The latest AFL Trade Whispers spotlight three big moves or potential moves as the trade window ramps up: Carlton is weighing a bold inquiry for a veteran free agent, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has touched down on the Gold Coast ahead of a Suns meeting, and West Coast’s special assistance package could unlock a blockbuster trade. Here’s how the whispers are shaping the week’s discourse as the AFL’s trade period opens.
Blues Bid for Elliott: What It Means
In a shock twist, Carlton has “asked the question” of unrestricted free agent Jamie Elliott, the long-time Collingwood fan favourite who has compiled 219 games since debuting in 2012. The report comes via Seven’s Mitch Cleary, who notes that a deal for Elliott would not interfere with the AFL’s free‑agency compensation for Tom De Koning’s departure to St Kilda. Elliott, 33, capped a stellar season with an All-Australian nomination and is attracting interest from multiple clubs, most notably the Magpies’ arch-rival.
The Suns have reportedly joined the chase, offering Elliott a three-year deal that would outpace Carlton’s current two-year proposal, at a higher financial value. Whether the Blues table a formal offer remains unclear, but the Q&A-style scenario signals Carlton preparing for a possible swing in the free-agent market if star forward Charlie Curnow becomes a trade target for someone else in the window. Spanning this backdrop, the Blues are already dealing with the departure of swingman Jack Silvagni, suggesting a broader reshuffle of their forward structure could be on the cards if Elliott moves elsewhere.
For Elliott, the possibility of a move to Carlton would be a surprising turn for a player who has been a Magpie through and through, but it would reflect the nimble negotiations and player value shifts common in today’s AFL trade environment. The Suns’ interest, meanwhile, underscores Gold Coast’s willingness to leverage the window to strengthen their list, potentially at the cost of draft capital or salary ballast for the next few seasons.
Ugle-Hagan Lands on the Gold Coast as Suns Bid Ramps Up
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s AFL trajectory has taken another decisive step, with the contracted Western Bulldogs player arriving on the Gold Coast ahead of a crucial Suns meeting. TV cameras greeted him at Coolangatta airport late on Tuesday night, and he didn’t shy away from questions. “Obviously it’s the dream to play AFL football … It’s a good spot for a holiday,” he quipped to reporters, before adding that he would “definitely play football” again as soon as possible.
The 23-year-old remains on the Bulldogs’ books through 2026 but has sat out the 2025 season after a leave of absence to deal with personal matters, including time at a health retreat. He later addressed the Bulldogs’ playing group, expressing regret for some of the conduct that drew criticism about his commitment. The market for Ugle-Hagan is expected to ease for the Suns, with the Bulldogs reportedly prepared to accept a late draft pick and the transfer of the remaining value of his $900,000 contract for the right price.
Bulldogs fans will watch closely as the Suns push a potential trade, and while Ugle-Hagan’s move north isn’t foregone, the expectation is that Gold Coast would not need to part with significant draft capital to secure his services, given the current contract status and Bulldogs’ broader list-management needs this off-season.
West Coast’s Special Assistance Package Could Unlock Star Trade
The AFL’s nod to West Coast’s plight arrived with a formal end-of-first-round draft assistance package: a first-round pick at the end of the 2025 draft, plus four additional rookie-list spots across the next three seasons. This package has “opened the door” for the Eagles to include it in negotiations with the Brisbane Lions for dual premiership star Brandon Starcevich, should the club pursue him as a free agent target.
West Coast will also lose Oscar Allen to Brisbane in what figures to be a defining off-season for their list. The idea is to use the extra draft leverage—potentially aided by the end-of-first-round pick, which AFL Media describes as a resource that could significantly affect compensation dynamics—to secure a deal that would keep the Eagles competitive while navigating scarce cap space.
There are caveats, though. The AFL reportedly rejected an exemption that would prevent compensation dilution if West Coast signed Starcevich as a free agent; however, the end-of-first-round pick remains a valuable tool for negotiating a trade that could help both clubs map out their lists for 2026 and beyond. The Starcevich scenario also faces medical concerns, with a recent concussion history complicating the long-term risk assessment for a six-year, near-$900,000 offer reportedly on the table.
With the trade window opening next week, these whispers are likely to intensify. Expect more clarity on Jamie Elliott’s next destination, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s future, and whether West Coast can turn draft leverage into a meaningful addition to their playing list as the AFL season moves toward a pivotal period of decision-making.
