Let the deals begin. <\/p>\n
The AFL trade period doesn\u2019t officially open until Monday, but free agency opened on Friday, with plenty of paperwork already lodged.<\/p>\n
And one of the period\u2019s biggest names has made a call on his club of choice<\/a> for 2026. Get all the latest news below, plus re-live our live chat that answered your questions from 9am-5pm AEST.<\/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 5PM \u2014 GEELONG SNAG FIRST RECRUIT OF OFF-SEASON<\/p>\n Inside midfielder James Worpel will join Geelong as a restricted free agent, after 148 games at Hawthorn.<\/p>\n The Hawks will receive an end-of-second round compensation pick, (current No.39) as compensation, after opting not to match the Cats\u2019 offer for the 26-year-old.<\/p>\n \u201cAs is James\u2019 right as a restricted free agent, he has chosen to seek a new opportunity at Geelong,\u201d Hawthorn National Recruiting and List Manager Mark McKenzie said in a club statement on Friday evening.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying 148 games for the Hawks, James was always a popular teammate and respected figure at our club.<\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of the club, I\u2019d like to acknowledge James\u2019 amazing contribution to Hawthorn, his professionalism and dedication never wavered during his eight seasons in the brown and gold, giving his all each week.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wish him well in his future endeavours.\u201d<\/p>\n Worpel will become the 14th player ever to feature for both Geelong and Hawthorn, joining the likes of Isaac Smith, Jon Ceglar and Gary Ablett Sr.<\/p>\n In a Geelong statement released shortly after, Cats General Manager Andrew Mackie, said: \u201cWe\u2019re really pleased to welcome James to the Cats. James is a quality person and player who we believe will complement our current playing group. We\u2019re looking forward to seeing him in the hoops in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n 4:45PM \u2014 TOM DE KONING OFFICIALLY JOINS ST KILDA<\/p>\n And there we go! Tom De Koning has officially joined St Kilda, and departed Carlton after eight years.<\/p>\n The Blues have been handed Pick No.9 as compensation, after electing not to match the lucrative eight-year tabled to the 26-year-old ruck – reportedly $1.7 million a year over eight seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m absolutely pumped to be joining St Kilda,\u201d De Koning said in a St Kilda statement released on Friday evening. <\/p>\n \u201cFrom the outside you can see how driven and united this playing group is. There\u2019s a real determination to get the best out of themselves and each other, and I want to contribute to that. <\/p>\n \u201cPlayers like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens and a whole group of emerging players are showing what can be achieved when you\u2019re aligned and hungry for success. To join that environment is something I\u2019m really looking forward to. <\/p>\n \u201cThe stability of the club, the quality of the coaches and the lifestyle the Bayside affords are also huge factors. I feel like this is the perfect place to challenge myself and take my footy to the next level.<\/p>\n \u201cCarlton will always be the place where my AFL journey started, and for that I will be forever grateful. But my focus is now firmly on everything I can do to prove myself to my teammates, coaches and the St Kilda supporters, while doing everything I can to help drive us forward.\u201d<\/p>\n 4:20PM \u2014 HUMPHREY\u2019S TWO LOW-KEY MEETINGS REVEALED<\/p>\n The intrigue around young gun Sun Bailey Humphrey has hit new levels, with the 21-year-old spotted in Melbourne meeting with new coach Steven King and club legend Nathan Jones.<\/p>\n A photo uploaded on Instagram via @thedeebrief<\/a> appears to show the trio walking together in Melbourne, with the revelation coming to light just hours after Humphrey\u2019s management spoke to CODE Sports.<\/p>\n \u201cBailey has not met with any clubs, and doesn\u2019t have any plans to meet with any clubs,\u201d Oakes said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as we are concerned, he is playing for Gold Coast in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n AFL Media\u2019s Cal Twomey posted to X on Friday evening with some context to the meeting: \u201cKing, his former line coach at the Suns, reached out to him before he headed back to Moe, having touched down in Melbourne last night. Gold Coast has been adamant he is not up for trade.\u201d<\/p>\n Seven\u2019s Xander McGuire said the race for Humphrey is \u201cset to explode\u201d only last night, and he wasn\u2019t wrong \u2014 not long after reporting that Collingwood has also met with the versatile Moe product.<\/p>\n News of their interest, as well as Nine\u2019s Tom Morris now also revealing Hawthorn are in the hunt for Humphrey.<\/p>\n The constant breaking of news saw Twomey reveal a second (and rather cheeky) statement from Oakes, Humphrey\u2019s manager.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we spoke at 10.30 this morning nothing had happened, but with the evolving nature of trade period, Bailey saw fit to catch up with his former coach this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n The Demons were heavily interested in Humphrey in the 2022 Draft, offering three first-round picks to try and move up and land him.<\/p>\n 4:05PM \u2014 ANOTHER SUN TO EXPLORE TRADE<\/p>\n Arguably the trade period\u2019s busiest club just got even busier with Ben Ainsworth reportedly exploring his options.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old half-forward played 24 of 25 games for the Suns this season and is contracted for another three years – having weighed up rival offers before signing a new deal in July 2024.<\/p>\n Given Ainsworth was set to be a restricted free agent, he\u2019s on a healthy salary at the Suns, and offloading him could allow the club to fit in Christian Petracca\u2019s deal.<\/p>\n Rivals are aware of his interest in a departure, according to AFL Media.<\/p>\n Players set to either leave or join the Suns this off-season include Ainsworth, Bailey Humphrey, Christian Petracca, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Sam Flanders, Brayden Fiorini, Connor Budarick and Malcolm Rosas.<\/p>\n 3:30PM \u2014 FRESH PETRACCA DETAILS<\/p>\n Adelaide reconsidered its interest in Christian Petracca after the Demons midfielder asked for more money and a longer contract, according to Seven\u2019s Theo Doropoulos.<\/p>\n Petracca has chosen Gold Coast after initially meeting with the Crows this week.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear whether he asked for the same increased pay packet from the Suns – and whether them accepting it made him pick them.<\/p>\n Petracca\u2019s current deal runs until the end of 2029, peaking at $1.7 million in one season and not falling below $1.2 million.<\/p>\n \u201cChristian Petracca asked the Crows for an extra year on top of his current 4-year contract, at increased money across the entire deal, which forced the club to reconsider its trade position,\u201d Doropolous tweeted. <\/p>\n \u201cHe would have been 35 on expiry and one of Adelaide\u2019s highest paid players.\u201d<\/p>\n 2.00PM \u2014 DOCKERS MEET WITH ANOTHER SERONG<\/p>\n Fremantle has an interest in uniting Jai Serong with older brother Caleb at the Dockers, according to multiple reports.<\/p>\n Key defender Jai Serong remains uncontracted for next year and hasn\u2019t played an AFL game since the Hawks\u2019 semi-final loss to Port Adelaide in 2024.<\/p>\n SEN\u2019s Sam Edmund reported Dockers coach Justin Longmuir caught up with Serong in Melbourne whether the prospect of a move west was raised, adding both North Melbourne and Sydney were interested in the Hawk.<\/p>\n 7News\u2019 Mitch Cleary also reported the Longmuir meeting, with Serong \u201ckeen for more senior opportunities\u201d to continue his AFL career.<\/p>\n 1.05PM \u2013 CARLTON\u2019S COMPO CONFIRMED<\/p>\n Carlton will receive pick 19 as compensation for the confirmed exit of Jack Silvagni.<\/p>\n As the deal was done on Friday, the Blues were awarded band two compensation as result.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m incredibly excited to be joining St Kilda and starting this new chapter,\u201d Silvagni said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Saints have a strong mix of established talent and exciting young players, and I feel I can add to that with my experience, versatility and drive to compete. <\/p>\n \u201cAs a young father, this decision is also about building the next stage of my life with my wife Grace and our son Charlie. The opportunity to grow both on and off the field in a stable and supportive environment was really important in making this choice.<\/p>\n \u201cCarlton will always be part of me. It\u2019s where I grew up, where my AFL career began, and it\u2019s deeply connected to my family and our history in the game. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll always be grateful for the experiences I had there and the people who supported me. But now I\u2019m looking forward with full focus on the Saints, and doing everything I can to help us push forward.\u201d<\/p>\n The AFL confirmed the compensation after the paper was officially lodged.<\/p>\n The compensation confirmation pushes West Coast\u2019s AFL assistance package from Pick 19 out to 20.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the same compensation pick Hawthorn ended up with when their star Lance Franklin left to join Sydney on a lucrative multimillion-dollar deal.<\/p>\n The AFL also confirmed paperwork had been lodged for St Kilda\u2019s offer to restricted free agent Tom De Koning. Carlton has until midday Monday to decide whether it wants to match the offer, but the Blues last month stated the \u201csignificant size of the deal presented by St Kilda is not one the club is prepared to match\u201d.<\/p>\n Jack Silvagni with his son Charlie after a win.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n 12.50PM \u2013 SAINTS STAR \u2018PREPARED\u2019 TO CONSIDER EXIT<\/p>\n St Kilda has confirmed captain Jack Steele wants to step down from his leadership position amid uncertainty over his future at the club.<\/p>\n Despite telling the Saints he wants to stay, Steele has been told he\u2019s free to explore other opportunities.<\/p>\n In a statement released on Friday, the club confirmed Steele would no longer serve as captain.<\/p>\n \u201cAt his recent year-end exit interview Jack Steele advised the club of his desire to step down from the captaincy,\u201d the club said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe club called Jack in today for a follow up discussion about his playing future and to discuss his openness to explore other opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cJack advised the club he wants to stay but is prepared to consider opportunities if presented to him.\u201d<\/p>\n It comes amid rumours Callum Wilkie will be elevated to captain off the back of his likely decision to knock back a big money deal from the Western Bulldogs to remain at Moorabbin.<\/p>\n Steele is contracted at St Kilda until the end of 2027.<\/p>\n Jack Steele will step down as captain of the Saints.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n 12.30PM \u2013 PREMIERSHIP LION OFFICIALLY REQUESTS TRADE TO SA<\/p>\n Two-time premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee has officially nominated his club of choice \u2013 with Adelaide winning the race to sign the 27-year-old.<\/p>\n The Crows issued a statement on Friday confirming the upcoming move, with reports Ah Chee will accept a five-year deal.<\/p>\n \u201cBrisbane forward Callum Ah Chee has informed Adelaide he wishes to join the Crows in the upcoming trade period,\u2019 Adelaide said.<\/p>\n \u201cAh Chee has played 169 games since being drafted by the Gold Coast Suns in 2015. He joined the Lions in 2020. <\/p>\n \u201cAdelaide will work with Brisbane to facilitate a trade once the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period opens on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lions had confirmed Ah Chee\u2019s exit earlier in the week in coach Chris Fagan\u2019s speech at the club best and fairest.<\/p>\n 11.36AM \u2013 HAWK OFFICIALLY SIGNS WITH CATS<\/p>\n Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel is has officially signed with Geelong, with the Hawks lodging paperwork early on Friday.<\/p>\n The Hawks have 72 hours to match the offer, with Worpel a restricted free agent this year. <\/p>\n If not, the Cats will officially welcome the contested ball-winner on a three-year deal. But if they do, the teams will have to agree on a deal. <\/p>\n The move has been in the pipeline for some time, with Geelong looking to bolster its engine room stocks alongside \u2018dash brothers\u2019 Bailey Smith and Max Holmes and hard nut Tom Atkins. <\/p>\n 10.23AM \u2014 DEMON BOUND FOR ARDEN ST<\/p>\n Another one!<\/p>\n Cal Twomey reports<\/a> free agency paperwork has been lodged for premiership Demon Charlie Spargo to join North Melbourne.<\/p>\n Spargo played all 25 games in the Demons\u2019 2021 premiership triumph. He played 108 matches for Melbourne after being selected with Pick 29 in the 2017 draft.<\/p>\n 10.04AM \u2013 GROWING RUMBLINGS AROUND SUN<\/p>\n The noise around Gold Coast young gun Bailey Humphrey is growing on Friday, with SEN\u2019s Sam Edmund revealing the Sun\u2019s management \u201chas reached out to multiple rival clubs\u201d about a possible Carrara departure. <\/p>\n It comes on the same morning Christian Petracca decided on Gold Coast as his preferred trade destination \u2014 with that revelation said to have played a part in Humphrey\u2019s thinking. <\/p>\n Edmund wrote on social media platform X<\/a> that it\u2019s becoming \u201cincreasingly clear the player has an appetite to leave Gold Coast in this trade period\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cThe arrival of Christian Petracca is part of the motivation to leave, with Humphrey currently in Melbourne,\u201d Edmund wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cSuns set to seriously dig in, given the contract (three more years), potential and admiration Damien Hardwick has for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Interestingly, the Demons are one of at least three Victorian clubs \u2014 including Collingwood \u2014 reportedly chasing the livewire hybrid, sparking the idea that he could possibly be involved in a Petracca-to-Gold Coast trade. <\/p>\n However, Suns list boss Craig Cameron told CODE Sports Humphrey would not be part of any possible Petracca trade, declaring: \u201cWe have no plans to trade Bailey Humphrey. Categorically.\u201d<\/p>\n Humphrey\u2019s manager Michael Oakes insisted a trade was not on the cards.<\/p>\n \ufeff\u201cBailey has not met with any clubs, and doesn\u2019t have any plans to meet with any clubs,\u201d Oakes told CODE Sports.<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as we are concerned, he is playing for Gold Coast in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n 9.20AM \u2013 POWER TO CEMENT SIGNING OF EX-GIANT<\/p>\n Port Adelaide will today lodge paperwork with AFL House for the signing of former GWS Giants rebounder Jacob Wehr, per AFL Media\u2019s Cal Twomey. <\/p>\n An unrestricted free agent, Wehr will officially join the Power after five years at the Giants. Wehr became eligible for free agency after being delisted and re-rookied last year. <\/p>\n The Giants aren\u2019t expected to receive compensation following the move. <\/p>\n The 27-year-old has played 39 games in his five seasons, including a career-high 14 senior matches in orange this year under coach Adam Kingsley. <\/p>\n 9.06AM \u2013 SAINTS TO LODGE PAPERWORK FOR EX-BLUES<\/p>\n St Kilda will today lodge free agency paperwork with AFL House for ex-Carlton duo Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, per AFL Media\u2019s Cal Twomey. <\/p>\n The Blues have the ability to match the Saints\u2019 offer but are considered highly unlikely to, with De Koning set to sign an eight-year deal reportedly worth $1.65 million per year. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, Silvagni, an unrestricted free agent, will also walk to Moorabbin on a five-year deal with the Saints, believed to be worth around $850,000 per season. <\/p>\n 9.00AM \u2013 \u2018PUT A LINE THROUGH\u2019 CURNOW-SUNS MOVE<\/p>\n Charlie Curnow to Gold Coast has been ruled out following Christian Petracca\u2019s nomination of the Suns as his new home. <\/p>\n According to SEN\u2019s Sam Edmund<\/a>, \u201cput a line through Curnow and Gold Coast in the wake of Petracca\u2019s choice to join the Suns\u201d. <\/p>\n He added on social media platform X: \u201cCurnow has always wanted Geelong, but the Suns held some appeal. The Cats and Sydney now the two options for the Carlton forward.\u201d<\/p>\n 8.22AM \u2013 PETRACCA MAKES HUGE TRADE CALL \u2014 WITH TWIST<\/p>\n Wantaway Melbourne star Christian Petracca has chosen the Gold Coast Suns<\/a> as his preferred destination, according to Nine\u2019s Tom Morris on Friday morning. <\/p>\n However, a twist in the machinations of his decision has been revealed. <\/p>\n Petracca had already indicated he wanted to be dealt from Melbourne and was choosing between the Suns and Adelaide \u2014 and he\u2019s said to have picked Damien Hardwick\u2019s club. <\/p>\n But in an eyebrow-raiser, AFL Media\u2019s Cal Twomey reported via social media platform X<\/a> that the Crows \u201cwalked away from the prospect of a trade for the superstar Demon\u201d. <\/p>\n Gold Coast and Melbourne will now start discussions on what a trade deal could look like, with the 29-year-old contracted for four more seasons. The exchange window officially opens on Monday. <\/p>\n The Suns currently hold picks 6, 13 and 16 at November\u2019s draft, while Sam Flanders \u2014 who met with the Dees on Friday morning, according to AFL Media\u2019s Riley Beveridge<\/a> \u2014 or potentially Bailey Humphrey could be catalysts in a deal. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is the perfect scenario for the Dees \u2026 they (Gold Coast) have the picks, they have Flanders,\u201d Morris told AFL Trade Radio. <\/p>\n SEN\u2019s Sam Edmund said of the possibility of the Demons landing Humphrey in a corresponding move: \u201cThis will really test their (the Suns\u2019) resolve \u2026 they might be put in a situation where they have to make a really tough choice.\u201d<\/p>\n The Demons had last night been revealed as a suitor of Humphrey, who hails from the Gippsland Power. <\/p>\n Christian Petracca has chosen the Gold Coast Suns as his destination of choice. (Photo by Josh Chadwick\/AFL Photos\/via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n 6AM \u2013 VICTORIAN TRIO TO TRY AND LURE \u2018DUSTY-LIKE\u2019 SUN<\/p>\n Three Victorian clubs have ramped up their chase for exciting Gold Coast mid-forward Bailey Humphrey, who has drawn comparisons to Dustin Martin through his young career<\/a>.<\/p>\n The No.6 pick in the 2022 Draft, Humphrey is being chased by Carlton, Collingwood and Melbourne according to Seven\u2019s Xander McGuire<\/a>.<\/p>\n Humphrey starred in his finals debut last month as the Suns upset Fremantle, and is contracted until the end of 2028.<\/p>\n But chasing clubs \u201cbelieve his head can be turned\u201d by lucrative offers to return home to Victoria.<\/p>\n Humphrey flew into Melbourne on Thursday to visit family.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, I\u2019m happy at the Suns at the moment, and yeah, we\u2019ll see what the future holds,\u201d he told Seven.<\/p>\n Asked if he was aware of Victorian interest, he replied: \u201cFrom my manager, yes, but I haven\u2019t been approached by them personally or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Bailey Humphrey in action during the semi final match between the Lions and the Suns at the Gabba. Picture Lachie MillardSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n 6AM \u2013 WHICH FREE AGENT SIGNINGS WILL HAPPEN ON FRIDAY?<\/p>\n Last year, six players moved clubs on the opening day of free agency, all of them being unrestricted free agents.<\/p>\n It seems unlikely 2025 will match that total but there\u2019s certainly a chance with some of the trade period\u2019s big names likely to make their moves official on Friday.<\/p>\n Carlton pair Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning are expected to have their paperwork submitted to join St Kilda, though De Koning won\u2019t switch clubs immediately as he\u2019s a restricted free agent and the Blues have three days to match the offer (though they won\u2019t).<\/p>\n Other restricted movers will include James Worpel (Hawthorn to Geelong) and Oscar Allen (West Coast to Brisbane).<\/p>\n Silvagni is unrestricted, as are Charlie Spargo (Melbourne to North Melbourne), Sam Draper (Essendon to Brisbane) and Jacob Wehr (GWS to Port Adelaide).<\/p>\n The compensation picks awarded to each free agent\u2019s former club will also be announced as the players move.<\/p>\n The likes of Brody Mihocek, Brayden Fiorini and Brandon Starcevich are unlikely to move until next week, though Starcevich is set to be traded in order for West Coast to avoid diluting their compensation pick for Allen\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n Catch up on our live AFL trade chat! If you can\u2019t see the chat, tap here.<\/a><\/p>\n