Clubs' Guide to the AFL Exchange Period – Sports News (Trending Perfect)

Collingwood

Joe Richards is considering a three-year deal from Port Adelaide in exchange for a two-year contract with the Magpies, while a number of others remain in limbo after the club decided to hold on to their veterans. All but Josh Eyre have played in the AFL in 2024, showing their ability as depth players, with Jack Battel, Charlie Dean, Ned Long and Lachie Sullivan yet to sign. Reeve McInnes has played as a deep forward but has the ability to play other roles if the club bets on him, and is out of contract. John Noble has requested a trade to the Suns. Peter Ryan

Essendon

Jake Stringer is looking to secure a two-year deal, but the Bombers will not budge after missing out on another playoff spot. It remains to be seen whether other clubs will really pursue him, although players capable of scoring 40 goals a season are useful. Jay Den Davie remains without a contract, while the experienced trio of uncontracted players Todd Goldstein, Sam Wideman and Will Setterfield know they must be patient as they are valued at the club. Four players have been delisted, while Jake Kelly and Deason Heppell have retired. Dylan Shiel is under contract and will stay unless interest arises from elsewhere. Peter Ryan

Fremantle

Sam Sturt will play for another two seasons after a promising end to the year, while Matt Taberner remains out of contract as the club waits out the Peel Thunder finals campaign. Nathan O’Driscoll played well as a substitute against the Giants late in the season and will attract interest elsewhere, while players such as Tom Emmett could be squeezed out with the expected arrival of Shay Bolton and Liam Baker still having a chance to decide whether he wants to become a Docker. Other players without a deal are Ethan Hughes, Ethan Stanley, Josh Corbett, Max Noble, Odin Jones, Sebeth Kiouk and Conrad Williams, with many of those seven on shaky ground. Peter Ryan

Geelong

The Cats started the year with a long list of key players re-signed but have methodically worked their way down to the final twelve as they have taken advantage of the low price advantage to secure Western Bulldogs midfielder Billy Smith on a deal. Jake Kolodjashnij is close to finalising a new deal, while premiership players Mitch Duncan, Gary Rohan, Rhys Stanley, Brandan Parfitt and Jed Boz are also yet to agree new deals. Also waiting to be finalised are Emerson Gika, James Willis, Oscar Murdock, Ted Clohessy, Mitch Hardy and Phoenix Foster. They are still in the VFL finals. Peter Ryan

Gold Coast

The Suns were expected to cut more players before the weekend as they create places for potential arrivals Dan Rioli and John Noble. Jack Locosius could leave, with Adelaide a suitor, however his contracted Suns have yet to decide whether he wants to leave, while the Cruzes have also asked about Malcolm Rosas Jr, but they are expected to focus elsewhere. Shaun Lemmons is quick and has joined the squad late, while Darcy McPherson, Levi Casbolt, Jack Mahoney, Alex Sexton, Hiwago Oya, Will Rowlands, James Tsitas, Oscar Faulkhead and Sandy Brook are likely to know more in the coming days. Peter Ryan

Greater Western Sydney

The Giants are still waiting on decisions from wanted free agents Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming, and uncontracted midfielder James Beitling, before they can be certain about their trade period plans. Nick Haynes looks likely to join Carlton, while Beitling, who has surged up the pecking order with a huge second half of the season, is wanted. Warriors Adam Kennedy, Lachie Keefe and Kalen Ward are used to waiting at this stage of their careers, while Stone is likely to remain at the Giants. Cooper Hamilton and Braydon Preuss have yet to force their way into the team. The Giants have not ruled out playing for Adelaide’s Elliot Himmelberg, but those decisions will depend on roster spots becoming available. Peter Ryan

Hawthorn

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Hawks player Tom Barras has also requested a move to the Hawks, while fellow long-time defender Josh Battle will sign as an unrestricted free agent. Hawthorn have also shown interest in Giants player Harry Perryman – an unrestricted free agent – and Bulldogs player Billy Smith, who is out of contract, although the latter is expected to request a move to Geelong. Chad Wingard announced his retirement on Monday, but Luke Priest and Jack Gunston want to continue playing. Denver Granger Barras, Harry Morrison, Josh Bennetts, Jack O'Sullivan, Ethan Phillips, Cooper Stevens and Clay Tucker are also out of contract. – Mark McGowan

Melbourne

Christian Petracca’s series has dominated the headlines for the past month, but he has committed his future to Melbourne. There are rumblings of homesickness for Kesaiah Pickett, but he will not be traded, while Alex Neil Bullen has been tipped for Adelaide, having previously requested a move to his native South Australia for family reasons. Unrestricted free agent Adam Tomlinson could also leave, possibly to help St Kilda compensate for the loss of Josh Battle to Hawthorn. The Dees have already delisted Josh Schacht and Kiah Farris-White, while Ben Brown has joined Angus Brayshaw in retirement. Marty Hoare, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Oliver Sestan, Joel Smith and Will Verrall are all looking for new deals. Mark McGowan

North Melbourne

There are names linked to the Kangaroos every year, but what we do know is that they are in the market for experience. Jack Feeney will remain at Melbourne, North have not held talks with West Coast over Jack Darling, and they are not making any attempts to sign St Kilda’s Tim Membrey. Ollie Wines, Swan Luke Parker and Port Adelaide’s giant Kalen Ward are other players Alistair Clarkson has publicly raised as potential targets, but it remains to be seen whether they can lure any of that trio – or a similarly experienced colleague. Blake Drewey, Hamish Free, Cooper Harvey, Charlie Lazaro, Finbarr Maley, Bigua Nyon, Tyler Sellers and Curtis Taylor are all out of contract. Mark McGowan

Port Adelaide

Australian All-Star Dan Houston has said he will see out the remaining four years of his contract despite flirting with a move to Victoria, but Collingwood has joined Carlton and St Kilda in interest. The situation is still worth monitoring, especially once the Power season is over. GWS unrestricted free agents Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming have been linked, while Port have offered a three-year deal to out-of-contract Magpies forward Joe Richards. Veterans Travis Boak and Charlie Dixon headline a group whose contracts are up, including Francis Evans, Kyle Marshall, Tom McCallum, Trent McKenzie, Quinton Narkle and Tom Scully. Mark McGowan

Richmond

The Tigers are in for a great offseason, with Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker and Shay Bolton all requesting trades, and unrestricted free agent Jack Graham likely to leave for the West Coast. List boss Blair Hartley is hoping to maximise the return on the deals for Rioli, Baker and Bolton, to provide a draft bonus to use towards a deep 2024 crop that will allow them to rejuvenate. Other Richmond players whose futures are still up in the air are Jacob Blight, Matt Colina, Matt Coulthard, Noah Cumberland, Thompson Doe, Camdyn McIntosh and James Trezise. Mark McGowan

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St Kilda

The Saints are keen to bolster their defensive stock, given Josh Buttle’s decision to move to Hawthorn, with Essendon’s Jayden Laverde and Melbourne’s Adam Tomlinson also under consideration. Coach Ross Lyon is keen to bolster the ball side too, but last week’s headline revealed they will not be looking to re-sign Bomber Dylan Shiel. They are also keeping a close eye on the Dan Houston situation. St Kilda have already delisted Seb Ross, Matt Allison, Riley Bonner, Tom Campbell and James van Es, and are comfortable with Tim Membrey exploring his options as an unrestricted free agent. Cooper Sharman and Ryan Burns are set to get new deals, while Jack Hayes, Max Heath, Ollie Hutton, Dougal Howard, Zac Jones, Isaac Keller, Angus McLennan, Ben Paton, Liam Stoker and Jamie Webster complete the contingent of players whose contracts have expired. Mark McGowan

Sydney

This could be a quieter trading period for the Swans than in recent editions, barring a surprise late move. Former co-captain Luke Parker has had a tough season for someone of his stature, but has settled into an attacking midfield role. Parker, who hails from Melbourne, has another year to go and must decide whether he wants to be a one-club player or seek more certainty and opportunities elsewhere. Harry Arnold, Jack Buller, Harry Cunningham, Aaron Francis, Tom Hannelly, Jacob Constanty, Jayden Major, Lachie McAndrew, Caleb Mitchell and Cooper Vickery are yet to sign. Mark McGowan

West Coast

Tom Barrass’ impending departure to the Hawthorn Eagles could help secure Tigers Liam Baker, although West Coast would not want it to be a straight swap. Baker has not yet been linked with the Eagles or Dockers, but will play in WA next season, while Jack Graham could sign as an unrestricted free agent. There have been no discussions between West Coast and any club over the 2019 All-Australian, according to a well-placed source. Darling could still emerge as a swap piece. Another Richmond star, Shay Bolton, also wants to return to the Wests, but is likely to end up at Fremantle. Blue Jack Martin, who is out of contract, is a name to watch. Jordyn Baker, Koby Burgill, Jay Colley, Luca Edwards, Jamin Jones, Josh Rotham, Zane True, Alex Witherden and Quinn Livingstone are all in need of new deals. Mark McGowan

Western bulldogs

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Injured midfielder Billy Smith’s time at the club looks certain to be over, with the industry expecting him to request a trade to Geelong. There is also interest in what Australian duo Jack McRae and Caleb Daniell do after falling out of favour at times this year. Luke Beveridge now sees Rory Lobb as the primary centre-back, so it remains to be seen whether he is content with that and opts to stay in the doghouse. The Bulldogs have failed to sign Tom Barrass, and could ask for Adam Tomlinson as a cheaper option, but could also re-sign Alex Keith. Dominic Bidendo, Charlie Clarke, Taylor Duryea, Riley Garcia, Jason Johannisen, Poco James, Lachie McNeil and Kelsey Ribstra are without deals for 2025. Mark McGowan

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