Day Five in the AFL Trade Period: A Tumultuous Start
Day five of the AFL trade period is delivering the kind of drama fans crave. The big headlines center on Geelong’s bold opening bid for Carlton star Charlie Curnow, Leek Aleer’s stalled Saints pursuit and the surprising shift of Clayton Oliver to the GWS Giants. With clubs planning months in advance, today’s developments are reshaping the market and forcing a rapid reassessment of who might end up where.
Geelong Sparks a Curnow Bid
Geelong has tabled what AFL.com.au reporter Cal Twomey describes as an opening bid for Charlie Curnow, reportedly involving three first-round picks to tempt Carlton. The proposed package would span 2025, 2026 and 2027, with the first pick of this year’s draft (No. 19) initially earmarked to St Kilda for Rowan Marshall—a deal that seems unlikely to proceed in the same form now. Carlton’s David Davies was clear that the club values Curnow far above a generic “Poo Poo Platter” of picks, emphasizing their desire to keep the star forward. In short, the Cats are serious, but the Blues aren’t easing their grip on a player they rate highly and want to keep long-term.
How far Geelong can push this remains the central question. Sydney’s Swans may also throw their hat into the ring in a potential bidding war. With Carlton signaling that they won’t be rushed into a deal, the pressure will mount on Geelong and any other suitors to present a compelling package that can pry Curnow away from Princes Park.
Aleer: Manager Lays Bare the Saints Fallout
The Leek Aleer saga took a dramatic turn when his manager, Dylan Smith, gave Nine an explosive verdict: Aleer is livid after a Saints backflip that scuttled a formal deal. Saint Kilda reportedly could not deliver a future second-round pick and pivoted away after weeks of wooing. Smith said, in blunt terms, that clubs have rung him with interest and that Aleer’s camp is probing who else is keen.
With a “modest” three-year offer on the table from GWS, the market for Aleer is far from settled. The Giants appear to have taken the early lead, but other clubs with cap space could swoop in. Bailey’s question—whether the Dogs would pursue Aleer and whether Sydney might step in to bolster their key-position defense—is at the heart of a market where many teams are quietly inspecting the landscape, preparing counteroffers, and evaluating fit beyond mere salary numbers.
Who Might Still Chase Aleer?
Multiple clubs with room under the cap are monitoring Aleer’s position. The Bulldogs have long been linked to a versatile forward-defender type, and Aleer’s mix of height and pace would suit a number of lists needing defensive depth. Sydney, too, could be eyeing a structural reinforcement in their back six, particularly if they want to future-proof their defence while developing younger talls. The key, however, is whether any club is willing to meet Aleer’s salary and term expectations while not sacrificing long-term cap health.
Oliver to GWS: A Midfield Pivot That Shakes the Pies
The biggest surprise of the day is Clayton Oliver’s destination: the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Oliver’s move clears an enormous amount of salary cap and reshapes the midfield landscape. For Collingwood, the question becomes how to pivot after a high-profile consideration of Oliver—could Jack Steele or another midfielder attract interest in the post-Oliver market? Pies fans should brace for further speculation as they consider options to fill the center square without compromising their long-term trajectory.
Other Notable Angles and the Broader Market
As Tim and Bailey highlighted, the market favors nuance: not all draft picks are equal, and both Carlton and Essendon have shown willingness to demand more than a simple exchange of late first-rounders. The dynamic between clubs—who values whom, and at what price—will determine whether we see more blockbuster trades or quieter shifts in the coming days. The commentary around picks, such as the potential value of 2025-2027 selections, underlines the strategic chess game teams must play to maximize long-term outcomes.
What to Expect Next
With day five underway, expect continued bid-and-counterbid activity. Carlton’s stance on Curnow suggests they will not part easily, while Geelong, Sydney, and perhaps even Hawthorn or St Kilda may raise the stakes with more concrete offers. Aleer’s camp remains open to overtures, which means several clubs could still enter the race. And Oliver’s AFL trade pivot will likely set off a ripple effect across the league’s mid-season movement window.
Stay with ABC Sport for live updates, expert analysis, and the latest on who lands where as the AFL trade period unfolds.
