AFL
2 months ago
Trade wrap: “No doubt” Cats will lead the chase for star Blue in 2026
By SEN
Presented by
The 2025 AFL trade period is here and there is plenty to talk about.
AFL Trade Radio is up and running and hitting the airwaves every day.
Follow us live throughout the trade period and we will bring you all the breaking news.
18:25 - Geelong to chase Carlton’s Sam Walsh in 2026 free agency window
Geelong is set to lead the chase for Carlton’s Sam Walsh when he enters free agency next season.
The star midfielder was originally drafted out of the Geelong Falcons, and Trade Radio’s Cal Twomey is sure they’ll table him a ‘high-end’ contract to see if he wants to return home.
While Twomey expects the Cats to well and truly throw their hat in the ring for the 133-gamer, he expects some other Victorian clubs are also making an early inroads in case he opts to leave the Blues.
“Sam Walsh is another one (who is a free agent next year) and I reported earlier that Geelong, St Kilda and Hawthorn were making early running for him ahead of his free agency year,” Twomey told AFL Trade Radio.
“The last contract he signed was in his fourth year in 2022 here Round 1. So, I don’t see any need for him to do that this time around.
“The free agency market isn’t going to disappear on him, and we saw how good a player he is when he was up and running at the end of the year.
“The offers for him are going to be high-end for him as a free agent and Geelong will be leading the chase there, I’ve got absolutely no doubt about that.”
17:20 - St Kilda star Wilkie to remain at Moorabbin
St Kilda's Callum Wilkie won't be requesting a trade to the Western Bulldogs this off-season, reports SEN's Tom Morris.
Wilkie had been courted by the Dogs and coach Luke Beveridge, with reports as early as this morning suggesting that the All-Australian defender was still weighing up his future after the Dogs tabled a lucrative deal.
But according to Morris, a significant contract boost will see him remain a Saint.
Despite recently meeting with the Dogs in recent days, Wilkie was won over by St Kilda President Andrew Bassat who has ensured the 29-year-old won't be departing the club.
16:25 - Eagles place offer to poach Tigers defender
West Coast has offered Richmond defender Tylar Young a three-year contract.
With the mature-age recruit’s contract set to expire this off-season, the Tigers have also offered him a new deal to keep him at the club.
“They have a three-year offer on the table for Tylar Young who is still weighing up his decision between going to West Coast and joining the Eagles or staying at Richmond, who have also increased its offer to keep him at Punt Road,” Cal Twomey revealed on Trade Radio.
Young would be the latest in a line of key figures to head to the Eagles, who may play a part in drawing the defender west.
“He’s clearly got Richmond links at the Eagles. Former teammates Liam Baker and Jack Graham are there. Former coach in Andrew McQualter and the recruiter (Matthew Clarke) who picked him up in that club, now the list manager at the Eagles.
“The links are there.
“He has a decision to make and that’s coming in the next few days.”
The 2025 free agency period will begin on Friday, October 3.
16:00 - Melbourne CEO opens up on Petracca talks and honest May chat
Melbourne CEO Paul Guerra has opened up on the club’s decision to let Christian Petracca explore his trade options.
Petracca, 29, is contracted until the end of the 2029 season but last week told the club he would like a fresh start elsewhere.
While Guerra and the club allowed Petracca to look around, he says the Demons won’t trade their gun midfielder unless they get fair compensation in return.
“In an ideal world, Christian stays with us, but ultimately, he's called to explore other options. He believes he needs a fresh start,” Guerra said on AFL Trade Radio.
“Our view is, you know, let's see what comes back for that. You know, he's got a four-year contract with the football club.
"If we don't get a deal that satisfies us, then Christian will be playing as a Melbourne footballer next year."
15:02 - West Coast receive AFL assistance package
AFL Trade Radio's Cal Twomey is reporting that West Coast will receive a four rookie list spots as part of an AFL assistance package, with the league allowing the club to maintain those list spots through until 2028.
The AFL has also awarded the Eagles with an end-of-first round draft pick for the upcoming National Draft, landing at pick 19 prior to NGA and academy bids.
In contrary to previous assistance packages, the Eagles will not be required to trade the pick, instead having the ability to select a further first round talent.
2:29pm - Bomber to the Giants
The Giants have confirmed Bombers defender Jayden Laverde wants to join the club.
"We’re delighted that Jayden has decided to join the club as he’ll add a host of experience as well as depth to our key defensive stocks," Giants Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said.
Laverde will officially join the Giants after the AFL Draft in late November.
14:08 - Suns’ juggling act to dominate trade period
It will be a busy off-season for Gold Coast, who have been linked with a list of names as significant change looms during the trade period.
“They’ve become the busiest club in the trade period,” Cal Twomey told AFL Radio.
The Suns have been heavily linked with a number of the competition’s best as they look to improve on a club-best season in 2025.
“They are obviously right in the hunt for Jamie Elliott. They’ve got interest in Charlie Curnow. Christian Petracca they’ve spoken to as well,” Twomey said.
The Suns will be forced to open trade negotiations with other clubs to lure these players up north, while also looking to hold a strong draft hand as they eye off a plethora of academy picks.
“They want to protect some picks because they want to take at least five academy players, maybe even six players at the draft. This is their big academy haul,” Twomey said.
No.1 pick contender Zeke Uwland, along with Dylan Patterson and Koby Coulson are among the names likely to be taken early in the draft, causing headaches for the Suns who already hold three first-round picks.
The Suns’ draft plans will also be helped by the likes of Sam Flanders and Malcolm Rosas who are among the list of names likely to exit the Suns in the off-season.
“Brayden Fiorini, they have offered a three-year deal to stay. Sam Flanders, I think is out the door. Connor Budarick I think is going. Malcolm Rosas is going to Sydney," he added.
“They’ve got all these things to consider.”
Gold Coast currently holds picks 6, 13, 16, 31, 56 and 67 in the draft.
12:50 - Bailey set for huge pay day after monster offer
Set to be a free agent at the end of 2026, Brisbane's Zac Bailey could be set to cash in as other clubs chase his signature.
“Clubs are coming for him. Clubs have already come for him,” Riley Beveridge told Trade Radio.
Cal Twomey has revealed that Essendon has already launched a monster six-year deal for the dynamic forward-midfielder, worth over $1.3 million per year.
Fresh off a career-best season which saw him receive his second premiership medal and debut All-Australian blazer, another exceptional season could see his value skyrocket even further.
“Another club could easily offer $1.5 million a season for Zac Bailey after the way he has performed this year,” said Cal Twomey on Trade Radio.
“You can see him having a campaign next year where he kicks 50 or 60 goals and $1.3 (million) seems like a small-ish offer for him by the end of next season.”
Adelaide and Port Adelaide are also reportedly interested in Bailey, who will look to entice him back to South Australia.
12:44 - Melbourne confirm Petracca wants out
Demons' CEO Paul Guerra confirming the midfielder's desire to leave the club.
Petracca landed in Adelaide on Monday, with SEN’s Tom Morris reporting that he’s completed a medical with the Crows as he weighs up a move away from the Demons.
And according to Trade Radio's Cal Twomey, Guerra has confirmed Petracca's position, with the club aware that the star is on the verge of a move elsewhere.
"We met with Christian late last week where he expressed his desire to explore a fresh start in 2026," Guerra said in a letter to members.
"Christian is contracted for a further four years and is a once in a generation player. With this in mind, any decision regarding Christian’s future will be made in the best interest of the Melbourne Football Club."
11:13 - What will the Hawks give up for Merrett?
A potential exit for Essendon captain Zach Merrett remains one of the biggest talking points of the trade period, but what will clubs be willing to offer?
The Hawks are set to push for a trade for Merrett, but it could come at a very high cost as the Bombers remain firm that the skipper will stay at The Hangar next season.
“Based on what (Essendon president) Andrew Welsh has said publicly, (a trade) seems impossible,” Morris said on Trade Radio.
“I think (Hawthorn) will balk initially at two first-round picks.”
But former Essendon champion and coach James Hird believes Essendon would be willing to look at deals for Merrett for the right price.
“I think two first-rounders will get it done.”
Hawthorn currently holds picks 8, 26, 55 and 69 in this year’s draft.
11:45 - Bulldogs still in hunt for Callum Wilkie
The Western Bulldogs’ “ambitious” bid to lure Callum Wilkie to The Kennel appears to still be alive.
Fresh off another stellar season and a second-place finish in the 2025 Trevor Barker Award, the star defender is still a chance to leave Moorabbin, with the Bulldogs monitoring his situation very closely.
“The Cal Wilkie situation is still bubbling away,” Josh Gabelich revealed on AFL Trade Radio.
“The Western Bulldogs are surprised that they are still in the hunt for him.”
With the Saints set to splash the cash on players like Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, a pay discrepancy could be motivation for the defender to look elsewhere.
“There’s a gap between what he’s currently getting paid as an All-Australian … and the players that they are bringing in.
“This has still got a pulse.”
10:09 - Jack Steele committed to St Kilda
St Kilda captain Jack Steele has committed to the Saints for the 2026 season.
GWS were reportedly interested in luring the Saints skipper back to the Giants, but Tom Morris reports that Steele is almost certain to lead his side into 2026.
“I think Jack Steele is committed to staying for next year,” Morris told Trade Radio.
“He’s a pretty loyal guy and I think he would love nothing more, Jack Steele, than to play in a final and have a chance at winning a flag with the Saints.
“I think the Giants had a look at Jack Steele earlier in the year.
“I would be very surprised if Jack Steele went anywhere now.”
The 29-year-old still has two more years to run on his contract, with it due to expire at the end of 2027.
9:00 - Dimma driving Jamarra pursuit
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick is believed to be driving his club's interest in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
The troubled forward, according to Sam Edmund, is highly unlikely to stay with the Western Bulldogs despite being contracted for next year.
The Suns have been linked as one club with a preliminary interest in the 23-year-old and a lot of it is being masterminded by Hardwick.
“I think there were large chunks of the season that he’d just been unsighted around the club,” Edmund said of Jamarra on Trade Radio.
“I think it’s his call not to be at the best and fairest and in keeping with his on and off relationship with the club throughout the year.
“There were major concerns at the time due to his off-field habits and his lifestyle, and the concerns and complexities around it. There are a lot of family complexities around it too.
“Now it’s got to a stage where the trust can’t be repaired, the bridge can’t be mended, so he won’t be with Luke Beveridge next year at the Dogs. That’s what everyone else is saying too, I’m not out on my own there.
“He has a year to run and all options are on the table. Is he delisted? Is there a severance payment? Does another club come with a trade? Does another club pick him up later as a delisted free agent? Who knows.
“The Suns are the only club we can link. They’re the only and the obvious potential suitor for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. They’ve got some early interest, it’s only preliminary, very early into their due diligence.
“They’re far from a certainty to pursue at all, but my understanding is this is a coach driven thing. This is maybe a passion project for Damien Hardwick.
"Everyone loves a redemption story, no one more than ‘Dimma’. He’s had a fair amount of them at Richmond with varying degrees of success with Marlion Pickett, Sydney Stack and these guys.
“He is probably thinking if we can get Jamarra for next to nothing, and it is a massive risk, but his self-confidence, his man-management ability, the fact he thinks they can set up the right environment around him - they’re only at the table - but that’s why they’re at the table.
“It’s being driven by the coach.”
Kane Cornes can only see a club with a powerful figure as head coach providing a good home for Ugle-Hagan.
“It can only be a club with a coach with that standing in the game,” Cornes said.
“It can only be a Chris Scott, it could be a Chris Fagan with the structure at Brisbane, it could definitely be a Hardwick.
“The risk for any other coach is too great. I’m surprised Geelong didn’t think ‘we can get Jamarra for free’. But their welfare manager is busy enough.”
8:30am Tex is set to play on
Will Taylor Walker play on in 2026? The answer appears to be yes.
The veteran Adelaide Crows forward has been a warrior for his side since his debut in 2009, playing 301 games and kicking 680 goals, well exceeding Tony Modra to claim the title for most goals in Adelaide history.
A one-time All-Australian, five-time club leading goalkicker, club captain and one-time AFLPA best captain, Tex Walker has produced a decorated career with the Crows, however without a contract entering ’26, both the 35-year-old and the club have a major decision to make surrounding his playing future.
According to Adelaide sports journalist Tom Rehn, the news will come today or tomorrow.
"One to watch that will be locked in in the next day or so, he’s just back from Singapore and is meeting with management today," Rehn told SEN Breakfast.
"I think Taylor Walker will announce he is going on for a 19th season. It will be a different role. He has been told he wont play as much and there will be some SANFL football in there.
"But they love his leadership. 301 games. It’s always tricky when you get to 35 or 36 but I think he will play on in 2026."
On hearing Rehn's comments, Kane Cornes was flabbergasted.
"The minute the club left the decision to him, as if he would ever walk away," Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.
"Why do clubs leave it to the player? How soft are we? They're not going to be brave enough to play him in the SANFL. It lacks any ruthless edge from clubs when they leaver it in the hands of the player.
"Of course he's going to play again, what else would he do?"
