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News 2025 Trade News Compendium

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Well, considering that some actual news has been announced, I might as well start this thread.

Remember, this thread is for news articles/possibly tweets if half-reputable and discussion posts will be deleted - feel free to chat about the articles in the trade thread. Note that just because I post a story here doesn't mean I don't think it's probably rubbish (Denham, Ralphy, Waldron etc. [I really should update this list]) but it's worthwhile having a place to keep these stories together.

Also I won't be posting stories that break down to "Ex-AFL media personality thinks the Lions should pick up so-and-so" if there's no evidence that we're actually interested in that player.

Previous editions of this thread: 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
 
Eagles co-captain set to leave as free agent after horror year (Callum Twomey, AFL.com.au, 24/08)

WEST Coast co-captain Oscar Allen will leave the Eagles after informing the club he wishes to exercise his free agency options.

Allen had his exit meeting with the Eagles on Friday and informed the club he would be looking to depart as a free agent, with the key forward keen to join Brisbane.

AFL.com.au revealed Brisbane's hunt for Allen in January, with the reigning premiers having spoken to the key forward at the end of last year following the sudden retirement of Joe Daniher.

West Coast can match a free agency bid for Allen given he is a restricted free agent but with a band one compensation pick expected, that would land the Eagles the No.2 pick after their No.1 choice.

A deal of at least five years is on the table from Brisbane.
 
Dees sound out Hawks assistant, Roo's new deal, Bombers up ante for ruck (Josh Gabelich, Callum Twomey, Riley Beveridge, Nathan Schmook, AFL.com.au, 25/08)

DONS UP DRAPER BID

ESSENDON has upped the ante to keep free agent Sam Draper as time ticks on his contract call, lifting its offer to five years for him to stay at the club.

AFL.com.au revealed last month the Bombers had added a trigger for a fifth season to their four-year deal as they battled Adelaide and Brisbane for Draper's signature, but that has increased again, with the offer now at five seasons.

The deal would run through to 2030 and is in line with the offers from the Crows and Lions, which has had Draper deciding between the three options for most of the season.

The move makes clear Essendon's keen hopes to retain the unrestricted free agent, who hasn't played since round six due to his Achilles injury.

The Crows and Lions have both been targeting Draper, with Adelaide keen to partner him with Reilly O'Brien and the Lions looking to add to their ruck division as Oscar McInerney has battled injury concerns this season.

If he left, the Bombers would not be able to match a deal but would receive a compensation pick, which would be on the verge of band one (first round) territory and at worst at the end of the first round.

Draper, who turns 27 in September, is yet to make a call on his future but a decision is expected soon after Essendon's season finishes next week. – Callum Twomey
 
Stay or go: Inside three-club race for big Bombers free agent... and the rival favoured to land him (Will Faulkner, Fox Sports, 26/08)

Brisbane pros: Foxfooty.com.au understands the Lions are the strong frontrunners in the three-horse race for Draper. Securing his services would be a major coup given the age profile and injury concerns surrounding their current ruck options. Oscar McInerney’s well-documented niggles have restricted him to just 11 games this season, to the point where Darcy Fort has seemingly become the first-choice ruck. With McInerney now 31 and Fort 32, Draper would represent forward planning as well as an immediate boost. For a side firmly in the premiership window — and as the reigning premiers — it’s hard to imagine the Lions turning away a player of Draper’s calibre who is eager to join. At just 26, he sits perfectly within the Lions’ competitive timeline and, like several of their emerging stars, brings a spark of flair that would allow him to slot seamlessly into the group.
Mostly an opinion piece but referencing as we are apparently the "strong front runners".
 

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(Old Story) Rival eyes Lions premiership hero as details of three-player plot emerge — Trade Whispers (Fox Sports, 14/08)

West Coast have been linked to Brisbane Lions premiership hero Callum Ah Chee, according to The West Australian.

The important forward is yet to re-sign at the Lions beyond this year and the Eagles are reportedly showing plenty of interest in the 163-gamer.

Ah Chee, who was originally drafted to the Gold Coast with pick 8 in 2015, has also been linked to Adelaide.
 
(Old Story) 'Earning your right': Blues’ tough call could see veteran depart as rivals circle (Nic Negrepontis, Nine.com.au, 15/08)

Carlton coach Michael Voss has spoken on the club's decision not to select key defender Mitch McGovern for round 23's clash with Port Adelaide, meaning the 30-year-old will fall short of a games trigger that would have given him a contract for 2026.
McGovern will naturally now look around elsewhere, with sources telling WWOS that both Brisbane and Port Adelaide have an interest in the intercept defender.
 
Docker to make call on future, Dees chase tall Saint, Giants' list squeeze (Callum Twomey, Josh Gabelich, Riley Beveridge, Nathan Schmook, AFL.com.au, 27/08)

BRISBANE EYES IRISH YOUNG GUN

BRISBANE last week had young Gaelic star Ben Murphy at the club for a trial as it looks to sign the Irish talent.

Murphy is considered one of the rising stars of the Gaelic competition and has been a standout for County Kerry, having been recognised as one of the best young players in the country.

The Lions had Murphy at the club last week for a trial and are looking to add to their history with Irish players, having Conor McKenna and Darragh Joyce at the club currently, and James Madden a recent departure.

They also had a long stint with Pearce Hanley, who played 129 games for the Lions after coming from Ireland.
Irish players can be signed as Category B rookies at any time. – Callum Twomey
 
First two draft picks AND a Lions star? Eagles consider shock AFL pitch after skipper’s ‘messy exit’ (Ben Waterworth, Fox Sports, 27/08)

West Coast will reportedly consider asking the AFL for an unprecedented exemption as part of its draft assistance package pitch next month.
It comes after West Coast on the weekend confirmed co-captain Oscar Allen had plans to exercise his free agency rights, with the expectation he’ll join Brisbane during the off-season. Yet the Lions’ offer to Allen is widely expected to net West Coast a Band 1 free agency compensation selection, which would be Pick 2 – the pick after the Eagles’ natural first-rounder.

Possibly complicating that Eagles scenario, however, is the prospect of the club landing its own free agent in premiership Lion Brandon Starcevich, whose potential arrival would weaken the Allen compensation selection.

Speaking on Footy Classified on Tuesday night, senior AFL Media reporter Cal Twomey said the Eagles would, therefore, ask the AFL to not “dilute” the Allen compo pick as part of their pitch.

“There’s two things we can reveal around part of that submission,” Twomey told Footy Classified.

“One of them is extra rookie list spots. They’ve got some opportunities to bring in some NGA prospects who might fit in as rookie-listed players. So North Melbourne received that as part of their 2023 assistance package.

“The other, more significant, consideration that they’ll discuss with the AFL is the exemption to bring in a free agent without diluting their free agency compensation pick that they’re set to receive for Oscar Allen. That is going to, we all think, be Pick 2 in the national draft … Uncharted territory, never happened before, never been an exemption that’s allowed this.

“This is what I would call ‘the Brandon Starcevich rule’, because they are in the market for Brandon Starcevich. He’s been weighing up Essendon, staying at Brisbane or going to West Coast. I think it’s narrowed now to be out of staying at Brisbane or going to West Coast on a longer-term deal.

“The Eagles are keen on him, but bringing him in as a free agent under normal circumstances would dilute the No.2 pick. They don’t want to do that and they don’t want to trade for him.

“So I think as part of this discussion and submission, they’re likely to throw up the ability to get a free agent, such as Brandon Starcevich, whilst keeping Pick 2. It would be significant.”
 
Trade talk: Luckless Bomber star wants out (SEN, 31/08)

Essendon defender Jordan Ridley has expressed his desire to leave the club following a treacherous run with injury.

As reported by 9News journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris, the former All-Australian raised the prospect of a trade in his exit meeting with the club last week, related to his frustration around injury management.

Reports suggest that the defender would ideally seek a move to the Brisbane Lions, citing family connections in the state of Queensland while also appearing as the ideal club for dealing with injury management.
 
Essendon adamant Jordan Ridley will be in red and black in 2026 despite reports of a trade request (Jon Ralph, Herald Sun, 31/08)

Essendon is adamant defender Jordan Ridley is committed to the club despite his frustrations over his recent injury history and will be in red and black colours in 2026.

Amid reports he is disgruntled and would like to be traded to Brisbane, Essendon made clear on Sunday he did not once mention a potential move in his recent exit interview.

Her said that while he loved the club he was frustrated he had been able to play so few games given a running battle with injuries.
It remains to be seen whether Ridley might ask about his future in a formal capacity but Essendon is adamant his exit meeting did not see him mention that possibility in any way shape or form.

Brisbane has been mentioned in reports as a possible landing spot but they will use up most of their 2025 draft capital matching a bid for young draftee Dan Annable.
 
Free agent Sam Draper to leave Essendon, rival clubs monitoring Zach Merrett (Jay Clark, 01/09, Herald Sun)

Essendon ruckman Sam Draper will depart the Bombers at season’s end to start a new chapter at either Brisbane Lions or Adelaide.

The Lions are considered the frontrunner for Draper but the Crows remain a live option after positive talks with Adelaide figures as recently as last week.
Barring a last-minute back flip, Draper, 26, is set to depart Tullamarine as an unrestricted free agent which means the Bombers cannot match a deal and force him to stay.

Essendon was hopeful of keeping Draper after improving its offer late this year, but chances of him staying at Essendon have almost completely faded.

Essendon confirmed on Tuesday Draper had his exit interview but did not reveal his intentions about his plans for next season.
Draper is understood to be more keen on the Lions ahead of a final decision in coming weeks.

Essendon’s terrible injury run was a major factor in Draper’s thinking as well as the direction of the club which is currently in the midst of a full-on rebuild.

Draper is expected to earn in the vicinity of $4.2 - $4.5 million for at least five years at his new club, or about $850,000 a season on a deal similar to Luke Jackson at Fremantle.
 
Mega 18-club AFL trade state of play: Who every club could land, lose and their assets (Ben Cotton, Will Faulkner and Jack Jovanovski, Fox Sports, 01/09)

BRISBANE LIONS

Players that could leave

We know how hard it is to keep premiership teams together. And the Lions are no different as their stars consider lucrative offers at rival clubs, with Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee both weighing up their options. Starcevich is a free agent and the West Australian has interest from West Coast. The reliable defender has a history of concussions, so you could understand why Brisbane would be hesitant to offer him a massive deal, but it’d be awfully bold to cross from a flag contender (and potential back-to-back premier) to the wooden spooner. Meanwhile Ah Chee has been linked to Adelaide and West Coast and clearly deserves a raise after emerging as a key cog in Chris Fagan’s front six including a huge 2024 finals series. The Lions will also need to match a bid on potential top five Academy prospect Daniel Annable.

Players that could arrive


In a scary prospect for the rest of the league, the Lions are set to get even stronger this off-season. Oscar Allen is set to join the club as a free agent to help fill the Joe Daniher void, despite Brisbane showing it can still be extremely potent up forward with just Logan Morris and Eric Hipwood as its key targets. The Lions are also the favourites to secure Bombers free agent Sam Draper, with the ruckman still considering his future and offer from Essendon and Adelaide. Given Draper would be the clear No. 1 ruck at Brisbane as a successor for Oscar McInerney, it’s the most obvious fit for the 26-year-old. On Sunday it emerged another Bomber, Jordan Ridley, is keen to move north due to Queensland links and frustration with how the club has handled his body. He could be yet another injury rescue case for the Lions.

Who’s already gone
TBC

Draft picks (after Round 24)

16, 37, 40, 46, 48, 61, 70
 

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Admin error at the centre of Draper’s free agency status (Sam Edmund, SEN, 02/09)

An administrative error exposed Sam Draper to unrestricted free agency status and a likely raid from rival clubs.

Eyebrows were raised in April when the AFL released its free agency list, with Draper among the unrestricted free agents and not among the top 10 earners at Essendon.

Draper is yet to decide his future, but if he chooses to join Brisbane or Adelaide, the Bombers will be powerless to match the bid as a result.

Draper’s unrestricted free agency status is an unintended consequence of the Bombers shuffling money around for his teammates.

When Draper signed his existing deal in late 2022, the ruckman was clearly among the top earners at Essendon. Club and player were early last year in talks to extend that deal and both parties were confident the commitment would continue.

But in the time since, the Bombers overhauled their list management structure, the Draper talks fizzled out and a series of other contracts were signed or adjusted.

Kyle Langford, Darcy Parish, Sam Durham were among those to pen new deals, shunting Draper down the table of earners.

In a bungle they could yet pay dearly for, by the time Essendon lodged its player payment estimates with the AFL Draper was an unrestricted free agent.

And as a three-club race has unfolded for his signature, the Bombers have been forced to play contract catch-up, adjusting their offer multiple times.
 
Out-of-contract Sun eyed by cross-town rival: AFL trade news (Aidan Cellini, Zero Hanger, 03/09)

Gold Coast's Connor Budarick is reportedly receiving enormous interest from around the competition as he weighs up his future beyond 2025.

Budarick has reaffirmed his commitment to the Suns for next year, despite an offer being tabled to him by the club.

As a result, cross-town rivals Brisbane have flagged their interest in luring him north of Gold Coast, but are jostling with Victorian clubs, according to AFL Media's Riley Beveridge.

"The race for Connor Budarick is really heating up around the competition," Beveridge said.

"He remains unsigned at Gold Coast. They've got a deal on the table for him to sign to stay there.

"But Brisbane is among the clubs now chasing Connor Budarick. The Western Bulldogs have also had interest right the way through. North Melbourne and Essendon had interest last year.

"I think deals for Connor Budarick to leave the Gold Coast could reach three, four or five years."
 
Victorian powerhouse “preparing mega offer” for premiership Lion: AFL trade news (Aidan Cellini, Zero Hanger, 03/09)

Essendon is reportedly getting all its ducks in a row as they prepare a "mega offer" for Brisbane forward and premiership player Zac Bailey.

The freshly minted All-Australian and Lions star is contracted for 2026, when he enters free agency.

The current AFL market has seen the likes of Tom De Koning, Oscar Allen, and Jack Silvagni exercise their rights as free agents, with rivals prepared to pay overs to lure them away from their respective clubs.

Bailey, who is only 25, has largely been placed inside forward 50 throughout his 162 games, but has the capacity to play through the midfield as a burst player, which is something the Bombers desperately need.

AFL Media's Cal Twomey revealed that the Victorian club is arming itself in anticipation of an assault next year.
"Essendon is preparing a mega offer for Zac Bailey," Twomey said on Gettable.

"It'll be six-plus years around the $1.3 million mark across those seasons. It would be the most lucrative contract in Bombers history should he sign it.

"This is around getting the picture that the Bombers are interested. A number of clubs will be chasing him at that sort of rate and value.

"Brisbane likes to get their free agency deals done early. They'll be pushing to re-sign him as soon as possible."
 


Mitch Cleary: Brisbane has surged past Adelaide as the hot favourite to win the signature of Essendon ruckman Sam Draper.
As an unrestricted free agent he can pick the club of his choice and move there without the Bombers standing in his way.
 
Bombers ruck confirms exit, future remains unclear (Staff Writers, AFL.com.au, 09/09)

SAM DRAPER has told Essendon he will leave the club, although he is yet to confirm whether he will join Brisbane or Adelaide as a free agent.

Draper told Essendon on Tuesday morning that he will leave ahead of the 2026 season, but did not confirm his new home.

The Bombers will now wait to see what level of compensation pick they will receive, once Draper's future becomes clearer.

Draper, who has been sidelined since round six due to injury, is one of the highest-profile free agents this season having joined the Bombers in 2016.

He was weighing up either staying at Tullamarine with a move to the Lions or the Crows, which would be a homecoming for the South Australian.

With the Crows and Lions still in contention for the premiership, Draper's intentions will become clearer in the coming weeks.

AFL.com.au reported last month that the Bombers had lifted its offer to five years for him to stay at the club.
 
Trade Bell: Gabelich’s update on Merrett, Petracca, Wilkie & more (SEN, 09/09)

Sam Draper (Essendon)

Lions or Crows?

“Clubs have been chasing him because Essendon can’t match the offer.

“They weren’t prepared to anyway because of the durability question marks around him and how aggressive Brisbane have been. They’ve been prepared to offer five (years) with a trigger sixth year.

“Expect him to land there (at Brisbane), but it hasn’t stopped Adelaide from chasing him even though they re-signed Reilly O’Brien for three more years.

“All eyes will be on what compensation the Bombers get. Currently they’ve got picks 4, 5, 22 and 25, so they are stacked heading into November’s draft.

“But will they get Band 1 or Band 2 for Draper? We’ll have to wait and see.”
Connor Budarick (Gold Coast)

On Bulldogs, Lions & Bombers links

“Another one to keep an eye on with the Western Bulldogs. He was one of the few (Suns) that played in the Elimination Final in Perth on the weekend who doesn’t have a contract for next year.

“Gold Coast have offered him one, but he is weighing up his options. Brisbane are interested, Essendon’s interested, but so are the Bulldogs.”
 

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Trade wrap: Who really drove Saints’ SOS chase, Petracca raises eyebrows at Dees B&F (Jon Ralph, Herald Sun, 10/09)

AGONISING CHOICE LOOMS OVER LION

Brisbane’s Brandon Starcevich faces a Chad Warner-style decision to play for two more years chasing flags at the Lions or return home to play with the Eagles on a long-term deal.

Starcevich would ideally like to return home to play in WA at some stage in his career given his close family ties.

Like Warner he would give up that chance for silverware if he left for rebuilding West Coast.

So having decided that third suitor Essendon is not in the race he faces an extremely challenging decision.

He would sign a long-term deal at West Coast but likely only a two-year deal as a restricted free agent.

If he did find his way to West Coast the most likely outcome would be through a trade, not free agency.

West Coast will secure the No. 2 overall draft pick as free agency compensation when Allen leaves, but under the net gain rule it would be diluted if they secured a free agent.

They have asked the AFL under their priority pick submission if they could bring another free agent in without diluting that compo but no one believes that is likely to fly.

So handing up a later pick for Starcevich to make his move a trade keeps the No. 2 overall pick.

Brisbane would get a pick rather than nothing, because having secured Sam Draper and Oscar Allen they would get nothing for the departing Starcevich anyway.
 
Jordan Ridley meets with Brisbane as Essendon great Tim Watson concerned about Brad Scott (Jay Clark, Herald Sun, 11/09)

Essendon defender Jordan Ridley has met with Brisbane Lions’ senior figures as part of his attempt to start a new chapter up north.

Ridley, 26, has family in Queensland and has recently spoken with the Lions in a bid to join departed Essendon ruckman Sam Draper at Brisbane next season.

Ridley would fill a key void for the Lions as an A-grade intercepting and rebounding backman who has been severely hampered by injuries throughout his career, playing only 19 games in the past two seasons.
There have been no discussions about what a deal for Ridley could look like, while Draper’s exit will either net the Bombers a first-round or end-of-first round draft pick.
 
Every player linked to a new club ahead of the AFL trade period (Herald Sun, 11/09)
BRISBANE

Oscar Allen
will bolster Brisbane’s forward line next season and the Lions are in the box seat to also sign Sam Draper, who told Essendon this week he wants out. Lockdown defender Brandon Starcevich remains on the fence about a return to WA and Callum Ah Chee has an offer on the table from Adelaide that he will weigh up. The Lions remain in the fight for Sam Draper.
 
‘Hard to see him staying’: Superstars primed for exits — Mega AFL trade state of play (Will Faulkner and Jack Jovanovski, Fox Sports, 15/09)

BRISBANE LIONS

Players that could leave

Brandon Starcevich
and Callum Ah Chee are thought to be weighing up their rival options as list changes at Springfield loom. Starcevich, an unrestricted free agent and Western Australian, has significant interest from West Coast. The dependable stopper has a history with concussion, thus the Lions may be less willing to offer the 26-year-old a longer-term deal. Meanwhile, Ah Chee has been linked to Adelaide and West Coast and is likely seeking a raise after playing a versatile role in Chris Fagan’s side, including a huge 2024 finals series. The Lions will need to match a bid on potential top-five Academy prospect Daniel Annable, meaning they might be more willing to part ways if it means securing additional draft capital. Elsewhere, dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale was reportedly sounded out by West Coast, but the former Docker is said to have replied with a firm ‘no’. The names which remain out of contract at Brisbane include: Conor McKenna, Darcy Craven, Darragh Joyce, Deven Robertson, James Tunstill, Lincoln McCarthy, Luke Beecken, Sam Day. Robertson has previously been linked to a return to his home state of Western Australia, while McCarthy will be coming off a long-term knee injury, and McKenna has been unable to hold down a spot in the senior side. Forward-midfield star Zac Bailey is a pre-agent, so he doesn’t need to make a decision on his future just yet, but he will undoubtedly have the Crows chasing him hard to lure him back to South Australia.

Players that could arrive

Incredibly, the Lions could yet defend their premiership this September and get stronger in the off-season. Oscar Allen is all but a certainty to join the club as a free agent to help fill the Joe Daniher void and be a long-term key pillar alongside Logan Morris. The Lions are also favourites to secure Bombers free agent Sam Draper, who has officially indicated his desire to leave Essendon. Draper would be the clear No. 1 ruck at Brisbane as a successor to Oscar McInerney, with Darcy Fort to serve as the second choice. Meanwhile, it was revealed that another Bomber, Jordan Ridley, is keen to move north due to Queensland links and frustration with how Essendon has handled his body, with the interceptor reportedly meeting with senior Lions figures recently.
 
Free agent ruck officially nominates new home, Bombers wait for compo call (AFL.com.au, 16/09)
FREE agent Sam Draper has officially nominated Brisbane as his new home.

Last week, Draper told Essendon he would seek a move away from the club, with the Lions and Adelaide both chasing his signature.

AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey reported on Tuesday that Draper has officially nominated the Lions as his club from 2026 onwards.

It is yet to be seen what free agency compensation pick the Bombers will receive in return.
 
Premiership Lion set to request trade to rival contender (Jake Beddard, The Sporting News, 17/09)

Brisbane Lion Callum Ah Chee is set to jump ship to rival premiership contender the Adelaide Crows in the upcoming trade period.

Last month, Ah Chee was believed to be weighing up interest from both Adelaide and West Coast.

But on Wednesday, AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey confirmed Ah Chee will seek a move to the Crows over the Eagles, despite the 27-year-old being born in Western Australia.

"He's keen to get to Adelaide. I expect that we'll see a trade request as soon as Brisbane's season finishes," Twomey said on Gettable.

"Now I think if you're Brisbane you're almost budgeting on him moving given they've got (Sam) Draper, (Oscar) Allen and maybe Jordan Ridley coming on board."
 

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