A Dockers ruckman wants to stay despite rival interest. Plus Essendon has made its move for a Cat, while the Hawks have their eye on a luckless Kangaroo.
Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!
Get the expert take on AFL Grand Final Day with FOX FOOTY’s pre-match, half-time and post-match coverage, plus full and mini replays available from 6PM AEST on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
‘CLUBS COMING’ FOR OUT-OF-FAVOUR RUCK, WHO WANTS TO STAY
Fremantle remains determined to retain ruck Sean Darcy amid interest from rival clubs, reports CODE Sports’ Glenn McFarlane.
Darcy, who signed a six-year contract extension in 2023 that tied him to the club until the end of 2030, is set to be left out of the Dockers’ Grand Final side this weekend.
After suffering an injury against Collingwood in Gather Round, Darcy has struggled to get back into the senior side, with the Dockers preferring the Luke Jackson-Mason Cox combination.
It’s led to links between Darcy and rival clubs, including Richmond and the Giants.
Dockers tune up for the Grand Final | 03:32
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle on Wednesday night, McFarlane said there were “clubs coming” for Darcy, but added the Dockers “desperately want to keep him”.
“There’s two or three Victorian clubs that have come for him and are desperately trying to get hold of him. But the Dockers have said ‘no’,” McFarlane told Midweek Tackle.
“He’s there until 2030, so he’s got a long way to go. He’s 28, wants to stay.
“He’s a little upset he’s not playing in the Grand Final this week, but he’ll be there next year.”
Darcy, who won Fremantle’s best and fairest award in 2021, has played 134 games for the Dockers since being drafted out of the Geelong Falcons with Pick 38 in the 2016 draft.
BOMBERS’ INTEREST IN CAT LAID BARE
Essendon’s interest in Jack Bowes is set to ramp up, with club figures preparing to meet with the Geelong utility, reports AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich.
Bowes, who famously joined the Cats in late 2022 as part of a stunning Suns salary dump deal, remains unsigned beyond this season.
The Cats have reportedly offered a new contract to 28-year-old Bowes, who’s also a player of interest for North Melbourne.
But Essendon has been keeping close tabs on Bowes, who was in and out of the Cats’ AFL side this year.
Jack Bowes of the Cats during the 2026 VFL Grand Final. Picture: Craig Dooley/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Gabelich reported on AFL Media on Wednesday Bowes would meet with new Bombers coach Mark McVeigh, as well as the club’s list boss Matt Rosa, this week.
Essendon, along with Geelong and Hawthorn, were the Victorian clubs in the race for Bowes when he left the Suns in 2022.
Bowes has played 152 AFL games across stints with the Suns and Cats since being selected with Pick 10 in the 2016 draft.
After featuring in Geelong’s Grand Final side in 2025, Bowes managed just nine AFL games in 2026.
HAWKS EYE LUCKLESS ROO
Off-contract North Melbourne defender Josh Goater has received interest from Hawthorn, reports 7News’ Tom Morris.
Goater, 23, has played just 18 games for the club, primarily due to injury setbacks across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Morris reported on 7News and SEN on Wednesday that Hawthorn had expressed interest in Goater, yet securing the likes of Ben King and Zach Merrett remains a higher priority for the club.
Suns to trade with Pies for Pendles | 00:36
Morris said the Hawks were prepared to offer Goater a two-year deal — a slight improvement on North’s one-year contract, which is understood to include a trigger for a second season. The trigger clause was only recently added to North’s contract proposal, per Morris.
Goater had a delayed start to 2026 due to a quad strain. He eventually returned to the VFL side before playing six of North’s last nine AFL games of the year.
He was drafted by the Roos with Pick 22 in the 2021 draft.