AFL
2 months ago
Trade wrap: Worpel to leave Hawks as Suns defender requests trade
By SEN
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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.
7:05pm - In-demand free agent to decide on future next week
Gold Coast’s Brayden Fiorini has garnered attention from several AFL clubs, and it has today been confirmed that the potential wantaway Sun will make a call early next week.
As revealed by his manager Liam Pickering, the decision will reveal whether Fiorini opts to remain at the Suns or to depart for greener pastures, with ongoing interest from both Port Adelaide and Essendon.
“He will make a decision early next week, we don't want to drag this on,” Pickering told Trade Radio.
“We will know if he wants to stay or go next week."
On Tuesday, Pickering provided a complete update on Fiorini’s pending decision.
6:05pm - Early suitor emerges for Oliver amid journo spray
With Clayton Oliver now almost certainly on the move, SEN’s Tom Morris is reporting that GWS has emerged as an early, serious suitor.
Morris says that Collingwood and Adelaide are also expected to explore moves for the midfielder.
The report comes after Oliver was spotted at Melbourne Airport on Thursday where he sprayed Seven journalist Mitch Cleary.
5:50pm - Pies meet with delisted Tiger
Collingwood has met with former Richmond defender Jacob Blight, with eyes on a potential list spot ahead of 2026.
Blight has only featured 10 times for the Tigers since being selected in the 2024 mid-season draft, seven of which coming in 2025.
According to Tom Morris, the Pies have sat down with the 23-year-old key defender ahead of the free agency period.
Collingwood are in the market for key defenders, following the delisting of Charlie Dean.
5:02pm - Suns defender requests Bulldogs trade
Gold Coast's Connor Budarick has requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs, reports Trade Radio's Riley Beveridge.
The Sun was courted by all of Brisbane, Essendon, North Melbourne and the Bulldogs at stages during the season, and the 24-year-old has now made his decision.
Budarick has played 55 games across six seasons for Gold Coast.
While he's out of contract, he's not a free agent, so the Bulldogs will need to satisfy the Suns in a trade.
4:39pm - Worpel makes his free agency decision
Hawthorn free agent James Worpel has told the club of his desire to move to Geelong, reports Trade Radio's Riley Beveridge.
The 26-year-old hails from Geelong, and it's expected he'll sign a four-year contract with the Cats.
While Worpel wants to move home, the Hawks have the ability to match any bid for him given his status as a restricted free agent.
The inside midfielder played 21 games in 2025, taking his tally to 148 matches in the brown and gold.
3:32pm - Charlie Curnow down to "one-horse race"
Cal Twomey believes the race for Charlie Curnow is down to one solo team, with the Sydney Swans well ahead in the charge for the dual Coleman Medallist.
With links to Geelong and the Gold Coast Suns, Trade Radio’s Cal Twomey believes that the star Blue can only land at the Swans if he was to leave the club.
"I think it's almost a one-horse race now,” Twomey told Trade Radio.
"It feels like the Petracca-Jamarra option has overtaken the Curnow option (for the Suns).
"Geelong hasn't put anything forward and haven't been willing to put forward their own players and have had interest ongoing for Rowan Marshall.
"That leaves Sydney.
"Would it be easier now for Charlie Curnow to nominate Sydney? That would open the door for Sydney to properly throw up some options to Carlton (for a trade)."
2:45pm - Demons confirm Oliver meeting
The Melbourne Football Club has released a statement regarding the reported meeting with Clayton Oliver.
The Demons say that Oliver is free to explore his options if he wishes after being told of the club's plans under new coach Steven King.
Read the statement below:
Melbourne’s AFL List Management team has today met with midfielder Clayton Oliver.
List Manager Tim Lamb said it was a good opportunity to sit down with Oliver alongside new Senior Coach Steven King and outline the club’s plans.
“Today was a good chance to sit down with Clayton and share how Steven and the coaches see the game being played, and where the opportunities lie for him,” Lamb said.
“We were upfront with Clayton around the role he is likely to play next season and the need for him to develop his craft beyond the midfield to have his biggest impact within the team.
“It was honest and respectful, and Clayton is now clear on what we see his role being next year, and how we think he can best contribute.
“Clayton is contracted for another five years. If he wants to explore his options in the upcoming AFL Trade Period, we will respect that. Should he remain in the red and blue, we will of course continue to support and embrace him as part of our club.”
1:28pm - Richmond open to shifting Pick 3
Richmond have collected a glut of first round talent over their recent rebuild, and according to Cal Twomey, the club may be open to sourcing further first round talent.
Entering the 2025 National Draft, the Tigers hold both Pick 2 and 3, landing North Melbourne’s first rounder in a trade involving Matt Whitlock in 2024.
However according to Twomey, the club may be willing to shift from one of those picks in order to acquire additional first rounders later in the draft.
“Richmond has to think closely around what it’s going to do with its picks,” Twomey told Trade Radio.
“I think that they are open to trading back or splitting Pick 3 – their second pick (of the draft).
“I think that they could either split that back and push back into multiple picks this year, or trade one back and get an extra future first round pick for next year as well, bearing in mind that they are probably going to be a bottom four side again next year.
“If you can add another two first rounders this season, and two next year as well after what they took next year, its basically bringing in half a team of first round picks over three years.
“That’s the build before Tasmania, and that’s something they will be open to.”
12:46pm - Melbourne shift position on wantaway Giant
GWS small forward Wade Derksen has remained steadfast in his bid to join the Demons, however the Dees are no longer interested in a potential trade.
Over two trade periods, the untried Giant has sought a move to Melbourne, requesting a trade in both 2024 and most recently ahead of this season's window.
However amongst the chaos, the Demons are said to have lost interest in the forward, with Tom Morris reporting that the club is unlikely to make a move in the upcoming period.
12:20pm - Melbourne willing to pay in Oliver trade
Sam Edmund is reporting that the Demons are willing to pay part of Clayton Oliver's contract if he is to be traded to a rival club.
"Melbourne is willing to pay as much as $700,000 (just over half) of Oliver's contract per year for the next five years in any trade," Edmund posted.
"The Demons today called him to a meeting to sell him a role change, expecting him to reject it. His days as an inside mid at Melbourne are over.
"Played 22 games this year. No Brownlow votes. Played 21 last year and polled in two."
12:15 - Brisbane midfielder nominates West Coast
Fringe Brisbane Lions midfielder Deven Robertson has nominated West Coast as his desired destination ahead of 2026.
With interest from the Western Bulldogs and the Eagles, the WA-born former first round pick has opted to return home after just 47 games in six seasons with the Lions.
As reported by Riley Beveridge, the out-of-contract Robertson turned down the Bulldogs’ interest and will look to join wooden spooners West Coast.
Robertson featured in the Lions’ losing Grand Final in 2023 and has managed just six games in the two years following.
12:00 - Two-time premiership Lion requests trade to Adelaide
Back-to-back premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee has officially requested to be traded to the Adelaide Crows.
The 27-year-old forward has played a major role in the Lions’ premiership success, booting 10 goals within the club’s 2024 finals campaign before collecting 17 disposals and two behinds in their 2025 Grand Final triumph over Geelong.
Shifting to the Lions from Gold Coast in 2020, Ah Chee has featured 124 times for the reigning premiers, playing in all 26 games across both 2024 and 2025.
Now out of contract, the forward has officially requested to join minor premiers Adelaide, who have a five year deal tabled ahead of 2026, per Cal Twomey.
11:11 – St Kilda “supremely confident” in landing Sam Flanders
The Saints feel as though they are in the driver’s seat in landing wantaway Sun Sam Flanders, according to Sam Edmund.
Having met with four Victorian clubs in weeks’ past, Flanders’ future remains wide open heading into the 2025 Trade Period, however as revealed on The Early Trade, St Kilda have the utmost confidence in securing their man.
“St Kilda, Essendon or Melbourne. I don’t think Carlton are at the table,” Edmund said.
“I’m guessing he’ll end up at the Saints. I don’t think, I know that the Saints are supremely confident that they are going to land him.
“It’s not just about the money, because if it was about the money he’d go to Essendon. It’s the role that is being sold to him, and a post-clearance midfielder.
“They think that they can really make it work for him, and maybe it’s a nice little match for player and for club.”
While the Saints remain confident, Kane Cornes believes that Melbourne would be the best destination for Flanders, given the news of two Demons’ midfielders potentially on the out.
“I think Melbourne’s open - if (Clayton) Oliver moves and (Christian) Petracca moves - to walk in there,” Cornes said.
“That would be a pretty desirable place if he wants to maximise his opportunities on-field.
“Say the money’s all equal, I think he’s going to get the most midfield opportunities and can lead that midfield at Melbourne under a new coach that he’s worked with before.”
10:00 – Steven King reveals future plans for Petracca, May and McVee
Incoming Demons coach Steven King has spoken on Judd McVee after he requested a trade to Fremantle in days past.
“I’ve spoken to Judd, and he has frustrations about how he thought he was pigeon-holed as a player,” King said of the 22-year-old.
“With his athleticism and skillset, I wanted him to be a contributor in the back half and really bounce the ball out of there. We had a coffee, I thought it went really well, but ultimately Judd wants to return home to WA, and I respect that decision.
On wantaway star Christian Petracca he said: “I’ve spoken to Christian on the phone,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“As a coach I’d love the opportunity to work with Christian and coach him.
“I fully understand the landscape we’re in. I respect Christian’s decisions now to explore his options, but he has got fours left on a contract.
“So, it would have to be an amazing deal for our footy club for him to move. If things don’t work out for Christian, it’s a fresh start with me and Paul (Guerra) as CEO.
“I’ve got his back around walking back into the club and playing great footy, and I’ll back him in.”
King also provided an update on Steven May, who has been told to commence his search for a new club.
“I haven’t had a chance to sit down with Steven yet, that was more a list management decision,” King said of the two-time All-Australian.
“I respect what he has done for this club, and we have had open and honest dialogue around what the future might look like for Steven, and maybe for him to explore options elsewhere to extend his career.”
Read the full chat here: “On our terms”: Melbourne coach reveals Petracca plan
Delisted Port Adelaide defender Ryan Burton has lifted the lid on the confusion within the walls of the club following his surprising departure.
The 28-year-old could only manage eight games in 2025 due to injury, however played out 97 games as a prime contributor within his six years prior.
Averaging 18 disposals as a back flanker across his AFL career, Burton was far from pleased with the club’s decision to move him on, however remains steadfast that another opportunity at the level will arise.
“I was really disappointed when I got the news a couple of months ago that I wasn’t getting a contract,” Burton told AFL Trade Radio.
“Straight away, my manager (Kapital Sports) said he’s confident that he should be able to find me somewhere.
“I’m only 28, I feel like I’m in my prime and I’ve got three or four years at least.”
