Merrett deadline passes as huge deals remain in limbo

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.

7:17 - Merrett deadline passes as Dons continue to ignore Hawks

Essendon are not responding to Hawthorn’s Zach Merrett trade proposal.

The Hawks put a 7:00pm (AEDT) deadline on their offer, with the club set to field offers on pick 9 if Essendon didn’t respond to their Merrett offer of that pick, a future first-round pick, a future second-round pick and Henry Hustwaite.

SEN’s Sam Edmund says that is the final offer Hawthorn will table, while Seven’s Mitch Cleary said that the Dons still hadn’t responded right up until the deadline.

“The gloves are absolutely off here,” Edmund told Seven’s Agenda Setters.

“Essendon are not answering calls and not returning calls.

“There’s a school of thought from Hawthorn as well that maybe the incoming President Andrew Welsh is putting his own personal stance, guaranteeing that Merrett will stay, above that of the club.

“This is an offer they’ve put forward, there won’t be a better one, take it or leave it.”

“Hawthorn put a timeline on Essendon to respond which was seven o’clock, and we’ve just ticked past that,” Cleary added.

“As of 10 minutes ago, there had been no response from Essendon to the Hawks over Zach Merrett.”

7:10pm - GWS make official offer for Clayton Oliver

GWS have offered a future third-round pick for Clayton Oliver, reports Trade Radio's Cal Twomey.

The Herald Sun's Jon Ralph is also reporting that that offer won't be changing with the ball now in Melbourne's court whether they accept the offer while paying a large chunk of Oliver's remaining contract.

Oliver is contracted for five more seasons, and it's been reported that the Demons are set to pay $3.5 million of that across the rest of the deal.

6:45pm - Aleer signs on at GWS after St Kilda debacle

Leek Aleer has inked a two-year deal at GWS after St Kilda abandoned their pursuit of the key defender.

While Aleer requested a trade to Moorabbin, the Saints pulled out of the deal last week after refusing to give away a future second-round pick in negotiations, leading his manager to slam the club.

Although Aleer was left shattered when his move to St Kilda failed to come to fruition, he's quickly moved on with his future plans, signing a new deal until the end of the 2027 season.

GWS list boss Jason McCartney was thrilled to keep hold of Aleer.

“We’re thrilled to have Leek commit to the club for the next two seasons. He’s a player we’ve invested in and one we believe has a bright future in the game,” McCartney said via a statement.

“As a developing key defender, Leek brings elite athleticism, aerial ability, and a desire to improve each time he takes to the field.

“While in recent weeks there’s been discussion around where his future lies, we have always been steadfast in the fact that Leek is a highly valued player and person at the GIANTS and we’re thrilled to have him on board through to 2027 and we believe he’ll continue to grow into a key part of our backline for years to come.”

6:03pm – Hawks give Dons deadline on Merrett offer

Hawthorn have given Essendon a 7pm (AEDT) deadline to respond to their offer for Zach Merrett, reports The Age’s Sam McClure.

The Hawks tabled a deal including pick 9, a future first-round pick, a future second-round pick and Henry Hustwaite to the Dons earlier today but were reportedly met with silence.

According to Seven’s Mitch Cleary, the Hawks will begin looking at other offers for pick 9 after 7pm, with clubs including Collingwood interested in trading for the selection for a future first-rounder.

🚨DONE DEAL!🚨

Gold Coast have traded Connor Budarick and pick 70 to the Bulldogs in exchange for pick 37.

The out-of-contract 24-year-old has landed at his desired home after also attracting interest from Brisbane and North Melbourne.

4:50pm - Hawks defender agrees to join Dees

Hawthorn defender Changkuoth Jiath has agreed to join Melbourne, reports SEN's Sam Edmund.

Jiath had an understanding with Hawthorn to explore the market in search of greater playing opportunity after starting six of his 20 games this season as the sub.

While Jiath has two years to run on his Hawks contract, he'll receive an extra year at Melbourne, taking him through to the end of the 2028 season, should the clubs agree to a trade.

4:30pm – Pies’ trade push for Swans forward ‘stuck in the mud’

Collingwood’s pursuit of Sydney forward Jack Buller is stuck in the mud, reports SEN’s Sam Edmund.

The Magpies have been after Buller throughout the entire trade period, with the Swans originally asking for the future third-round pick Collingwood received in the Brody Mihocek trade from Melbourne.

Collingwood didn’t accept that offer, and have instead traded that pick to Brisbane in a pick swap trade.

The Swans are also no closer currently to securing Hawthorn key defender Jai Serong.

While they offered pick 63 for his services, the Hawks haven’t accepted that.

3:50 - Essendon land Brayden Fiorini

🚨DONE DEAL!🚨

Gold Coast have traded Brayden Fiorini to the Bombers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick.

The out-of-contract Sun has landed at his desired home, having decided to join Essendon over Port Adelaide.

3:41pm - Tarryn Thomas deemed eligible to play AFL again

Former North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas is now eligible to be picked up by an AFL club again.

The 25-year-old was stood down by the Kangaroos for 18 games in 2024 and was sacked by the club after committing “multiple acts of misconduct threating a woman via direct messages”.

Having since undergone an ‘extension behavioural change program’, Thomas is eligible for the AFL Draft and as a free agent.

Thomas was not allowed to join an AFL list this season but was told by the competition he could play state league for a non-AFL affiliated club. Despite this, Thomas, who played 69 AFL games, didn’t play in 2025 at any level.

"Please note that after completing an extensive behavioural change program, former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas is now eligible to play football at all levels of Australian football, including in the AFL competition (if chosen). Mr Thomas is a free agent for the purposes of the AFL rules and eligible for the AFL draft," an AFL memo read.

"Mr Thomas was sanctioned by the AFL in February 2024 in connection with a finding that he had breached AFL Rule 2.3(a) (conduct unbecoming etc.). Subsequently, in early 2025 the AFL permitted Mr Thomas to return to the VFL and other second tier football competitions but only with a non-aligned AFL club (noting he was also permitted to play at levels below that without restriction).

"Mr Thomas is now permitted to play in the VFL and other second tier football competitions without restriction (ie he may now play with an AFL aligned club, if chosen).

"The AFL is satisfied that Mr Thomas has continued to comply with the conditions previously imposed on him, including completing his behavioural change program. He remains subject to a good behaviour undertaking imposed by the Magistrates' Court of Victoria until 21 November 2025."

2:17pm - Hawthorn tables trade offer for Zach Merrett

Hawthorn has officially tabled their first offer for Essendon captain Zach Merrett.

The Hawks have offered Pick 9, a future first, a second rounder and young midfielder Henry Hustwaite in exchange for Merrett.

“Hawthorn has lodged an offer with Essendon for Zach Merrett. The offer is this: Pick 9, a future first, a seconder this year, or next, and Henry Hustwaite,” Tom Morris revealed on SEN Afternoons.

“Essendon’s choice of a second rounder this year, or a second rounder next year. The second rounder this year is connected to Carlton, and the second rounder next year is connected to the Hawks, so it will be up to Essendon.

“It’s been a long time coming. Sam Mitchell called Zach Merrett this morning from the USA, re-affirming that the Hawks are interested in him and to check in – if the trade request has gone through.

“Now, it’s go time, 28 hours until the end of the trade period.”

1:30pm - Dees interested in Hawks defender

Melbourne is showing interest in Hawthorn's Changkuoth Jiath.

Sam Edmund is reporting that the Demons have emerged as a potential suitor for the contracted Hawk.

1:10pm - North not keen on stranded Giants defender

North Melbourne will not go after Leek Aleer.

The out-of-contract Giants defender was left stranded by St Kilda who backflipped on a deal for him last week.

AFL Media's Cal Twomey says it is highly likely that Aleer heads back to GWS on a three-year deal.

11:36am - Sydney table first official Curnow trade offer

Sydney have officially launched their first trade deal for Carlton's Charlie Curnow.

The Swans have tabled Ollie Florent, Will Hayward, Pick 11 and a 2026 first-round pick, in exchange for Curnow and Pick 22.

12:00pm - Brisbane and Collingwood agree to pick swap

🚨DONE DEAL!🚨

A pick swap has been approved between Brisbane and Collingwood.

The Lions have sent Pick 45 and Pick 56 to the Magpies, in exchange for Pick 59 and a 2026 third-round pick.

Collingwood acquire two draft picks expected to unlock deal for Sydney's Jack Buller.

10:42am - Bulldogs to attack defensive stocks

The Western Bulldogs are far from complete in their trade period moves, with plans to recruit a key defender in the final days.

Having struggled with their back-half setup across 2025, the Dogs' key defensive units are a clear weakness within their list, particularly following the delisting of veteran Liam Jones.

While there are little top-line keys available on the market at this stage of the window, Tom Morris has reported that the Dogs will commence their digging, with hopes of securing a deal on Wednesday's deadline to bolster their backline.

"The Dogs are hellbent on bringing in a gun key defender," Morris told AFL Trade Radio.

"If they can't they are not going to settle for a second or third grader, they want a star."

9:45am - Pies midfielder willing to find new home

Tom Morris has reported that Collingwood's Jordan De Goey would be open to a change of scenery.

The prospect of trading the contracted midfielder was floated by the Magpies in days past, and it has now been revealed that De Goey would also be open to a move if the right suitor steps forward.

“I firmly believe this, and I don’t think anything has changed; Collingwood would trade Jordan De Goey for the right price,” Morris told AFL Trade Radio.

“What is the right price? I’d imagine a first rounder would be the core of it. What I can also tell you is that De Goey would actually explore a move himself if the deal was right.

“You have a player that is open to it, you have a club that is a little bit more than open to it, but where to? You need a rival to come and say, ‘we are going to give you a four plus year deal’.

“It won’t be the Saints; they aren’t keen on De Goey anymore. I don’t think it’s going to be the Hawks.

“I’m looking at a club like Adelaide – Pick 16 for De Goey. I think that makes sense for them, assuming that his body is okay. He has only played 24 games in two years.

“What it would allow Collingwood to do is get a first-round pick in, and potentially use that for Jy Simpkin.”

8:30am - Curnow can become a top-10 player

Kane Cornes believes Charlie Curnow can become a top-10 player in the AFL at a new club.

The Carlton star is in Sydney to tour the Swans’ facilities ahead of a possible trade.

If Curnow does make the move from the Blues to the Swans, Cornes believes the two-time Coleman Medallist can return to being a gun of the competition after a tough 2025.

“I think he’s the biggest pickup of any player in the trade period for the upside of this,” Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.

“I’m going to back him in to be a gun, a top-10 player of this competition, if he gets into a side that can move the footy and if his body stays sound.

“There’s a couple of big ifs there…”

Sam Edmund hopes Curnow, who has had his fair share of knee issues over the journey, can overcome his woes and find his best footy once again, whichever colours he’s wearing.

“I hope his knee is right. That’s the only concern for me,” he said.

“I thought he was on top of it but he had a couple of knee niggles this year that I think were cause for some concern.

“I hope for his sake he can get a full run at it because he’s magnificent to watch no matter what guernsey he has on. You just want to see the best players get a clean run at it.

“Hopefully that’s the case for him long term.”

7:40am - Hawks should chase Hollands

If the Zach Merrett move to Hawthorn is dead and buried, then is there still time for Sam Mitchell to bolster his squad from who is available?

While some have murmured the name Jordan De Goey, Kane Cornes is keen to see them make a "Gold Coast-style" move (referring to Damien Hardwick's olive branch to Jamarra Ugle-Hagan) to bring about an Elijah Hollands redemption story.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Cornes said: "I would rather them (Hawthorn) go Elijah Hollands than go after Jordan De Goey, take a Gold Coast style punt that you can turn this guy’s life around.

"You get him for nothing, put some behavioural clauses in his contract and if it doesn’t work you tear it up and that’s it.

"I would rather them do that before De Goey; he will cost you a first-round pick, you don’t need to do that.

"I think Hawthorn have left it too late to make a significant move (in the trade period)."

Hollands has endured a year of off-field troubles through 2025 and Carlton have said they are open to delisting, trading or paying out his contract but that no decision would be made until after the trade window.