Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The AFL’s home-and-away campaign is winding down, and finals are edging closer – but so, too, is the “silly season”.
A large group of players have spent much of the year embroiled in trade speculation, while others are more recent additions as their personal circumstances changed or contract talks dragged on.
We have taken a look at the footballers who could be on the move this October, granting anonymity to industry sources – from clubland to player agents – to get the lowdown on what might happen.
Joel Amartey (Sydney)
Carlton have presented the Swans’ key forward with a five-year offer to partner Harry McKay in what would be a new-look attack. It is an interesting development after Sydney traded for Blues spearhead Charlie Curnow in October. Amartey has kicked 28 goals in 15 games this season, and the Swans might struggle to match Carlton’s monetary terms.
Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions)
Zac Bailey is no guarantee to remain at the Brisbane Lions in 2027 as the restricted free agent continues to weigh up whether to remain, or accept an attractive offer to join Adelaide. The 26-year-old has continued his excellent form this season for the Lions amid the chatter, and will decide in his own time despite the confidence the reigning premiers expressed recently that he would remain in Brisbane.
James Borlase (Adelaide)
He is one of a bunch of Crows defenders attracting interest from other clubs, with Jordon Butts and Nick Murray also on opponents’ radars. The unrestricted free agent has a contract offer on the table from Adelaide and has cemented a spot in their backline.
Jack Bowes (Geelong)
Bowes could be on his way to a third club, with Essendon – who tried to woo him in the 2022 trade period, when Gold Coast were also dangling pick No.7 to get off his salary – renewing interest in the winger. He chose the Cats back then, but has been in and out of Chris Scott’s team this season and does not have a deal for next year.
Kieren Briggs (GWS)
Richmond were keen on both of the Giants’ out-of-contract ruckmen, but Nic Madden re-signed for four years – the same length the Tigers were willing to give him, on very good money – leaving unrestricted free agent Briggs available. The Tigers are telling industry figures they have secured a ruckman, and 85-gamer Briggs appears to be that player.
Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
Officials from clubs other than the four wooing the highly prized restricted free agent give Richmond more of a chance now than they did a month ago. The Tigers can front-end a deal for Butters, and get a deal done neatly, putting them in the conversation alongside the Western Bulldogs and Geelong. Collingwood are considered rank outsiders, although the prospect of playing alongside Nick Daicos – who attended the meeting the club held with Butters – was a good selling point.
Jordon Butts (Adelaide)
Butts last played at AFL level in round 13, and has strong interest from both Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne to bolster their key defensive stocks. The Crows are keen to retain the unrestricted free agent, who they stood firm on when the Roos came calling last year, but they have a logjam of talls down back.
Nik Cox (Essendon)
Cox, the No.8 selection in the 2020 draft, had a torrid run on the sidelines while dealing with concussion, but has strung together some good performances in the VFL as a key forward. His injury history means rival clubs might be cautious to invest too much in trying to woo him.
Caleb Graham (Gold Coast)
Graham scored a four-year deal after playing 15 games in 2022, but has not been sighted at AFL level since. The 195-centimetre key defender is averaging more than four intercept marks a game in the VFL, and could be a delisted free agency option for clubs that miss out on the likes of Jordan Ridley, Jordon Butts, James Borlase and Nick Murray.
Toby Greene (GWS)
The noise around a potential move home to Victoria for the unrestricted free agent to play for Geelong won’t go away. Greene, who turns 33 in September, put off contract talks at the start of the year until season’s end, and if he joins the Cats, it will be less a football decision and more about family.
Max Gruzewski (GWS)
There is rival interest in Gruzewski, who has kicked 16 goals in 12 matches this season as he finally begins to establish himself after being the No.22 pick in the 2022 draft. The Giants have offered him a four-year contract, but there is a possibility he opts for a shorter-term deal.
Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer (GWS)
The Giants have one eye on the future, so there is a good chance both Hogan and Stringer – who each reinvigorated their careers at the club – will be playing elsewhere in 2027. Collingwood have expressed interest in both veteran forwards, while GWS are closing in on retaining Gruzewski, who has a four-year deal to stay in front of him. Sydney could be another possibility for Stringer.
Ollie Hollands (Carlton)
The 22-year-old struggled to regain his place after being sidelined with an ankle injury he suffered against the Western Bulldogs. He returned to the senior side for two matches before returning to the VFL. The first-round draft selection had been holding off until later in the season and is likely to wait for the new coach to come on board before serious discussions start.
Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
It is very unlikely the Suns would contemplate trading Humphrey, who is contracted until the end of 2028, particularly with both Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell entering their free agency years next season. Humphrey battled with the constant speculation about his future in the first half of the season, but is back playing excellent football in the past month.
Ben King (Gold Coast)
Hawthorn are likely to secure restricted free agent King from the Gold Coast. Competition sources expect the Suns will accept compensation, rather than match King’s contract with the Hawks, if their current ladder position remains the same. The compensation would be pick No.5, based on their current ladder position, which is more appealing than multiple late first-round selections, which is the best the Hawks could offer.
Bailey Macdonald (Hawthorn)
At least six clubs, including Melbourne and Gold Coast, have expressed interest in Macdonald, a speedy defender, who also has an offer from the Hawks. The Demons want more speed down back under Steven King, so Macdonald fits those needs, while he could also be part of any possible Ben King trade (if the Suns opted to match a free agency offer). However, the 22-year-old, who has played 10 AFL matches in a row, is more likely to remain in Victoria.
Sam Marshall (Brisbane Lions)
Marshall has been focused on winning a spot back in the AFL team after excellent form in the VFL, and injuries might create an opportunity for him to play this week against Hawthorn. He has interest from multiple Victorian clubs, including St Kilda, but will not turn his attention to his future until the season ends.
Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide)
Marshall’s star has faded at Alberton amid concussion and form issues, and he has spent time down back this year after kicking 81 goals across the 2022-23 AFL seasons. The 27-year-old, who is contracted until the end of 2029, is in the SANFL and playing up forward again, but industry sources told this masthead that both parties could be open to him receiving a fresh start.
Ben McKay (Essendon)
McKay’s value is at rock bottom after being a coveted restricted free agent three short years ago. He still has three seasons to run on the deal he signed to join the Bombers, but interim coach Dean Solomon made it clear he was not in good enough form to play in the AFL.
Will McLachlan (Brisbane Lions)
McLachlan has played only seven senior games since being the No.6 pick in the 2024 mid-season draft, and Essendon are keen to bring the medium-sized forward to Tullamarine. He has kicked 28 goals in nine VFL games this year. Carlton were raised elsewhere as a possible suitor, but are not believed to be interested.
Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs)
The high half-forward has attracted interest from the Bombers after a breakout season with the Bulldogs, where he has proved a handy foil alongside Aaron Naughton. The Bulldogs want to retain him, but the 23-year-old has a decision to make. Essendon have also reportedly inquired about unrestricted free agent Lachie McNeil.
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Merrett’s failed bid to get to Hawthorn in last year’s trade period has not changed his intentions. The ex-Bombers skipper, who is contracted for next season, will try again to cross to the brown and gold, and is unlikely to fetch the type of return the Hawks were willing to give up last October.
Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)
Neale, an unrestricted free agent, seems increasingly likely to be headed to Collingwood after touring the club’s facilities last week. His life turned upside down after the breakdown of his marriage, and the dual Brownlow medallist could add major experience to the Pies’ midfield.
Nathan O’Driscoll (Fremantle)
O’Driscoll still being without a deal for next year has prompted rival clubs to inquire about his status despite him being a senior regular. He is two years from being eligible for free agency, so he could opt to ink another short-term deal, but this is a situation to watch.
Max Ramsden (Hawthorn)
Ramsden, who is out of contract at season’s end, is a lightly played forward-ruck who faces an uphill climb to cement a spot in the Hawks’ top team, particularly with Ben King on his way. North Melbourne are in the market for more key-position depth, and Ramsden is believed to be on their radar. How strong the Roos’ interest is remains to be seen.
Jake Riccardi (GWS)
Riccardi’s name always comes up when he’s out of contract, but the likeliest scenario is the key forward re-signing at the Giants, where – when fit – he is a staple in attack, on top of offering ruck relief.
Jordan Ridley (Essendon)
Ridley flirted with a move north to Brisbane last year before electing to stay at the Bombers, but is again on the lookout for a new club while remaining frustrated at his constant injury woes. The tall defender won Essendon’s best-and-fairest award in 2020, but has played only 26 games across the past three seasons. Ridley, who is contracted until the end of 2029, is open to a move to another Victorian team after initially targeting the two Queensland clubs.
Jake Rogers (Gold Coast)
The Suns matched a first-round bid for Rogers in 2023, but the diminutive midfielder-forward has been starved of senior opportunities and is keen for a fresh start. Collingwood are among Rogers’ suitors and appear poised for a busy off-season.
Jack Scrimshaw (Hawthorn)
Scrimshaw is recovering from a knee injury and has another season left on his contract, but the Hawks are a tough side to break into these days. The tall defender played under Alastair Clarkson when he was still coaching Hawthorn, and there is interest in a reunion at North Melbourne, who are lacking down back.
Tom Sparrow (Melbourne)
Port Adelaide are hopeful of luring Sparrow home to South Australia after a breakout season in the Demons’ midfield this year, benefiting from the departures of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. Melbourne are optimistic the unrestricted free agent will stay in the red and blue, but will become nervous the longer this situation lingers.
Elijah Tsatas (Essendon)
Clubs could have made a play for him at the end of last season, but didn’t, and it appears Tsatas will have to wait to see whether the new Bombers coach wants to retain him for another season, or if he attracts interest after the dust has settled on more high-profile trade targets. Teammate and fellow top-10 draftee Archie Perkins is in a similar situation.
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