FREMANTLE

Contracted Richmond forward-midfielder Shai Bolton shapes as Fremantle’s number-one trade priority come the trade period’s commencement on Monday. It is relatively common knowledge that the Tigers want two of the Dockers’ three first-rounders, and while it seems Fremantle is receptive to that, they would ideally keep one of their earlier two first-round choices — Picks 10 and 11 — and instead give up one of their later ones (their third first-rounder is currently at No. 18) rather than surrender both. Otherwise, Sydney’s Chad Warner and Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett always seemed like pipe-dreams to make their way to Cockburn this year, with both firmly planted at their respective clubs for at least another year. Outside of the star trio, Fremantle’s list looks set for another crack at a maiden AFL premiership next year. They’ve been in the hunt for some big names this season, and they should still land one in Bolton. But 2025 now shapes as the year they set out for some even bigger fish.

GEELONG

Geelong’s biggest priority will be getting the Bailey Smith deal over the line. Multiple reports have indicated the Cats and Dogs — fittingly — will engage in a trade tussle. In all likelihood, Geelong will offer its first-round selection to the Bulldogs, but that won’t be enough, considering it has already dropped from No. 15 to No. 17 — and it will drop further following matched bids for father-son and Academy prospects such as Levi Ashcroft and Leo Lombard, among others. Therefore, it might take that first-rounder and a later swapping of choices to satisfy both clubs. Despite Clayton Oliver’s multiple — and reportedly positive — recent meetings with Cats officials and players, the Demons have said they won’t trade Oliver — who is contracted through the 2030 season. But even if they were to come around, it is hard to see how a deal is done with the Cats. On paper, Geelong simply doesn’t have the draft capital — meaning more than one player could be involved if a deal was to go down. It is a treacherous game linking contracted players to other clubs for the sake of hypothesising about mega-trades, but with that said, the Demons would surely demand a long-term key-position asset from the Cats in a trade centred on Oliver — Shannon Neale and Sam De Koning spring to mind given the Demons’ dire need for an emerging key forward. Anyone outside of that mould feels more of a surplus than anything for Melbourne, which is what makes hypothesising, let alone seriously proposing such a trade so hard. Elsewhere, delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin will make his way down the highway to the Cattery.

GOLD COAST SUNS

Gold Coast’s second of its three first-rounders — Pick 13 — could be the catalyst to Dan Houston’s return to Victoria, as rival clubs — as many as eight, per multiple reports by Twomey — continue to flag interest in the premium selection. It was originally the No. 12 selection before St Kilda’s compensatory Pick 8 for Josh Battle shifted it down one spot on Friday. The Suns might make the selection gettable as they prepare to match an early-first-round rival bid for Academy prospect Leo Lombard. Collingwood — whose interest in Houston remains ‘strong’ — is thought to be eyeing Pick 13 in an arrangement that also involves sending rebounding defender John Noble to the Suns. On the other hand, Carlton and Melbourne are each considering sending a future first-rounder to the Suns in exchange for No. 13, while the Swans and Giants, meanwhile, each have multiple first-rounders this year that they might use as bargaining chips to trade up the order. Gold Coast will also endeavour to reach an agreement with Richmond for wantaway flanker Daniel Rioli, who won his maiden Jack Dyer Medal in recent days. Pick 6 is expected to be the centrepiece of this deal, while Pick 23 — which was originally No. 20 before three compensatory picks shunted it down the order on Friday — could be the other selection involved in getting this one over the line. Elsewhere, the Suns officially acquired former Adelaide tall Elliott Himmelberg on Friday through free agency.

GWS GIANTS

GWS has been the latest club linked to Essendon forward Jake Stringer — football boss Jason McCartney was involved in initially drafting him to the Western Bulldogs in 2012, and he didn’t shut down the idea of a genuine pursuit while speaking on AFL Trade Radio this past week. Speaking theoretically, would Pick 37 satisfy the Bombers in a potential trade? The Giants are currently loaded with first-round picks, having been gifted Band One compensation (first round; Pick 16) for Harry Perryman’s departure to Collingwood and Band Two (end of first round; Pick 21) for Isaac Cumming’s move to the Adelaide Crows. It means they presently hold Picks 15, 16 and 21 in the first round alone, and they reportedly have interest in Gold Coast’s No. 13 selection, per Twomey. They could package two of the aforementioned selections to surge up the order and strengthen their hand further. Seven’s Mitch Cleary reported the Giants are also exploring the possibility of reuniting with now-Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel, in a surprising development. Shiel is contracted for another season at Tullamarine, but it is hard to see GWS needing to part with more than its late second-rounder — or even one of its pair of third-rounders — for the 31-year-old, who played just nine senior games this year. Beyond preliminary interest in Stringer and Shiel however, there aren’t many other rival players the Giants look overly keen on.

HAWTHORN

Hawthorn is preparing to send its first-round choice — currently No. 14 — to the West Coast Eagles in exchange for star intercepting defender Tom Barrass. His current club would we well within their rights to ask for more given his superstar attributes, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see another mid-range pick thrown in; although they would be reluctant to also give up their pick 33. Elsewhere, the Hawks have already lured one into their 2025 nest in the form of Josh Battle, who signed on the dotted line on the first day of free agency. After being linked to the likes of Bailey Smith and Harry Perryman early doors, Sam Mitchell’s club looks very settled in their (presumed) dual acquisition of Barrass and Battle.

MELBOURNE

Melbourne reportedly has interest in Gold Coast’s No. 13 selection, per Twomey. Twomey says the Demons are considering offering their future first-round selection in an exchange. Perhaps their interest stems from a want to still acquire Power wantaway Dan Houston, who has previously sounded out the club as a potential new home. Port Adelaide have made their asking price quite clear, but you would highly doubt Melbourne would be willing to give up their pick 5 and Gold Coast’s pick 13 all for Houston. Untried Giant Wade Derksen has caught the attention of the Demons, as the 23-year-old seeks opportunity elsewhere. Derksen is a contracted player at GWS until the end of 2025, leaving Giants GM Jason McCartney adamant he will be staying at the club beyond this off-season. But surely it is some form of bluff to make the Dees pay up, given Derksen has yet to play AFL football since his selection in the 2022 mid-season draft. Melbourne’s last two picks at this stage are picks 53 and 64; either of which feel appropriate for his release out of western Sydney. The Demons acquired veteran ruck Tom Campbell via free agency on Friday, bolstering their stocks should Max Gawn ever go down with injury.

NORTH MELBOURNE

The Kangaroos remain very much in play for Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston — particularly if Carlton and Collingwood can’t come to the party on a deal that satisfies the Power. The argument is easily made that North Melbourne can offer Port a better package, leaning on its future first-round selection, which in all likelihood will fall within the count’s top-six. It reportedly also has interest in Gold Coast’s No. 13 selection, per Twomey, which could alternatively be used to sway the Power, or simply get back into the first round as a tantalisingly even draft crop awaits in late November. Swans veteran Luke Parker has nominated Arden Street as his preferred place to play football in 2025, with his current market value certainly interesting. You would expect the Kangaroos to start off with an offer with their 43rd pick, but you would imagine it wouldn’t take long for the Swans to ask for their pick 25; especially given Parker is still contracted for next year. It shouldn’t be too much of a hassle once pleasantries are swapped, nor should the dealings for veteran Eagle Jack Darling. The 2018 premiership player is likely to cost as little as pick 67, as there is no expectation the Eagles will be tough to deal with in letting him go. Twomey reported in late September that North Melbourne would be in a strong spot to land rebounding defender Caleb Daniel if he did ultimately flag a desire to leave the Kennel, despite having two more years to run on his current Bulldogs contract. In terms of a price, would North’s Pick 43 — previously Pick 40 before a trio of compensatory picks swayed the order on Friday — satisfy the Dogs’ list management trust?

PORT ADELAIDE

Pick 13, belonging to Gold Coast, has emerged as the likeliest avenue to Dan Houston finding his way back to Victoria. And more likely than not, if one of them can conjure the right mix of assets, Houston will find himself donning Carlton or Collingwood colours in 2025 and beyond. The Power will naturally – and rightly – play hard-ball on his potential exit, and have been explicitly clear in their want for two first-round picks. Meanwhile, just one year into his Alberton tenure, out-of-favour ruckman Ivan Soldo will return to Victoria — in all likelihood to St Kilda. SEN’s Sam Edmund recently reported that the tall almost instantly regretted his move to Alberton, having clearly fallen out of love for the club since losing his spot in the starting side among other reasons. Gold Coast’s Jack Lukosius has named Port as his club of preference next season, and at this stage, it looks like Ken Hinkley’s club will need to part ways with a future second-round pick for his services at a bare minimum. Out-of-contract Bulldog Riley Garcia has been linked to the Power, but at this stage looks likely to land in his home state of Western Australia. Port’s Pick 39 feels about right for Garcia, who is realistically worth more – but given the Bulldogs haven’t given him an overwhelming amount of game time – is appropriate.

RICHMOND

Contracted forward-midfielder Shai Bolton remains likely to land at Fremantle, but if the Tigers and Dockers can’t come to terms on the specifics of a deal late in the piece, watch for the West Coast Eagles to potentially make a late play. It is relatively common knowledge that Richmond wants two of the Dockers’ three first-rounders, and while it seems Fremantle is receptive to that, they would probably want to keep one of their earlier two first-round choices (Picks 10 and 11) and instead give up one of their later first-rounder (the latest of the three is currently sitting at No. 18) rather than surrender both of their early ones. Meantime, it remains a fait accompli that out-of-contract utility Liam Baker becomes a West Coast player, having supported the club as a child. As the Tigers try and work out what they believe is fairest for them, could the Eagles propose a swapping of first-round picks along with Baker? In that instance, the Tigers could boldly try and get Pick 3 in return for Baker and a future first or second-round pick. Meanwhile, in all likelihood, Daniel Rioli will be donning Gold Coast colours next year. Pick 6 is expected to be the centrepiece of this deal, while Pick 23 — which was originally No. 20 before three compensatory picks shunted it down the order on Friday — could be the other selection involved in getting this one over the line. Finally, dual premiership midfielder Jack Graham hasn’t officially indicated a desire to depart Punt Road, but he is widely expected to land at the West Coast Eagles this off-season, having reportedly toured the facilities in recent days. The Tigers would likely receive a second-rounder as compensation.

ST KILDA

St Kilda is reportedly haggling with the Western Bulldogs over the trade terms for wantaway midfielder Jack Macrae, with the Saints said to not be keen on handing over Pick 46 (which was 43 before compensatory picks shifted the order) for the contracted ball-getter. The Saints are also expected to land former Richmond and soon-to-be-former Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo, who wants to leave Alberton just one year into his stint after falling out of favour with Ken Hinkley’s selection committee. Should pick 46 not go through for Macrae, it could be instead used to land Soldo. If the Saints do get their hands on a pick slightly further back than that, it would also be a fair trade. Veteran key forward Tim Membrey remains without a 2025 contract as he assess his options. He has been linked with Essendon — particularly if the Bombers lose Jake Stringer this off-season, and as an unrestricted free agent could walk to the Hangar uninhibited. Delisted free agent Curtis Taylor is a player who the Saints may look to take a punt on, and at no added cost.

SYDNEY SWANS

Sydney – like so many other clubs – reportedly has interest in Gold Coast’s No. 13 selection, per Twomey. Interestingly, they haven’t really been linked to anyone; perhaps for the reason that their list is already in tip-top shape. And as club CEO Tom Harley said in recent days, they won’t pursue Bomber Jake Stringer, despite recently being linked to the contracted Essendon forward. They are set to however lose Luke Parker, but for what pick is largely down to what the Swans see fit from North Melbourne. The Kangaroos are likely to ask politely to trade back their Pick 43, but that doesn’t seem like enough on the surface. Their Pick 25 might also be slightly too high in North’s eyes, but given how desperate they are for experience, may just allow it. Veteran Sun Levi Casboult has been floated as a potential suitor for the Swans in attack, given how much experience their talls lack. Should the out-of-contract key forward find his way to the red and white, a late pick should suffice; even a future third or fourth rounder.

WEST COAST EAGLES

How Liam Baker gets to West Coast will be fascinating, and could heavily impact how them and Richmond shape up for the trade period as a whole. Could the two clubs swap first-round picks (both present and future), with Baker in the middle? Richmond’s Pick 24 at the start of the second round also looms as one that could head the way of the Eagles. And if cross-town rivals Fremantle can’t agree with the Tigers on trade terms for Shai Bolton, watch for the Eagles to potentially make a late play — likely centred on the No. 4 pick. Richmond midfielder Jack Graham is still weighing up four-year offers from both the Tigers and Eagles but reportedly recently toured West Coast’s facilities. Jack Darling is set to move to North Melbourne for as little as pick 67. Elsewhere, could the Eagles make a play for Western Australian midfielder Deven Robertson? The 23-year-old seems likely to at least listen to rival offers amid a shortage of senior opportunities in Brisbane’s premiership-winning engine room. Jumping ahead, if he were to desire a move to West Coast, for example, the Eagles would likely need to send their No. 26 pick the other way. Riley Garcia is at this stage favoured to jump on board at the Eagles for the 2025 season, but with no picks between Pick 26 and 62 at time of writing, they may struggle to acquire him without trading a future second or third-round pick. Reports of out-of-favour Power defender Tom Clurey moving west have floated around for a while now, which could be where the Eagles part with the aforementioned Pick 62.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs are one of a host of Victorian sides kicking the tyres on Dan Houston, but they are outsiders in the chase, compared to Carlton, North Melbourne and Collingwood. They are reportedly one of the bevy of rival clubs with interest in Gold Coast’s No. 13 selection, per Twomey, suggesting list boss Sam Power and Co. are at least assessing the possibility of getting aggressive this trade period. The Dogs are also reported to be interested in GWS utility Xavier O’Halloran — however, former Bulldogs list manager and now-Giants football boss Jason McCartney believes the contracted O’Halloran isn’t going anywhere. With a four-year deal on the table from the Bulldogs for the Giant, the list managers at Whitten Oval are clearly serious for him, and presumably willing to trade either this year’s second-round pick (No. 33) or next-year’s for him. It has been known for some time that Caleb Daniel would explore his rival options despite having two more years to run on his Bulldogs contract, with Twomey reporting North Melbourne’s interest in late September. In terms of a price, would North’s Pick 43 satisfy the Dogs’ list management trust? The Dogs will try and make proceedings as smooth as possible, but they might need North to eek out something slightly better before giving it the tick of approval.