The trade period can so often be such a massive build-up for such little return, but that couldn’t be further from the case this year. From top-flight superstars and club captains changing sides, to other skippers unsuccessfully trying to force their way out, 2025 had it all.

We have graded every club’s performance – and ranked them from one to 18 – through the free agency and trade period to find the best- and worst-performed sides in this year’s player movement window...

In: Christian Petracca (Melbourne/trade); Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs/trade); Picks 24, 28, 29, 52; 2026 second-round pick (Melbourne); 2026 third-round pick (Essendon)
Out: Ben Ainsworth (Carlton/trade); Connor Budarick (Western Bulldogs/trade); Brayden Fiorini (Essendon/trade); Sam Flanders (St Kilda/trade); Malcolm Rosas jnr (Gold Coast/trade); Picks 8, 63, 74, and 2026 first-round pick and 2027 third-round pick
Draft picks: 15, 18, 24, 28, 29, 36, 52, 92, 110
Trade grade: A

They flirted with a Charlie Curnow pursuit, but made Petracca their priority as soon as the star ex-Demon chose them over Adelaide as his preferred destination. Melbourne met with, and wanted, Bailey Humphrey in that deal, but the Suns refused to part with the contracted young gun. They still paid a pretty penny for Petracca – including three first-round picks – but he will be a major weapon in the midfield alongside Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, and also as a forward. This was a win-now move after Gold Coast claimed their first final this year. They also took a high-upside swing on Ugle-Hagan, with very little downside if it goes wrong. There was some attrition, with Ainsworth punted for salary cap relief, and Flanders, Fiorini, Budarick and Rosas jnr wanting more opportunity.

In: Clayton Oliver (Melbourne/trade); Pick 12
Out: Jacob Wehr (Port Adelaide/free agency); Picks 14, 37, and 2026 third-round pick
Draft picks: 12, 35, 91, 109
Trade grade: A

Oliver may have had his issues across his career, but to snare a man of his talent and only pay him around $500,000 per season is tantamount to daylight robbery. He will help inside bull Tom Green and fellow star midfielder Finn Callaghan make the Giants’ midfield ominous to opponents, particularly at centre bounce. Leek Aleer re-signed on a two-year deal after being abandoned by St Kilda, and he remains a key element of defensive depth for a team that will be knocking on the door late in September. But it was a humbling and shattering experience for Aleer.

Down to the wire: (clockwise from top left) Carlton’s Charlie Curnow, the Western Bulldogs’ Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Melbourne’s Christian Petracca and Essendon captain Zach Merrett all featured in a frantic trade period.Credit: Photos: Getty Images, AFL Photos. Artwork: Nathan Perri, Stephen Kiprillis

In: Max Heath (St Kilda/trade); Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn/trade); Brody Mihocek (Collingwood/trade); Jack Steele (St Kilda/trade); Picks 7, 8, 37, 71; 2026 first-round pick (Gold Coast) and third-round pick (GWS); 2027 third-round pick (Gold Coast)
Out: Clayton Oliver (GWS/trade); Christian Petracca (Gold Coast/trade); Charlie Spargo (North Melbourne/free agency); Judd McVee (Fremantle/trade); Picks 28, 61; 2026 second-round, third-round and fourth-round picks; 2027 third-round and fourth-round picks
Draft picks: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71, 84, 102
Trade grade: B

Melbourne were one of the busiest clubs under new coach Steven King. The Suns absorbed all of Petracca’s hefty contract and were willing to hand over three first-round selections in that deal. However, the Demons stumped up about half of the money left on the five years remaining on Oliver’s deal to get the Giants interested. They made a late decision to recruit ex-Saints skipper Steele, who they hope will replace some grunt and experience on a three-year deal. Melbourne also put Steven May up for trade in a cultural overhaul, but there were no takers. He has a year remaining on his deal. McVee was one player they did not want to lose, but he accepted a four-year deal at the Dockers, which saw the Demons trade in Hawthorn’s dashing defender Jiath. Spargo was a minor loss, but Mihocek will be a handy veteran addition for their much-maligned attack, and Heath could be Max Gawn’s successor.

In: Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast/trade); Campbell Chesser (West Coast/trade); Oliver Florent (Sydney/trade); Will Hayward (Sydney/trade); Liam Reidy (Fremantle/trade); Picks 9, 11, 43, 54, 67, 72; 2026 and 2027 first-round picks (Sydney)
Out: Charlie Curnow (Sydney/trade), Corey Durdin (Port Adelaide/trade); Tom De Koning and Jack........

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