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Trading and drafting

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Tom De Koning.

Why Tom De Koning won’t put a timeline on what could be a life-changing call

The Carlton star knows the speculation will continue to grow until he makes a decision, but he is doing everything possible to block it out. He spoke with his masthead.

  • Steve Barrett

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Hawks star Jai Newcombe.

The sausage, not the sizzle: How ex-tradie Newcombe is building something real with the Hawks

These “Hollywood Hawks” paint more than just a pretty footy picture. They’ve got real substance, and leading the way is a former apprentice carpenter from Poowong in South Gippsland.

  • Jake Niall
Bombers star Nic Martin.

‘I struggled to understand what balance meant’: What Martin’s evolution means for a new Essendon

Nic Martin is an excellent player, but it’s his outlook on the game that gives Bombers fans such hope that their club is finally on the right track.

  • Peter Ryan
Blue-chip star: North Melbourne can expect rival offers for Luke Davies-Uniacke.

A Roo coup: LDU explains his new long-term deal with North; Voss says McKay is ‘in a good space’ ahead of his return

Luke Davies-Uniacke has spoken of his reasoning behind re-committing to the Kangaroos. Meanwhile, Michael Voss says Blues spearhead Harry McKay “can’t wait” to play on Saturday.

  • Sam McClure, Peter Ryan and Jon Pierik
Vic Metro’s Cooper Duff-Tytler is emerging as one of the top prospects for the 2025 AFL draft.

Famous brother and freakish ruckman: The early contenders to go No.1

The pecking order for this year’s AFL draft is starting to emerge.

  • Peter Ryan
West Coast Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen at his press conference.

How the Allen situation shows the AFL’s outrage machine is out of control

The reaction to West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen’s in-season meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and his wife Lyndall in Perth has bordered on embarrassing.

  • Marc McGowan
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Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman, Carlton’s Tom De Koning, North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke and Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell are yet to commit to their clubs for 2026.

Inviting drama: Should an AFL captain be meeting a rival coach?

These players are yet to sign on the dotted line, and they’ll be at the centre of trade talk in 2025. And with a club captain among their number, the chase is on.

  • Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan
Isaac Kako and Nate Caddy were close friends before they became Bombers. They’ve already shown glimpses of their star potential.

Bombers look to lock in young gun long term as red-and-black reset continues

Essendon are keen to offer an emerging star forward a long-term deal, while the in-form Hawks are facing a contract squeeze. Elsewhere, we look at some of the rising teens the Tasmania Devils will have access to.

  • Marc McGowan and Peter Ryan
Elijah Tsatas.

The Tsatas project: The mission to fix the one big snag in Essendon top pick’s game

The young Bomber possesses power, a burst from stoppage and a knack for winning the ball. But there was one major problem.

  • Jake Niall
Western Bulldogs footballer Sam Davidson at home with his family.

The son of the west who put medicine on hold for an unexpected AFL career

Medical student and PhD candidate Sam Davidson, whose AFL career came late and unexpectedly, comes from an extraordinary family of Bulldogs and high achievers.

  • Michael Gleeson

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