Trade wrap: Huge compo for free agent as Oliver favourite emerges

- Done deal: Flanders is a Saint

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.

6:33pm - GWS emerging as clear favourite for Oliver

GWS is strong favourites to be Clayton Oliver's new home, reports Trade Radio's Cal Twomey.

Oliver toured the club on Tuesday and met with GWS officials last week, with reports now suggesting he's set to prefer a move to Sydney over moving to Collingwood.

Twomey is reporting that Magpies list boss Justin Leppitsch had a phone conversation with Oliver on Wednesday as the Pies continued to assess the midfielder.

It's believed that Oliver will make a call on where he next wants to play his football in 24-48 hours.

4:23pm - West Coast land Pick 2

With Oscar Allen officially landing at the Brisbane Lions via free agency, the West Coast Eagles have officially landed Pick 2 in the upcoming National Draft.

Rewarded the selection via Band 1 compensation, the Eagles will now hold both Picks 1 and 2, as well as Pick 13 via the multi team trade involving Brandon Starcevich.

4:09pm - Will Mitch McGovern find a new home?

The future of Carlton defender Mitch McGovern remains in the balance, entering the 2025 Trade Period without a contract for next season.

Featuring in 17 games this season, McGovern was dropped from the Blues' senior side at the back end of the season, missing a trigger for an automatic contract extension by just one game.

And with the free agency period well underway, talks of a new home seem rather stagnant for the near 31-year-old.

While McGovern still has plenty to offer at the level, Josh Jenkins believes there is little to no chance that the defender will suit up with the Blues in 2026.

“I think it’s all but certain that he will be somewhere else next season,” Jenkins told Trade Radio.

“I’m with (Jenkins) on this one,” Damian Barrett added.

“Late in the season, they chose not to play him. There was a match that they could have played him that would have triggered a clause to take him into next year by way of a guarantee and chose not to.”

Jenkins: “I know he’s got some baggage – went to Carlton, was injured a lot, didn’t perform…

“As your fourth defender that can play tall and can be quite versatile, he is a good long kick – he is good enough to be on an AFL list, and I think he will be.

“I think he is good enough to still be at Carlton.”

1:09pm - Oscar Allen paperwork lodged

Brisbane are set to officially land West Coast captain Oscar Allen, with paperwork lodged to the AFL.

Allen's Brisbane Lions contract will trigger Band 1 compensation for the Eagles, who will now land Pick 2 as a result of the deal.

11:40am - Demons confirm McVee exit

Melbourne has confirmed the departure of Judd McVee who has been traded to Fremantle.

The Demons have received Pick 23 in this year's draft in return for the departing 22-year-old.

List boss Tim Lamb, who thanked McVee for his four years in the red and blue, admitted the club wanted to keep him.

“There is no doubt that we wanted Judd to remain in the red and blue, but we respect his decision to return home to Western Australia,” Lamb said.

“Judd has developed significantly in our environment over the past four seasons, growing as both a player and person. We thank him for his contribution and wish him well for what lies ahead.”

10:30am - Koch comments on Butters

Port Adelaide Chairman David Koch has addressed the Zak Butters trade reports.

"He’s a key player for us going forward and we have to show success and treat him well," Koch said on fiveAA.

"Every player is different; they have different circumstances. We are really confident that Zak will be a long term member of the club.

"We have already started talking about future deals, but he is highly attractive to other clubs and they don’t mind talking about it."

Is there any truth that Butters approached the club about potentially being traded this off-season?

"No, Jason Cripps was clear about that the other day," he added.

"Zak has never approached us. He has settled in for next year."

10:00 - Sam Flanders officially a Saint

The papers have been lodged: Sam Flanders is officially a Saint!

As previously revealed, the Gold Coast Suns agree to send Flanders to St Kilda in exchange for Pick 7 in the upcoming National Draft.

St Kilda get their man, adding to their influx of talent alongside Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni.

Gold Coast now hold an impressive draft hand, with Picks 6, 7, 14 and 17 all within the first round.

10:27 - Mega deal approved

The AFL has officially ticked off a three-team trade involving West Coast, Fremantle and Brisbane, with Melbourne entering as a fourth.

The deal involves the two WA clubs - West Coast and Fremantle - and Brisbane, and includes Brandon Starcevich joining the Eagles.

Then Melbourne will come in and trade Judd McVee to the Dockers.

• Starcevich to West Coast, Eagles get picks 12,33,52, give up picks 16,22,23
• Fremantle get picks 19, 23 and 46, give picks 12, 33, 44 and 50
• Lions get pick 16, 22, 44, 50 and give Starcevich plus picks 19, 46 an 52
• Dockers on-trade pick 23 to Melbourne for McVee

9:31 - Clubs continuing chase for Bailey Humphrey

Despite the Suns ruling out any chance of a trade involving star youngster Bailey Humphrey, clubs are refusing to give in on their chase.

As reported by Tom Morris, the Victorian has been in contact with several clubs within Melbourne, where he is currently staying amid the trade period.

While the Suns have been emphatic in their denial, Morris reports that clubs believe there is a chance he can be lured away from Gold Coast.

"Bailey Humphrey is a player that is intriguing me," Morris told Trade Radio.

"Clubs are still trying to agitate to get him out of the Gold Coast.

"There is a view that Damien Hardwick is somewhat sympathetic to Humphrey's personal situation, which is why they are still stirring.

"I spoke to his manager late last night. Humphrey met with Collingwood last week, he walked The Tan with Steven King, and he spoke to Sam Mitchell on the phone.

"At the moment, it is just dormant, but there is very little doubt that if a club came hard and came strong, Humphrey would take that call."

8:40am - Mega deal set for green light

It might need a maths degree to get your head around so we will keep this as simple as possible.

The deal involves the two WA clubs - West Coast and Fremantle - and Brisbane, and includes Brandon Starcevich joining the Eagles.

Then Melbourne will come in and trade Judd McVee to the Dockers

The basics are:

• Starcevich to West Coast, Eagles get picks 12,33,53, give up picks 16,22,23
• Fremantle get picks 19, 23 and 46, give picks 12, 33, 44 and 50
• Lions get pick 16, 22, 44, 50 and give Starcevich plus picks 19, 46 an 52
• Dockers on-trade pick 23 to Melbourne for McVee

7:30am - Retired Sun keen to play on

David Swallow could yet backflip on his retirement decision.

The Gold Coast games record holder, who announced his retirement in early September, is open to playing on.

Tom Morris is reporting that Swallow is exploring the possibility of coming out of his short-lived retirement.

“After announcing his retirement just five weeks ago, I understand Gold Coast games record holder David Swallow is exploring the possibility of playing on,” Morris said on 7News.

“The 32-year-old is open to building on his 249-game career with clubs aware of his desire to continue.”

Morris later posted on X: “All eyes on West Coast for the Perth-born 32-year-old”, but did state there’s “no commitment from any club yet”.

Swallow played alongside Eagles coach Andrew McQualter at the Suns in 2012.

__7am Merrett "more than likely gone" __

Garry Lyon and Tim Watson debating the will -he-won’t-he of the trade period.

In August it emerged that the Essendon captain had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell which blindsided his bosses.

In the weeks which followed, the Bombers have been adamant they will hold on to their man. Lyon’s “gut feel” is that Merrett gets his exit from the Bombers and Watson is inclined to agree.

"I still think there is a chance he moves on," Watson said. "I know the club has been categoric in what they’re saying.

"But I would bet the club is getting a lot of feedback from fans saying they would prefer the move Merrett on and get the best deal they possibly can."