Who Gold Coast won’t chase in frantic trade period
Gold Coast will try to fix a major issue by poaching experienced players from rival clubs. But there is one type of player the Suns have ruled out – despite the immediate sugar hit.
Trade HQ
Suns footy boss lifts lid on Lukosius trade talks
Gold Coast football boss Wayne Campbell says the club is happy for Jack Lukosius to speak with rivals, but the Suns won’t be giving him away for nothing.
Ralph: Bombers’ dangerous game with ‘loveable rogue’ Stringer
Jake Stringer is desperate to stay at Essendon, but how much are the Bombers willing to test the loyalty of a rare forward actually delivering for them? JON RALPH writes, it’s a dangerous game.
Trade buzz: Hawks’ defensive logjam, Roos’ big offer for Tiger
The Hawks are already looking forward to 2025, even with their season alive right now. But how will they handle the logjam down back with Josh Battle and Tom Barrass coming over?
Crows target another Sun as Luko trade gains momentum
Alex Neal-Bullen wants to get to Adelaide and things are lining up for the Crows in their pursuit of Jack Lukosius. And, now, another Gold Coast forward is in the trade mix.
The complication holding up another Tiger exit
Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli and Liam Baker have all officially requested trades out of Punt Rd. But Richmond is a still a chance to hold onto free agent Jack Graham – here’s why.
‘No hard feelings’: Trac backed to salvage Dees relationships
A Norm Smith medallist whose failed trade request led to a premiership has backed Christian Petracca to return to Melbourne and find his best form.
Trade buzz: Pie eyes opportunity, Cat keen on move, Daniel latest
Silly season is drawing closer and there are plenty of players with futures up in the air. Get the latest trade news from GLENN McFARLANE and JOSH BARNES here.
Hawks skipper’s Barrass warning, cryptic response to Battle talk
Hawthorn have won the race for Tom Barrass, but James Sicily has warned there’s a long way to go before an official deal is done. Plus the Hawks captain chimes in on Josh Battle.
Suns prepare trade raid as Tiger, Magpie ask for move up north
The Suns could be the big players in this year’s trade period, with a Magpie defender and Tigers premiership hero declaring their intentions to move north next year.
The lingering impact of footy’s ‘worst kept secret’ on trade week
Bailey Smith’s future is footy’s worst kept secret, but it also presents the Bulldogs with an opportunity to take a big risk. JON RALPH tackles the seven biggest hottest trade topics.
Emotional Trac’s challenges laid bare, Goody details next step
The off-season is officially here for Melbourne – and it’s going to be a big one. How’s Christian Petracca really doing? What about Clayton Oliver? Get the latest after Friday night’s loss.
‘Bravery required’: Saints great urges club to trade star players
The Saints have had a disappointing season after their finals run in 2023, and a club great has implored them to get brutal this off-season and put some of its biggest names on the trade table.
Trade buzz: Questions linger over Rioli trade as hope grows at Suns
The Suns are confident Daniel Rioli will want to make the move up north, but what will the price be? Plus, how much do Gold Coast really want to keep Jack Lukosius?
Leading choice emerges if Petracca leaves Dees
Christian Petracca has spoken with his teammates about his future, and while JAY CLARK reports the superstar is unlikely to part ways with the Dees – there might be a preferred destination.
Clarko reveals North’s pursuit of Viney, Wines on trade hit list
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has openly revealed his club is chasing Demon Jack Viney and named four other veterans he would love to bring to the Kangaroos.
Off Trac: Why trading might help Dees sort out internal mess
Former Demon Jordan Lewis says Melbourne is hurting itself from the inside, insisting too many people are ‘running their own agendas’ – and that no player is bigger than the club.
Dee-nied: Port star turns back on move to Melbourne
The hits continue to come for Melbourne, with their trade plans thrown into disarray following a call by a Port Adelaide All-Australian.
He’s coming home? Crows to make bold play for SA Sun
Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine and, now, Jack Lukosius? The Crows could be about to pull off another recruiting raid after meeting with the South Australian star.
Ken hits back as Houston trade talk becomes ‘real’
The jungle drums are beating – and some believe Port Adelaide star Dan Houston is as good as gone. But coach Ken Hinkley wasn’t quite so sure on Friday.
Trade rewind: When two first-rounders really wasn’t worth it
Dan Houston for two first-round picks? Adam Treloar kicked off the trend when he went to Collingwood for that in 2015. Since then, eight others have been part of similar moves – but not all have worked out. See the verdicts on every deal.
Trade bait? Why Smith won’t be in Bulldogs’ finals plans
The Bulldogs look on the march towards September, but don’t count on Bailey Smith joining the charge, with the star likely to be kept on ice for the sake of his trade value.
Out of time? Intel, verdict on the big list calls at every club
As some players prepare to lead their team into September, others are playing for their careers in the final five weeks of the season. Our experts deliver the verdict on every out-of-contract player.
Trade debate: How badly do Eagles want star Tiger?
It seems premiership Tiger Liam Baker won’t be at Richmond next season, but is he locked into the Eagles? Or will their recent draft history help send him to their rivals Fremantle?
Moneyball: Dockers pitched Tiger double deal, Pie waits for contract
Fremantle could offer an incredible draft package for Shai Bolton and Liam Baker – if the star Tiger is open to a move. Get all the latest trade and contract news.
Moneyball: New Blues hero locked in until 2026
One of the heroes in Carlton’s emergence as a genuine premiership contender has been rewarded with a contract extension. Plus, all the latest trade whispers in Moneyball.
Relationship status: How Clarry, Dees are really doing off the field
Clayton Oliver is in a serious form slump on the field and his contract to 2030 has been criticised as one of the worst in football. But will either affect his future at Melbourne? Here’s the latest.
Hawk talk: Veteran trio’s future made clear, latest on Irishman
See the latest on the futures of Jack Gunston, Luke Breust and Sam Frost as the Hawks close in on re-signing an Irishman on a long-term deal.
The empty promise behind Lobb’s likely trade request
Before Rory Lobb was traded to the Bulldogs at the end of 2022, coach Luke Beveridge was the one to make the personal sales pitch – and it’s now the catalyst behind his likely next move.
The truth about Ralph Carr’s cryptic Dusty tweet
Dustin Martin retirement speculation went intop overdrive this week after a tweet from his manager Ralph Carr. Is Dusty going to play out the season?
Star Cat’s guardian given special permission to handle new deal
With rivals attempting to poach Geelong’s star forward Tyson Stengle, the premiership Cat has turned to the partner of an AFL legend to get a new deal done.
Crows, Port in free agent showdown for Sydney star
Adelaide and Port Adelaide are preparing for a Showdown on the field Thursday night – but there’s also one brewing off the field. Can either SA club lure Will Hayward home?
‘I was phased out’: Adams reveals McRae silence that ‘hurt’ most
Like at GWS at the end of 2012, Taylor Adams didn’t want to leave Collingwood. And what hurt again this time, he says, was how the club – and coach Craig McRae – handled the exit.
Retirement? Yze says Martin has years left in AFL
Amid ongoing speculation about Dustin Martin’s AFL future, Richmond coach Adem Yze says the Tigers champion has several years left at the top level.
38 touches, 15 marks: The free agent too good for VFL
He was unlucky to be dropped after round 1 and can’t fight his way back into the AFL despite dominating performances at VFL level. Could this free agent be gettable for your team in 2025?
Baz delays, Dusty’s high price and latest AFL trade whispers
Will rivals baulk at the high price Dustin Martin would command to leave Richmond? And, is Bailey Smith as good as out the door at Whitten Oval? JON RALPH has the latest trade whispers.
Revealed: The clubs that will need to offer a King’s ransom for Lion
Brisbane are confident they will keep Hugh McCluggage, with it seeming any club wanting the gun midfielder will be forced to part with multiple first-round draft picks to land the Lion.
Inside story: How Blues pulled off stunning Freo trade heist
Blake Acres’ first move from St Kilda to Fremantle came in a rush. But Carlton’s pursuit three years later was far more calculated. Here’s how the Blues landed their new hero.
Trade latest: The free agents in sights of cashed-up Pies
Collingwood could have access to more than $4m to chase top-tier free agents to start reshaping the oldest list in the AFL over the next few seasons – and 2025 could be the year.
Trade latest: Eagles’ draft request, Flagpie’s wait, Swan’s big payday
The Eagles’ poor start to 2024 has prompted calls for draft assistance, but will the club cave? Plus, a Magpie has pushed his contract talks while two Swans are set to get paid in the latest AFL trade news.
Silent assassins? SOS primed to strike with Saints war chest
It’s well known that Essendon, Hawthorn and North Melbourne have been hoarding salary cap money to land a big fish. But St Kilda is also in an envious position as it looks to end its six-decade premiership drought.
Trade latest: Star Saint remains only holdout from ‘22 draft
The 2022 draft is shaping as one to sing about, yet one Saint isn’t as keen as his peers to lock away his future at the club that drafted him. Check out the latest trade news and whispers.
Rival Victorian club emerges as shock Clayton Oliver suitor
Dees superstar Clayton Oliver was almost out of Melbourne in 2023, with Adelaide at the front of the line for his services. Now, a Victorian club has put the Demon on their list of targets.
Crows circle ‘premium’ SA-born Demon
The Crows haven’t given up hope of luring a rising Demon back to South Australia, with a young gun’s signature now a premium at Melbourne after Angus Brayshaw’s shock retirement.
Why skipper isn’t worried about Cats’ contract crunch
Patrick Dangerfield is among 23 Cats who come out of contract at the end of the year, but he isn’t concerned. And he joked there is one side who could be after him.
Footy boss sheds light on unsigned Cats stars’ contract talks
Geelong has 23 players out of contract, and its football director has shed light on where contract talks sit with key players. Plus, a promising injury update ahead of their practice match.
List Manager: The big calls that will keep Lions window open
How many genuine cracks do the Lions have left before their premiership window shuts? Jon Ralph digs deep into the Brisbane list – and the big future decisions – to find a surprising answer.
Salary cap watch: When can the Saints afford to launch?
St Kilda has vast scope to hit the free agency market in the future – but when is the right time? See exactly where the Saints’ list is at after 2023’s surprise finals run.
Trio of trades and the clubs circling: Draft strategy revealed
It is going to be a wild draft night, with a number of clubs needing to wheel and deal their way into more points. Which rivals are circling and ready to jump up the order?
The List Manager: When will Tigers’ flag window open again?
The Tigers’ dominant era is over but how long will it take for its’ premiership window to open again? Jon Ralph looks into his crystal ball to assess Richmond’s future prospects.
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