Live updates as Day Seven unfolds
The AFL trade period has reached its final stretch, with Zach Merrett, Charlie Curnow and Christian Petracca all squarely in the frame as clubs chase late deals. Here’s a synthesis of the latest chatter, what’s known about negotiations, and what still hangs in the balance as the clock ticks down.
Zach Merrett: Essendon encounter and the “no-trade” stance
Rumors intensified around Merrett after a meeting between the Bombers and an Essendon contingent yesterday. Nine’s Tom Morris described the scene: no formal trade request had been lodged, but discussions around potential outcomes were on the table. Merrett’s manager, Tom Petroro, reportedly presented a range of trade scenarios for Essendon to consider. Crucially, Essendon remained resolute: they would not trade their captain.
Analysis from pundits and former players suggested this is a high-stakes standoff. Hawthorn’s persistent pursuit of Merrett has been well-documented, but the Bombers have steadfastly kept him in their future plans. The dynamic mirrors past high-profile negotiations where a club is reluctant to trade a best and fairest winner and skipper, even as rival powers push hard to land him.
Hawthorn’s risks and the media glare
As Rob and Bryce noted in late-night commentary, aggressive pursuit can backfire if it isn’t backed by concrete offers. The public scrutiny on Sam Mitchell’s side has intensified, with players and fans wondering whether a bold bid will materialize or simply fade away. The sentiment among some observers is that sustained posturing without substantial concessions can erode trust both inside and outside the club.
Meanwhile, the broader trade mood is that any Merrett deal would likely require significant draft currency and a willingness to include premium players—an equation Hawthorn may not yet be prepared to meet. The result could be a stale finale, or a late pivot that forces Essendon’s hand. Either way, Merrett’s future remains a litmus test of how far Hawthorn is willing to push its plan for a quicker midfield rebuild.
Charlie Curnow to Geelong or St Kilda: the nucleus of a late-night standoff
Speculation around Charlie Curnow’s destination looked to center on Geelong and St Kilda, with picks and potential players discussed as part of a broader trade tapestry. The league has long viewed Curnow as a marquee asset whose movement would spark significant ripple effects for the Saints and Cats alike. While negotiations have been fluid, the latest chatter points to a narrowing field—though no definitive settlement has been reached as Day Seven enters its final hours.
Geelong’s willingness to leverage pick 19 could be a key piece in Saints’ contingency plans, but the Saints are balancing cap implications and squad harmony as they pursue a path to premiership contentions in the near term. Expect haggling that tests both clubs’ resolve before a potential late-night breakthrough or a calculated exit from the table.
Christian Petracca and the midfield puzzle
Petracca’s name has also surfaced among trade talks as teams weigh upgrades to contested-ball strength and class forward/midfield balance. With Melbourne retaining substantial leverage, any decision on Petracca hinges on whether a rival executive team can craft a package that aligns with the Demons’ championship lens while not undermining their core premiership window. The clock is ticking, and a deal may hinge on a single decisive proposal.
What to watch in the closing hours
Today’s narrative is about the balance of risk and reward. Will Hawthorn continue to push for Merrett with a package that forces Essendon’s hand, or will the Bombers stand firm and steer the trade period towards its natural conclusion? For Curnow, is there a late alignment with Geelong or St Kilda, or does the saga drag into a quiet off-season? And for Petracca, will a last-minute trade button be pressed, or will the Demons roll into 2025 with their current star power intact?
Day Seven may be the deadline eve that shapes the rest of the off-season. As ABC Sport and SEN, along with other outlets, monitor every development, fans should brace for a flurry of late bids, counteroffers and perhaps a few surprising non-moves that set the stage for next year’s chess match.
