10m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:47pmAre the Hawks finally about to come through with a Merrett offer?

It looks like we may have some potential movement on Zach Merrett and Hawthorn after all?

The “at least” before the two first-round picks is key here because the two firsts alone won’t cut it. Will the Hawks throw a player in, a meaningful player?

16m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:40pm

Is Jed Walter going to join Carlton?

Hi Chris, have you heard anything about Jed Walter requesting a trade to Carlton? Shaqmail says its a lock to replace Curnow. Loves the MCG.

– Le pecheur

I haven’t heard anything credible linking Jed Walter with a move to Carlton.

Walter would’ve been an interesting trade piece to send to the Blues if Curnow was being traded to the Suns, but that’s not the case anymore.

17m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:39pm

Why is Geelong chasing Charlie Curnow so hard?

Bit over the top Chris on Hawks morale tanking
What’s your stance on Geelong feeling they need to go hard on Charlie Curnow after making a grand final with a Coleman medalist

– Richard

I think the Cats’ logic makes sense. Jeremy Cameron is excellent, but he’s also going to turn 33 next season.

Curnow is a lot younger, so extends the Cats’ window while also probably preserving Cameron for when they really need him.

19m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:38pm

A four-teamer involving Hawthorn, Collingwood, Gold Coast and North

4 way trades that solves everything
hawthorn get de goey future 2nd rounder from suns
pies get simpkin
gold coast get pick 25 26 and 31
north get future 2nd from pies, pick 15 from the suns and 10 from the hawkes

– oliver

What do we think of this four-team trade proposal from Oliver?

Who says no?

19m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:37pm

Pies fans not happy at the prospect of losing De Goey

Will be gutted is JDG goes anywhere. It’s disappointing that he’s even being discussed at this trade conversation. Simpkin is not the same as JDG. Wonder if Lepa is running out of options and ideas. If Jordy goes, this might be the worse outcome for the pies for sometime.

– Eunice

What do we think, Pies fans?

20m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:36pm

Why Marshall wants to get to Geelong, according to Kate

On Marshall, his reasoning for wanting to move to Geelong was that his brother has just moved there so he wanted to be closer, not that he wanted to leave St Kilda per se. Marshall has always struck me as a team man and his request for a trade wasn’t driven by TDK coming in.

– Kate

30m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:27pm

Jakob’s got some fans it seems!

Reckon Jacob is spot on with the comparison to Essendon and Dunkley. Hindsight is obviously helpful, as Dunkley went on to be a tremendous player at Brisbane and no certainty he would’ve reached same heights with Essendon (certainly not winning premierships with our current list!) but it is telling how different clubs are discussed by both media and fans. Bulldogs played hardball with Essendon that trade period, and I think since Dodoro (finally, mercifully) departed the club, the Bulldogs have become the new ‘hard basket’ club to deal with in the trade periods since.

– Luke

Very much agree with Jakob’s comments on Sam Mitchell, I think what he’s done is worse than the Aleer situation with St Kilda. Saints tried to make a trade with GWS who wouldn’t play ball and wouldn’t entertain anything less than a future 2nd. Definitely overs for a bloke that hasn’t gotten on the park a fair chunk of the year. Mitchell has on several occasions tried to get players across to Hawthorn and leaked stories to the media of them meeting to try and strong arm clubs into trading those players. Much more underhanded than the Saints.

– Sam

34m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:22pm

Could Charlie Curnow remain at Carlton?

Is there a world where Curnow stays that the blues? If so, how likely is it now?

– Jake

I think there’s still a very real chance that this happens.

He’s got four years left to run on his current deal, and Carlton football boss Chris Davies has said publicly that the Blues’ preference is to keep him at the club.

It’s on Sydney and/or Geelong to offer up a deal that Carlton is happy with.

37m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:20pm

Answering questions about Rowan Marshall’s future

I’m going out on a limb and saying I’m certain Marshall doesn’t go to Geelong. As a junior Marshall played as a full forward, and the last few seasons there does seem to have been more of a push for him to go forward on occasion and kick goals. He worked well in a 2 ruck system with Ryder, and with TDK coming in both have shown they can go forward when required. The Saints went without Max King all year, Mitch Owens was injured in the later half of the year, and the other forwards are all small or medium sized. I reckon having a big body like Marshall there either to mark or bring it to ground for the small forwards is the play for St Kilda, and it’s why they’re not wanting to let him go. I also appreciate any club holding Geelong over a barrel during trade period as that’s not normally the case!

– Kate

Morning all, do you know if Marshall said Geelong are interested in me, trade me to the Saints?? Or Saints said if you want to look around go for it. Has any media spoken to him or agent. Doing a good job keeping us informed.

– Peter

Whats the news with the Rowan Marshall trade to Geelong? I can see why he would want to leave as TDK has already landed at St Kilda, and will probably take over the ruck position. Isn’t having two quality ruckman old school nowadays?

– Marcus

There’s a few more questions about Rowan Marshall and his potential move to Geelong as well:

Kate: It’s a good point you make, Kate, I think this would be St Kilda’s line of thinking as well. I do wonder whether Marshall himself is interested in playing that role though. I get the sense that he wants to be the solo ruck somewhere.

Peter: Marshall or his management haven’t spoken publicly, but as I’ve understood it, he basically read the writing on the wall once TDK came on board, and Geelong gives him the chance to be the top ruck on a really, really good team.

Marcus: The interesting part is with the sub being abolished, does that allow for teams to play with two rucks more often? Again though, as I told Kate, I don’t feel like Marshall is happy to play second fiddle.

48m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:08pm

Answering a few more Merrett questions/comments

Merritt came to Mitchell. Think about it? Essendon won’t trade think about that? It’s got nothing to do with Hawthorn coughing up. Hawthorn got to a preliminary final with the mids they had then ran into Patty D having a blinder … that happens then Cats had minimal mids in the GF.. that happens. I wouldn’t be sitting in the ivory tower judging Hawthorn to much more often than not one defining moment determines a game.. just ask Collingwood that.

– Jimmy

This might be a straight forward question to answer but I am new to AFL. What happens if Essendon are unwilling to trade? What are the options for Merrett going forward? I am a Bombers supporter but I also don’t think he should be held against his will.

– Charlie F

Worried about the reception Merrett will recieve from members next season if he remains. Personally, I think he was entirely within his remit to consider his options alongside his partner, but the way it has been disucssed in media (including some our former players on talkback) and supporters has me worried about a hostile attitude. I think it’ll be important for the club, and hopefully media also, to really come out strongly about that kind of behaviour being really poor and never acceptable.

– Luke

There are a few Merrett questions piling up, so I’m going to get through them all here at once:

Jimmy: I don’t genuinely believe Essendon wouldn’t trade full stop, I think they wouldn’t trade for what Hawthorn wants to offer up.

Charlie F: Merrett will go back to Essendon and play out the next season and then we’ll probably do this whole dance again in 12 months’ time.

Luke: Fans are fickle, but their affections are easily bought as well. Zach only needs to have a couple of good games, which he will because he’s a brilliant player, and the fans will be back onside in a hurry.

53m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:03pm

Is the Merrett-Hawks story similar to Dunkley-Bombers?

I can guarantee you if roles were reversed the media would absolutely rake Essendon over the coals for this. Sam Mitchell has followed the same play 3 times now – met Barrass, Allen & Merrett and then deliberately leaked the meeting to the media hoping to create hysterical ‘untenable’ narrative and then as you say Chris “pay cents on the dollar”. Realistically the approached an excellent player and then didn’t want to pay the price – but the media will still laud Sam Mitchell for being ‘aggressively trying to make his team better’ instead of promising a player they’d get him across and failing to deliver as was the story with Essendon and Josh Dunkley.

– Jakob

I’m interested to see whether the rest of you agree with this take from Jakob, because I don’t mind it.

I think it’s popular to punch down on some clubs who have been down in the dumps – as Essendon has been – during the trade period.

55m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:02pm

Is this offer a good one for Essendon?

I think Merrett still gets traded – Essendon will get something extra and claim it as an offer too good to refuse. And I know you don’t like Hawthorn but it certainly won’t be 20c in the dollar. 2x Firsts and a player (maybe CJ) for a 30year old is a good deal for everyone.

– Bryce

With all due respect, I think if Essendon accepted that offer for Merrett, there would probably be riots at the Hangar, Bryce.

Two firsts are inconsequential when they’re in the teens or potentially in the 20s in the future.

56m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 11:00pm

Who’s next in line for the Essendon captaincy?

As you say if Merrett stays his , continuing as Captain would be impossible and hopefully he would stand down voluntarily. But then who would want the job? Does vice-captain McGrath step up knowing he’s only been appointed due to Merrett’s ‘unavailability’ ? Knowing Merrett is a far better player and leader ? Gee good luck with that.

– Phillip

I’d say Andy McGrath becomes the full-time captain, he was probably next in line anyway.

McGrath’s redeeming quality throughout his career has been his leadership, it was a large part of why he was taken first overall in the draft.

I’ve heard McGrath’s got a great relationship with the younger players, which is probably important given Essendon’s got one of the youngest lists in the comp.

59m agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 10:58pm

Clive’s here to brighten your morning with life lessons

When there is nothing to write about is making it up a mature way to run your life.? I actually think that pretending is the thing small children do.
Some adults never do make the transition to the real side of life.

– Clive Nicholson

Here’s Clivinho, as angry as ever.

1h agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 10:57pm

Will the Swans get a deal done for Charlie Curnow?

Hi Chris,

Can the Swans strike a deal with the Blues for Charlie Curnow by the deadline?

– Floberts

Does Curnow get to Syd? Gotta feel a little bad for Merrett might be an awkward start to preseason. Finally would the same amount of trades get done if the AFL made it a 1week trade period?

– Nick

I think Sydney’s got to be the favourites to land Charlie at this stage, particularly as he’s toured the facilities.

I’m not sure I love the reported deals being thrown around if I’m Carlton, but maybe they like Ollie Florent and Will Hayward more than I do.

It’ll be an absolute heist if the Swans get Curnow without giving up a) a top-10 pick and b) an All-Australian caliber player.

Five 20c pieces don’t always make up a dollar.

1h agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 10:54pm

How does Oliver’s arrival impact the GWS midfield?

Hey Chris, how would a Clayton Oliver trade to GWS affect their midfield strength, with the likes of Tom Green and Fin Callaghan? Do you think this trade will happen late on Wednesday before the deadline?

– Marcus

It’s a great question Marcus! I’m curious to see how he and Tom Green mesh because they’re virtually the same player.

Callaghan is fine because he’ll drift more to the outside where he can damage teams with his ball use and linebreaking running ability.

With Josh Kelly missing the entire season next year, I’d assume Oliver absorbs most of those minutes. It’ll also probably mean less Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene rolling through the middle.

1h agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 10:53pm

I’m going to assume this is about Jy Simpkin

How desperate does Jy want to leave, because that may lower the asking price come tomorrow?

– Raye

I think the Simpkin deal is probably unlikely to happen at this stage because of North’s asking price.

It reminds me of my career mode managing Barcelona on FIFA 11 when Messi submitted a trade request and I put his release clause at 500 million Euros.

Good luck paying that. Messi stayed and won me trophies. Not sure if trophies come for North, but can’t see Simpkin going anywhere.

1h agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 10:23pm

What did Merrett’s camp discuss with the Bombers?

So we know Zach Merrett met with an Essendon contingent yesterday, but what was discussed?

Here’s Nine’s Tom Morris on Trade Radio.

“There was no formal trade request but there was discussion of a trade,” Morris said.

“Tom Petroro [Merrett’s manager] put forward a range of trade scenarios for the Bombers to consider.

“Essendon was resolute they would not trade.”

1h agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 10:21pm

What happens to Hawthorn if Merrett doesn’t get done?

Do you think Hawthorn will wear as much pain over Merrett as Saints will over Aleer? Being aggressive in turning heads and then not following through seems a bad look for Mitchell’s ambitious plan. And again the player cops more immediate harm than the club.

– Rob

I don’t think they’ll be as heavily criticised, but I think players might think twice before meeting up with Sam Mitchell.

Twice this year it has happened, twice it has gotten out to the media and twice the player has seen their reputation tanked.

Oscar Allen was raked over the coals this year, so much so that he had to apologise in a press conference (which was ridiculous, in my opinion).

If the Hawks are going to be so audacious in their pursuit of players, they’ve got to be prepared to cough up what’s required at the trade table.

They had to have known Zach Merrett was never going to come cheaply in a trade as a contracted club captain and 6x best and fairest.

We’ve seen Liam Pickering talk about it with Josh Dunkley and Essendon how after Essendon couldn’t get a deal done for him initially in 2020, two years later when they wanted to, Dunkley’s camp had no interest.

I wonder whether the same thing happens with Merrett.

I wonder what this all does to Hawthorn’s team morale as well.

The Merrett pursuit is because they clearly don’t think their current midfield is good enough. How does that make you feel if you’re one of the current midfielders?

The one positive is that they’ve not put any of them up for trade, which is of some solace. But yeah, interesting times for the Hawks.

1h agoMon 13 Oct 2025 at 10:17pm

What’s happening with the Rowan Marshall deal?

Wheres Rowan Marshall standing at the moment. The guilty fan in me doesnt want him to leave the Saints, but we want him to be happy too.

– Joey B

My gut tells me this one will probably still get done.

It was looking doubtful if Geelong was to ship all its picks to Carlton for Charlie Curnow.

But Curnow appears to be closer to Sydney, which leaves Geelong that pick 19 to send to the Saints.

There will be a bit of haggling, as per usual, but I think that one will get over the line. It doesn’t make much sense for the Saints to keep Marshall after adding Tom De Koning.