AFL
2 months ago
Trade wrap: Victorian club leading the race for in-demand Sun
By SEN
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Follow us live everyday of the trade period and we will bring you all the breaking news.
15:00pm - Victorian club emerges as frontrunner for in-demand Sun
The Western Bulldogs have emerged as the frontrunner for out-of-contract Gold Coast defender Connor Budarick, according to Riley Beveridge.
The 55-game Sun played in a variety of roles last season, including as a defensive forward, but Beveridge believes Budarick sees himself as a permanent small defender.
Having been courted by the Kangaroos, Demons, Bombers, Lions and Dogs, Beveridge believes that Budarick is most likely to head to the Whitten Oval this off-season.
Beveridge discussed Budarick’s pending decision with Josh Gabelich on AFL Trade Radio.
Gabelich: “He feels like a good replacement for Brandon Starcevich.
“Do you see Brisbane as the ideal fit for him, or is it the Western Bulldogs?
“Clearly the role he played this year at the Gold Coast Suns as a defensive forward is not the role he wants to play, and this is a guy that missed the best part of two years of footy with two ACLs.”
Beveridge: “I think he sees himself as being a small defender.
“Gold Coast have sort of sold him the vision of being this forward half player that can do a number of roles in the forward half, and I'm not sure whether or not that's his go, and that's probably because they brought in Dan Rioli and John Noble last year… Joel Jeffrey has popped as a half-back.
“They've sold him the vision of being a forward, and I think he sees his future more as a defender.
“The Western Bulldogs though have been hunting that sort of small defender for quite some time, Taylor Duryea has come to the end of his career now.
“I still think the Western Bulldogs are the frontrunners here, and I think that that's been the view of a lot of the clubs in the chase for Connor Budarick right the way through.
“He's got the offer to the two-year offer to stay at Gold Coast, it'll take him through to free agency, North Melbourne, Essendon and Brisbane are the other clubs that have had some interest, but I think they've been aware for some time that the Western Bulldogs would be the frontrunner if he wants to leave.”
13:30pm - AFL.com.au's Michael Whiting confirms Suns interest in Ugle-Hagan
AFL.com.au Queensland journalist Michael Whiting has confirmed the rumours surrounding Gold Coast’s interest in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The troubled Bulldogs star failed to make an appearance at any level across 2025, having dealt with a range of personal issues that saw the key forward step away from the club indefinitely.
The 23-year-old sat through his exit meeting with the Bulldogs earlier this week, with neither he nor the club placing any definitive interest in a trade, however as reported by Sam Edmund, it’s understood that the former No.1 pick is unlikely to play in the red, white and blue again.
Speaking on the rumours of Gold Coast’s interest, Whiting confirmed that the murmurs are true, and it remains a watch ahead of the 2025 trade period.
“I’ve loosely heard it,” Whiting told SEN Sportsday.
“Clearly if you can get what you think is a high level forward with a high ceiling, they’re going to look at it.
“I’m interested to see what they do there, because they’ve got high hopes for (Ethan) Read, they’ve clearly got high hopes for (Jed) Walter as well, but clearly Damien Hardwick’s not convinced in Jed Walter just yet.
“I’m not sure how far they’ll get with exploring trades for other key forwards, but it’s certainly a watch in a part of the ground they’re not 100 per cent sold on yet.”
Could it be cover for King?
Whiting was asked as to whether the Suns were looking at Ugle-Hagan as potential cover for star Ben King, in the unlikely circumstances that the Victorian key forward decides to move elsewhere.
King has expressed interest in a potential move back home over past years, with his contract running out at the end of the 2026 season.
“You might look at it that way, and that question seemingly with Ben King has come up every single year since he was drafted to the club,” Whiting said.
“The same question comes up with Matt Rowell, and that’s understandable. I certainly haven’t sensed any concern from Gold Coast that Ben King will stay beyond next year.
“It could be a backup, but I don’t see it that way at the moment.”
Flanders will leave Suns for Victoria
Whiting also confirmed that wantaway midfielder Sam Flanders has more than likely played his final game for the Suns, having requested a trade during his exit meeting last week.
With interest from several Victorian clubs, Flanders has commenced a range of meetings with potential suitors seeking his services in 2026.
“I think (he will leave). It certainly sounds like that; there’s a lot of clubs in Melbourne that are aggressively chatting to him and pursuing him.
“I don’t think he was thrilled with the way this year went for him, and his body certainly played a part in that. He had back problems during the pre-season, and I don’t think he was ever 100 per cent fit through the year.
“Damien Hardwick probably didn’t use him in the midfield as much as Flanders would have liked, so it looks like he’ll end up somewhere else, that’s for sure.”
11:50am Are AFL considering changes to trade rules?
Immediately after the Grand Final this weekend, the AFL world is preparing itself for what could prove to be the most active and brazen trade period in recent memory.
Plenty of players and clubs have made headlines through the season for apparent secret meetings despite being in contract, a notion Andrew Dillon wants to end.
“I think it’s probably gone about as far as we would like,” he said. “We want to work with clubs and players on it; player movement is important but with the clubs committing to these players, we have to get the balance right.
“I don’t think anyone wants to go down the path of players announcing intentions in the middle of season. It’s not there yet but I don’t want it to get there.
“Speaking with the team yesterday, it’s conversations at this stage, clubs will be comfortable with rules – whatever they are – as long as everyone sticks to them.
“We had a conversation about it (trade without consent) it didn’t get too far. I think as value and length of contract goes up there’s a potential for that. We’re a different comp. 10 teams in one state, we should continue the conversation.”
12:36pm The problem for Curnow-->Geelong
Much as he wants to move to the Cats, Charlie Curnow may prove far harder than Rowan Marshall.
Cal Twomey explains the predicament on Trade Radio: "They have a decision to make in Curnow and Marshall. Every club has an eye on what’s coming in the following year.
"No one ever wants to leave Geelong; that’s part of the trouble in the Curnow interest.
"Who is actually going to put their hand up to go? They hit the trade market aggressively. Their lifestyle benefit they have promoted – which is working wonders for Smith.
"They also have this ability to pick up gems in the draft. It’s perfect for them. It’s a system that is hard to find fault with."
10:20am - Star Swan comments on Curnow rumours
Sydney’s Chad Warner is hopeful but admits it will likely be hard for his club to land Carlton’s Charlie Curnow this trade period.
Curnow has been linked to the Swans but it remains to be seen just how serious any interest is.
Star Swan Warner was asked about the Blues gun by Gareth Hall on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.
“I actually spoke to him on Monday night (at the Brownlow). He reckons it might be hard,” he said.
“But I hope so.”
Two-time Coleman Medallist Curnow is contracted with Carlton until 2029.
How many clubs will take a risk on JUH?
While you can’t argue with his potential, the 23-year-old’s off-field behaviour this year is cause for concern and will undoubtedly rule some clubs out.
The latest news is that his time with the Bulldogs is over and he has been told to find a new home.
Various scenarios could present given the fact he has a year to run on his current deal, but the Gold Coast Suns are believed to be the front runners.
Whether Surfers Paradise is the right destination for Ugle-Hagan will be a hotly debated topic but you can’t argue that if anyone can turn his fortunes around it’s Damien Hardwick.
Here’s the latest from SEN regular and Channel 9 footy reporter Tom Morris.
“Gold Coast is taking a serious look at Jamarra Ugle-Hagan,” Morris said on Nine News.
“Although it’s far from done, the Suns have been doing their due diligence for several weeks.
“We now know for sure Ugle-Hagan won’t be at the Dogs next year, no matter what.
“As far as I can tell, there are no other suitors. Which means Gold Coast could be his only hope of being on an AFL list and Ugle-Hagan’s career will hinge on whether the Suns decide to take the risk.
“Damien Hardwick is attracted to the very best of Ugle-Hagan, but the worst this year has been disastrous off the field.
“This is why the Dogs won’t stand in his way if the Suns offer a late draft pick for him.”
