A quiet first week of the trade period has extended into the second week – and has subsequently set the competition up for an almighty finish.
Only two pick swaps were formalised at AFL House on Monday, however a shock key to unlocking the trade period was revealed, as clubs head into a frenzy for the beginning of the end to this year’s off-season movings.
Recap all of Monday October 14’s trade news in our blog below, as well as our live trade chat at the bottom of the article!
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Watch Trading Day live on Fox Footy every weeknight until the deadline from 5pm AEDT. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
4:20PM – BLUES ‘COME HARD’ FOR EAGLES’ TOP 3 PICK
Carlton continue to make waves this trade period with the bold trading of picks, and are now reportedly well and truly in the hunt for West Coast’s Pick 3.
AFL Media’s Callum Twomey on Monday afternoon has revealed that the Blues are set to offer up both Pick 12 and 14 – and in return getting the third pick in this year’s stacked draft.
And in turn, if the Eagles were to swap for the two picks, it would see the door swing wide open for Liam Baker to move west from Richmond.
“Carlton still coming hard for West Coast’s pick 3 using picks 12 and 14 – with 14 being proposed to be sent on to Tigers for Liam Baker. Shaping as a key option for deals to get done if Eagles decide to split,” Twomey wrote on X.
Twomey also revealed that the Eagles still have interest in out-of-favour Blues small forward Matt Owies, who currently sits without a contract from any club for the 2025 season.
3:40PM – FORGOTTEN SUN LOOMS AS SPARK TO TRADE PERIOD AMID MASSIVE THREE-WAY DEAL
In what could quite possibly be the most remarkable revelation of the off-season, forgotten Sun Rory Atkins has emerged as the player who could well unlock the stalemate that is this year’s trade period.
Nine’s Tom Morris reported on Monday afternoon that Atkins at this stage looks set to head to Port Adelaide with a year remaining on his current deal at the Gold Coast, with the Power now set to receive all of Atkins, Jack Lukosius and Joe Richards should a mega three-way trade be agreed upon.
The proposed deal Morris flagged would see Port finish with the aforementioned three players, picks 13, 29 and a future third-round pick.
That would unlock the door for Dan Houston and a flurry of late picks to land at Collingwood, while the Suns would end up with John Noble and a future first-round pick.
While the deal is still far from finalised, Port Adelaide would almost certainly emerge as the big winner from the dealing.
1:40PM — ‘PROGRESS’ IN EAGLES-BAKER TALKS
Progress has reportedly been made between Richmond and West Coast over a deal that sends dual premiership Tiger Liam Baker to the Eagles, despite late interest from Fremantle.
Uncontracted Tiger Baker’s desire to join the Eagles hit a curveball late last week when Hawthorn sensationally traded its Pick 14 to Carlton, with that draft selection long viewed as integral to a Tom Barrass-Hawks deal that would help a Baker-Eagles deal get done.
The trade led to increased speculation Fremantle could swoop on Baker, with the Dockers willing to part with Picks 10, 11 and 18 in a deal with Richmond for Baker and Shai Bolton.
But AFL Media journalist Cal Twomey reported Baker still seemed destined to land at West Coast.
“Things are progressing on a deal for Baker at the Eagles,” Twomey told AFL Trade Radio.
“He still wants to get to West Coast, despite seeing a spanner in the works with the Hawthorn deal (with Carlton) last week.
“I think we’ll see some progress on that over the next 24 hours.”
Fremantle football boss Joe Brierty earlier in the day confirmed his club’s long-held interest in Baker, but stressed the player’s preference remained the Eagles.
“Our understanding is he still has a desire to get to West Coast and that’s the position they would like to achieve, and from our point of view, we’re respectful of that,” Brierty told AFL Trade Radio.
“As I said, it’s something that over a long period of time we’ve had ongoing discussions with him, and he suits our list and our profile.
“If the opportunity was to arise, we feel like we’ve got the collateral to meet Richmond’s needs and achieve the result for Liam to come to us.
“We’re respectful there’s a fair bit to play out.”
1:00PM — DOGS REJECT ROOS’ OFFER FOR DANIEL
The likelihood that Caleb Daniel remains at Whitten Oval appears to have increased after North Melbourne’s initial proposal for the utility was rejected by the Western Bulldogs.
The Kangaroos, according to 9 News Melbourne chief football reporter Tom Morris, floated the Dogs their Pick 25 in exchange for Daniel and Pick 48.
Morris reported that trade was rejected by the Dogs.
Daniel, nominally a defender, has been of interest to the Kangaroos as they attempt to accelerate their rebuild by adding ready-made players — having already traded for Jack Darling, with Luke Parker likely on the way and Dan Houston still in their sights.
11:10AM – ROOS’ ‘HEAD-TURNING’ OFFER COULD BLOW UP BLOCKBUSTER TRADE
Gold Coast is weighing up whether to abort the three-club, four-player trade it’s central to and instead strike separate deals, reports SEN’s Sam Edmund.
The Suns’ Pick 13 has been the most heavily sought-after draft selection across the past two weeks, with multiple clubs chasing it – including Collingwood, Carlton and North Melbourne, which are all eyeing the pick to help strike a trade with Port Adelaide for Dan Houston.
The Magpies have been viewed as the No. 1 contender for the pick, considering it would help them land Houston but also assist the Suns to acquire John Noble from Collingwood and the Power land both Jack Lukosius from Gold Coast and Joe Richards from the Pies.
But Edmund on SEN on Tuesday reported that the Kangaroos not only had a future first-rounder on the table, but also “more draft capital” for Gold Coast’s Pick 13.
“The Suns have had their heads turned by North Melbourne’s increasing enthusiasm and compelling offer for pick 13, which has grown since the Dees went elsewhere,” Edmund wrote on X.
“North’s offer has GC deciding today whether to drop the multi-club deal with Coll and Port and do trade deals separately.”
11:00AM — DEES, DONS FORMALISE PRIZED PICK TRADE
The agreement between Melbourne and Essendon has gone official at AFL House.
Melbourne has sent its future first-rounder and picks 28, 40, 46, 54 and 65 to Essendon for the prized pick 9 and a future third-rounder.
It’s yet another pick-swap domino to fall this trade period, following No. 14 going from Hawthorn to Carlton and pick 20 heading to Richmond from Brisbane.
All eyes now turn to Gold Coast’s No. 13 selection, which is being courted by the likes of Collingwood, North Melbourne and Sydney, among others.
The Bombers’ accumulation of later selections aids their acquisition of NGA prospect Isaac Kako, who they will have first dibs on in November.
10:25AM – FRESH TWIST IN MASS-CLUB RACE FOR STAR
Port Adelaide star Dan Houston’s landing spot still remains unclear just over 48 hours out from the trade deadline, with four possibilities all a live chance.
The dual All-Australian defender has requested a trade away home to Victoria — not a specific club — sparking interest from Collingwood, Carlton and North Melbourne.
The Magpies have been seen as the warm favourite to land Houston, considering they’re best placed to pull off a deal — due to John Noble’s wish to join the Suns and Joe Richards’ desire to land at the Power — and Houston’s reported preference to join the Pies.
But AFL Media journalist Cal Twomey reported Carlton was “back in the Dan Houston mix”, despite recent speculation the Blues were steadfast on taking Picks 12 and 14 — the latter selection they acquired from Hawthorn late last week in a bombshell move — to a draft they’ve fallen in love with.
“As Pies weigh up their moves for pick 13 – and then Houston – the Blues are considering their play given they hold picks 12 & 14,” Twomey wrote on X.
“Graham Wright’s first official day at the Blues is today – could be influential in final trade period days.”
The Kangaroos, too, remain in the hunt, putting their future first-round selection on the table while also being in the hunt for the Suns’ in-demand Pick 13.
Will Dan Houston stay at Port Adelaide? | 01:42
8:45AM – CONFIRMED PICK SWAP TO SEAL DEES-DONS DEAL
Adelaide and Melbourne have swapped draft picks in a move that will lead to the Demons and Essendon completing a deal for pick 9.
The Crows have sent pick 46 to the Dees for a future third-rounder, AFL House confirmed on Monday morning.
From there, Melbourne will send its future first-rounder and picks 28, 40, 46, 54 and 65 to Essendon for the prized pick 9 and a future third-rounder, per AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
The Essendon-Melbourne deal is expected to become official on Monday.
Elsewhere, ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, Adelaide still has business to complete with GWS for midfielder James Peatling, while the Demons will finalise a deal with Brisbane for Harry Sharp.
8:15AM – OWIES ‘WON’T BE AT CARLTON’ NEXT SEASON AMID PAIR’S INTEREST
Unsigned Blues forward Matt Owies will reportedly depart Princes Park this off-season as he remains without a 2025 contract.
The 27-year-old has kicked an impressive 60 goals across the past two seasons but is yet to have his AFL future secured beyond this year.
On Monday morning, SEN reporter Sam Edmund shared the latest on the perplexing situation, revealing Owies had played his last game in navy blue.
“(He) doesn’t have an offer from Carlton — he won’t be going back to Carlton,” Edmund told AFL Trade Radio on Monday morning.
“He will be going somewhere (else) in this trade period. Has had interest from Gold Coast and West Coast. He will make a decision as early as today.
“He will not be going back to Carlton, that ship has sailed.”
”You are taking a risk on Bailey Smith” | 02:46
7:45AM – DOGS STILL ‘TALKING TOUGH’ ON BAZLENKA DEAL
The Bulldogs’ well-documented standoff with Geelong is continuing into the final days of the trade period.
Despite the Cats’ offer of their first-round draft choice — pick 17 — the Dogs are clamouring for a selection in the top-10 of November’s national draft.
And Smith’s camp reportedly believes Geelong should take its chances selecting the wantaway onballer in November’s national draft.
“The Dogs are talking tough, and the Cats (are) typically steadfast in what they would be willing to offer, which is 17, their best pick,” SEN reporter Sam Edmund told AFL Trade Radio on Monday morning.
“The Dogs don’t like it one bit; they want a higher pick — as high as single digits.
“Geelong is saying ‘what we’re offering is fair, take it or leave it’.
“Smith’s management is saying: ‘fine, walk him (to the draft), the offer’s fair, he gets to Geelong anyway’. It’s a strong draft, nobody’s going to take Bailey Smith … it’s hard to see who’s going to defy everyone and pick him.”
In addition to No. 17 — which is set to shift further down the order after matched father-son and Academy bids on draft night — the Cats currently hold picks 38, 57 and 75, while the Dogs’ hand comprises 35 and 48.
The Bulldogs, headed by list boss Sam Power, are also looking to close a deal with St Kilda for Jack Macrae, while Caleb Daniel continues to weigh his future at the Kennel amid maintained interest from North Melbourne.
6AM – PRIZED PICK RACE GETS EVEN HOTTER AS ROOS READY STRONG BID FOR PREMIERSHIP DOG
A looming deal sending Essendon’s pick 9 to Melbourne will intensify the attention on Gold Coast’s pick 13 as clubs make their last bids for the prized selection.
The Bombers are set to reject a reported North Melbourne offer of their future first-round pick in order to split the selection, getting the Demons’ future first plus picks 28 and 40, with later picks also tipped to be involved.
It means clubs looking to trade into the first round now only have one real option; the Suns’ very gettable pick 13, with the Kangaroos, St Kilda, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and Sydney all believed to have interest.
The Magpies have long been viewed as the frontrunners because the Suns want to deal with them for John Noble, but the Queensland club continues to reject the offer of Noble and a future first-round pick for picks 13 and 23.
If the Pies can’t get pick 13 it complicates their move for Dan Houston, who would prefer to be in black and white next year but hasn’t officially nominated a club, allowing North Melbourne and even Carlton to remain in the race.
While most reporters have suggested the Blues are no longer in touch with Houston, veteran journalist Damian Barrett said on Sunday night he still thinks Michael Voss’ team will land the dual All-Australian halfback.
The Blues have two first-round picks, 12 and 14, but one of those alone would not satisfy Port Adelaide and the Alberton club can keep Houston to his contract if desired.
Join our live AFL trade chat from 9am-5pm AEDT below!
