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Trading and drafting

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Ben Hobbs of the Bombers.

‘You can’t have 10 inside midfielders’: Dons to blood rookie pair while Tsatas, Hobbs wait their turn

With mid-season draftees Archer May and Lachie Blakiston set to take on the Cats, the Bombers are up to 10 debutants this season, as they start to weigh up their options for the next trade period.

  • Marc McGowan

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The signs point to Harley Reid resisting the temptation to seek a trade home to Victoria and staying at West Coast next season.

The implications for Victorian clubs as Harley Reid leans towards staying in Perth

While demand for Harley Reid’s signature would be high if he decided to return home to Victoria at the end of this season, it now appears he’s leaning towards fulfilling his first AFL contract.

  • Jake Niall
New role: Dylan Shiel was in excellent touch across half back on Saturday.

The veterans’ list: What should your club do with their 30-plus stars?

The game has tilted towards veterans in 2025 as individuals overcome the doubters to remain at their best late in their career. We examine what decisions clubs should make about their ageing veterans.

  • Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan
Sam Grlj is a promising footballer who will represent Victoria Metro at the national championships.

The top Victorian AFL draft prospects to watch at this weekend’s under-18 championships

Victoria Country and Victoria Metro start their respective campaigns against Western Australia and South Australia. Here are 15 of the most exciting prospects.

  • Marc McGowan
From left: The Brisbane Lions’ Conor McKenna, Collingwood’s Oleg Markov, St Kilda’s Liam Henry and Essendon’s Jayden Laverde.

Footy’s forgotten men: The player at your club who could be looking elsewhere for 2026

The mid-point of the AFL season has arrived, and some footballers have had fewer playing opportunities than others. We look at what that means for a player at each club.

  • Marc McGowan
Essendon announce the recruitment of Archer May in the mid-season draft.

‘Oh my god’: The best mates taken two picks apart in the AFL mid-season draft

Werribee’s VFL side again proved it is a fertile development ground for AFL clubs, with Flynn Young and Zac Banch selected out of their team this year - and emotions were high.

  • Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson
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Brad Scott.

Who the Bombers, Magpies are looking at selecting in the mid-season draft

Essendon will take four players in the mid-season draft, with a recent spate of injuries forcing a pivot from the club’s normal philosophy regarding mid-year picks.

  • Peter Ryan, Michael Gleeson and Marc McGowan
Young Saint Oscar Adams will not be allowed to play the first two weeks and will have to do unpaid work for the club.

Drafted Wednesday, play Thursday? Dons’ quick fix to crisis; Ruptured tendon good news for Magpie

The Bombers are in desperate need of reinforcements after a horror injury run and are sweating on this week’s mid-season draft. Meanwhile, an injury blow for a key Collingwood defender is not as bad as it sounds.

  • Marc McGowan, Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson
Richmond VFL footballer Tom McCarthy is a leading mid-season draft contender.

While clubs are being cagey about their mid-season draft plans, one Tiger cub looks a certainty

AFL clubs get a chance to add new players to their list at next week’s mid-season rookie draft, but not all will take it. Those with a spot to fill are now scouring the country for diamonds in the rough.

  • Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson
On the move? From left: Carlton’s Tom De Koning, Fremantle’s Luke Jackson, and West Coast’s Harley Reid.

Should they stay or go? My advice for Harley Reid, Luke Jackson and TDK

This one goes out to a few young superstars in the AFL, and my advice is to think long and hard when other clubs come calling.

  • Bob Murphy

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/topic/trading-and-drafting-64h