Trade talk, rumours & innuendo 2026

[Francois Jackson]

Plus the fact he potentially wants Geelong makes him dirty scum anyway. I have no issue with the Bulldogs. But anything related, affiliated or in discussions to Geelong is just filth.

 

[one-eyed]

Geelong recruitment video:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dcavoz9zmV0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

From the comments: "I’m a cats fan and this is funny af . Can you do one on Richmond and their inner city townhouse portfolio from the premier years?"

[one-eyed]

Inside AFL’s biggest trade race: Each club’s best Butters offer... and the players involved

Jack Jovanovski
Fox Sports
September 7th, 2026

Zak Butters’ blockbuster free agency decision is down to three clubs, with Geelong and the Bulldogs considered genuine contenders.

But what each of the Cats, Dogs and Richmond can offer to satisfy Port Adelaide in a trade varies — and that’s what keeps the Tigers alive in the race, just.

The Power have vowed to match any offer for their in-demand restricted free agent, even despite recent talk of a possible roundabout way for Port to net a free agency compensation pick, and additional draft picks via a separate trade.

So, Foxfooty.com.au explores each club’s best, most realistic prospective offer to Port Adelaide, as the trade period edges closer.

GEELONG

Geelong receives: Zak Butters, Rowan Marshall, 2027 second-round pick (tied to STK)

Port Adelaide receives: 2026 first-round pick (tied to GEE, currently No.14), 2027 first-round pick (tied to STK), 2027 first-round pick (tied to GEE)

St Kilda receives: Sam De Koning

There are a few factors at play here, clearly.

And there’s every chance something along the lines of this could go down as two separate trades, but for the purposes of this exercise, we’ll put it all in the one.

In this particular deal, all of the Power’s relevant draft needs are satisfied.

The Cats’ 2026 first-rounder, regardless of where it eventually falls between now and the end of the finals series, will be enough Value Index-wise for the Power to couple with their own first (No.4 overall) to match a rival bid at No.1 for Cochrane.

And the two 2027 first-rounders they get from Geelong and St Kilda respectively will help them land Pilot and Salopek next year.

The question is, will Port Adelaide be satisfied with that draft haul, given that those two 2027 firsts will come late in the Tassie-diluted first-round order.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Western Bulldogs receive: Zak Butters, 2027 second-round pick (tied to GWS)

Port Adelaide receives: 2026 first-round pick (tied to WBD, currently No.12), 2027 first-round pick (tied to GWS), 2027 first-round pick (tied to WBD)

GWS Giants receive: Tim English

As for the draft picks headed Port Adelaide’s way, it’s very similar to the capital Geelong is giving in its aforementioned trade.

The one caveat is the GWS pick, which should, in theory, be a slightly better selection than St Kilda’s.

But it’s a very similar deal for the Power, who are looked after from a bid-matching perspective this year and next.

And in the world where they’re satisfied with that kind of return, it’d leave Butters with the simple decision of where he wants to play his football, out of Geelong and the Dogs.

RICHMOND

Richmond receives: Zak Butters

Port Adelaide receives: 2026 first-round pick (tied to RIC, No.2 overall), 2027 first-round pick (tied to RIC)

Compared to the above hypotheticals, this Richmond concept is very straightforward.

Simply, the Tigers’ trade assets are unmatched by the other two clubs. They can best satisfy Port Adelaide, and it isn’t close.

The question revolves around whether there’s another pick involved in here somewhere, but this should be the premise.

For Port Adelaide, getting the second overall pick opens several doors of opportunity. It could use that selection and its Pick 22 to match for Cochrane, leaving its Pick 4 to do with as it pleases.

The Power could either pick again high in the order, split it and take multiple first-round talents, or trade it into the future to have even more 2027 flexibility.

And the Tigers’ 2027 first is again set to be rich in value, even in that compromised draft.

Obviously, Richmond appears up against it in terms of Butters reportedly preferring one of Geelong or the Bulldogs over Tigerland.

But if push comes to shove in October, and the Cats and Dogs struggle to find a way to please the Power, the mob in yellow and black will be right there waiting in the wings.

Because if it becomes a trade bidding war, Richmond can go higher with its offer.

Would list boss Blair Hartley and company enhance that hypothetical offer with this year’s second-round pick, which is currently No.20?

It’d be overs, but for Richmond to have any serious chance in this trade race, it has to go above and beyond to turn Port Adelaide’s head.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-2026-zak-butters-free-agency-decision-what-geelong-bulldogs-and-richmond-can-offer-port-adelaide-draft-picks/news-story/0a8086cef43452cf9e03e2435e6a2d2d

[Damo]

Oskar Baker would be an upgrade over many currently on our list

[wayne]

Is almost every journo Geelong aligned?

That above trade for Butters is ridiculous. Cats get heaps, Saints get screwed.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Is almost every journo Geelong aligned?

That above trade for Butters is ridiculous. Cats get heaps, Saints get screwed.

I am about fed up with the Cats bias across the board.

[one-eyed]

St Kilda has confirmed Rowan Marshall’s request to be traded.

https://x.com/CalTwomey/status/2097110457249304664

North Melbourne forward Zane Duursma has informed the Roos he will seek a trade to Melbourne.

https://x.com/CalTwomey/status/2097105908178534754

[one-eyed]

Zac Bailey signs on with the Lions on a new eight season deal as he rebuffs the Crows. Huge deal and huge loyalty.

https://x.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/2097137697588646350

[one-eyed]

Trade Bell: Nick Vlastuin & Jayden Short

SEN
8 Sep 2026

Whateley asked: “So here's one name and not for the first time that has come through. Does Nick Vlastuin to Sydney come into play with the Callum Mills injury?”

Edmund replied: “Yeah, so I wasn't going to raise this because it's one of those ones where if you raise these guys, you could raise a thousand players. So can I state that?

“Look, it's probably 90-95% chance I'm told that nothing would happen, but you know, it's like a Lloyd Christmas where there's a chance, and I'd fold Jayden Short into that too.

“Now both of these guys have bubbled up in conversations, both are contracted for one more year, but then you've got Richmond in full reset mode obviously and their last chance at a pure draft.

“I know they got the second pick this year, they got picked 20 I think as well. Would they be willing to do one of those players in a trade to get a pick back in, a little bit more of a foothold in the draft this year before Tassie comes in.

“At the same time, you've got the coach wanting all the experience he can get and really needing to coach for his life next year as well.

“They've been inquired about, there's a couple of clubs hunting those guys. Do Richmond have the appetite to do the deal on at least one of them? I've got as an open question at the moment, whether it be Nick or whether it be Jayden.

“That's probably the best way to put it. I'm not even sure if either has an appetite to move, but both have done a heck of a lot of winning. Would they be open to seeking a fresh start somewhere else?”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2026/09/08/afl-trade-news-rowan-marshall-jesse-hogan-jordon-butts-trent-rivers-nick-vlastuin

[ajGreen]

Something for short would be outstanding

[Andyy]

I would rather not trade Vlastuin, unless he wants to go and it's a silly good deal for us.

But then, if they were prepared to take Short off our hands... 

[Hard Roar Tiger]

The reality is that whatever short had is long gone and this obvious across the industry. One more painful year.

[one-eyed]

Trade talks to begin in earnest at key meetings this week

TRADE talks will begin in earnest on Wednesday with more than half of the 18 clubs set to meet for their annual pre-trade catch up.

The unofficial start to the trade period will see list and recruiting bosses from clubs gather in Melbourne for a 'speed dating' exercise of short trade discussions ahead of the end of the finals campaign.

The day of meetings is arranged by the clubs themselves, with all bar five clubs attending last year as they met in the lead-up to last year's semi-final.

The meetings are used to give updates on the contract status of players, available list spots, predicted draft selections being used and any other initial discussions ahead of the Continental Tyres Trade Period.

A staple of the lead-in to the trade and free agency window, the catch-ups are seen as a chance for clubs to get a feel of what other's plans are and how other clubs could get involved in proposed deals.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1606355/key-meetings-between-clubs-this-week-to-see-trade-talks-begin-in-earnest

[one-eyed]

Tiger71 on the Tigercast last night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga4eFUpseUw

* Still confident about us and Butters as the other clubs can't match what we are offering Port. Only caveat is Port caving into Geelong and taking unders, but he doesn't see that happening as why would Port refuse pick 2 & potentially pick 4 say in 2027 for their highly-rated father-sons. Add the poor relationship between Port and Geelong from past poaching attempts by the Cats. Or St Kilda doing something ridiculously unrealistic like giving up a top 10 pick and Marshall for SDK who isn't even in Geelong's 23 at the moment.

* Port will match any offer. His sources (in the AFL recruiting space) say talk of Port accepting compo and doing side deals is made up (by the media). 

* Media only saying we are third because they can't get any info out of Richmond as we don't leak like the other clubs. If we were out, the media would be rushing to publicly say so.

* Thinks the Dogs know they are third in the race for Butters given the talk yesterday of a plan B for them (Matt Rowell) and the re-signing of Arty Jones and Buku Khamis to long-term deals.

[Assange Tiger 😎]

He's a good rubbish artist Tiger71