Details of the AFL\u2019s likely West Coast list assistance package have been revealed. <\/p>\n
Plus, why relationships between Zach Merrett and Essendon \u201chaven\u2019t gotten better in recent weeks\u201d despite the club\u2019s adamance that the star isn\u2019t going anywhere. <\/p>\n
Stay up to date with the latest player movement developments in AFL Trade Whispers!<\/p>\n
Watch every match of the 2025 NAB AFL Women\u2019s Season LIVE ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n EAGLES LIST ASSISTANCE PACKAGE DETAILS<\/p>\n The Eagles are expected to land an end-of-first-round draft pick as the headline asset in their AFL list assistance this off-season. <\/p>\n They\u2019re also set to benefit from up to four additional rookie list spots to house Next Generation Academy prospects and experienced players, according to AFL Media\u2019s Cal Twomey via AFL Trade Radio<\/a> on Monday. <\/p>\n The AFL Commission is set to confirm the assistance afforded to West Coast at some point over the next 24-48 hours. <\/p>\n \u201cMy expectation and understanding is that … West Coast will get up to four rookie positions,\u201d Twomey told Trade Radio. <\/p>\n \u201cSo, a couple of those might be for access to academy players or father-sons, Category B players, NGA players that they\u2019ve got access to. And a couple of those list spots might also be eligible to be used on more mature options. <\/p>\n \u201cThe big bit is whether they get an extra pick, and my expectation is they will get an extra pick at the end of the first round … I think it will be (used) to do with what they want, that\u2019d be my expectation.\u201d<\/p>\n The Eagles currently hold picks 1, 15, 19, 33 and 51 at November\u2019s national intake and are expected to add the no.2 overall pick as compensation for free agent Oscar Allen\u2019s departure to Brisbane. <\/p>\n But West Coast could lure dual premiership Lions defender Brandon Starcevich as a restricted free agent, which would dilute the compensation it receives from the league. <\/p>\n In another scenario, though, given Starcevich is restricted, Brisbane could match the Eagles\u2019 offer sheet and force a trade \u2014 in which that end-of-first-round pick could get a deal across the line. <\/p>\n It\u2019s believed West Coast has a six-year, $900,000 per season deal on the table for the dependable stopper. <\/p>\n The club has also been linked to out-of-contract West Australian midfielder Deven Robertson \u2014 who\u2019s been out of favour at Springfield for multiple seasons \u2014 in a potential addition that could be housed with one of those extra list spots. <\/p>\n AFLW legends reach 100 game milestone | 02:31<\/p>\n MERRETT, BOMBERS RELATIONSHIPS STILL \u2018FRAYED\u2019<\/p>\n Zach Merrett\u2019s relationships with Essendon figures reportedly \u201chaven\u2019t gotten better in recent weeks\u201d, as the star midfielder and club captain reportedly remains set on pursuing a trade move to Hawthorn. <\/p>\n That\u2019s according to veteran journalist Damian Barrett, who told Trade Radio on Monday<\/a>: \u201cI would argue that they (the relationships) have even frayed to a point where I don\u2019t believe (he) can walk back to that club. <\/p>\n \u201cThe source of his annoyance now with the club is what he perceives to be a media strategy around comments made by Mason Redman and Nic Martin to AFL.com.au and The Age<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI have never seen a media strategy like it, where senior players were put up in a very short window of timeframe on two separate major media outlets.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: \u2018Bitterly hurt\u2019 \u2014 Bombers bombshell takes twist as teammates speak out after skipper\u2019s trade reveal<\/a><\/p>\n And despite insistence from new Essendon president Andrew Welsh that Merrett wouldn\u2019t be going anywhere this off-season, it\u2019s believed the five-time Crichton medallist hasn\u2019t wavered in his desire to depart the Hangar. <\/p>\n AFL Media\u2019s Cal Twomey also said on Trade Radio on Monday: \u201cHe\u2019s clearly made his intentions known. He still wants to get to Hawthorn. He\u2019s laid out his concerns around whether he\u2019s actually going to get there at Essendon, in terms of success.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s understood only a gargantuan offer would force the Dons\u2019 hand in October, with the Hawks\u2019 no.8 pick surely the centrepiece in any potential trade<\/a> arrangement. <\/p>\n