Ultimate AFL Trade Bible: Every team’s rival targets, rumours, off-contract players, confirmed departures, draft hand

It's officially silly season as the AFL opens the start of the 2026 Trade Period. Some moves were confirmed since the Free Agency window opened on Friday, but there's plenty more movement expected over the next 10 days. Here we've looked at every club's potential trade and free agency moves, their current crop of off-contract players, confirmed departures and draft hand for the off-season. Adelaide Reported Trade Targets: Jack Bowes Off-Contract Players: Luke Pedlar Confirmed Departures: Taylor Walker (retired), Chayce Jones (delisted), Lachlan Sholl (delisted), Tyler Welsh (delisted), Jordon Butts (Western Bulldogs) Draft Hand: 13, 32, 33, 41, 54 The Crows loomed as a big player this upcoming trade period; however, Zac Bailey's decision to re-sign at Brisbane burnt Adelaide's plans. List manager Jarryd Roughead has now indicated that the Crows will be relatively quiet in the trade space and instead focus on the draft. Likely with eyes to the future as a hunt for St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Hawthorn gun Will Day appears on the horizon. Small forward Luke Pedlar has requested a trade to Port Adelaide. Brisbane Reported Trade Targets: Off-Contract Players: Conor McKenna, Darcy Fort, Luke Beecken, Luke Lloyd, Will McLachlan, Darragh Joyce, Lincoln McCarthy Confirmed Departures: Lachie Neale (Collingwood) Draft Hand:18, 39, 40, 51, 56, 77 It is expected to be a quiet trade period for Brisbane, and little has changed on that front. Band 3 compensation was confirmed last week for Lachie Neale, which was something of a blow for a two-time Brownlow Medalist. Sam Marshall has requested a move back to Victoria, and that could drag on through the trade period. Keidean Coleman, it was revealed this week, is another who is open to moving away. The Lions will have Caylen Murray, the speedster in their Academy expected to attract a bid in the top 10, on their minds through the movement period and will hope to get enough capital to match a bid. Carlton Reported Trade Targets: Joel Amartey, Will McLachlan, Lachie Whitfield Off-Contract Players: Hudson O'Keeffe, Flynn Riley Confirmed Departures: Jordan Boyd (delisted), Ben Camporeale (delisted), Lucas Camporeale (delisted), Harry Charleson (delisted), Matt Duffy (delisted), Lachie Fogarty (delisted), Elijah Hollands (delisted), Zac Williams (delisted), Lewis Young (delisted), Flynn Young (delisted), Adam Saad (delisted) Draft Hand: 11, 16, 23, 24, 59, 70 The Blues have officially landed Joel Amartey from the Swans as a free agent, and will still look strongly at bringing in Lachie Whitfield from the Giants. Cody Walker is viewed as a priority, and they'll need to improve their draft hand to ensure they have stronger first-round picks to match a likely bid at Pick 2 or 3. They'll contend with the departures of Flynn Riley (Collingwood) and Hudson O'Keeffe (Western Bulldogs). Collingwood Reported Trade Targets: Lachie Neale, Jesse Hogan, Jayden Short, Flynn Riley Off-Contract Players: Harrison Coe, Jai Saxena, Noah Howes Confirmed Departures: Joel Cochran (delisted), Bobby Hill (delisted), Wil Parker (delisted), Mitch Podhajski (delisted), Jakob Ryan (delisted), Steele Sidebottom (retired), Iliro Smit (delisted), Lachie Sullivan (delisted), Scott Pendlebury (Gold Coast) Draft Hand: 9, 28, 66, 68, 75 Lachie Neale officially became a Magpie on Friday, wasting no time following the opening of the free agency window, which was a highlight of the week. Jayden Short becoming a Magpie is looking less likely than perhaps it was a week ago, with Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch admitting discussions had not taken place with Richmond. Leppitsch also said Jordan De Goey was open for business, with the explosive midfielder keen to cash in on a high-value contract as he approaches the tail-end of his career. Untried first-round pick Harry De Mattia's manager spoke on AFL Trade Radio and indicated he would be open to getting the Dandenong Stingrays graduate to a club where he will get opportunity, but he has a year to run on his existing contract. Essendon Reported Trade Targets: Jack Viney, Will McLachlan, Jack Bowes, Laitham Vandermeer Off-Contract Players: Archie Perkins, Jayden Nguyen, Kayle Gerreyn, Nikolas Cox, Tom Edwards Confirmed Departures: Saad El-Hawli (delisted), Jade Gresham (delisted), Matt Guelfi (delisted), Liam McMahon (delisted), Elijah Tsatas (delisted) Draft Hand: 1, 19, 60 It's the Zach Merrett saga part two. The Bombers have rejected Hawthorn's first offer for their prized midfielder; however, their hard-line stance this year makes far more sense than it did 12 months ago. This is because the Bombers could receive free agency compensation this time next year if the Hawks do not pony up with a suitable bounty in this window. A lot of Essendon's mooted arrivals look at raising their floor, as opposed to their ceiling, under the watchful eyes of first-year coach Mark McVeigh, and exemplary football person John Longmire. Their pursuit of wantaway Demon Jack Viney makes entire sense, although they compete with another fallen powerhouse, the West Coast Eagles, for his services. Jack Bowes is in the market for a third AFL club, and has nominated the Bombers as his preferred destination, turning down Adelaide and North Melbourne in favour of the Dons. The Bombers will also be out to maximise the return defender Jordan Ridley commands, with the injury-plagued Crichton Medallist in search of a new home. Geelong are in the market for his services, and given both clubs have a player that wants to get to the other, a trade involving both Bowes and Ridley makes sense. Auxiliary pieces Will McLachlan and Laitham Vandermeer may not set the world alight for the Bombers, but they would allow raw commodities to continue developing in the twos, as opposed to under the microscope that comes with the bright lights of AFL football. Fremantle Reported Trade Targets: Nathan Broad Off-Contract Players: Jaren Carr, Leon Kickett, Nathan O'Driscoll Confirmed Departures: Sam Switkowski (retired), Bailey Banfield (delisted), Sam Sturt (delisted), Ryda Luke (delisted), Ollie Murphy (delisted) Draft Hand:17, 38, 58, 76 The grand finalists are expected to be quiet this trade period and instead focus on netting some young talent in via the draft in November. Three-time premiership Richmond player Nathan Broad is potentially a player of interest. Broad retired from the Tigers this season to return home to Perth, but is open to continuing his career at either Fremantle or West Coast. Father-son winger Jaren Carr is a chance to be delisted, but he has been promised a spot on the rookie list if that happens. Geelong Reported Trade Targets: Rowan Marshall, Toby Greene, Jordan Ridley, Nick Blakey, Lachie Whitfield Off-Contract Players: Jack Bowes, Mitch Knevitt Confirmed Departures: Rhys Stanley (retired), Tyson Stengle (delisted), George Stevens (delisted), Jed Bews (delisted), Keighton Matofai-Forbes (delisted), Jake Kolodjashnij (retired) Draft Hand: 14, 34, 55, 73 Always a presence in the player movement space are the Cats, and that's already been proven in the early stages of the 2026 free agency window. Toby Greene has been reunited with best mate Jeremy Cameron in Geelong's forward line, and it's unlikely Andrew Mackie is finished there, with Geelong in the market for St Kilda's Rowan Marshall and Essendon's Jordan Ridley. They have also been linked to two players who would provide some dash and ball use off half-back, in GWS' Lachie Whitfield and Sydney's Nick Blakey, whose status for next season and beyond remains unclear. The acquisition of either would mark them as a genuine contender, yet again, while Ridley and Marshall would shore up the key posts with aplomb. Gold Coast Reported Trade Targets: Aidan Schubert Off-Contract Players: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Zak Evans Confirmed Departures: Cooper Bell (delisted), Asher Eastham (delisted), Caleb Graham (delisted), Nick Holman (retired), Ben King (free agent) Draft Hand: 65 Without a doubt, the most consequential decision of Gold Coast's off-season is whether or not to accept the compensation pick they receive for Ben King's defection to Hawthorn, or to force a trade in the hopes of securing a bigger bounty. King, given his age and rumoured salary, would net the Suns Band 1 compensation, which in this case would yield them Pick 7, helping them get back into a National Draft they've currently traded themselves out of, as things stand. The Suns hold an interest in young Hawk Aidan Schubert, who could help unlock the King move, as the contracted Hawk will find himself well down the key forward pecking order if King arrives - a truth only compounded by Calsher Dear's recent re-commitment. GWS Reported Trade Targets: Peter Ladhams, Tim English, Rowan Marshall Off-Contract Players: Conor Stone Confirmed Departures: Jake Stringer (free agent), Jesse Hogan (free agent), Kieren Briggs (free agent), Toby Greene (free agent) Draft Hand: 7, 26, 29, 48 The Giants' trade targets make it pretty clear that GWS is after a quality ruck this off-season. English has had whispers about a move all season but appears set to stay a Bulldog for now. Marshall is determined to get to Geelong, while Sydney wants to hold onto Ladhams. Briggs has been confirmed to join Richmond, so GWS is eager to add some ruck strength to its list to help support the likes of Nick Madden and Leek Aleer. Hawthorn Reported Trade Targets: Zach Merrett, Ben King, Josh Goater Off-Contract Players: Max Ramsden, Will McCabe, Flynn Perez Confirmed Departures: Cody Anderson, Jaime Uhr-Henry, Henry Hustwaite, James Blanck, Bodie Ryan. Draft Hand: 15, 25, 27, 35, 69 The great positive story of the week out of Hawthorn was the re-signing of father-son Calsher Dear. After strongly considering rival interest, he will remain at Dingley for a further two years despite the club's surplus of tall forwards. Hawthorn's first offer, Picks 15, 25 and a future third-rounder, for Zach Merrett was refused by the Bombers in an explosive start to negotiations, which suggests it could again be difficult to find a medium for the two clubs. The Hawks are chasing Josh Goater, who has officially requested a trade and passed a medical at Hawthorn. Meanwhile, Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie confirmed on Wednesday that Finn Maginness remains a player of interest for Western Bulldogs. Melbourne Reported Trade Targets: Zane Duursma, Laitham Vandermeer Off-Contract Players: Confirmed Departures: Tom Campbell (retired), Jack Henderson (delisted), Aidan Johnson (delisted), Steven May (retired), Shane McAdam (retired), Tom McDonald (retired), Jake Melksham (retired), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (delisted), Riley Onley (delisted), Kalani White (delisted) Draft Hand: 6, 10, 47 Lost out on the signature of young Hawthorn key forward Calsher Dear in a surprise turn of events. Dear turned his back on the Dees to re-sign at the Hawks for a further two seasons. Likely good news for Duursma, who is eager to leave North Melbourne and join the club he trained at during his draft year. Melbourne's Pick 6 and Pick 10 are both too early for Duursma, but North Melbourne won't be satisfied with Pick 43. Figuring out how to acquire the 21-year-old high flyer will likely be the Dees main priority now. North Melbourne Reported Trade Targets: Nick Murray, Jack Bowes, Jordan Ridley Off-Contract Players: Cooper Harvey, Josh Goater, Luke Urquhart, River Stevens, Zane Duursma, Toby Pink Confirmed Departures: Callum Coleman-Jones (delisted), Brayden George (delisted), Robert Hansen Jr (delisted), Bailey Scott (delisted) Draft Hand: 5, 45, 64, 72 Priority 1A for Todd Viney and co (outside of naming a head coach) must be maximising what they can get in return for Zane Duursma. Duursma was infamously selected by the Kangaroos when a little bloke by the name of Nick Watson was still available, and after failing to set the world alight in the same way as the best-and-fairest-winning Hawk, Duursma is looking to ply his trade in Melbourne's system. It's unclear what North's asking price would be, given Duursma was a prized top-five selection merely three short seasons ago, but it's currently a long wait between picks in this year's intake. A selection in the realm of Pick 24 feels fair. It would appear that North have fallen behind their rivals in their pursuits of Jordan Ridley and Jack Bowes, meaning the onus is once again on the nucleus of high draft picks of years before to drive this club back up the ladder. Port Adelaide Reported Trade Targets: Luke Pedlar, Laitham Vandermeer Off-Contract Players: Ollie Lord, Tom Anastasopoulos, Xavier Bamert Confirmed Departures: Benny Barrett (delisted), Mani Liddy (delisted), Jackson Mead (delisted), Will Lorenz (delisted), Xavier Walsh (delisted), Ivan Soldo (retired), Zak Butters (free agent) Draft Hand: 4, 22, 30, 44, 46, 63 Port Adelaide will likely sit on their hands when it comes to the acquisition of established talent in this year's player movement period. All roads lead to the Draft for a club with an enviable suite of club-tied prospects at the ready, and so procuring the points to acquire Dougie Cochrane this year, and Zemes Pilot, Tevita Rodan, and Louis Salopek (among others) next year will be a focus. As it has been all year, maximising returns for genuine superstar Zak Butters will be front of mind, with negotiations with the Western Bulldogs set to hog headlines for the bulk of the trade period. This follows Butters' nomination of Luke Beveridge's environment as his preferred destination. Crow Luke Pedlar has declared his intention to cross from West Lakes to Alberton, but all deals will be auxiliary to the Butters trade. Richmond Reported Trade Targets: Kieren Briggs Off-Contract Players: Hugo Ralphsmith, James Trezise, Judson Clarke, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Steely Green, Tyler Sonsie, Tom Burton Confirmed Departures: Liam Fawcett (delisted), Kaleb Smith (delisted), Nathan Broad (retired), Dion Prestia (retired/delisted) Draft Hand: 2, 20, 42, 61 Kieran Briggs officially landed at the Tigers at the start of the player movement period as the Tigers hunt a long-term Toby Nankervis replacement. Jayden Short is every chance to return to Punt Road if a deal cannot be reached, given he is contracted. It's been a reasonably quiet week for Richmond, despite needing to add plenty of experience to its list. St Kilda Reported Trade Targets: Jayden Short, Daniel Houston, Sam Marshall, Lachie Whitfield, Rory Lobb Off-Contract Players: Jack Carroll, Dan Butler Confirmed Departures: Dougal Howard (retired), Paddy Dow (delisted), Isaac Keeler (delisted), Patrick Said (delisted) Draft Hand: 8, 49, 67 For a second year running, St Kilda will be a busy player in this year's off-season. The Saints are dousing the flames on moves for young guns Mattaes Phillipou and Alixzander Tauru, while also chasing experienced talent Whitfield, Lobb and possibly Houston. Second-year Brisbane midfielder Marshall has officially requested a trade to the Saints and will help strengthen the club's midfield and wing stocks. Sydney Reported Trade Targets: N/A Off-Contract Players: Dane Rampe, Harry Cunningham, Joel Hamling Confirmed Departures: Taylor Adams (retired), Joel Amartey (Carlton) Draft Hand: 36, 37, 50, 52, 74 A year removed from a period that saw them acquire now-three-time Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow, the Swans figure to be spectators. Joel Amartey joined Carlton as a free agent - a move that saw the Swans handed Pick 36 as compensation. A trade for banned commodity Nick Blakey has been mooted, with multiple clubs queuing up for the dashing half-back's services, despite still not knowing what his playing eligibility looks like come Round 1, 2027. Blakey would command quite the bounty; such is his age, resume and contract status. Leon Cameron has been on the front foot in labelling each of the banned five required players, but only time will tell if that was lip service or not. West Coast Reported Trade Targets: Trent Rivers, Jack Viney, Gryan Miers Off-Contract Players: Clay Hall, Fred Rodriguez, Jack Williams, Malakai Champion, Harry Schoenberg, Matt Flynn Confirmed Departures: Harry Barnett (delisted), Harvey Johnston (delisted), Jamie Cripps (retired), Tyler Brockman (delisted) Draft Hand: 3, 21, 43, 57, 62, 71 The Eagles' aim this off-season is clear: Bring in experienced, tough and professional players that can assist with the growth of the club's young talent. If the deal gets done as many expect, Viney will be exactly what the likes of Harley Reid, Elijah Hewett and Willem Duursma need to make them the best footballers they can be. The Miers deal seems unlikely with Geelong not in any way keen to let the star half-forward go, but he would add some silver service to West Coast tall forwards Jake Waterman, Cooper Duff-Tytler and Jobe Shanahan. Western Bulldogs Reported Trade Targets: Zak Butters, Jordon Butts, Finn Maginness, Hudson O'Keeffe Off-Contract Players: Lachlan McNeil, Ryan Gardner, Nick Coffield, Will Lewis Confirmed Departures: James Harmes (retired), Oskar Baker (delisted), Harvey Gallagher (delisted), Lachlan Smith (delisted), Zac Walker (delisted), Tom Liberatore (retired), Adam Treloar (retired) Draft Hand: 12, 31, 53 Arguably the most consequential player in this year's trade period is the Western Bulldogs. They have made no bones about the fact that they want to get better, and see themselves well and truly inside the window, if their recruiting is any indication of their self-assessment. With Sam Darcy eyeing a return from a serious knee injury in 2027 and Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton and Ed Richards still in their primes, the Dogs have already gone about shoring up their backline, procuring Jordon Butts from the Adelaide Crows as an unrestricted free agent. He will join forces with James O'Donnell and Buku Khamis, the former of whom is fresh from a podium finish in the Dogs' Best and Fairest. But that's all inconsequential by comparison to the club's pursuit of Zak Butters. The Dogs won the race for the out-and-out superstar, with Butters officially nominating the club as his preferred destination last month. The Dogs tried a sly avenue that was shut down by the AFL as their first attempt at pleasing Port Adelaide, so they will need to get creative in the hopes of putting together a suitable trade package. Three first-round National Draft selections do not feel like a bounty beyond the realms of possibility. Hawk Finn Maginness and Blue Hudson O'Keeffe also want in, but those potential acquisitions will sit on the back burner until Butters puts pen to paper at the Kennel.

Ultimate AFL Trade Bible: Every team’s rival targets, rumours, off-contract players, confirmed departures, draft hand

The likely deals, players needing new homes, potential pick swaps and more!

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	FRE	23	19	4	76	137.2
2	SYD	23	18	5	72	136.1
3	BL	23	16	7	64	121.7
4	HAW	23	15	6	64	120.1
5	GEEL	23	15	8	60	122.3
6	ADEL	23	15	8	60	117.3
7	MELB	23	15	8	60	109.6
8	WB	23	13	9	54	95.4
9	COLL	23	12	9	52	102.4
10	CARL	23	12	10	50	101.5