There were plenty of surprises during the 2025 trade and free agency period as 34 players found new homes.
Some big names will don new colours next year, while some will return to their club with their tails between their legs.
But who won the trade period? Who lost?
We take you through EVERY club...
TRADE HUB: ALL THE LATEST TRADE MOVES AND NEWS
TRADE DEADLINE DAY: READ EVERYTHING AS IT HAPPENED ON THE FRANTIC WEDNESDAY
TRADE TRACKER: RECAP EVERY PICK AND MOVE
DRAFT ORDER: YOUR CLUB'S PICK FOR THE 2025 NATIONAL DRAFT
5Essendon
Essendon will be raring to prove that their hot start to the 2025 season, which was ultimately scuffed due to the club's major injury crisis, was not a fluke as they opted to hold onto captain Zach Merrett, despite his pleas to leave the club, who may be on the verge of a rebuild.
Sam Draper's departure hurts Essendon's chances to jump up the ladder, depleting their tall stocks significantly, though recruit Brayden Fiorini offers an element of class to the midfield mix around Zach Merrett that it currently lacks.
However, should the Bombers fall into the basement of the AFL again in 2026, the decision to ignore the offer of three first-round selections for a 30-year-old will look heinous in comparison to what could have been the start of a new era.
GRADE: B
Ins: Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast)
Outs: Sam Draper (Brisbane)
2025 AFL Draft picks: 5, 6, 21, 27, 30, 83, 101
