24m agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 11:11pm
The Zach Merrett conspiracies
All quiet on the Merrett front – when do we expect a few more media leaks and planted stories to ramp up the pressure on Essendon to start emerging again?
– Jakob
None of that coming from us Jakob, we would never engage in such unsavoury games.
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But yeah, we haven’t heard the last of that one. Somebody, be it Merrett or Hawthorn, will make a desperate play at some point in the next few days, be it publicly or through back channels. Something has to give.
33m agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 11:02pm
The wait goes on for Jack Steele
With Oliver likely to be at the Giants by the end of the week are/should Collingwood explore Jack Steele now with the Saints politely kicking him out?
– Raye
That wouldn’t be a bad move for the Pies at all.
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The last we heard from the Saints, nobody had really had a dip at Steele and he still seems pretty keen to stick around. But an approach from the Pies would be tough to turn down and I do think he could play a role there. Steele would want to know he has a secure best 23 spot though, because if he’s going to be playing in the seconds he may as well do that at St Kilda.
44m agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 10:51pm
Allen a ‘massive win’ for West Coast?
Pick 2 for Allan seems like massive overs, particularly for a player who has had their fair share of injuries. Especially considering in the last 10 years pick 2 has been used for players like Nick Daicos, Sam Darcy, Jacob Weitering, and Sam Walsh. Could end up being a massive win for the Eagles in offloading an injury-prone player, or a win for Brisbane is he remains uninjured and can perform.
– Kate
I think as soon as the Eagles found out the size of the contract Brisbane was offering Allen, and that it would trigger band one compensation, they very clearly and maybe not-so-politely ushered him out the door. That is indeed a great result for a club in their position.
But it also could be a big win for the Lions too, if they can get him on the park. The early years of Oscar Allen were incredibly exciting and only injury has really halted that rise. There is a lot more to give there.
1h agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 10:29pm
So. What do we think about the free agency system?
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It’s an annual talking point, but this time around the debate is even more pointed.
When Sam Draper went to Brisbane, Essendon received band two compo, or pick 20. When Oscar Allen went to Brisbane, West Coast received band one compo: pick two.
Not everyone is happy with this, with James Hird leading the complaints on TV last night. But what do you think? Is the system busted? Or is it much ado about nothing? Sound off in the comments.
1h agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 10:10pm
A catch-up on the other news of the morning
Let’s have a little whip around the traps to see how things are sitting this Thursday morning:
Carlton is still waiting for clubs to put forward offers for Charlie Curnow. As yet there has been no movement on that front.Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is on his way to the Gold Coast for a medical and, pending AFL sign off and the agreement of some specific clauses in his contract, he will sign with the Suns.Yesterday, Oscar Allen completed his move to Brisbane as a free agent. West Coast received pick two as compensation.Richmond and West Coast are in discussions over a trade for Tylar Young. West Coast’s Pick 33 will not be involved, and the Tigers are reportely open to taking later picks to ensure they can match a bid for father-son Louis Kellaway.No news on Zach Merrett. Essendon is yet to flinch, Hawthorn is yet to make its move. We wait.1h agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 10:00pmSuns disappointed by Bailey Humphrey saga
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Gold Coast’s Bailey Humphrey has been out and about chatting with just about any Melbourne club he can find, and last night put up an instagram post soundtracked by John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads.
Bad news for Bailey though, because Craig Cameron says he is going absolutely nowhere.
“I find it a headscratcher. But we’re really clear, we’re not trading Bailey Humphrey. It’s just not something we’re going to entertain,” he said.
“The landscape has changed about contracted players looking to change clubs, and we have to accept that. But the flipside is players and managers can ask the question, but when the clubs say no, that’s the answer. I think it’s a two-way street on this.
“It’s unusual. I’ve been around for a long time and I don’t think I’ve ever seen something play out like this. It’s disappointing.”
1h agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 9:49pm
Suns have ‘all options open’ in Petracca hunt
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More from Craig Cameron here, who is confident the Suns can strike a deal with Melbourne for Christian Petracca — but is adamant Bailey Humphrey will not be a part of it.
“I think Melbourne and us can sit down and negotiate something in the long run. We keep all options open, but we’ve been very clear on which players are not available.Â
“We think within our system he can become that powerful player again, playing a bit of a forward role and we think he can come in and have a big impact.”
1h agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 9:42pmJamarra Ugle-Hagan to undergo Gold Coast medical
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Gold Coast Suns list boss Craig Cameron is on Trade Radio this morning and is opening up on just about everything. First up is the news that Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is closing in on a move to the Suns.
“We’ve still got to run through some things with us, but he’ll do a medical with us today. There’s a little bit to play out there, but we are progressing that.
“We were looking to see someone who was going to make a commitment to being able to get on the park and play consistent football.”
1h agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 9:36pmClayton Oliver reportedly wants move to GWS
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The rumblings have grown louder overnight that Clayton Oliver has made his decision, and that GWS will be his new home. There are reports from Nine’s Mitch Cleary and AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey that Oliver is set to confirm his decision within the next day or so.
Collingwood had also been interested in Oliver. But Craig McRae yesterday said the Magpies had struggled to get in contact with Oliver, who had been in Sydney for the past few days.
2h agoWed 8 Oct 2025 at 9:31pm
Welcome to day four of the trade period
Good morning! We’re back for another day of whatever this trade period has to offer, as we officially tick under a week until the deadline. It’s not exactly crunch time just yet, but some of the stand-offs are ready to be broken.
Chris De Silva and I will be here for the day as we cross our fingers and hope that the big trade bombs are about to drop. Get your questions and comments in and keep us company.