It's been another massive week of trade news and speculation, with several fresh faces involved in speculation regarding moves and new deals.
Here's all the latest trade news and analysis from the past week...
Bombers defender seeking trade
The plight of Essendon's 2025 season may worsen this off-season as a number of key players and rising young guns look set to make moves elsewhere.
The week started off with a bang at the Hangar as defender Jordan Ridley requested a trade, despite being contracted at Essendon until 2029.
According to 9 News' Tom Morris, Ridley has cited frustrations with the club's injury management as a key reason for his desired exit.
Ridley also reportedly nominated the Brisbane Lions as his preferred destination due to family connections in Queensland.
"The injuries are the main reason for Jordan Ridley. He does have family connections up in Queensland, as well, but he's only played 19 games in the last two years. Quad, hip, hamstring. That's the premise for him to look for a new home," Morris said.
DETAILS: Bombers defender requests shock trade, chosen club revealed
Carlton midfielder told to seek move elsewhere
The Blues have told contracted midfielder Elijah Hollands to seek a move elsewhere this off-season, as senior coach Michael Voss has labelled the 23-year-old's situation a disappointment.
Hollands, who spent most of the 2025 season on the sidelines for personal reasons, came to the club under controversial circumstances, starting his tenure with the Blues suspended due to a drug matter.
The 23-year-old went on to enjoy a stellar first year in the navy blue last year before facing further issues early into 2025, with Hollands playing just five games at senior level this year.
MORE: Carlton's stance on Blue's future made clear
Trade for contracted Port Adelaide superstar not out of question
Power midfielder Zak Butters may be privately exploring his options ahead of the 2025 trade period, according to Channel 9's Sam McClure, with the journalist stating that the trade race is "definitely game on this year for Zak Butters."
McClure likened the situation unfolding at Alberton to the one at Carlton with Charlie Curnow, who has reportedly stated that he is open to a trade elsewhere, notably listing the Gold Coast, Sydney, and Geelong as his preferred destinations should he make a move.
However, there has been silence from Butters' camp following the conclusion of the Power's disappointing 2025 season, intensifying speculation about the whereabouts of his playing future.
Considering his talent and importance to Port Adelaide, it's obvious that if Butters goes untraded this off-season, his contract status will be leading headlines throughout 2026.
REPORT: Power superstar's future remains uncertain
Three rival clubs named as potential suitors for disenchanted Essendon captain
Channel 9's Damian Barrett reported on Footy Classified that rival clubs are aware of the "disillusionment" from Bombers captain Merrett and his camp regarding how 2025 has played out at Windy Hill, and will likely pursue the superstar midfielder as he weighs up his future in the red sash.
However, it is important to note that no formal trade request has been submitted by Merrett.
Barrett suggested three teams in particular that would be keeping an eye on Merrett's situation; Hawthorn, Collingwood and St Kilda.
Merrett, who has played 251 games at Essendon since being drafted to the club in 2013, carried the Bombers through a disastrous injury-riddled 2025 campaign, averaging 27.8 disposals, 5.3 inside 50s and 3.9 clearances per game.
REPORT: Rival clubs expected to target “disillusioned” Essendon star
Carlton circling out-of-contract Eagle
The Blues have launched a bid to poach young midfielder Campbell Chesser from West Coast in the hopes of bolstering their midfield speed for 2026.
The 22-year-old rising star will now have two offers to consider entering free agency, as 7 News' Mitch Cleary reported he is now garnering attention from the Blues despite having a two-year deal on the table from West Coast.
Essendon have reportedly also "expressed a level of interest" in Chesser, though the Blues are deemed to be frontrunners to acquire his talents, should he depart Western Australia.
REPORT: Carlton circling out-of-contract Eagle
Carlton star "willing to take paycut" to make trade work
Blues spearhead forward Charlie Curnow is reportedly "willing to take a pay cut" if it meant making a move to a rival club easier.
SEN's Sam Edmund stated that Curnow is particularly willing to do this if it means engineering a trade to Geelong, who have been listed alongside Sydney and Gold Coast as his preferred destinations.
Curnow told Carlton senior coach Michael Voss and incoming CEO Graham Wright at his exit meeting last week that he would be open to moving to another club. However, Carlton has shut down the idea and remains adamant that Curnow will be a Blue in 2026.
REPORT: Curnow meets with Swans coach, will take pay cut to engineer trade
Out-of-contract Sun eyed by cross-town rival
Gold Coast's Connor Budarick is reportedly receiving enormous interest from around the competition as he weighs up his future beyond 2025.
Cross-town rivals Brisbane have flagged their interest in luring him north, but are jostling with Victorian clubs, according to AFL Media's Riley Beveridge.
The Western Bulldogs headline the Victorian clubs with intrigue for the forward, with North Melbourne and Essendon also having shown interest in the past.
FULL REPORT: Suns forward being hunted by rivals
Essendon to launch mega bid for All-Australian Lion
The Bombers are preparing to provide a mega offer for Brisbane forward Zac Bailey when he enters free agency next year.
AFL Media's Cal Twomey revealed that Essendon could offer the star Lion a six-plus year contract, earning Bailey about $1.3 million per year, making it the most lucrative contract in Bombers history.
FULL DETAILS: Victorian powerhouse “preparing mega offer” for premiership Lion
St Kilda star defender hunted by Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are reportedly gunning for St Kilda defender Callum Wilkie after missing out on Carlton free agent Jack Silvagni.
The Bulldogs are in desperate need of defensive upgrades after a disappointing year in that half of the ground and are trying to lure Wilkie to the Footscray-based outfit as St Kilda look set to acquire a number of defensive talents this off-season on sizable contracts.
Despite being contracted until the end of 2027, the Bulldogs are hoping an improved contract offer could see him request a trade from Moorabbin, according to 9 News' Tom Morris, and the Bulldogs' offer for Cal Wilkie is more than $1 million per year across four years, or approximately $4.4 million in total.
REPORT: St Kilda All-Australian targeted by Victorian club
Several Bombers expected to exit as North Melbourne swoops on youngster
North Melbourne is reportedly looking at acquiring out-of-favour Essendon midfielder Elijah Tsatas in a bid to bolster their youth stocks.
Tsatas has played just 16 senior games since being drafted fifth overall in 2022, but has dominated at VFL level, collecting at least 30 disposals in six of his seven state league games this year, including a monstrous 41-disposal, one-goal effort against Sydney's VFL affiliate.
Meanwhile, it seems unlikely out-of-contract forward Ben Hobbs will have his contract renewed, while Bombers veterans Darcy Parish and Kyle Langford are turning their heads.
FULL STORY: In-contract Essendon youngster targeted by rebuilding club
Liam Ryan chooses St Kilda as desired new home
Following a near two-week long wait, West Coast forward Liam Ryan has officially nominated St Kilda as his preferred club of the future, with the hopes of joining the Saints in this year's trade period.
According to AFL Media's Cal Twomey, Ryan underwent a successful medical assessment this week with the Saints and has now decided he will pursue a move to the Moorabbin-based outfit, with a three-year deal awaiting him.
Ryan is contracted with the Eagles until 2026, however, meaning the two clubs will need to engage in a trade to transact his talents.
DETAILS: Premiership Eagle nominates preferred trade destination
