Hawthorn’s unwillingness to part with four first-rounders for Essendon is known, with specifics unconfirmed due to silence from the source. Empathetic towards Hayward and Florent (we anticipated giving A-League news up a significant amount), with initial pre-season days potentially awkward, but swift recovery expected due to Florent’s inspirational presence. A late offer arrived yesterday, with 36 hours remaining, but respect for Zach led to conversations with Tom and Hawthorn. A 2nd and a 3rd seemed a fair gesture for Ah Chee, in my opinion. Matt Rosa’s words hint at initial awkwardness, but Merrett’s professionalism ensures no fear of tool-downing or value-tanking by the Bombers.

Josh Gabelich’s report on X first revealed St Kilda’s trade of ruck Max Heath to Melbourne, later confirmed by AFL House. Foxfooty.com.au understands Darcy Byrne-Jones and Jordan Sweet are likely to stay put — potentially among the first to re-sign. Hawthorn’s search for an additional player to join the Bombers offer remains unsuccessful, keeping Henry Hustwaite in the deal.

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Like you, we care too. Thursday’s team announcement provides some insight. The Eagles might use the offer to attract retirees like Travis Boak. Josh Jenkins delved deeper into the topic mentioned earlier on Trade Radio.

St Kilda set to ‘pay a price’ for Aleer backflip, says Jenkins

• All year (Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy’s exit rumors have circulated), but Jackson’s exit meeting reassured the club of his stay.
• While O’Brien stays at West Lakes — Adelaide pursues Bombers’ Sam Draper, also courted by Brisbane.
• Neil Erasmus (Fremantle midfielder), contemplates his future, with a three-year deal on the table.
• Dual premiership Lion Logan Morris is a man in high demand — with at least five clubs keen on acquiring Brisbane’s star goalkicker, reports AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
• Richmond’s links to out-of-favour Gold Coast livewire Malcolm Rosas Jnr persist.
• Morris’ Wednesday statement revealed Saad’s keenness to play in 2027.

Initially, Rowbottom considered talks with Carlton and Collingwood as part of a Curnow deal. While Curnow-Carlton negotiations continue — Florent’s trade to the Blues in a separate deal is reported. Tom De Koning assumes the primary ruck role — paired with Rowan Marshall, who’ll likely spend more time forward to straighten Ross Lyon’s line alongside Max King’s return. Young, Florent’s manager, is eager for him to stay. Bontempelli (Beveridge), and proximity to home sway Florent towards Geelong. Butters’ potential offer from the Blues exceeds $1.7 million per season over eight years.

Trade Talk RECAP: Dockers depart, Roos land tall, Dee to stay

Scroll down to see the latest AFL trade news from day four of the exchange period. Sweet has played 49 games for the Power since arriving during the 2023 off-season, having deposed the now-retired Ivan Soldo as the club’s No. 1 ruck. “When talking about the concussion challenges, that longevity of contract is a really important safety net for players; it’s probably the best one we’ve got where there is absolute contractual certainty in our game,” he said.

That probably comes at the expense of Leek Aleer, who surprisingly remains at the club after his move to St Kilda controversially fell through. A healthy Jack Buckley and Brent Daniels come return to the side, with Buckley straightening up arguably the most stout defence in the competition. While losing out on Curnow hurts, it’s still a stacked forward line and Shannon Neale should only get better and better. While this is effectively Craig McRae’s optimal line-up, don’t be surprised if there’s more of a sprinkling of youth. Pies fans will be keen to see Bobby Hill back fit and firing in 2026 and expect Beau McCreery to get more midfield exposure. The returns of those soldiers, however, might make it tough for the likes of Bruce Reville, Sam Marshall and Darcy Gardiner to keep their spots in Chris Fagan’s best side, despite being premiership players this year.

Suns list boss Craig Cameron was steadfast that the young gun was going nowhere, despite Humphrey expressing a desire to return to Victoria. The Suns also struck a cheap deal for Western Bulldogs for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in what’s essentially a free hit for the troubled forward. But that’s more likely to fill a rookie spot and something they’ll address post trade period. Dockers footy boss Joe Brierty said the club would look for a back-up ruckman to play behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy after Reidy’s departure. Keep an eye on what Essendon does with its draft hand from here, with the club believed to be keen to move further up in the first round in plans that could extend beyond the trade period. You sense they were keen to preserve their future draft assets to ensure they have their full suite of picks available to have a crack at the likes of Zak Butters and Ben King in 2026.

I understand players’ eagerness for early decisions, but… Fremantle should wait until year’s end to make such an offer. Collingwood’s three-year ($3 million deal for Neale is likely), with Tassie’s sign-on bonus under watch.

His long-time teammate Jack Silvagni will join forces with him at Moorabbin, as reported by foxfooty.com.au. Star ruck Tom De Koning will sign a lucrative eight-year deal at the Saints, worth around $1.75m a season. A four-year deal is now on the table for him to sign, and it’s now increasingly likely he’ll remain a Saint until the end of 2029. The small forward was linked to a departure last year while still contracted — but now without a deal for 2026, he seems destined for a fresh start elsewhere, with the Tigers one of multiple reported suitors. Richmond won’t be a major player in October, but it’s been consistently linked to out-of-favour Gold Coast livewire Malcolm Rosas Jnr. Another without a deal at St Kilda beyond 2025 is four-game ruck Max Heath, who Melbourne are thought to also be in the running for as longer-term Gawn coverage.

Elliott’s initial two-year offer from Collingwood now includes added dollars and a third-year trigger. Despite interest and a longer term (Elliott declines a Gold Coast move), staying at Collingwood.

Gold Coast utility Connor Budarick has also been linked to the Lions — but it’s unclear who leads the race for the Sun’s services. Deven Robertson remains out of contract, and has been linked to the Eagles in recent years as well. “Adam Saad wants to play on next year, but it’s unlikely to be at Carlton.

Neale’s three-year deal from Collingwood is expected, while another deal for Phillips at Vixens is likely. “I think there’s strong word around, questions are being asked at other clubs. Lewis has mail that there’s now a live trade watch on English, who turns 29 in August, in a season knee and concussion setbacks have limited him to nine games for the 8-6 Dogs. Speaking on Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday night, Lewis revealed he’d be “surprised” if English was at Whitten Oval in 2027 and that rival clubs are circling the star ruckman. Collingwood nears Lachie Neale with a lucrative, front-ended offer.

A Neale move seems unlikely, with much to unfold. Jordan Ridley’s Queensland links and frustration drive his northward move interest. Lions’ stars consider rival clubs’ lucrative offers, with Starcevich and Ah Chee evaluating options. After Wanganeen-Milera’s loss, could the Crows boost their Ah Chee offer? Draper’s South Australian roots make him an ideal long-term ruck for the Crows.

Adelaide’s 2023 play for the 20-year-old is possible but surprising. Liam Reidy (the club’s only unsigned player), seeks a Carlton trade, almost certain to happen soon. Despite his 2026 contract, Hawthorn’s Henry Hustwaite could fit well at the Bombers. A Setterfield-type player might be worth exploring, with minimal trade capital required given his out-of-contract status.