AFL trade period RECAP: Why one club ‘makes most sense’ for wantaway Swans star

Thanks for following our live blog of today’s AFL trade period.

Not much to write home about when it comes to confirmed moves, but plenty of things are moving and shaking across the game.

We’ll be back tomorrow for more rumours, speculation, news, updates and hopefully a few trades.

Fremantle have traded Nathan O’Driscoll to Richmond for draft pick No.61 according to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey.

O’Driscoll has kicked 20 goals in 53 appearances for the Dockers since making his debut five years ago.

While he’s not going anywhere just yet, but Matt Rowell could be firmly in Collingwood’s sights in the 2027 trade period.

Last year’s Brownlow Medal winner won’t be available until this time next year, but could potentially seek a move away from Gold coast.

AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey said on Nine’s Footy Furnace that the Pies would “absolutely” be in the hunt for Rowell, should he choose to leave the Suns.

Nick Blakey’s potential move away from Sydney following the recent off-field turmoil could see one club benefit in the trade period.

Damian Barrett floated the Bombers as the leading option, given Blakey’s ties to coach Mark McVeigh and new general manager of performance John Longmire.

Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson believes it “makes the most sense” out of all the potential trade destinations for Blakey.

“He walks in and he’s got two people there that he knows really well, who would bring him in and put their arm around him,” Johnson said on AFL Trade Radio.

Essendon acquired the No.15 and No.25 picks in next year’s AFL draft, which could be used to their advantage in any future trades in this window.

Here we go. Hawthorn has tabled its free agency offer to Ben King, according to Cal Twomey.

As a restricted free agent, Gold Coast now has three days to decide whether they are matching the bid or allowing him to walk and accepting pick seven as compensation.

If they do accept it, it’s likely the two teams will put together a side deal that sweetens the pot for the Suns and convinces them not to match.

Young Hawk Aiden Schubert has been floated as a player Gold Coast is quite interested in.

King will reportedly become Hawthorn’s highest paid player next year, reportedly on over $9m over seven years.

Zane Duursma still wants to leave North Melbourne and join Melbourne in this year’s trade period, despite a conversation with new Roos coach Jaymie Graham.

Graham was officially appointed today and got to work quickly, reportedly chatting to Duursma recently.

Tom Morris is reporting however that the former top five draftee hasn’t changed his mind and wants to get to the Dees.

The Roos meanwhile want a pick in the 20s minimum for him.

Alright, nothing is happening. Let’s look at some delisted players.

GWS, Brisbane and Sydney are the only two teams yet to announce any delistings. The Giants might not make any after parting with a bunch of players in free agency, while the Swans have been through a ton of chaos and are yet to finalise changes.

The Lions meanwhile just won the flag, changed coaches and are potentially still out celebrating.

Let’s go through some of the delisted players around the league who could receive a second chance elsewhere.

Adam Saad (Carlton) – Yet to officially retire, might be keen to play on elsewhere.

Nathan Broad (Richmond) – In discussions with Freo and West Coast after the Tigers asked him to retire.

Bailey Banfield (Fremantle) – Has interest from Essendon to continue his career after the Dockers delisted him.

Wil Parker (Collingwood) – Likely to sign with Carlton after the Pies cut the running defender.

There’s certainly been a lot of news broken today so far, but as for a trade? Nothing so far…

This is the general rut the trade period can get into sometimes. Bigger trades are holding up smaller ones and teams are holding out early hoping for better deals.

It’s actually unusual that we had so many trades done on day one, particularly a big fish like Zach Merrett.

This period of quiet is generally more what you expect during the first week of the trade period.

And further proof this period should be shorter.

Matthew Lloyd has given some harsh feedback for Zane Duursma, who has requested a trade from North Melbourne to Melbourne.

Duursma was taken with pick four in the 2023 draft, one pick before Hawthorn selected Nick Watson.

He has struggled to make his mark at AFL level with the Kangaroos and has requested a fresh start with the Demons, and is out of contract.

“Some kids are fantastic juniors, but they just don’t transition into AFL footballers,” Lloyd told 3AW.

“That’s the question mark on Duursma. He has moments, but he’s never dominated a game.

“He couldn’t get a consistent game at North Melbourne. His heart would be in this move to Melbourne.

“I expect that he’ll make his way to Melbourne.”

Duursma has played 38 AFL games, mostly as a forward, and kicked 28 career goals.