Trade talk, rumours & innuendo 2026

[one-eyed]

The Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide have 24 hours remaining to finalise a deal for Zak Butters, with Port Adelaide set to receive pick five as compensation and multi-club negotiations underway involving Melbourne and potentially Richmond.

https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/2107746024475292047

"Richmond is also waiting in the wings if it was to fall over but there is confidence that Zak Butters will find his way to the Western Bulldogs"

Mitch Cleary

https://x.com/aflratings_GM/status/2107740647709143352

[one-eyed]

"I am very confident Nick Blakey won't be at the Sydney Swans next year"

"A top 15 pick will get it done"

"Blakey is keen on the Gold Coast Suns, but I don't think the Gold Coast Suns are overly keen on Nick Blakey."

"A board meeting will determine if Geelong chase Blakey. It is far from certain he is at Geelong next year. Lack of draft capital is an issue for them as well."

"There is a warmness towards the Kangaroos due to the family connection. They aren't his first preference, but he is open to the thought of North Melbourne."

The other club is Essendon. They have the salary cap space and the draft capital. There's the Longmire connection. But does he suit them?"

"St Kilda is at the bottom of his preference list. The Saints have asked the question. His head would need to be turned to join the Saints, however I do think they could be a 'break glass in case of emergency' option for Blakey."

- Tom Morris

"If I was North Melbourne I would offer up pick 5 for Nick Blakey. I would absolutely do that."

- Kane on if North offer up a top pick for Blakey

https://x.com/traderadio/

Gold Coast will meet with Sydney star Nick Blakey this morning.

Suns coach Damien Hardwick flew into Melbourne overnight for the catch-up as Blakey continues to look at a way out of the Swans and the Suns investigate their interest.

 https://x.com/CalTwomey/status/2107947143889846458

[one-eyed]

"I think today is the day the Zak Butters deal takes shape."

"I think in the end this deal gets done but will involve 4-5 clubs, multiple picks and players and it just is going to be a massive deal that sees Butters get to the Dogs."

- Tom Morris

https://x.com/traderadio/status/2107947044677816597

Interesting to see if we are involved in this.

[Andyy]

multi-club negotiations underway involving Melbourne and potentially Richmond.

Unless there's something tangibly to our advantage I sure as heck wouldn't bother getting involved and helping them out

[ajGreen]

Rowan Marshall is done.

14 for Marshall and F3 (2028)

[ajGreen]

Sounds like Blakey is north bound.

Great get if that happens.

 Edit. Plus $11 million offer

[one-eyed]

Melbourne, Richmond, Carlton, Hawthorn and North Melbourne have been a part of various scenarios in the Butters mega deal, which could include Hudson O'Keeffe (Western Bulldogs) and Finn Maginness (Western Bulldogs) getting to their respective new homes and draft positions changing.

 https://www.afl.com.au/news/1628919

[one-eyed]

SEVEN clubs... Dogs, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Richmond, North Melbourne, Carlton, Hawthorn are all involved in these discussions.

The 'mega deal' will likely be executed in at least two stages, and involve several players as well as a flurry of draft picks.

Z.Duursma, F.Maginness, H.O'Keeffe just to name a few.... All following Zak Butters' decision to nominate the Dogs.

Will North bring in a pick that would satisfy Adelaide for Murray?

And what is Richmond scheming to move up the draft order?

Multiple clubs believe things are progressing well. Again, expect this 'mega deal' across at least two stages when it's complete.

Not a lot of confidence from clubs as to whether this deal gets approved by the AFL. The league has been pouring over it for hours

https://x.com/tommorris32/status/2108024124241244606

[one-eyed]

Proposed "mega trade" could include Port Adelaide turning pick 4 into 6 and 10.

So many moving parts but no players expected to be leaving or arriving at Alberton through the deal.

Todd Marshall looks likely to remain at the Power.

@7NewsAdelaide

https://x.com/joshmoney__/status/2108062544883806713

[one-eyed]

7News Adelaide saying Port wish to trade pick 4 for Melbourne's 6 and 10 and then use their Butters compo pick 5 with 6 to draft Cochrane.

https://x.com/7NewsAdelaide/status/2108113645456740439

Still no mention by anyone in the media where we supposedly fit into this "mega deal"

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Or the Bulldogs 

[ajGreen]

Mega trade approved and happening. Richmond not in it.

Blakey has chosen nord to go to

[pmac21]

Melbourne jump in front of us.  There good in this space.

[one-eyed]

The mega deal.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
GIVE: 13, 32, 2028 F1

RECEIVE: 2027 F2 (PA), 2028 F2 (PA), 2027 F4 (PA), 2027 F3 (MELB), 2028 F3 (PA), 2028 F4 (PA), 81, 87, FINN MAGINNESS, HUDSON O’KEEFFE

PORT ADELAIDE
GIVE: 4, 46, F2, F3, F4, 2028 F2, 2028 F4, 81

RECEIVE: 6, 10, 2027 F1 (MELB), 2028 F1 (DOGS)

MELBOURNE
GIVE: 6, 10, 87, 2027 F1, 2027 F3, 2028 F4

RECEIVE: 4, 12, 31, 46

CARLTON
GIVE: HUDSON O’KEEFFE

RECEIVE: 2028 F4 (MELB)

HAWTHORN
GIVE: FINN MAGINNESS

RECEIVE: 2027 F3 (PA)

https://x.com/traderadio/status/2108359329783185526

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Melbourne jump in front of us.  There good in this space.

Yep