AFL Trade Period is Open: Day One Live Updates
The AFL trade window is officially open as the 2025 period kicks into gear. Fans woke to the question of whether Zach Merrett would formally request a trade from Essendon, while other marquee names linger in the air. Early chatter suggests Merrett has not yet filed a formal request, but that could change as clubs begin to negotiate and test the market. The opening hours are all about leverage, signalling intent, and laying the groundwork for marquee moves.
Merrett: Formal Trade Request or Negotiating Tactics?
On day one, the question remains: has Zach Merrett requested a trade? The consensus among insiders is that Merrett hasn’t lodged an official request yet, but the mechanics of the window mean clubs will be exploring options and, potentially, pressing the issue to expedite talks. Essendon will be weighing options while Hawthorn or other suitors monitor the situation, ready to pounce if Merrett signals a move. With the trade period now underway, expect a flurry of conversations that could accelerate quickly depending on Merrett’s next steps.
Other Big Names in the Spotlight: Curnow and Petracca
Charlie Curnow and Christian Petracca are among the big-name targets generating buzz. While there is no confirmation of a move for either player at the moment, their potential availability would reshape several clubs’ off-season plans. Clubs across the league will be weighing the fit, the salary implications, and how a move could alter their structure for the 2025 season. Expect ongoing discussions, with clubs weighing whether a price tag or list balance makes sense.
Clayton Oliver to Collingwood: A Report with Real Weight
Cal Twomey of AFL.com.au raised a compelling possibility: Collingwood might pursue Clayton Oliver from Melbourne, a move that would rock the league given Oliver’s impact and Melbourne’s willingness to subsidise a large portion of his salary. Oliver’s meeting with GWS last week has fed speculation, but a decision about his long-term home remains undecided. If Oliver does land in black and white, it would trigger a domino effect across the trade period, potentially unlocking other connections and swaps.
Three-Clubs Scenario: Petracca to the Suns, Flanders to St Kilda, Heath to Melbourne?
There’s also chatter about a three-club deal involving St Kilda, Melbourne, and Gold Coast. The proposed structure would include Sam Flanders moving to Moorabbin, Christian Petracca heading to the Suns, and outcomes for Max Heath at Melbourne. Picks 6 and 7 could be part of the trading package to balance salaries, positions, and future incentive structures. While it’s early in the window and Heath’s status remains unsettled, these multi-team scenarios are a staple of day one and will require careful negotiation from all clubs involved.
How the Day One Narrative is Shaping Strategy
Beyond individual targets, day one is about establishing a demand signal. Clubs want to know where players stand and what price they’re prepared to pay. For fans, it’s about seeing how the list management teams recalibrate after a long season. The initial conversations often set the tone for the rest of the week, with official trade confirmations sometimes arriving in the hours that follow.
ABC Sport’s Live Coverage: Welcome Back to a New Year
ABC Sport kicks off its live coverage with familiar energy and a new team ready to dissect every move. The early-morning vibe is one of anticipation: a fresh trade period, new rumours, and the promise of surprising turnarounds. If you’re just waking up to the window opening, you’re not alone—tune in as we bring you the latest updates, confirmations, and expert analysis as the day unfolds.
What to watch next
– Official trade requests, especially from Merrett and other high-profile targets
– Club statements confirming or denying potential trades
– Arrival of early three-club deals or multi-way trades, with salary cap considerations
Bottom Line
Day one of the AFL trade period is about signaling intent and testing the market. While no definitive moves are confirmed yet for Merrett, Curnow, or Petracca, the chatter is robust, and a sequence of negotiations is likely to pick up pace quickly. Collingwood’s pursuit of Oliver and the potential three-club swaps add layers of intrigue that will keep fans glued to the live updates all day.
