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Trading and drafting

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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.

The players at the centre of the AFL’s recruiting war, and five others to watch

These players to sign on the dotted line, and while that remains the case, they’ll be at the centre of trade talk in 2025.

  • Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan

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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
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Victorian clubs weigh up bold plays on Harley Reid

Victorian clubs are already considering what they may need to give up in draft capital to secure Harley Reid if he attempts to leave the Eagles with one year left on his contract. There’s news around Kysaiah Pickett and Toby Bedford, too.

  • Marc McGowan and Peter Ryan
A man on a mission: St Kilda president Andrew Bassat is doing all he can to turn the Saints into an AFL power.

‘Doing this properly’: Why the Saints won’t back down in their star pursuit

Andrew Bassat caused a stir when he called the AFL out on what he felt were unfair drafting rules. The St Kilda president opens up on the Saints’ salary cap, their pursuit of star players and why more change at the draft table is needed.

  • Jon Pierik
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Dan Houston has settled into his new jumper

New jumper, ‘new person’: Houston had a problem in 2024, now he’s ready for lift-off

Despite all the complications of 2024, Dan Houston still produced an All-Australian season at Port Adelaide. Now he’s got less on his mind and is ready to make his debut as a Magpie against his former club.

  • Peter Ryan
Christian Petracca in action for the Demons during their pre-season clash with Fremantle.

AFL clarifies players’ third-party deals; how ‘Kozzy’ could hold the key to action on Jackson

The AFL clarified the process to The Age after this masthead reported on Melbourne star Christian Petracca’s deal with yoghurt company, and Demons sponsor, YoPRO.

  • Marc McGowan and Peter Ryan
Petracca in action for the Demons during the pre-season.

Petracca’s power move: Demon splits from star-studded Connors Sports stable

The move follows the most tumultuous period of Christian Petracca’s career.

  • Marc McGowan
Brendon Gale has started as CEO of the Tasmania Devils.

‘My wish is … that comes to an end’: Why Gale wants Hawthorn booted from Tassie

The Tasmania Devils boss insists the team will be ready to play in the AFL from 2028, and dismissed concerns about potential delays to the Macquarie Point stadium.

  • Caroline Wilson

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