On the market: Your team by team guide to AFL trade period

October 4, 2026 — 2:02pm

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The AFL trade period officially opens on Monday when the list managers from all the clubs gather at Marvel Stadium to get serious about the deals that will shape their teams for 2027.

In truth, negotiations have been bubbling along for months for some players. The big questions are: Will Zach Merrett make it to Hawthorn at his second attempt? Will Gold Coast match Hawthorn’s free agency offer for Ben King and thereby force a trade? Where will Melbourne heart and soul player Jack Viney land? We examine every club and which players are on the market.

Follow our live blog every weekday during the trade period, which closes at 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 14.

Draft picks: 13, 32, 33, 41, 54, 90Key players: Nick Murray, Luke Pedlar

The Crows were in the box seat for Zac Bailey, only for Bailey to remain a Lion on an eight-year deal. The Crows are set to lose Pedlar to Port Adelaide, but have a call to make on whether they trade key defender Murray, who has a five-year offer from North Melbourne. Murray, who has managed 78 games in six seasons with the Crows, including 11 this year, is contracted for another two seasons. Fellow tall backman Jordon Butts has already left for the Bulldogs in free agency. The Crows have been linked to Suns defender Charlie Ballard. Bigger picture, they are expected to make a play for St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Hawthorn’s Will Day next year. - Jon Pierik

Draft picks: 18, 39, 40, 51, 57, 77, 95Key players: Keidean Coleman, Will McLachlan, Sam Marshall

The Lions are likely to lose Marshall, who has requested a trade to St Kilda, while forward McLachlan has been linked with Essendon and Melbourne. Lachie Neale is off to Collingwood as a free agent, but Brisbane received only pick 39 as compensation, which will not help them match a bid on potential top-10 academy selection Caylen Murray. Out-of-favour defender Coleman is open to a fresh start at a different club. - Marc McGowan

Draft picks: 11, 16, 23, 24, 59, 70, 88

Key players: Hudson O’Keeffe, Flynn Riley

The Blues have locked in ex-Swans key forward Joel Amartey through free agency, and their primary draft focus is matching a bid on Cody Walker, the son of former Blue Andrew Walker. Their top two selections in the draft add up to 2396 value index points, and they can also go into draft deficit, meaning they will have enough points to cover a bid up to No.2. Carlton also hope to land Giant Lachie Whitfield, while ex-Magpie Wil Parker will join as a delisted free agent. Ruckman O’Keeffe has requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs, while Riley is keen to move to the Magpies on a three-year deal. - Jon Pierik

Draft picks: 9, 28, 66, 68, 75, 86Key players: Scott Pendlebury, Dan Houston, Jordan De Goey, Harry DeMattia

The Magpies are determined to remain in the premiership mix, and have landed three-time Brisbane premiership star Lachie Neale, who proved through a tumultuous 2026 campaign that his on-field output won’t be impacted by off-field headlines. A fourth-round pick will be enough to secure Giants forward Jesse Hogan, while they have met with Richmond’s rebounding defender Jayden Short. List boss Justin Leppitsch confirmed the Magpies were open to trading Jordan De Goey, who has a year left on his contract, but wants a long-term deal. Dan Houston’s future remains a point of interest, although he is contracted until the end of 2030 and his management has declared he is going nowhere. Scott Pendlebury will cross to Gold Coast. - Jon Pierik

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