Introduction: A Busy Off-Season Across AFL Clubs
The off-season in the AFL is a constant shuffle of draft picks, trades, and contract decisions. This club-by-club guide consolidates the latest movements, focusing on where each team stands with its draft selections and the marquee players either staying put or seeking new opportunities. From established stars to rising talents, the landscape is evolving as clubs balance experience with fresh talent to contend in 2025.
Collingwood: A Mix of Experience and Future Picks
Draft picks: 34, 52, 64, 70. Key players: Brody Mihocek, Mason Cox, Tom Mitchell, Bobby Hill. Coach Craig McRae has signaled a strategy that values both established talent and a healthy draft hand. Trade chatter links Jack Buller to the Magpies on a two-year deal, though it remains straightforward. A high-profile move could involve Brody Mihocek heading to Melbourne, while Bobby Hill is drawing interest after contract extensions and off-field concerns. Collingwood encouraged Mason Cox and Tom Mitchell to consider opportunities elsewhere as part of broader roster planning. Jamie Elliott’s deal remains two years after turning down a three-year Suns offer. The club’s draft choices will help balance the list while targeting disruption-free continuity for 2025.
Essendon: High Stakes and Bright Prospects
Draft picks: 4, 5, 22, 25. Key players: Sam Draper, Zach Merrett. Essendon faces a potentially pivotal period, with captain Zach Merrett’s future uncertain amid a meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and talk of finals contention. Sam Draper has left for Brisbane in free agency, while the Bombers chase Sun Sam Flanders and clash with Port Adelaide over Gold Coast free agent Brayden Fiorini. Hawthorn interest also centers on Jai Serong, and there’s talk of Zane Duursma as a Roo. Delisted defender Jayden Laverde is set to sign with GWS post-draft. Essendon’s draft haul complements their pursuit of mid-season upgrades, aiming to reload with depth and experience for a return to finals footfall.
Fremantle: Rebuilding Midfield Depth
Draft picks: 11, 29, 38, 47, 65. Key players: Will Brodie, Liam Reidy. Will Brodie and Liam Reidy depart for Port Adelaide and Carlton, while Sean Darcy’s future remains a recurring theme. Freo has secured Judd McVee to strengthen defence and midfield alongside Jordan Clark, yet a trade with Melbourne is on the cards as they weigh the loss of McVee. The Dockers signal openness to trading their first pick due to academy and father-son selections, reflecting a calculated rebuild that emphasises flexibility and youth development.
Geelong: Midfield Depth and Forward Frontiers
Draft picks: 17, 35, 53, 71. Key players: Rhys Stanley. Geelong adds James Worpel on a four-year deal to bolster midfield depth after a grand final exposure underscored the need for depth. The Cats are sniffing around Charlie Curnow for a potential shift, but a deal would be intricate. Rowan Marshall’s trade demand from St Kilda adds a layer of complexity, as Geelong aims to stay competitive while contending for the premiership. The trade period promises to be fascinating as Geelong navigates competing priorities and long-term strategy.
Gold Coast: Big Names, Big Questions
Draft picks: 6, 13, 16, 31, 56, 67. Key players: Connor Budarick, Sam Flanders, Bailey Humphrey, Malcolm Rosas jnr. The Suns face a marquee decision with Christian Petracca pushing for a trade to the Suns, though Melbourne remains a major obstacle. Gold Coast is weighing deals with multiple clubs for Flanders and Fiorini and managing requests from players like Bailey Humphrey. The ongoing negotiations include potential trades to bring James Rowbottom and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan considerations into play, as the Suns navigate a crowded market with fragmented draft dynamics.
GWS Giants: Strategy Through Asset and Contract Moves
Draft picks: 12, 30, 32. Key players: Jacob Wehr, Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen. Leek Aleer is set as a potential first-round target, with the Saints and Demons weighing lucrative terms. Jacob Wehr heads to Port Adelaide as a free agent, while Essendon’s Jayden Laverde joins the Giants. The Giants also show interest in Clayton Oliver but face competition. The movement highlights a strategy built on flexible trades and strategic signings to stay competitive in a shifting landscape.
Hawthorn: Rebuild Phase and Potential Moves
Draft picks: 8, 26, 55, 69. Key players: James Worpel, Jai Serong, Henry Hustwaite, Cam Mackenzie. James Worpel’s departure to Geelong marks a shift, with Sam Butler re-signing to provide midfield continuity. Interest in Jai Serong continues from multiple clubs, while Cam Mackenzie and Henry Hustwaite seek greater opportunities. Hawthorn’s list management focuses on young talent and developing depth to create a sustainable competitive model.
Conclusion: A Full Spectrum of Off-Season Ambition
Across AFL clubs, the draft and player movements spell a season of calculated risk and strategic rebuilding. Established stars, emerging talents, and fresh draft picks all play a role in shaping the 2025 landscape. Clubs will be watching closely as negotiations unfold, keeping a keen eye on how these moves translate into on-field results and long-term premiership aspirations.
