Trade wrap: Star ruckman requests trade to rival club

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.

6:20pm Marshall requests trade to Geelong

St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall has requested a trade to Geelong, reports SEN's Tom Morris.

Marshall's request comes on the same day that St Kilda officially welcomed fellow ruck Tom De Koning on a huge deal via free agency.

While the Saints reportedly wanted to play both De Koning and Marshall alongside each other, it appears Marshall would rather play as a lone No. 1 ruckman.

The 29-year-old is contracted at St Kilda until the end of the 2027 season, so Geelong would need to trade to acquire his services.

5:38pm Magpies ALSO meet with Humphrey as Hawks join the race

Seven's Xander McGuire is also reporting that Gold Coast's Bailey Humphrey has met with the Magpies, while SEN's Tom Morris has added that Hawthorn are in the running too.

5:05pm Bailey Humphrey spotted with Melbourne figures

Gold Coast midfielder/forward Bailey Humphrey has been photographed meeting with Melbourne coach Steven King and club great Nathan Jones.

King worked with Humphrey during his time at Gold Coast, even coaching the Suns as a caretaker at the end of the 2023 season, which was Humphrey's first season.

Humphrey has been a hot name in trade talks over the last two days, with reports suggesting that the Demons, Magpies and Blues were all keen on his services.

SEN's Sam Edmund reported earlier today that Humphrey's management had reached out to rival clubs in recent days with the player having a desire to leave Gold Coast this trade period.

While his manager, Michael Oakes from Elevation Sports, then denied to the Herald Sun that “Bailey has not met with any clubs, and doesn’t have any plans to meet with any clubs”, this latest photo would disprove that if it were taken recently.

5:01pm Blues and Hawks receive compensation for restricted free agents

Carlton has opted not to match St Kilda's free agency offer for Tom De Koning.

The Blues receive band one compensation (currently pick 9) in return.

Hawthorn has also opted not to match Geelong's offer for James Worpel.

The Hawks receive an end of round two selection (currently pick 39), in the 2025 Draft.

4:04pm Fresh Gold Coast name exploring trade option

Gold Coast's Ben Ainsworth is exploring his trade options, reports Trade Radio's Cal Twomey.

While the forward has three years left on his Gold Coast deal, Twomey says he's exploring interest from rival clubs.

Ainsworth played 24 games in 2025, taking his overall tally to 158 games.

The 27-year-old hails from the Gippsland Power.

3:40pm Magpies to be in the thick of Butters sweepstakes

Collingwood is set to be one of the key suitors for Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters next off-season according to Trade Radio’s Cal Twomey.

Butters’ current contract with Port Adelaide ends at the end of the 2026 season where he’ll enter restricted free agency.

While Geelong and the Western Bulldogs have been linked most to Butters, who hails from Darley in outer-western Melbourne, Twomey is also certain that the Magpies will be in the thick of things should he remain unsigned at Alberton.

“I’ll give you this though, I strongly, strongly expect Collingwood to be in the thick of the Zak Butters sweepstakes next year,” Twomey said.

“They don’t have picks, but they have free agency options.

“In saying that though, if Butters left Port Adelaide, I think it (the free agency bid) would be matched in an instant, so you probably need picks (to then satisfy a trade) if you’re into the Zak Butters race.

“We hear a lot about Geelong and the Bulldogs, and that’s because they’re the two key suitors for them over that side of town (west of Melbourne) if he does look at moving.

“But I think Collingwood will be giving it a shake.”

2:37pm Justin Longmuir meets with brother of Dockers star

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has met with Hawthorn defender Jai Serong, reports SEN's Sam Edmund.

The 22-year-old has played 10 career games and is out of contract with the Hawks.

While the Roos and Swans have also been floated as potential destinations, Freo could now also throw their hat in the ring following Longmuir's meeting.

Jai's older brother Caleb is a superstar at Fremantle where he's contracted until the end of the 2027 season.

1:53pm Player manager offers update on Mason Cox’s future

Odyssey Sports Management’s James Pitcher has offered an update on Mason Cox’s future at Collingwood.

The 34-year-old ruck/forward is currently without a deal at the Magpies and is free to look around at whatever offers he can garner around the competition.

While Cox is yet to be tabled a deal by the Magpies, Pitcher says the club hopes to keep him on their list for 2026 but are simply holding off putting that offer in front of him until they get a clear idea of what list spots they’re looking at.

“I'd like to think he would (get another deal at Collingwood),” Pitcher said on AFL Trade Radio.

“We've had really good chats with Collingwood since really the injury has occurred, that I don't think it's ever been a conversation about him not being there, but it was always going to come down to list spots.

“He had a great exit with Fly (Craig McRae) and Leppa (Justin Leppitsch) last week, and I think they were quite clear, and they want to find a way for him to remain at Collingwood, but it's really going to depend on this upcoming trade period and what potentially happens.

“But, again, his ability to play a role for the team that's quite sacrificial (is big).

“I think he was a really big part of their success in that first two thirds of the season, and he’s done everything to deserve at least another year at the Pies.”

12:35pm - Carlton receives Silvagni compo

Carlton has received Pick 19 as compensation for losing Jack Silvagni as a free agent to St Kilda.

12:08pm Saints tell their captain he's free to look elsewhere

St Kilda had a crucial meeting with captain Jack Steele this morning, reports SEN's Tom Morris.

According to Morris, the Saints told the midfielder he's welcome to look elsewhere if he wants a guaranteed on-ball role at the AFL level.

While St Kilda's refusal to offer a solid midfield role could turn Steele's head, Morris says the 29-year-old wants to stay at Moorabbin for 2026, even though he's expected to lose the captaincy this off-season if he stays.

They told him he is welcome to look for other opportunities if he wants guaranteed midfield time in the senior team.

12:00pm Highly rated Dons assistant moves to Victorian rival

Highly-rated Essendon assistant Daniel Giansiracusa is going to Hawthorn as head of development, reports SEN's Tom Morris.

A huge curveball in the coaching world after Cal Twomey reported that Collingwood was keen on his services.

Giansiracusa didn't attend Essendon's best and fairest last night, and he may not be the only Essendon figure to arrive at Waverley Park this off-season with superstar midfielder Zach Merrett also set to request a move to the Hawks.

10:40am Pies and Dogs won't chase May

Two-time All-Australian defender Steven May was this week told to explore his options with another club with Melbourne wanting to prioritise their youth.

With a year to run on his current deal, May has been linked with both Collingwood and the Bulldogs, but the latest is that his age will be a turn off.

"I don’t believe Collingwood is going to pursue Steven May," AFL Media's Josh Gabelich told Kane Cornes on SEN 1116.

"They’ve held conversations around him, Justin Leppitsch has a relationship with him but I believe the club is not going down that path - because of the age; he’s 33 turning 34 early next year.

"There’s every chance he stays at Melbourne now, he’s contracted for next year. Melbourne told him to explore his options because they want to play younger players.

"The Bulldogs are the other club that have been in the market for a key defender, but like Collingwood, I think the age profile works against Steven May for the Bulldogs and Collingwood."

10:30am More free agent paperwork lodged

North Melbourne have lodged paperwork for Melbourne free agent Charlie Spargo, while Geelong has also lodged their's for Hawthorn's James Worpel.

Spargo is an unrestricted free agent, so his move is now confirmed.

Worpel on the other hand, is a restricted free agent, allowing Hawthorn three days to decide whether or not to match the Cats' bid.

10:00 Multiple clubs believe Suns star is gettable

Multiple rival clubs believe Gold Coast’s Bailey Humphrey is gettable.

The 21-year-old is contracted with the Suns until 2028 but there is a belief from some clubs in Victoria that he could be a trade option.

The situation has become much more interesting since Melbourne’s Christian Petracca expressed his desire to join the Suns.

“I’ve got Bailey Humphrey on the hot seat,” Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio.

“Clubs think they can get him. Where there’s smoke there’s often fire in this regard.

“Gold Coast are resolute, they absolutely want to keep him and say he’s not for trade under any circumstances, he’s contracted until 2028. He had a good year and promises to get better year upon year from here.

“There’s multiple clubs down here - of which Melbourne are definitely one - who believe there’s a world where there’s enough motivation for Humphrey to want to leave Gold Coast. The Demons would love Petracca to choose Gold Coast.”

Co-host Kane Cornes chimed in: “Why would he go to Melbourne? Other than the biggest check he’s ever laid eyes on… that might be enough.”

Edmund continued: “I don’t know why he would go specifically to Melbourne. I’m not saying he goes to Melbourne but there’s multiple clubs interested in him.

“There’s Carlton, there might be Collingwood, who knows? Let’s not worry about that club he goes to, but how is it that he’s gettable? How is it that he’s contemplating leaving the Suns and what’s going on there?

“Whatever the reason - there might be multiple reasons - the door is ajar. If you’re Gold Coast you’re flat-batting this I reckon. Under any circumstance you do not allow him to leave.

“He was non-committal when he flew into the airport. Mitch Cleary door-stopped him yesterday for Channel 7.

“Whether it’s him (making noises) or his management or people around him, there’s enough there for other clubs. They wouldn’t waste their time if there was no chance.”

Cornes added: “He’s got three years left. I just can’t see Gold Coast doing that. He’s the one player that is their point of difference. He’s their Isaac Heeney, their Cam Rayner, he’s that player.

“Damien Hardwick loves him and he’s just scratching the surface of how good he can be.

“There’d be eight or nine-year offers of $1.4-1.5 million, I would think, for Bailey Humphrey. Maybe that’s the reason, maybe that has been dangled in front of him.”

9:25am - Paperwork lodged for St Kilda-bound duo

The free agency window is open and the action has started immediately.

Free agency paperwork for departing Carlton duo Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni has been lodged for them to join St Kilda.

AFL Media’s Cal Twomey is reporting that the Blues can still match an offer for De Koning but won’t.

The AFL will decide compensation for Silvagni once the deals are processed.

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9:20am Six names to leave the Lions

During his speech at the Brisbane Lions best and fairest last night Chris Fagan confirmed six names would be leaving the club.

“I just wanted to let you know that Cal Ah Chee and Brandon Starcevich will be taking the option to move on to other clubs next year,” he said.

“We all understand why that is happening. We are incredibly grateful for what they have done for our football club.

“I can’t thank those guys enough for their contribution they have made.

“Both fellas are real team players, they play roles for us.

“They are both two-time premiership players and will be part of this club for forever and a day.

“We wish you all the best at your new clubs and hope you do very, very well.”

Deven Robertson wants to join the Eagles, Sam Day is retiring while Darcy Craven and Brandon Ryan have been delisted.

8:30am Footy no-man's land

Mitch McGovern and Elijah Hollands are “in footy no man’s land” according to Sam Edmund who doubts the former will be at Carlton in 2026.

“Where he lands I don’t know but McGovern believes his days at Carlton are over," said Edmund.

“Nothing official from the Blues but they have clearly told him to wait until the end of the trade period.”