Not every deal can get done in the AFL Trade Period, and in 2025 it was no different as a host of big names were left on the table to be held to their contracts for next season.

Headlining that list is Bombers captain Zach Merrett, who failed to get to Hawthorn in scenes that left his player manager Tom Petroro “fuming”.

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But joining him back at their respective club is Lion Callum Ah Chee, Roo Jy Simpkin – who voiced his displeasure at a lack of midfield minutes, Saint Rowan Marshall – off the back of the decision to recruit former Blue Tom de Koning, and Bulldog Buku Khamis.

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“It’s not ideal – it’s been uncomfortable,” Bombers list boss Matt Rosa said after the Merrett deal fell through.

“We didn’t want to be in this situation.

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“We’ve been really clear he’s valued, we want him playing at the Essendon Football Club… we look forward to him continuing to do that.

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“Our number one priority and our only priority was to keep Zach. We were really clear on that.”

The Lions’ decision to knock back Adelaide’s future second and future third round picks for Ah Chee was the most puzzling given the dual Brisbane premiership winner can still land at the Crows.

Brisbane had demanded a future first round pick for Ah Chee – but the Crows held firm.

“It does seem churlish of Brisbane given he’s not worth a first rounder,” Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph said.

“He could just walk through the pre-season draft. And Adelaide will end up getting him any way,” Montagna added.

“I just wonder if there’s a bigger play with Brisbane … And they are saying if anyone is going to come for our players in the future, we’re going to play hard ball.

“They’ve got some players that are going to be targeted by other teams with what they’ve got so stacked. I wonder if it’s a bit of a long-term message – we are not giving away our players for anything.”

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The Crows later confirmed they were still committed to securing Ah Chee ahead of the 2026 season.

“We certainly explored many avenues in our endeavours to get a deal done with Brisbane,” Crows list boss Justin Reid said.

“Callum has given great service to the Lions and we see him as a player who can really help improve our squad.

“We’re committed to Callum joining the club and he is committed to joining us.”

Meantime St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said he was happy to keep Marshall – who is contracted until the end of 2027.

“Our starting position, and Rowan knows that, we wanted to keep Rowan,” Lyon said.

“Clearly we’ve got a strategy… I mean Hawthorn went to three flags playing two rucks with the strategy.

“The game lends itself to talls.

“Life’s messy, football’s messy, trade period’s messy… we move on.”

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Saints great Leigh Montagna said it appeared the “player power” of previous trade periods was starting to wane as clubs find their voice.

“There’s been a lot of talk in recent years, player power. If players want to break contracts, they can just leave and they get to where’re they want to,” Montagna said on Fox Footy’s Trading Day.

“I think we’ve seen some clubs are starting to get a bit of player back and say ‘nah if you’re contracted, we don’t have to give you up. We can hold you. You’re a professional athlete and you’re going to come back’.

“We’ve seen it with Rowan Marshall and Zach Merrett now – I think we’ll see more of this in the future as more and more movement happens.

“I think we’ll start seeing clubs being a bit stronger than they have in recent years and saying no if we want you, we’re going to keep you at our football team.”

The Cats did make a “final frantic offer” for Marshall that was knocked back by the Saints – Geelong’s first rounder pick 19 and a future second rounder. But it wasn’t enough to get the deal done.