By Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson
Credit: Artists
The stars and big names such as Carlton’s Tom DeKoning and St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera dominate the headlines, but every club has a raft of players they want to keep but still might lose, or others who are out of favour or out of contract and might depart.
Some are attracting interest already, while some clubs are offering certain players around to try to generate something in what is a very different trade market this year.
St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall, Hawthorn’s James Worpel and Essendon’s Elijah Tsatas could be used as trade bait this year.Credit: Aresna Villanueva
The poor quality of the compromised 2025 national draft means list managers are looking at trades and contracts in a different light to previous years. Some fringe players will get a lifeline for another year because their clubs believe they will be better than the alternatives coming through the draft. Other clubs will pick the eyes out of available experienced talent at their rivals, searching for a “moneyball” solution to fill a hole on their list.
The value of draft picks as trading currency will also vary from previous years. Clubs with players of value to trade will be asking for future draft picks rather than picks this year. Some clubs will offer draft picks fairly freely this year because they see little value in them.
Clubs this year can also trade for draft picks two years into the future, which should help generate trade interest. The current under-16s crop excited recruiters at the national championships on the Gold Coast this week. They will be eligible for the 2027 draft.
Some clubs will be likely to save their dollars and draft capital this year for raids on next year’s free-agent crop, which at this stage includes headline acts Carlton’s Sam Walsh, Gold Coast’s Ben King and Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters.
List managers have also raised the prospect of a return of more player-for-player trades rather than players being swapped for draft picks, which prompts the question ‘who might your club put up for trade?’ Let’s consider the options.
Adelaide
The Crows have an offer in front of their unrestricted agent, ruckman Reilly O’Brien, but he is holding tight as he waits to see whether Essendon’s Sam Draper ventures to Adelaide. O’Brien has suitors, but clubs that might lose a free agent, such as Carlton, Hawthorn or Essendon will not want to risk potential compensation by getting him in. Lachlan Murphy is another unsigned free agent unable to break into the Crows’ humming forward line who would add depth as a pressure forward.
Brisbane Lions
Half the Lions’ VFL team is being scoured over by rival club scouts as it is stacked with talented performers unable to get a game at senior level. Dev Robertson decided to stick around after playing in the 2023 grand final but has managed just five senior matches since despite standing out in the VFL. Clubs are sure to ask about pre-agent Zac Bailey, who is contracted until next season, while restricted free agent Brandon Starcevich could provide them with a good compensation pick if he leaves given the number of suitors he’s attracted. The Lions have offered him a contract. Former West Australian James Tunstill has a roadblock of midfielders ahead of him and would likely search for opportunities elsewhere.
Carlton
The Tom De Koning show continues, with the ruckman almost certain to become a Saint at year’s end. The big question is whether Harry McKay or Charlie Curnow could be traded too? Losing McKay, who is contracted until 2030, is probably the most justifiable decision if either were to be lost. Sydney is one club who would consider either player. But if Curnow, in particular, were to leave the Cats – near his family on the Surf Coast – would lead a long line of suitors. Jesse Motlop remains unsigned but will have little appeal. Sam Walsh is a free agent next season, and although the Blues won’t be letting him go as a pre-agent in a weak draft, other clubs are beginning to sow seeds that they would be interested in a chat.
The Blues need to decide what role Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay have their future.Credit: Getty Images
Collingwood
Would Darcy Cameron try to force the issue and ask for a trade at the end of the season if the Magpies don’t give him more reward for his outstanding three seasons as their No.1 ruck? He is contracted until the end of next year and would prefer to stay, but there are plenty of other clubs willing to pay him full tote odds. Mason Cox should hold appeal, even at his age, as a back-up ruckman, while the future of Bobby Hill is being watched after his absences from the club for personal reasons, and despite the fact he recently signed and new contract through until the end of 2030. The Magpies will want to find a first round pick or possibly another second round pick to help with the NGA graduates they plan to pick up.
Essendon
Elijah Tsatas played in the “sash-trash” game on Saturday night and is contracted, but may seek opportunities elsewhere after battling through 16 matches in three seasons. Draper may depart, but they would be fortunate or blessed to earn top-10 compensation, while Archie Perkins is the only other player who may appeal to clubs. Zach Merrett must be frustrated, and he’d be picked up in a heart beat, but the Dons can’t afford to lose their captain. Matt Guelfi is contracted for another 12 months but is playing VFL when they barely have a fit player available, so club and player would likely be open to a move.
Elijah Tsatas might benefit from a fresh start Credit: Getty
Fremantle
Neil Erasmus is out of contract and attracting interest from clubs after battling to cement a spot in Justin Longmuir’s line-up. Pick 10 in 2021, the inside mid has performed well in the WAFL. Sean Darcy remains the other watch, but has shown no signs of wanting to leave, nor have the Dockers wanted to lose him. Dockers chased hard for Kysaiah Pickett and missed out.
Geelong
The Cats don’t lose many but free agent Jed Bews might appeal to a club looking for an experienced premiership player with a team-first attitude. Mitch Knevitt has not cemented a spot but is likely to remain a Cat in 2026.
Ned Moyle is the best second ruckman in the AFL not playingCredit: Getty
Gold Coast
Clubs will chase Ned Moyle hard as the ruckman waits behind Jarrod Witts. He is contracted, and the Suns won’t want to trade him and are trying to give him games, but he would be playing first ruck every week at another club. Malcolm Rosas would be expected to move. There is a demand for small forwards and he is struggling for games. Academy player Alex Davies is caught behind quality teammates but can play. Connor Budarick is still yet to re-sign and is attracting interest.
Greater Western Sydney
Leek Aleer has been hotly pursued by clubs, led by St Kilda. A talented key back, he might be more likely to stay now he is back playing seniors. Phoenix Gothard is contracted for next year, but with players ahead of him in the team and the Giants bringing in more small forwards in last year’s draft, he is one of a plethora of small forwards rivals are eager to try to prize from the Giants. Running defender Jacob Wehr is an unrestricted free agent attracting interest. Josh Fahey is also an unrestricted free agent.
James Worpel is a free agent at the end of season 2025.Credit: AFL Photos
Hawthorn
Key forward Mitch Lewis will attract plenty of interest despite his long-term knee injury. The emergency of Calsher Dear last year and continued good form of Mabior Chol have squeezed positions in the forward line. Inside midfielder James Worpel has clubs circling. Ruck Ned Reeves will look to move to get senior opportunities. Veteran key defender Sam Frost has been marginalised by the arrival of Josh Battle and Tom Barrass. Out of contract, the 31-year-old could be picked up cheaply, with clubs such as the Western Bulldogs needing key-back support. James Blanck has not played AFL since his knee injury before last season. He’s contracted until end of next year but could look for opportunity. Jai Serong is another tall defender now squeezed for opportunity in the backline that clubs are closely watching. Seamus Mitchell has managed just a handful of senior games this year, so might look to move. Raw tall Max Ramsden will attract interest if the Hawks want to turn the mid-season rookie into a draft return, preferably a future pick.
Melbourne
The big questions are now the annual ones: what will they do with Clayton Oliver and/or Christian Petracca? Based on history, the Demons will entertain offers for the under-performing pair, then they won’t, then the players will look to move, then they won’t, and eventually, they will all unhappily stay together next year. Defender Judd McVee has had an offer from Melbourne but the West Australian is yet to re-sign. Melbourne’s decision to drop Jake Lever recently has clubs kicking the tyres to see if the frustrated defender is gettable despite being contracted until the end of 2028.
Young Demon Judd McVee has a decision to make as he weighs up a new contractCredit: AFL Photos
North Melbourne
Picked up with the third pick at the 2020 national draft, Will Phillips is out of contract and looks unlikely to be re-signed by the Roos. The midfielder who has been turned into a tagger has managed only six games to date this year after just 11 last year. Restricted free agent Bailey Scott has yet to recommit.
Port Adelaide
Ivan Soldo’s move to Port hasn’t worked out. Unless Josh Carr has other ideas, Soldo and Port would love to cut their losses and move on from each other. Ollie Lord has a year to go on his contract but has struggled for regular games. The Cats (through family ties) and Melbourne have previously shown interest in him.
Port’s Ivan Soldo (right) tests his strength against Melbourne ruck great Max Gawn.Credit: AFL Photos
St Kilda
The big watch is on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera up and until he re-signs. The later in the season it gets, the more worrying it is for the Saints. The size of their contract offer to Tom De Koning will only have increased Wanganeen Milera’s asking price. With TDK almost certain to arrive, contracted ruck Rowan Marshall will likely look to move. Captain Jack Steele’s big contract through until the end of 2027 will have the Saints open to a move.
Sydney
Oliver Florent is puddling around in the VFL, unable to get a game. He is better than players at other clubs currently playing senior footy and will attract interest. Given he’s contracted until 2029, any suitor would need to sign the soon-to-be 27-year-old for four years. But his experience and durability would make him a valuable acquisition.
Richmond
The young Tigers are at the start of a rebuild that means trading is not a priority this season, and they have two of the first three picks in the 2025 national draft at this stage. Tom Lynch may have attracted interest, but he will be recontracted by the Tigers.
West Coast
Oscar Allen’s anticipated departure will land the Eagles’ another top-end draft pick as they seek to re-emerge as a force. Tim Kelly was dropped last week but recently signed on until 2027. Although Campbell Chesser, a first round pick in 2021, is pushing for selection, he will attract interest from Victorian clubs in the off-season.
Western Bulldogs
Sydney may look at Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, but the market for the tall forward is not hot, and with one year left on his deal, he may remain a Bulldog for now. After trading out Bailey Smith, Caleb Daniel and Jack MacRae last season, the trade period will be less dramatic for the Bulldogs who have less collateral to trade.
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