Hello and welcome to Zero Hanger's coverage of deadline day for the 2025 AFL Trade Period, with as many as 15 deals expected to be settled prior to the 7:30pm (AEDT) deadline.

Here we'll have every done deal, trade rumour, comments from list managers and club figures, as well as updates on draft hands as the day progresses.

GET INVOLVED: LIVE STREAM (FROM 6:45pm AEDT) - Reactions, your questions answered, clubs recaps

TRADE NEWS TRACKER: EVERY DEAL
2025 DRAFT ORDER: WHAT YOUR CLUB HOLDS FOR THIS YEAR'S DRAFT
EVERY CONFIRMED TRADE: THE PLAYERS, AND PICKS, WHO HAVE ALREADY SWAPPED

7:30pm - Merrett, Ah Chee deals fail to go through

Zach Merrett's move to Hawthorn has yet to be confirmed, as has Brisbane's Callum Ah Chee to Adelaide.

Rowan Marshall was unable to get to Geelong as Buku Khamis failed to be traded to Carlton.

7:27pm - Curnow joins Sydney

Charlie Curnow will be a Sydney player in 2026 after a deal was completed with Carlton.

Three first-round picks (2025, 2026 and 2027) were sent to the Blues along with Will Hayward.

The Swans snare Pick 31, 42 and a second-round 2027 selection.

7:25pm - Geelong last-ditch attempt for Marshall

Geelong has tabled Pick 19 and a future second-round selection for St Kilda's Rowan Marshall.

7:10pm - Adelaide's revised Ah Chee offer

Adelaide has put forward a future second and third round pick for Brisbane's Callum Ah Chee.

6:50pm - Hawthorn table "final offer" for Merrett

Hawthorn has packaged Pick 10, 22, their 2026 future first-round selection and Henry Hustwaite for Essendon's Zach Merrett and a future third-round pick.

6:45pm - North's strong stance on Simpkin

North Melbourne has been categorical in their stance on captain Jy Simpkin, saying he will remain at the club despite strong interest from Collingwood.

The Pies tabled two different offers to the Kangaroos, which were swiftly rejected.

Collingwood initially put forward its 2027 first-round selection in exchange for Simpkin and Pick 46. Then they offered a future second-round pick.

"Jy will be staying at North Melbourne. We thought that was going to be the case the whole way," list manager Brady Rawlings told AFL Trade Radio.

"We put a massive price on Jy as a person and a player. We never thought it was going to be realistic this week, and it turned out that way.

"It got to a point where there was an offer there but it was never going to be anything that we would look at for a player that has done so much for our club."

6:25pm - Petracca's wish met as he becomes a Sun

Melbourne has traded out Christian Petracca for three first-round picks to the Gold Coast Suns.

The Suns are expected to receive a stack of second-round picks, which will help bolster their 2025 draft hand.

6:15pm - Delisted Cat joins Richmond

A unique piece of off-season work has seen delisted Geelong youngster Patrick Retschko join Richmond during the trade period.

The Tigers sent Pick 99 to the Cats in exchange for Retschko.

6:10pm - Oliver heads to the Giants

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has been traded to GWS for a future third-round pick.

Oliver was encouraged to look elsewhere after an exit meeting with new coach Steven King, with the club set to unveil a host of young prospects through the midfield.

It is understood that the Demons will pay nearly half of Oliver's contract, which is worth around $650,000 for the next five years (2030).

6:05pm - Steele the Demon

St Kilda's Jack Steele will join Melbourne for a 2027 third rounder, according to Channel 7's Mitch Cleary.

Steele was informed by the Saints to explore his options at a rival club for more consistent midfield minutes.

The Demons are expected to trade out Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, opening vacancies at the club.

It is understood that Steele has added another year onto his deal, signing a three-year contract at Melbourne, reports Channel 9's Tom Morris.

5:10pm - Steele's head turning amid Demons interest

St Kilda captain Jack Steele is reportedly warming to the idea of joining Melbourne.

The Demons have emerged as a potential landing spot for the veteran midfielder, who is not seeking a trade but has been informed by the club that he can leave.

According to SEN's Sam Edmund, Steele has begun to show a mutual interest in a trade that would see him land at the Demons.

Melbourne's interest comes as the club prepares to finalise trades that see Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver head to Gold Coast and GWS respectively.

5:08pm - Swans send Buller to Magpies

Collingwood has secured Sydney key forward Jack Buller in a trade deal that also involves a pair of future selections.

According to afl.com.au's Cal Twomey, the Magpies have sent the Swans a future third-round pick and have pocketed Sydney's future fourth selection as well as Buller.

The move from the Magpies sees the Victorian club strengthen their key forward options after the departure of Brody Mihocek to Melbourne.

The deal is the second of the day that has seen a Swan depart, with Ollie Forent heading to Carlton earlier. Sydney picked up Hawthorn defender Jai Serong in a deal on deadline day too.

5:01pm - Roos rebuff Pies' second Simpkin offer

Collingwood's revised trade offer for Jy Simpkin has been knocked back by North Melbourne.

According to afl.com.au's Cal Twomey, the Magpies put a future second-round selection on the table, which has been "flatly rejected".

That offer comes after Collingwood's opened negotiations with a future first-round pick for Simpkin and Pick 46 was shut down earlier on Wednesday.

4:45pm - Jamarra deal done between Dogs and Suns

A trade between Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs for Dogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has reportedly been finalised.

A report from 9 News' Tom Morris has revealed that the Suns will send the Dogs Pick 74 in exchange for the former No.1 pick.

It has been widely suggested that Ugle-Hagan's contract with the Dogs won't be picked up by the Suns, who will instead have the key forward on a revised one-year contract that is expected to have incentive triggers.

The trade is the first that sees the Suns acquire a player in a busy window of wheeling and dealing, with Melbourne's Christian Petracca next on their hitlist.

4:05pm - Adelaide welcomes tall Roo

Adelaide has reportedly traded for North Melbourne's Finnbar Maley.

The Crows were very interested in Essendon's Sam Draper before he chose the Lions, and are still looking for a depth ruck option.

Maley can play as a second ruck, but could also help fill the games if veteran Taylor Walker is rested throughout the year.

The mid-season recruit will join the West Lakes club on a one-year deal.

3:10pm - Petracca trade gaining momentum

More details of the blockbuster Christian Petracca trade are being hashed out between the Suns and Demons, with Gold Coast willing to exchange a future first-round pick to Melbourne, if they are duly compensated in return.

According to 7 News' Mitch Cleary, the Demons could secure more capital for future drafts while the Suns look to get more points to select Academy prospects.

9 News' Tom Morris has reported that Melbourne may throw in Pick 28 in addition to Pick 24, should Gold Coast part ways with its future first-round selection.

As it stands, that would mean Gold Coast receive Petracca, Picks 24 and 28, while the Demons gain Picks 7, 8 and a future first-round pick.

3:00pm - Oliver Florent trade to Carlton approved

The AFL has approved the first trade of deadline day, with Swans midfielder officially traded to the Carlton Blues for a 2026 third-round draft pick.

Florent was initially included in the Swans' offer for Charlie Curnow, but is now it's own independent trade.

The former Pick 11 has played 184 games for Sydney, and will join the likes of Liam Reidy, Campbell Chesser and Ben Ainsworth as new faces at Ikon Park.

2:55pm - Hawthorn's revised deal for Merrett revealed

The Hawks are preparing to "take another swing" for Zach Merrett following a reported pick swap with Carlton.

According to SEN's Sam Edmund, Hawthorn will offer Picks 10, 22 and a future first-round selection for Merrett to the Bombers, with the belief that a rebuilding club like Essendon would value a "triple first-round package".

Both Picks 10 and 22 are the compensation selections Carlton received from the AFL following the departures of Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni.

2:00pm - Hawthorn target pick swaps for Merrett

Hawthorn is looking at doing a deal with Carlton on a pick swap that could help them land Pick 22 from the Blues.

According to Channel 9's Tom Morris, the Hawks are keen to bundle up picks to land the Carlton Jack Silvagni compensation to help pitch a new offer to Essendon for Zach Merrett.

Hawthorn gives Carlton Pick 9, 31, 42 (from Melbourne and expected Changkuoth Jiath deal) and 43.

They will get Picks 10 and 22.

It is understood that the Blues, who would land Pick 42 in this deal, can use this to help lure Buku Khamis from the Western Bulldogs.

The trade would also help Carlton bolster their picks to accumulate more points.

1:50pm - Roos reject Pies offer for Simpkin

Collingwood tabled its 2027 first-round selection for North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin and Pick 46, which was swiftly rejected, according to The Age.

The Pies are on the lookout for midfield soldiers after bowing out in the preliminary final to eventual premiers Brisbane.

Clayton Oliver was on their radar, but ultimately chose the Giants as his preferred destination.

The Kangaroos are adamant that they want two first-round picks for Simpkin, who holds a contract for another four years.

The dual best-and-fairest winner is in pursuit of more midfield time after falling out of favour under Alastair Clarkson.

1:40pm - Florent traded to Carlton

Oliver Florent will reportedly be a Bagger in 2026, but not through a trade involving Charlie Curnow.

According to AFL Media's Riley Beveridge, the Swans and Blues have agreed to a deal independently from the initial trade proposal for Curnow, with Florent being sent to Ikon Park for a future third-round draft pick.

It's the latest twist in the Charlie Curnow trade saga and means the Swans will be sent back to the drawing board to conjure up a new trade proposal for the two-time Coleman medallist.

12:40pm - The sticking point in the Curnow trade

Carlton and Sydney are reportedly "moving in the right direction" to broker a trade that will see Charlie Curnow head to New South Wales.

The Swans put forward Ollie Florent, Will Hayward, Pick 11 and their 2026 first-round selection in exchange for Curnow and Pick 22.

The Ikon Park club knocked back the initial offer, with the clubs still in negotiations ahead of the 7:30pm deadline.

But the two sticking points of this current trade is the "finer details" of the two-time Coleman Medallist's contract and wage, as well as the picks Sydney are offering, according to Channel 7's Xander McGuire.

12:05pm - Demons offer Spargo comp for Jiath

Melbourne has offered Pick 42 in exchange for Hawthorn speedster Changkuoth Jiath, who has agreed to a three-year deal at the Demons, according to AFL Media's Josh Gabelich.

Melbourne received that selection as compensation for the departure of premiership forward Charlie Spargo.

Throughout his career, Jiath has spent fair chunks in the VFL, and is looking for more consistent senior opportunities as a running defender.

The Hawks' defence is stacked, while their wing stocks also pushed the 26-year-old further out of favour.

11:50am - Melbourne emerge as contender for captain

The Melbourne Demons have emerged as a late contender to poach St Kilda captain Jack Steele ahead of tonight's trade deadline, but the final call on his departure will be made by Steele himself, according to AFL Media's Cal Twomey.

"Melbourne has emerged as a contender for Jack Steele from the Saints. The midfielder has plenty to weigh up in coming hours whether he would leave the Saints," Twomey said on AFL Trade Radio.

"He has been steadfast on staying at St Kilda despite the Saints being open to letting him go.

"He's been told to explore his options and has two years left to run on his contract. He hasn't wanted to be a part of contract talks with other clubs but now Melbourne has emerged as a contender.

"I think they'd be a good fit given some of the experience the Demons are losing outside of their midfield."

11:45am - Florent a late trade option for Victorian rivals

Rival clubs are reportedly eyeing unwanted Sydney midfielder Oliver Florent as the Swans hurriedly attempt to create salary cap space for trade target Charlie Curnow before the 7:30pm (AEDT) trade period deadline.

Victorian clubs have swooped in on the availability of Florent, per AFL Media's Cal Twomey, after Carlton knocked back the Swans' initial offer for the two-time Coleman medallist on Wednesday morning.

According to 7 News' Mitch Cleary, there is belief that Florent's involvement in the Curnow trade package is purely a cap dump to make room for Charlie Curnow, rather than him being worth anything of substance in a trade, meaning Sydney could be willing to let him go for little in return.

Cleary stated that it may "only take a future third-round draft pick" for the Swans to let him go.

11:15am - Swans aiming to extend Curnow contract

Sydney are reportedly "in talks about extending Charlie Curnow's deal to five years" as opposed to his four-year contract which will expire following the 2029 season, per AFL Media's Cal Twomey.

The decision would smooth out Curnow's mega-deal, which is currently worth in the vicinity of $1-1.1 million per year.

The financial details of the trade, according to Twomey, are extremely delicate, hence Sydney's proposal of two of their own players - Will Hayward and Oliver Florent - to make the transaction work for both parties.

"The conversation that dragged this on yesterday was all salary cap related and how the Swans cap hit will be with Charlie Curnow coming in, which is why the bid wasn't officially sent through until those financial concerns were actually eased," Twomey said on AFL Trade Radio.

"Plus, the players weren't fully on board yet, in terms of Florent and Hayward.

"The Swans are in negotiations around Curnow's deal. They're in talks and discussions on extending that out to five years. He's got four years left on his deal. That will be a deal to smooth.

"Whether that actually eases some of that salary cap pressure, we wait to see. That's the discussion that's been ongoing for the last 24 hours or so.

"He's got about $4 million remaining on his deal over the last four years, so how much do they want to pay over five years, and what's the worth in that for Curnow to extend?

"He was willing to take a pay cut to go to Geelong, is that the same mindset he takes in going to Sydney as well?"

10:10am - Carlton declines Sydney trade offer

Carlton has refused Sydney's trade proposal for Charlie Curnow.

The Swans tabled Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Pick 11 and their 2026 first-round selection for Carlton's Charlie Curnow and a late pick, which was revealed to be Pick 22; Carlton's compensation pick for the departure of Jack Silvagni.

However, Carlton have knocked back the offer as the 7pm deadline grows increasingly near and Curnow's playing whereabouts for 2026 hang in the balance.

10am - St Kilda pair unlikely to be traded

Star ruck Rowan Marshall's request to be traded to Geelong is unlikely to be fulfilled, according to 7 News' Xander McGuire, as the Cats are yet to offer St Kilda a revised deal for the 29-year-old.

St Kilda knocked back Geelong's initial proposal of their first-round selection in this year's National Draft, which currently resides as Pick 19, and ultimately see Marshall as a required player for next season. With Marshall contracted to the Moorabbin-based outfit until 2027, McGuire stated that the Saints are "set on holding him to his contract".

Additionally, St Kilda captain Jack Steele was informed by the club that he is "welcome" to explore opportunities at rival clubs during this trade period, but McGuire reported on Wednesday morning that there has been no movement on that front. As a result, it's expected that Steele will remain a Saint in 2026, "barring a huge late move".

9:45am - Collingwood proposes deal for Buller

Collingwood have reportedly offered Pick 56 for Sydney forward Jack Buller, according to AFL Media's Cal Twomey.

Buller informed Collingwood he wishes to join the club after two-and-a-half years and 10 games at the Swans, with the Magpies looking to replace Brody Mihocek, who departed to Melbourne last week.

The Swans had tabled the 22-year-old a strong deal for 2026 following an impressive back-end of 2025, where the young forward tallied 11 goals in nine games, kicking multiple goals on three occasions.

9:00am - Door ajar for Merrett deal

Despite formally rejecting Hawthorn's initial trade offer for club captain Zach Merrett last night, Essendon are reportedly still willing to hear out improved trade offers from the Hawks for the 30-year-old star's talents.

According to Tom Morris on AFL Trade Radio, Essendon's trade decline should not be considered as a "blanket no" for all potential trade scenarios.

"It is a strategy to extract as much as they can out of the Hawks," Morris said on Wednesday morning.

"Cam Mackenzie will change things if the Hawks are willing to do that.

"This is not a blanket no from Essendon."

It had been reported by Fox Footy earlier this week Mackenzie would not be involved in a potential package for Merrett, with the 21-year-old contracted at Hawthorn through the 2026 season.

8:15am - Petracca trade "moving in right direction"

The Christian Petracca blockbuster deal may be one of the first transactions ticked off by the AFL this afternoon as negotiations between Melbourne and Gold Coast appear to be tracking positively, according to 9 News' Tom Morris.

While speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Morris stated that Picks 7 and 8 will go to Melbourne, while the Suns will receive Petracca and Pick 24 in return.

However, a range of other pick swaps are expected to occur between the clubs, with the Demons set to get "more draft capital over the next two years" while the Suns will get more points to select Academy prospects.

7:15am - 15 players yet to secure trades

As we enter the last day of the trade period, as many as 15 players need deals to see them move clubs in the next 12 hours.

Perhaps no name bigger yet to secure their switch is Essendon captain Zach Merrett, who is holding out hope that Hawthorn can broker a trade.

The Hawks pose as a big player in the final day of the 2025 trade period, as does Gold Coast, given their strong links to multiple players.

Players in line to be traded on deadline day:

*Contracted

Melbourne premiership duo Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver are expected to join the expansion clubs, but suitable offers have yet to be agreed upon by Gold Coast and GWS, respectively.

Sydney has tabled an offer for Carlton's Charlie Curnow, while Geelong lingers in the shadows as a dark horse in the race for his signature.

It could see Will Hayward and Oliver Florent find new homes.

However, if the Cats miss out on Curnow, their attention will be firmly placed on luring St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall down the highway.

Then there's Changkuoth Jiath, who has agreed to a three-year contract at Melbourne, but will wait until a trade is approved.

Jai Serong (Sydney), Jack Buller (Collingwood), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Gold Coast) and Callum Ah Chee (Adelaide) are all set to join rival clubs.

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