A number of big names could be on the move in 2023, with rumours surrounding some of the competition’s stars.
Find out who your club could be targeting or losing in this year’s AFL Trade Period.
Oliver is a four-time best and fairest winner at the Demons and is contracted until the end of 2030 on a lucrative contract.
The 26-year-old missed 11 games this year after a lengthy injury saga.
Clubs targeting Clayton Oliver – Tuesday, October 2
Multiple rival clubs see Oliver as a potential trade target in this year’s trade window, according to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge.
“One to watch over the next couple of weeks: clubs are weighing up now whether to make a move for Melbourne superstar Clayton Oliver in this year’s trade period,” Beveridge said.
Twomey added, however, that there is no indication that Oliver or Melbourne would be willing to facilitate a trade if offers do come from elsewhere.
“It is unclear if he would be open to any move and there has been absolutely no indication that Melbourne would be willing to part with him either,” he said.
“This is from the point of view of rival clubs getting their (house) in order to see if a play for him is something they want to proceed with.”
Chris Burgess latest trade news
Another member of the Gold Coast Suns VFL premiership team is on the move, with Chris Burgess set to follow Mabior Chol in exploring his trade options.
The 27-year-old is a two-time VFL leading goalkicker but has only played 36 AFL games in four seasons at the Suns.
Chris Burgess requests trade to Adelaide – Tuesday, October 2
Burgess has expressed interest in being traded to Adelaide during an exit meeting with Gold Coast, reports AFL.com.au’s Josh Gabelich.
The South Australian believes he’ll have greater opportunities at the Crows, who are likely to lose Shane McAdam and Elliot Himmelberg in the upcoming trade period.
Burgess has kicked 61-plus goals in the past two VFL seasons.
Tom Doedee latest trade news
Adelaide intercept defender Tom Doedee remains unsigned for 2024 with Brisbane keen to recruit the 26-year-old.
In August, Doedee claimed it would be ideal if he was ‘a Crow for life’, though an ACL injury suffered in June has complicated contract talks with Adelaide.
Interested clubs: Brisbane, Collingwood, Sydney
Brisbane seen as favourite for Tom Doedee signature – Tuesday, October 2
A key target in AFL free agency is set to make the call in the coming days, with Brisbane understood to be leading the race for Adelaide defender Doedee.
Per 9News Adelaide, the Crow has been offered a five-year offer worth $3m to join the Lions in season 2024.
While Doedee’s preference is to stay at Adelaide, the club is not prepared to match the lucrative deal.
Todd Goldstein latest trade news
After 16 seasons at North Melbourne, Todd Goldstein could be on the move.
The unrestricted free agent has turned his sights elsewhere, in search of greater opportunities at a competing club.
Interested clubs: Essendon, Collingwood, St Kilda
Todd Goldstein names preferred destination – Tuesday, October 2
Despite meeting with Collingwood and St Kilda, Goldstein has settled on joining the Bombers in 2024, AFL.com.au’s Josh Gabelich reports.
The 35-year-old ruckman is a natural replacement for the retiring Andrew Phillips and will be a valuable depth player with Essendon’s Sam Draper recovering from hip surgery.
The Bombers will be able to sign Goldstein without need for a trade, when the free agency period commences on Friday, October 6.
Mabior Chol latest trade news
Gold Coast forward Mabior Chol is shaping up to be a factor in the trade period with multiple clubs after his services.
Chol, who kicked 44 goals for the Suns in 2022, only managed eight senior games this season, playing most of the campaign in the VFL.
Interested clubs: Adelaide, North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Brisbane
Mabior Chol considers multiple trade offers – Monday, October 1
Chol will be an interesting watch this trade season, with Adelaide, North Melbourne and Hawthorn all expected to offer three-year deals for the out-of-favour Suns forward.
The Lions, who previously showed interest in the in-demand 26-year-old, could be out of the race.
“He met with Hawthorn and North Melbourne last week, as well as Adelaide – the Crows came to Melbourne to see him,” Tom Morris told SEN Breakfast on Monday.
“Adelaide have a three-year deal for him, North and Hawthorn might have a three-year deal for him.
“I’m not sure Brisbane’s interest in him is all that strong anymore. I really think it’s Hawthorn, North or Adelaide… he’s got to choose this week where he wants to be traded to, and the Gold Coast Suns will facilitate that.”
Esava Ratugolea latest trade news
Geelong defender Esava Ratugolea could be on the move after once again spending time between the AFL and VFL this season.
Despite struggling to cement himself in the Cats side, Ratugolea has shown plenty with his intercept-marking ability and physical frame.
Having nearly completed a move to Port Adelaide last year, it’s set to be another busy trade week for the 25-year-old.
Interested clubs: Port Adelaide, Hawthorn
‘I don’t see a deal getting done’ – Geelong have no intention to trade Ratugolea – Thursday, September 28
Geelong coach Chris Scott has made it clear the club does not want to trade Esava Ratugolea to Port Adelaide.
Ratugolea has requested a trade to Port Adelaide for the second consecutive post-season with Scott adamant the defender would be staying at Kardinia Park.
“I’ve been really invested in Esava and my preference is to keep him, so I don’t see a deal getting done at all at the moment,” he said.
“We try to treat every situation on its own merits. There’s obviously comparisons with other situations, but we understand the market for key defenders is really, really strong at the moment, and we’re included in that, so that’s largely why we’d like to keep him.
“Aside from the investment we’ve made in him, players are getting huge offers at the moment and we understand why that (a move to Port) would be attractive (for Ratugolea).”
When asked if the Cats would prefer a player traded from the Power instead of draft capital for Ratugolea, Scott said: “I haven’t even thought through that, my intention is not to trade him.”
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James Jordon latest trade news
Recruiters will be circling Melbourne midfielder James Jordon, who’s been connected to multiple clubs throughout the year.
The 22-year-old midfielder played in 18 games this season but fell out of favour when star onballer Clayton Oliver returned to the side.
Interested clubs: Carlton, Essendon, St Kilda, Sydney, Western Bulldogs
James Jordon chooses Sydney as destination – Thursday, September 28
Jordon has chosen the Swans as his club of choice, with the Demons midfielder set to leave in free agency.
The report comes from AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey, following last week’s news that Jordon had informed Melbourne of his desire to explore his options.
The young midfielder was delisted and re-listed by the Demons at the end of 2020, meaning he qualifies as a free agent and can be acquired without trade.
Jordon was used as a medical sub in the 2020 grand final win and was selected in Melbourne’s semi-final loss to Carlton.
Massimo D’Ambrosio latest trade news
Mid-season draftee Massimo D’Ambrosio is set for a Tullamarine departure during the AFL Trade Period, with Hawthorn among interested clubs.
After impressing in his first season, the 20-year-old fell out of favour at Essendon in 2023, playing only eight games in his first full year at the level.
Interested clubs: Hawthorn
Massimo D’Ambrosio requests trade to Hawthorn – Tuesday, September 26
D’Ambrosio has asked the Bombers to facilitate his move to Hawthorn, according to a report from AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey on Tuesday.
Essendon had tabled a one-year offer to the utility, who is out of contract at the end of 2023.
However, a lengthier deal is understood to have been offered by the Hawks, where D’Ambrosio should find greater playing opportunity.
Ben McKay latest trade news
North Melbourne key defender Ben McKay has exercised his free agency rights and requested a trade to Essendon for the 2024 season.
Hawthorn and Sydney were also interested in the 25-year-old restricted free agent, but the Bombers are his club of choice.
Interested clubs: Essendon
Ben McKay requests trade to Essendon – Friday, September 22
North Melbourne have indicated they will match Essendon’s contract offer for wantaway defender Ben McKay if it doesn’t trigger band one compensation.
McKay – as a restricted free agent – will generate compensation for the Kangaroos if he leaves, with band one compensation to be pick three in the upcoming draft.
But if Essendon’s salary to McKay doesn’t mean band one compensation is going to North Melbourne, Kangas football boss Brady Rawlings threatened the club would match the Bombers’ offer.
This would mean Essendon has to trade for McKay.
“We understand that free agency is part of football,” Rawlings said.
“Given Ben is a restricted free agent, we have the option to match any contract that’s on offer to him.
“The official start of the free agency period is still a couple of weeks away so we’ve got time to assess our options and make a decision in the best interests of the North Melbourne Football Club.”
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Jade Gresham latest trade news
St Kilda utility Jade Gresham looks odds-on to leave the club, having yet to sign a new contract.
Rumours have been strong of Carlton’s interest in the 26-year-old, while new suitors are also emerging.
Interested clubs: Essendon, Carlton
St Kilda prepared to match Essendon’s Jade Gresham bid – Wednesday, September 20
Essendon is hoping to secure a free agency double with Ben McKay and Gresham both in talks with the club.
St Kilda, however, is prepared to match a free agency offer for their forward depending on the price, according to the Herald Sun.
The Saints would allow Gresham to leave if Essendon’s offer triggers a second round compensation pick, but could match the contract if it falls lower.
Gresham is one of St Kilda’s highest-paid players and played 23 matches as a forward this season, averaging just under a goal per game.
Shane McAdam latest trade news
Adelaide forward Shane McAdam could be on the move after spending four seasons with the South Australian club.
The medium forward played just seven matches in 2023, after producing 23 goals from 17 appearances last year.
Interested clubs: Melbourne
Shane McAdam requests trade to Melbourne Demons – Thursday, September 14
The Crows confirmed on Thursday that wantaway forward McAdam is seeking a trade to the Demons.
Adelaide revealed that they had offered the 28-year-old a contract during the season, which is understood to have been a three-year offer.
McAdam is a non-free agent, which means Melbourne will need to secure a trade for the goalkicker during the 2023 trade period.
Brodie Grundy latest trade news
Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy has fallen out of favour at the Demons, having been dropped twice now in the lead-up to finals.
Competing with Melbourne captain Max Gawn for a spot, the two-time All-Australian could be set to take his talents elsewhere.
Interested clubs: Port Adelaide, Geelong, Sydney
Brodie Grundy rejects Port Adelaide bid as club turns sights on Jordon Sweet – Wednesday, September 13th.
Brodie Grundy will not be moving to Port Adelaide, per SEN’s Tom Morris.
A move to Sydney now seems inevitable for the star ruckman, who has met with both clubs after a difficult season at Melbourne.
According to Morris’ report, Grundy is more attracted to lifestyle the Swans offer, as opposed to the historically passionate, fan-critical culture at Alberton.
Sydney, of course, has a strong football culture, but the added lifestyle and work-life balance has seen a number of stars – including Lance Franklin – make the move.
Port Adelaide will instead target Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet, who requested a trade to the club on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs confirmed in a statement that the South Australian would seek a move home.
Competing for a spot with the All-Australian ruckman Tim English, Sweet hasn’t played an AFL game this season but has been a dominant force in the VFL for Footscray.
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Brandon Zerk-Thatcher latest trade news
The key defender merry-go-round is in full swing, with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher joining a number of backmen to seek moves in the 2023 trade period.
The 25-year-old played 22 games for the Bombers this season, as the club dealt with numerous injury setbacks in its defensive line.
Interested clubs: Port Adelaide, Adelaide
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher requests trade to Port Adelaide – Wednesday, September 13th
Zerk-Thatcher has told Essendon of his desire to join Port Adelaide, with family and go-home-factor the main reasons for his decision.
A three-year deal had been tabled for the backman, with the 25-year-old deciding to knock back the contract, according to afl.com.au reporter Cal Twomey.
With a Bombers offer on the table, the Power will need to facilitate a trade for the out-of-contract player, per the AFL’s free agency rules.
Liam Henry latest trade news
Fremantle winger Liam Henry has requested a trade away from the Dockers, with the 22-year-old attracting attention from Victorian clubs.
Henry was in career-best form across 2023, averaging 20 disposals from 16 games.
Interested clubs: Hawthorn, St Kilda
Liam Henry chooses St Kilda as preferred destination – Saturday, September 9
Henry has a preference to be traded to St Kilda in the upcoming trade period, AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey reported on Saturday.
Hawthorn are also interested in the Fremantle speedster, and will be competing with the Saints to secure his signature in November.
Bailey Smith latest trade news
Hawthorn has emerged as a potential home for Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith, if he decides to leave, reports 7NEWS.
It’s been a difficult season for Smith, who hasn’t found his perfect fit in a stacked Western Bulldogs on-ball unit.
Geelong is also a potential suitor for Smith, with the club on the lookout for more midfield strength, but the Cats have denied reaching out to the Bulldogs talent.
Interested clubs: Hawthorn, Geelong
READ MORE: Bailey Smith news: New trade suitor emerges for Western Bulldogs star
Dustin Martin latest trade news
Triple-premiership star Dustin Martin’s name has been mentioned in a move to Sydney in recent years, but it could Gold Coast who eventually secures his signature.
Ahead of former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s move to the Suns, Martin, 32, is on the verge of a shock exit from the Tigers.
Interested clubs: Gold Coast
MORE: Dustin Martin trade news: Gold Coast holiday fuels speculation of Richmond departure 
