AFL trades: Brownlow Medal winner’s name floated in wild rumour

A former Brownlow Medal winner has had his name thrown into the trade spotlight after a former player floated a monster move.

3 min read

October 2, 2023 - 12:12PM

Wines’ name was floated in a wild rumour. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL silly season is slow kicking into gear after the 2023 season came to an end with Collingwood’s Grand Final victory over Brisbane.

Rumours are flying around all over the place as teams prepare for the Trade Period to officially kick off on October 9.

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While trade talks have been ongoing through the season, they’ll really heat up now that the finals have been run and won, with free agency to open on Friday, October 6.

Here are the latest whispers doing the rounds that are launching the rumour mill into overdrive.

Brownlow Medal winner in bombshell rumour

Many have predicted Port Adelaide to be one of the most active teams at the trade table this offseason, but none could have seen this rumour coming.

The Power are said to be locked in a showdown with Geelong as they attempt to secure the services of Cats defender Esava Ratugolea.

Ratugolea told the Cats he wants to be traded to the Power, but they’re not going to let him go without a fight.

On Friday, former Adelaide player and FIVEaa radio host Stephen Rowe floated the bombshell rumour over former Brownlow Medal winner Ollie Wines.

Wines’ name was floated in a wild rumour. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“(My source) and me aren’t saying he (Wines) is going,” Rowe said on his FIVEaa radio program.

“He’s signed until 2026, but you think about it. If you’re Chris Scott and you’ve just lost (Joel) Selwood, (Isaac) Smith’s retired, and Paddy (Dangerfield) … I don’t expect him to carry the load he did.

“We know with Chris Scott, he likes to top up and re-top. What do they need? A bull.

“No one is saying whatsoever he wants to go, but conversations will be had – and that’s the name they want.”

The Herald Sun reported Wines isn’t a priority for the Cats.

Surely not. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Wines spent ample time on the wing this season as Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis became Ken Hinkley’s go-to on-ball brigade.

Cats list boss Andrew Mackie last week hinted the Cats would be open to moving on its first draft selection, which is currently Pick 7, but only for the right deal.

“To be clear, it‘s got to appease a lot of what we need to be doing and as I said there are parts on the ground that I think we need to attend to over the next little bit, but we are open to it, but we aren’t open to everything,” Mackie told AFL Media’s ‘Gettable’ podcast.

Interest in Gold Coast Suns star ‘not strong anymore’

Brisbane’s interest in Mabior Chol has cooled, reports SEN, as the contracted Suns forward prepares to make a call on his footy future.

Chol is contracted to the Suns until the end of 2025 but played just eight AFL games in 2023, with star forward Ben King’s return creating a selection squeeze.

Subsequently, a four-club race emerged for Chol between the Lions, Crows, Kangaroos and, most recently, Hawks.

Interest in Mabior is fading. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

But SEN reporter Tom Morris on Monday morning said a Chol move from the Suns to cross-town rivals Brisbane now seemed unlikely.

“He met with Hawthorn and North Melbourne last week, as well as Adelaide – the Crows came to Melbourne to see him. Adelaide have a three-year deal for him, North and Hawthorn might have a three-year deal for him (too),” Morris told SEN Breakfast.

“I’m not sure Brisbane’s interest in him is all that strong anymore. I really think it’s Hawthorn, North or Adelaide that he’s got to choose – he’s got to choose this week where he wants to be traded to – and the Gold Coast Suns will facilitate that.”