AFL trade news 2024: Clayton Oliver’s future could be decided on Thursday amid Geelong links, Jack Martin chooses Cats
D-Day has arrived as Melbourne nears a decision on whether it will trade superstar Clayton Oliver, who is edging closer to asking for a move to Geelong.
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Delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin is set to play for Geelong next season as Melbourne prepares to finalise a decision on whether to trade superstar onballer Clayton Oliver.
Martin, 29, will continue his career at Geelong after picking the Cats over Fremantle in the firm belief the forward can overcome his soft-tissue injuries at a third club.
It means the Cats could yet secure Martin, Western Bulldogs’ jet Bailey Smith who officially asked for a move to Geelong on Wednesday and, while it still remains a long shot, potentially Oliver pending Melbourne’s final call on the midfielder’s future either Thursday or Friday.
Talks at Melbourne on Thursday between the club’s chief executive officer Gary Pert, football boss Alan Richardson, coach Simon Goodwin and list chief Tim Lamb about Oliver could determine his future.
While a trade to Geelong would be difficult, Melbourne is seriously considering whether it is best for both parties if the Demons finally cut the cord on Oliver as part of an aggressive cultural and salary cap reset.
The Herald Sun revealed online on Wednesday Geelong will nab Martin as a delisted free agent, meaning the club does not have to give up anything in a trade for the goal kicker.
The Cats are limited in their ability to offer up a suite of picks for Oliver as its top pick in this year’s draft, number 15 as it stands, will be headed to Western Bulldogs in the Smith deal.
It means Melbourne could target a player from Geelong if it progresses over the next 48 hours, but key forward Shannon Neale is unlikely to be dragged into the situation after breaking into the Cats’ senior side late this year.
The Herald Sun first flagged Geelong’s serious interest in Oliver in March this year. Adelaide is not in the mix this year after having some interest last year.
Melbourne had planned to keep Oliver as late as this week, but the brilliant midfielder is weighing up a move to the Cats after being considered for a trade for the second-straight year.
Pert called at least one other club about Oliver with Melbourne’s list management committee’s full support and approval.
But the move could have serious ramifications for the relationship between Oliver and Melbourne as there is a strong view the contact from Melbourne has upset the four-time best-and-fairest winner and three-time All-Australian by dangling him as trade bait again.
Oliver is managed by two of the most powerful and influential agents in football, Paul Connors and Nick Gieschen.
The Herald Sun understands Oliver is excited by the potential move to Geelong, however, the Cats will not drive the trade after meeting him on Tuesday.
While the Cats would be happy to consider securing the superstar onballer most likely at a significant discount, Geelong is adamant the ball remains in Melbourne’s court.
The addition of Smith, Martin and Oliver, who is one of the best players in the game when fit, would be a huge boost to the Cats’ engine room for 2025. The club would shuffle payments in its salary cap to fit the trio.
If Melbourne explores a trade, the Cats could offer up its future first-round pick for Oliver, but the Demons would almost certainly request a player as part of the deal.
In any case, the Demons would also have to pay some of Oliver’s seven-figure wage for him to move to Geelong.
But Melbourne may decide on Thursday to keep Oliver for another year despite some unrest if the club cannot secure adequate compensation in a two or three-club trade.
It remains a messy situation for Melbourne which has lurched from the Christian Petracca crisis to the latest trade period circus about Oliver.
The Demons are completing two reviews into its football department and its board operations.
PARKER’S ‘EXTREMELY DIFFICULT’ CHOICE MADE
– Lachlan McKirdy
Sydney veteran Luke Parker has officially requested a trade to North Melbourne, ending his 14-year affiliation with the Swans.
The 31-year-old has played 293 games for Sydney since making his debut in 2011. He was the last remaining member of their 2012 premiership team and has played in a record five grand finals for the club.
He also won three Bob Skilton Medals as the Swans’ Club Champion and co-captained the club between 2019 and 2023, all after being selected with pick 40 of the 2010 draft.
However, he was starved of opportunities earlier this season and only played for the club 10 times in 2024, with his first appearance coming as the sub against the Kangaroos in round 18.
Originally hailing from Victoria, the request will see him return to Melbourne as one of the competition’s most decorated players, and bring valuable experience to a young North Melbourne side.
“Coming to Sydney as a 19-year-old completely changed my life,” Parker said. “Sydney became my home, I met my wife Kate here and the Swans became our family.
“The decision to part ways with the club after 14 years has been an extremely difficult choice, one I thought I’d never have to make.
“My most valued memories have been forged here, alongside a group of teammates who have become like brothers, and with fans who have shown me more love than I could have ever imagined deserving.
“The Sydney Swans will always hold a special place for my family and I.”
Parker is contracted until the end of 2025 with the Swans, meaning the club will have to enter into negotiations with North Melbourne once the Trade Period opens on Monday.
He kicked three goals in last Saturday’s grand final defeat to Brisbane and was clearly emotional on the final siren in what turned out to be his last game in Sydney colours.
John Longmire paid tribute to one of the Swans’ longest servants as he prepares for a new chapter in his career.
“Parks has been an absolute pleasure to coach since he walked into this club all those years ago,” Longmire said.
“He has been one of the hardest and most competitive players we’ve had and his resilience and ability to keep backing up, time after time, is something I always admired.
“His footy CV is up there with some of the all-time greats. He is a premiership player, three time best and fairest and is a Swans champion and fan favourite.”
GIANTS BIG MAN IN LIMBO
– Josh Barnes
Melbourne’s pursuit of GWS swingman Wade Derksen may hinge on the Giants trying to slow a player exodus.
The uncapped tall has asked for a trade to the Demons, primarily for family reasons as he is searching for more support for three young children.
Derksen hails from the Northern Territory but has family ties in Victoria and would receive more support for his young family there, with his partner having had twins late in the season.
But the Giants have indicated a hesitation to move him off as three free agents depart and midfielder James Peatling makes up his mind on his future.
Derksen has enjoyed his two-and-a-half years with GWS after being taken in the 2022 mid-season draft and likely would not receive any significant pay bump if he did join the Demons.
But the Giants are set to lose free agents Harry Perryman (Collingwood), Isaac Cumming (Adelaide) and Nick Haynes (Carlton).
And out-of-contract onballer Peatling has half-a-dozen suitors across the league as the Giants try to hold on to him.
Derksen is contracted so the Giants could hold him to his deal.
While he has emerged as one of the VFL’s best key position prospects, given he hasn’t played an AFL game a trade return from Melbourne would likely be minimal for GWS.
Derksen, 23, had some dominant VFL outings this year at either end.
In round 5 against North Melbourne he took eight intercept marks among 23 disposals, in round 9 against Geelong he took six intercept grabs and tallied 29 touches.
Swung forward later in the year, he finished off his season by kicking two goals in each of his final three games.
His final game of the year against Williamstown, Derksen had 25 disposals, 12 marks, two goals and nine score involvements.
Meanwhile, manager Tom McConville has told Trade Radio that Sam Frost (Hawthorn) and Peter Wright (Essendon) will not be moving after they were linked with trades.
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