend. And they’re not finished yet. Carlton’s main priority from here is striking a deal for Western Bulldogs’ Buku Khamis. Khumus is contracted, but shouldn’t cost much more than Carlton’s Pick 54 or a future third-round pick. From there the Blues will sit back and wait and see what the best offer is they can get for Charlie Curnow. That looks most likely to come from Sydney with a package of picks and a player/s, with Will Hayward the name that keeps coming up. The Blues will also want sufficient draft points to match a bid potentially in the top 10 for father-son prospect Harry Dean. They might also want extra stock in next year’s draft for fellow father-son prospect Cody Walker, who could go as early Pick 1, when clubs will have to pay a higher price than ever before for father-son and academy players. The likes of Elijah Hollands and Mitch McGovern haven’t yet found new homes for 2026, with the potential for Carlton to reach an agreement with Hollands that releases him from his contract.
Who’s left: Sam Docherty (retired), Tom De Koning (free agent, St Kilda), Jack Silvagni (free agent, St Kilda), Orazio Fantasia (delisted), Harry Lemmey (delisted), Alex Cincotta (delisted), Corey Durdin (trade, Port Adelaide)
Who’s arrived: Liam Reidy (trade, Fremantle), Campbell Chesser (trade, West Coast), Ben Ainsworth (trade, Gold Coast)
Current 2025 draft picks
10, 22, 54, 67, 72
COLLINGWOOD
Rare to see the Pies’ outs very much exceed their ins in what’s been a quiet trade period after two aggressive off-seasons left them without a first-round pick. It hasn’t stopped Collingwood from exploring the market, but the club’s lack of draft capital meant they can’t go shopping for the big-name stars, while it also appears Craig McRae’s side has more of an eye on the future. That includes replenishing the midfield for life after Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, with Kangaroos skipper Jy Simpkin in the Pies’ sights after missing out on Clayton Oliver. North Melbourne’s reported asking price, however, is two-first round picks. Collingwood mightn’t even be willing to give one future first-rounder for the midfielder, who’s on a lucrative contract. Acquiring Jack Buller from Sydney should be more straightforward, potentially for a later pick. You sense the Pies are keen to preserve their future draft assets to ensure they have their full suite of picks available to have a crack at the likes of Zak Butters and Ben King.
Who’s left: Will Hoskin-Elliott (retired), Charlie Dean (delisted), Ash Johnson (delisted), Fin Macrae (delisted), Oleg Markov (delisted), Brody Mihocek (trade, Melbourne)
Who’s arrived: TBC
Current 2025 draft picks
39, 59, 61, 77
AFL trade week wrap | 03:36
ESSENDON
In an otherwise tumultuous off-season with talk of players wanting out, the Bombers are set to secure Gold Coast’s Brayden Fiorini. They now just need to organise a deal with the Suns, despite Fiorini being as free agent, so it doesn’t dilute Essendon’s compensation for Sam Draper’s departure. It’s believed the Bombers are keen to use future picks to get it done, but Gold Coast wants extra stock in this year’s draft for its academy players. Elsewhere, Essendon is the club that’s been most firmly linked to St Kilda’s Jack Steele, so don’t be surprised if that heats up in the coming days. Then of course, there’s the Zach Merrett situation bubbling away in the background. While there’s been no significant discussions between the Bombers and Hawks over Merrett, that should also pick up next week. But it feels like the most likely to deal to fall over, for Hawthorn will need to pony up in a trade with more than just the club’s Pick 9. So will the Hawks be prepared to go all in? Essendon is also believed to be keen to move further up in the first round in plans that could extend beyond the trade period.
Who’s left: Sam Draper (free agent, Brisbane), Dylan Shiel (delisted), Jye Menzie (delisted), Alwyn Davey Jnr (delisted), Jayden Laverde (delisted, GWS Giants), Todd Goldstein (delisted), Oskar Smartt (delisted)
Who’s arrived: TBC
Current 2025 draft picks
5, 6, 21, 27, 30
FREMANTLE
David Walls got most of his business done early, landing Judd McVee and sending Liam Reidy to Carlton within the first two days of the trade period. All that’s left is to strike a deal that will send Will Brodie to Port Adelaide, which shouldn’t cost much. Though the Power only have one 2025 draft selection, No. 49, right now. Dockers footy boss Joe Brierty said the club would look for a back-up ruckman to play behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy after Reidy’s departure. But that’s more likely to fill a rookie spot and something they’ll address post trade period.
Who’s left: Michael Walters (retired), Nat Fyfe (retired), Quinton Narkle (retired), Jack Delean (delisted), Odin Jones (delisted), James Aish (retired), Liam Reidy (trade, Carlton)
Who’s arrived: Judd McVee (trade, Melbourne)
Current 2025 draft picks
20, 47, 69
Can Marshall & TDK co-exist at Saints | 04:21
GEELONG
Charlie Curnow or Rowan Marshall? That’s the question hovering over the Cats are the grand finalists remain aggressive to load up again for 2026. The Cats haggled with St Kilda in negotiations for Marshall over whether they’d trade their 2025 first-round pick, which was Geelong’s preference, or a future first rounder. That standstill prompted the Cats to turn their attention to Curnow, offering up three first-round picks in each of the next three days in a package Carlton rejected. So it’s back to square one for Andrew Mackie and the team, but it feels near impossible to get both players. If Geelong isn’t prepared to trade players, like Mackie suggested, Marshall seems the more realistic target for now and you’d expect the Cats to revisit those conversations. No doubt Geelong would also be mindful of wanting to preserve its 2026 draft hand for a Zak Butters play.
Who’s left: Mitch Duncan (retired), Xavier Ivisic (delisted), Patrick Retschko (delisted)
Who’s arrived: James Worpel (free agent, Hawthorn)
Current 2025 draft picks
19, 40, 60, 78
GOLD COAST SUNS
A lot on for the Suns. Nothing more important than landing Christian Petracca in a trade with Melbourne that could centre around Gold Coast’s picks 7 and 8. But don’t expect Bailey Humphrey to be part of the deal, with Suns list boss Craig Cameron steadfast that the young gun is going nowhere, despite Humphrey expressing a desire to return to Victoria. If talks with Melbourne fall apart, Gold Coast could turn its attention to Sydney’s James Rowbottom. The balancing act for the Suns in a Petracca trade is to ensure it has enough leftover draft points for highly-rated academy prospects Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson, who could both receive bids inside the top five picks. There’s three other academy players tied to Gold Coast — Jai Murray, Koby Coulson and Beau Addinsall — but they mightn’t be able to get them all. The Suns will also look to strike a deal with Western Bulldogs for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, provided they commit to the troubled forward. Connor Budarick wants to go the other way and join the Dogs, so that could potentially tied together in the same deal. Gold Coast will also strike a deal to send to Brayden Fiorini to Essendon and potentially help bolster the Suns’ 2025 draft.
Who’s left: David Swallow (retired), Sean Lemmens (retired), Tom Berry (delisted), Lloyd Johnston (delisted), Alex Sexton (delisted), Malcolm Rosas Jnr (trade, Sydney), Sam Flanders (trade, St Kilda), Ben Ainsworth (trade, Carlton)
Who’s arrived: TBC
Current 2025 draft picks
7, 8, 15, 18, 29, 36, 52, 70, 74
Mihocek officially a Demon | 05:09
GWS GIANTS
The Giants still need to broker a trade with Melbourne for Clayton Oliver, but it should be relatively straightforward. Not only are the Demons reportedly set to pay a big chunk of Oliver’s annual wage — potentially as much as half — GWS is expected to secure the midfielder on the cheap in a trade in shrewd business from the club. Leek Aleer is likely to return to the Giants after St Kilda’s shock trade backflip, unless another suitor emerges for the out-of-contract defender over the coming days. The Giants have also committed to signing Jayden Laverde as a delisted free agent and the club has said it’ll honour that, regardless of if Aleer returns.
Who’s left: Callan Ward (retired), Lachlan Keeffe (retired), Josh Fahey (delisted), Jacob Wehr (free agent, Port Adelaide)
Who’s arrived: Jayden Laverde (will sign post-draft, delisted by Essendon)
Current 2025 draft picks
14, 35, 37
HAWTHORN
It’s operation get Zach Merrett in talks with Essendon expected to ramp up over the coming days. But how hard will the Hawks be willing to go to acquire the star midfielder? Pick 9 would be central to the deal, but clearly Hawthorn would need to throw more into the package for Essendon to even consider it. You’d think there would need to be at least another first-rounder and/or a player. The likes of Cameron Mackenzie and Mitch Lewis could are names that have been thrown up as potential options. The Hawks could try and open the deal up to more clubs, but it feels like one that could fall over. For unlike the Charlie Curnow and Christian Petracca trades, there’s been limited movement and you wonder if Hawthorn is going to be capable of reaching the asking price. Hawthorn also met with Bailey Humphrey but the Suns have been firm that the former Pick 6 isn’t available. So if the Hawks missed out on Merrett, the club might opt to hold its assets and reload to go big fish hunting again next year. They’ll also look to reach a deal with Sydney for Jai Serong as the young defender searches for more senior opportunities.
Who’s left: Luke Breust (retired), Sam Frost (delisted), Jasper Scaife (delisted), James Worpel (free agent, Geelong)
Who’s arrived: TBC
Current 2025 draft picks
9, 31, 43, 62, 76
Cats to offer huge package for Curnow | 00:57
MELBOURNE
Another club with a bit on its plate. Though after securing Brody Mihocek and Max Heath, the remaining moves revolve around players going out in deals that will bolster Melbourne’s draft hand, which is currently without a first-round pick. That’s set to change in a trade with Gold Coast for Christian Petracca. The Demons are eyeing the Suns’ picks 7 and 8, but they’d likely send other selections back. You sense Melbourne will keep asking the question of Bailey Humphrey too, given the Dees can utilise the Petracca leverage. But the Suns couldn’t have been more categoric this week in saying Humphrey isn’t available. The Demons will also progress talks with GWS for Clayton Oliver, but the return might be underwhelming, while there appears to have been limited interest in Steven May.
Who’s left: Marty Hore (delisted), Tom Fullarton (delisted), Oliver Sestan (delisted), Will Verrall (delisted), Kynan Brown (delisted), Jack Billings (delisted), Charlie Spargo (free agent, North Melbourne), Judd McVee (trade, Fremantle)
Who’s arrived: Max Heath (trade, St Kilda), Brody Mihocek (trade, Collingwood)
Current 2025 draft picks
24, 28, 42, 66, 71
NORTH MELBOURNE
It’s been a low-key trade period so far for the Kangaroos, with the signing of Charlie Spargo on the opening day of free agency their only move. Brady Rawlings said the club was weighing up interest in Leek Aleer after St Kilda’s trade backflip, but it’s unclear how keen North Melbourne actually is in the Giants defender. Collingwood has emerged as a suitor for Jy Simpkin after little movement around the Roos skipper’s trade plans. But hard to see a deal getting done unless North, who doesn’t have a first-round pick following last year’s pick swap with Richmond, lowers its reported asking price of two first rounders.
Who’s left: Eddie Ford (delisted), Kallan Dawson (delisted), Miller Bergman (delisted), Brynn Teakle (delisted)
Who’s arrived: Charlie Spargo (free agent, Melbourne)
Current 2025 draft picks
21, 22, 40, 58
St Kilda’s strongest line-up for 2026? | 02:55
PORT ADELAIDE
After securing Jacob Wehr as a free agent and Corey Durdin in a three-way trade with Carlton and Gold Coast, the Power will now look to bring in Fremantle’s Will Brodie. But a deal could be as cheap as a late pick not even currently on the board. The main priority for Port Adelaide has been trading out its picks into the 2026 draft, when they could have access to potential No. 1 pick Dougie Cochrane as a Next Generation Academy player. Port could yet dangle its Pick 49 to help facilitate other moves for clubs that want stock in this year’s draft.
Who’s left: Rory Atkins (retired), Travis Boak (retired), Ryan Burton (delisted), Jeremy Finlayson (delisted), Dylan Williams (delisted), Hugh Jackson (delisted), Lachie Charleson (delisted), Willie Rioli (retired), Jed McEntee (delisted)
Who’s arrived: Jacob Wehr (free agent, GWS Giants), Corey Durdin (trade, Carlton)
Current 2025 draft picks
49
RICHMOND
As quiet as quiet gets, having made no moves and with nothing obvious on the horizon after missing out on Malcolm Rosas Jnr. The Tigers are clearly promising the draft as part of a rebuild under Adem Yze. So the biggest question is what they do with picks 3 and 4 — their only currently selections — both in terms of which prospects they take and whether they explore splitting them up. But they can continue to assess if they want to trade their picks up to and during next month’s draft. Tylar Young has requested a trade to West Coast, so Richmond will try and facilitate that move next week.
Who’s left: Jacob Bauer (delisted), Mate Colina (delisted), Jacob Koschitzke (delisted), Jacob Blight (delisted)
Who’s arrived: TBC
Current 2025 draft picks
3, 4
Could the Hawks land Zach Merrett? | 03:06
ST KILDA
Well, the Saints sure have made noise this trade period. And could they have something else up their sleeve? One of the biggest stories has been the non-move for Leek Aleer in a stunning backflip after courting the Giants defender for two years. There’s talk the Saints pulled out of the deal because they didn’t want to send out any more future picks. But it could mean something else has come up St Kilda has shifted towards, with rumblings around Jordan Goey. Or the Saints simply couldn’t afford to bring in Aleer’s money in the end following a recruiting spree on Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan. And perhaps they expected to have more cap space available after Rowan Marshall talks with Geelong have stalled and there’s been no significant interest in Jack Steele. Just keep an eye on the Saints.
Who’s left: Jimmy Webster (retired), Zaine Cordy (delisted), Angus McLennan (delisted), Harry Boyd (delisted), Max Heath (trade, Melbourne)
Who’s arrived: Tom De Koning (free agent, Carlton), Jack Silvagni (free agent, Carlton), Sam Flanders (trade, Gold Coast), Liam Ryan (trade, West Coast)
Current 2025 draft picks
50, 65
SYDNEY SWANS
All eyes are on what package Sydney can come up with for Charlie Curnow in what shapes as one of the blockbuster moves of the trade period. Geelong’s offer of three-first round picks (albeit, three less valuable first rounders) was rejected by Carlton, so the Swans will need to come up with something better. They already have a higher first-round pick, Pick 11, and a future first-rounder is also believed to be on the table. At least one player will probably need to be involved too amid speculation around the likes of James Rowbottom, Will Hayward and Oliver Florent. It’s possible Sydney could get other clubs involved too or simply find a way to bolster its draft hand. Look poised to find a way to get the dual Coleman medallist. If that won’t keep Chris Keane and his team busy enough, Sydney still needs to land Jai Serong in a trade with Hawthorn and work through a deal that will send Jack Buller to Collingwood.
Who’s left: Robbie Fox (delisted), Caleb Mitchell (delisted), Ben Paton (delisted), Indhi Kirk (delisted), Blake Leidler (delisted), Aaron Francis (delisted)
Who’s arrived: Malcolm Rosas Jnr (trade, Gold Coast)
Current 2025 draft picks
11, 32, 63
What’s behind Saints’ Aleer backflip? | 02:39
WEST COAST EAGLES
After acquiring Brandon Starcevich in a trade that ensured West Coast’s Pick 2 compensation for Oscar Allen’s departure wasn’t diluted, the Eagles will now turn their attention to Tylar Young. The Tigers defender is out of contract and the Eagles could walk him to the pre-season draft if necessary, so he shouldn’t cost much in a trade. That might just do West Coast, unless it explores pick swaps. The Eagles are set to land another other target, Deven Robertson, for nothing, with the Lions midfielder set to be delisted.
Who’s left: Jeremy McGovern (medically retired), Dom Sheed (retired), Jayden Hunt (retired), Callum Jamieson (delisted), Jack Petruccelle (delisted), Loch Rawlinson (delisted), Oscar Allen (free agency, Brisbane), Liam Ryan (trade, St Kilda), Campbell Chesser (trade, Carlton)
Who’s arrived: Brandon Starcevich (trade, Brisbane Lions)
Current 2025 draft picks
1, 2, 13, 34, 38, 41, 53, 58
WESTERN BULLDOGS
A quiet trade period at Whitten Oval after failing to lure Callum Wilkie out of St Kilda. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan looks set to depart in a trade with Gold Coast, while the Dogs are pursuing Sun Connor Budarick, so those moves could get packaged together. The Dogs aren’t interested in Steven May or Leek Aleer as options to beef up their defence. They’ll look to orchestrate Buku Khamis’ trade request to Carlton, but they rebuffed Adelaide’s interest in Ryley Sanders. Among the Victorian clubs that will be trying to land Zak Butters in 12 months’ time, so the Dogs would want to protect, if not boost, their 2026 draft hand.
Who’s left: Taylor Duryea (retired), Liam Jones (delisted), Anthony Scott (delisted)
Who’s arrived: TBC
Current 2025 draft picks
12, 33