AFL Trade Period Day 3: The Big Names On The Move
The third day of the AFL trade period brought a flurry of activity, with several star players and notable deals reshaping expectations. As clubs jockey for position ahead of the draft, the focus centered on Zach Merrett, Charlie Curnow, and Christian Petracca, alongside a multi-club trade that has Brisbane, West Coast, Fremantle, and Melbourne negotiating in parallel. Here’s a snapshot of the morning’s key movements and what they mean for the rest of the off-season.
Homecoming for Starcevich: West Coast Bound?
Brandon Starcevich’s decision to return to Western Australia has been the talking point of the morning. After weighing his options for an extended period, the Lions’ late bid to retain him softened, and Starcevich officially told Brisbane that he wanted to move back home to play for West Coast. The move is part of a larger multi-club deal that also features Fremantle and Melbourne, with Starcevich heading to the Eagles in exchange for a package of picks. The sentiment among observers is that the timing and tone of the negotiations helped avoid a potential “frosty” standoff, with both sides seemingly happy to push through the paperwork promptly.
What Next for Brisbane: The Mega-Deal’s Aftermath
Brisbane’s front office is lauded for navigating a multi-club deal that yielded tangible gains while allowing key players to depart. The Lions secured assets in the 20s and upgraded three other picks, effectively offsetting the loss of their free agent. The big question now: can Brisbane leverage the extra picks to pounce on a top prospect and set up a transfer for an Eagles captain, Oscar Allen, should negotiations progress smoothly over the day?
With a pending deal to acquire Cal Ah Chee from Adelaide still on the table, Brisbane’s draft hand could become even stronger. The club’s ability to balance player exits with strategic acquisitions is being watched closely as other clubs finalize their own immediate plans.
<h2 The Morning Whip-Around: Other Key Moves
Beyond the Starcevich transaction, several other developments captured the attention of fans and analysts:
– Clayton Oliver has met with GWS and is slated to meet Collingwood later in the week. Oliver signaled a preference for Collingwood over Melbourne when speaking to the media after a Giants meeting.
– Charlie Curnow: No movement yet. Carlton remains open to receiving players, Geelong’s offer remains pick-based, and Sydney has yet to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
– Zach Merrett: Still no resolution on his future; anticipation remains high that a lengthy process could continue as negotiations unfold around multiple draft picks and trade leverage.
– Sam Flanders and Pick 7: St Kilda is poised to offer Pick 7 to Gold Coast, a cornerstone in a Suns’ path to potentially acquire Christian Petracca.
– Ryley Sanders: Adelaide reportedly eyeing the Bulldogs midfielder to bolster midfields across the club network.
– Draft movement: Essendon’s push to climb the draft order involves probing Pick 1 or 2 with West Coast and Pick 3 or 4 with Richmond, signaling a broader strategy to re-tool for the coming season.
<h2 The Multi-Club Deal: A Closer Look
Here is a simplified view of the major moves involved in the multi-club deal that has dominated early trade-period chatter, as reported by AFL.com.au and others:
- West Coast IN: Brandon Starcevich, Picks 12, 33, 52; OUT: Picks 16, 22, 23
- Fremantle IN: Judd McVee, Picks 19, 46; OUT: Picks 12, 33, 44, 50
- Brisbane IN: Picks 16, 22, 44, 50; OUT: Brandon Starcevich, Picks 19, 46, 52
- Melbourne IN: Pick 23; OUT: Judd McVee
The consensus among observers is that the deal is broadly fair, with no single party emerging as a definitive winner or loser. It sets a platform for each club to chase its remaining targets while maintaining balance ahead of the draft and free agency windows.
What Fans Should Watch Next
Day 3 is shaping up to be a turning point, with potential late moves to unlock top-end talent and fill mid-season gaps. Expectations are high for further clarity around Zach Merrett’s future, a breakthrough update on Charlie Curnow’s status, and any shifts involving Christian Petracca through the Suns’ leverage in the Petracca trade pathway. Clubs will be monitoring how much draft capital they’re willing to exchange and how quickly they can convert bids into long-term leadership for the 2025 season.
Stay tuned as this evolving saga continues to unfold throughout the day, with updates, confirmations, and reactions from club headquarters, player camps, and AFL insiders shaping the next phase of the trade period.
