AFL trade period RECAP: Cats nail big trade as stunning overhaul nears reality

Thanks for following our AFL trade blog again today.

We’ll be back tomorrow morning for more news, rumours and big moves.

Jordan Ridley has officially landed at Geelong!

The trade with Essendon has been confirmed, with Jack Bowes leaving the Cats.

Here’s the full breakdown:

• Essendon receive: Jack Bowes, 2027 first-round pick, 2028 second-rounder
• Geelong receive: Jordan Ridley, draft pick N0.60 and 2028 fourth-rounder.

“We’re excited to welcome Jordan to the Geelong football club,” general manager Andrew Mackie said in a statement. 

“Jordan is a quality player who boasts experience and will be a great addition to our backline group. We’re looking forward to seeing what Jordan can bring.”

There’s a huge decision facing Aidan Schubert, who is being hunted by Gold Coast.

The 18-year-old Hawthorn prodigy reportedly has a five-year Suns offer on the table for his services, according to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey.

Schubert played one AFL game in his rookie season after being selected as the No.25 pick in last year’s draft.

He was part of Box Hill’s VFL premiership-winning team.

Damian Barrett believes West Coast will ask the question of Sydney’s Chad Warner before all is said and done in this trade period.

The Swans are adamant Warner will be back at the club in 2027 following his club-imposed suspension, and the midfielder has also stated his desire to return.

However, the WA-born star is out of contract and becomes a free agent at the end of 2027, meaning if Sydney was to cash him in for maximum value, now would be the time to do it.

“I still feel that the WA clubs will ask the question quite seriously about Chad Warner. He has one year on his contract remaining…he will be one of the biggest free agents in the game this time next year,” Barrett told Trade Radio.

West Coast has the pick firepower to get a trade done, while Fremantle would likely struggle, particularly given their existing depth.

They would likely have to overwhelm Sydney with their offer – the Eagles could put pick three on the table as a starting point.

One to watch.

Brisbane has named its panel to find its next coach, after Chris Fagan stood down.

Chairman Andrew Wellington, CEO Sam Graham, club director Leigh Matthews, football boss Danny Daly, Australian basketball great Phil Smyth, Brisbane legend Simon Black and AIS sports psychologist Matti Clements make up the team.

Daly today ruled himself out of the coaching position and will remain as football operations boss in 2027.

Mitch Cleary reports that assistant coach Cameron Bruce is viewed as the early favourite, though the Lions will approach candidates outside the club as well, including Nathan Buckley.

Matthews coached and Black played in Brisbane’s original three-peat between 2001 and 2003.

Brisbane forward Will McLachlan has requested a trade to the Demons.

Essendon was also chasing the out of contract forward, while the Lions were keen to retain him.

The Dees win the race for his services in the end.

Matthew Lloyd believes North Melbourne would be "shattered" to lose Zane Duursma in this trade period, after the former top five pick requested a trade to Melbourne.

He believes the Roos have not maximised this rebuild and the top picks they have had access to, and losing Duursma would be the icing on that cake.

"They would be shattered. You just don't want to lose these top picks without gaining much," Lloyd told 3AW.

"You don't want to miss too many top picks, because it can really set you back."

The Roos used pick three in the 2020 draft on midfielder Will Phillips, who has already been delisted, missing out on key forward Logan McDonald who went with the very next pick to Sydney.

In 2021, they took Jason Horne-Francis with the No.1 pick in the draft. He requested a trade to Port Adelaide 12 months later.

In 2022, they selected Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw with picks three and four, both big ticks.

And then in 2024 they chose Colby McKercher and pick two and Duursma at pick four, missing out on Nick Watson who went at five to Hawthorn. They also cost themselves pick one, Harley Reid, by winning a meaningless game in the final week of the season.

Finn O'Sullivan with pick two in 2025 is looking like a good move. They will hope he develops into a superstar given Jagga Smith, who went next, is already looking like a future captain of Carlton and All-Australian midfielder.

The Roos also traded a future first round pick, that turned into a top five selection, for draftee Matt Whitlock (who they took at pick 27), who will need time to develop.

It’s fair to say North’s list management team enters this next era under new coach Jaymie Graham under significant pressure.

Richmond’s latest acquisition Nathan O’Driscoll has opened up on his move from Fremantle, saying part of his call was wanting to grow more as a midfielder and get back to Victoria.

The Tigers landed the 24-year-old for pick 61 on Tuesday.

“In the next week I will try and take my mind off everything. Going to spend the off-season getting as fit as I can and make a good first impression,” O’Driscoll told Trade Radio.

“A good change up will be best for me. I am 24 now, so it feels the right time to make the move.

“They want me to play wing. I am hoping a bit of inside mid as well, but I think largely they want me to play on the wing.”

We’ve spoken about Essendon, Geelong and North Melbourne, but you can add St Kilda to the list of teams open to pursuing Nick Blakey, should he depart Sydney.

The Age’s Jake Niall believes the Cats, Bombers and Saints in particular are on the front foot about potentially acquiring him.

Blakey is contracted until 2031 and it’s difficult to imagine the Swans parting with him cheaply.

West Coast is now in the mix to land Melbourne defender Trent Rivers.

Mitch Cleary is reporting that they were focused on Gryan Miers, but with his rejection of the Eagles, Rivers now enters their lens.

Rivers is open to leaving Melbourne despite having a contract and is from Western Australia.