AFL Trades live: Swans’ Trojan Horse revealed ahead of ‘biggest deal in AFL history’

The Swans’ master plan has been exposed after a shock play for Aaron Naughton early in the trade period was stage one of a bigger plan.

Ugle-Hagan, Sydney’s Logan McDonald and Aaron Naughton may all have a part to play. Photo: Getty Images

The AFL’s Trading Period has already had a number of twists and turns and there are undoubtedly more to come after another seemingly quiet day.

Jade Gresham moved from the Saints to Essendon under free agency, while the Demons landed tall Tom Fullarton for pick 47.

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But arguably the biggest news of the day was the reveal from Newscorp’s Scott Gullan, who wrote the Swans reportedly view former No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as a successor after Buddy Franklin’s retirement this year.

The Swans made a shock play for 23-year-old Aaron Naughton in the trade period, where he was offered an $11 million, 10-year deal to head to the Harbour City but rejected it for an eight-year offer to stay put at The Kennel.

But the report said that was just phase one of the Swans’ plan.

The 21-year-old Ugle-Hagan had 35 goals and 35 behinds in 23 games this season — Naughton had 44 for the record — and has 60 goals in 45 AFL games.

“There is no doubt the Swans will go big for Jamarra,” one rival list manager said.

“It was like they were almost testing the waters with Naughton, of course if he’d said yes they would have been happy but the one who ticks all the boxes for them is Jamarra.”

Ugle-Hagan, Sydney’s Logan McDonald and Aaron Naughton may all have a part to play. Photo: Getty Images

While Franklin was already a premiership player, two-time Coleman Medallist and four-time All-Australian when he moved to Sydney, Ugle-Hagan hasn’t quite set the world on fire like that, but the Swans have seemingly spotted his star potential.

However, they’re not the only ones as Fox Footy’s Trading Day panel said every team would likely be eyeing Ugle-Hagan.

Nick Dal Santo said that he believed the marking forward would at least be chasing the $11 million, 10-year deal Naughton was offered.

But Leigh Montagna said with the rise in the salary cap: “I think there’s no reason why he (Ugle-Hagan) won’t be the highest paid player or get the biggest deal we’ve ever seen in AFL history next year.”

He expects it to be a long-term deal on $1.5m a season.

With the Bulldogs needing to make decisions around signings with the club having tall forwards coming out of their ears, while All-Australian ruckman Tim English’s next contract will be lucrative, it could turn out perfectly for the Swans.

“They’re going to struggle to keep them all, that’s just the reality,” one industry source said.

“Jamarra is going to have a big decision to make because the Dogs won’t be able to offer anything near what Sydney can.”

Ugle-Hagan is likely to be looking at $750-800,000 in 2025, but a deal in Sydney could push up towards the $1m a season mark.

Sydney key forward Logan McDonald, who was taken in the same draft as Ugle-Hagan at No. 4, has plied his trade behind Franklin for the past three years but is considered a target to return to his home state of Western Australia as Fremantle are reportedly interested.

While Sydney’s football boss Charlie Gardiner said: “We see Logan as a big part of our long-term plans”, it sounds like it could all be falling into place.

Late deal as Demons get their man

The Demons have landed Brisbane Lions tall Tom Fullarton from Brisbane with a late trade.

Having traded out two-time All-Australia Brodie Grundy earlier in the week, the Demons received pick No. 46 and future second rounder.

The pick was later knocked back to 47 after Jade Grsham’s move to Essendon, but the Demons have used the pick to seemingly replace Grundy with Fullarton.

Coming in at 2m and 97kg, Fullarton didn’t play a senior game in 2023 but attracted interest from several clubs.

“We’re really pleased to welcome a tall and athletic player in Tom to the club,” Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said.



“We have seen what he is capable of, not only at senior level but through some dominant performances in the VFL. We look forward to seeing what he can produce as a Demon.”

Gresham deal finally done

For more than a month, St Kilda veteran Jade Gresham has been linked with moves away from Moorabbin.

Speculation over Gresham’s likely move to Essendon intensified during the trade period, with only the Saints’ free agent compensation the remaining sticking point.

Jade Gresham has finally completed a move to Essendon. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The deal has now been done, with the Saints getting a late first-round selection in return for Gresham, currently the 21st pick.

The 26-year-old played 136 games and kicked 136 goals over eight seasons with the Saints.

The Bombers have been keen to add some experience to their list, with Gresham their third addition so far after Ben McKay and Todd Goldstein moved from North Melbourne.

St Kilda has been linked with a number of moves, including the possible signing of speedy Fremantle youngster Liam Henry.

Veteran forward’s surprise request

Like his long-time former teammate Luke Hodge, Jack Gunston left the Hawks to seemingly finish his career under the northern sun in Brisbane with the Lions.

Unlike Hodge, however, it appears Gunston would rather now finish his career elsewhere.

Namely, back where it all started at the Hawks.

After 211 games, 410 goals and three premierships with Hawthorn, Gunston requested a move to the Lions at the end of the 2022 season.

Jack Gunston, seen here with Lions coach Chris Fagan, wants to return to Hawthorn after just one season in Brisbane. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

He made 17 appearances for the club and it appears the Queenslanders aren’t thrilled by his plea for a return just 12 months later, judging by a terse statement they have released.

“The Brisbane Lions confirm Jack Gunston has informed the club of his desire to return to Hawthorn,” it reads.

“While understanding Jack’s situation, as a contracted player the club is assessing its position and will work through its options.

“The club won’t be providing further comment at this time.”

SEN’s Sam Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio: “I’m told the Jack Gunston development has floored Brisbane, that they didn’t see it coming.”

It appears some fans of the club aren’t too concerned.

“Failed at Lions, good riddance to a bad trade,” wrote X user Peter Bent. “He’s not even close to Lions best 23 for next year.

“Lions without Gunston lost 1 game, that sums up where he sits at the club.”

Gunston and Daniel Rich shocked footy commentators during the season when they stood themselves down from senior football because of form slumps.

“They’re not gonna play for a little while,” Fagan told reporters at the time.

Gunston was eventually able to work his way back into the starting side.

Hawkins likely to keep flying at the Cattery

One surprise name that has bobbled along during the trade period is Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins.

Off contract, the veteran spearhead was linked with a shock move to the Demons last week.

But his wife Emma Hawkins has made it clear he intends returning to Geelong in 2024.

“Tom always said when he physically can’t or mentally can’t (play, he’d retire),” Emma Hawkins said.

“But when the Cats didn’t make finals, I could tell there was a fire in his belly.

“Tom’s biggest enjoyment that I could see is spending time with the younger group.

“The passion he has, maybe they make him feel like he’s 22 again, but he loves the group.”

Originally published as AFL Trades live: Swans’ Trojan Horse revealed ahead of ‘biggest deal in AFL history’