This year's trade period moved at a different pace to previous years, but finished with a late rush. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure analyse all the final-day trades and assess the player movement period. From Zak Butters, Zach Merrett, Nick Blakey and Ben King to Toby Greene, Scott Pendlebury and Lachie Neale, a host of big-name players moved clubs. But what will it all mean? Our experts give their opinion.

This year's trade period moved at a different pace to previous years, but finished with a late rush. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure analyse all the final-day trades and assess the player movement period. From Zak Butters, Zach Merrett, Nick Blakey and Ben King to Toby Greene, Scott Pendlebury and Lachie Neale, a host of big-name players moved clubs. But what will it all mean? Our experts give their opinion.

The 2026 trade period dissected: Hawks, Dogs set to contend

North Melbourne finally landed a big target on Tuesday when Nick Blakey crossed from Sydney on a multi-million-dollar deal after a tumultuous season. But, with just one day left in the 2026 trade period, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan say there's more work for the Roos to do. First, they need to secure a key defender, with Adelaide's Nick Murray top of their shopping list, then they need to build a game that allows Blakey to showcase his skills. Our team break down a busy day nine of the trade period and cast their eye on the deals still to be done. 

North Melbourne finally landed a big target on Tuesday when Nick Blakey crossed from Sydney on a multi-million-dollar deal after a tumultuous season. But, with just one day left in the 2026 trade period, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan say there's more work for the Roos to do. First, they need to secure a key defender, with Adelaide's Nick Murray top of their shopping list, then they need to build a game that allows Blakey to showcase his skills. Our team break down a busy day nine of the trade period and cast their eye on the deals still to be done.&nbsp;

They got Blakey, now Roos must learn to defend

North Melbourne are yet to make a move this trade period, but are juggling lots of possible deals, and now have just two days left to get them done. Although Sydney’s Nick Blakey remains their No.1 target, a deal to deliver him to Arden Street did not progress far on Monday. Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan suspect that leaves the door ajar for St Kilda to make a late play for the dashing defender and also wonder whether the Saints are sniffing around Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey. As the trade period enters its final days, our experts are up to date on all the big news.

North Melbourne are yet to make a move this trade period, but are juggling lots of possible deals, and now have just two days left to get them done. Although Sydney&rsquo;s Nick Blakey remains their No.1 target, a deal to deliver him to Arden Street did not progress far on Monday. Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan suspect that leaves the door ajar for St Kilda to make a late play for the dashing defender and also wonder whether the Saints are sniffing around Collingwood&rsquo;s Jordan De Goey. As the trade period enters its final days, our experts are up to date on all the big news.

Saints stalking as Swans, Roos stall on Blakey

Trade period went into overdrive on Friday, with centrepiece deals delivering Zak Butters to the Western Bulldogs and Ben King to Hawthorn. Five clubs, 20 draft picks and two other players were involved in a convoluted side deal that helped convince Port Adelaide they didn't need to match the Dogs' offer for Butters. Andrew Wu and Sam McClure explain how the side deals work and why footy fans should be cynical about them, but acknowledge that will matter little to the Bullldogs or Hawks, who are both now among the leading premiership fancies for 2027.

Trade period went into overdrive on Friday, with centrepiece deals delivering Zak Butters to the Western Bulldogs and Ben King to Hawthorn. Five clubs, 20 draft picks and two other players were involved in a convoluted side deal that helped convince Port Adelaide they didn't need to match the Dogs' offer for Butters. Andrew Wu and Sam McClure explain how the side deals work and why footy fans should be cynical about them, but acknowledge that will matter little to the Bullldogs or Hawks, who are both now among the leading premiership fancies for 2027.

Smelly side deals get Butters, King to new clubs

The pursuit of Sydney star Nick Blakey took a major twist on day four of the AFL trade period. Sam McClure and Peter Ryan unpick the bold bid from North Melbourne that put them at the front of the queue for the Swan's services.

Can other clubs beat what the Roos have to offer? 

Our podcasters also look at the impact of Rowan Marshall landing at Geelong, the multi-club deal brewing behind the scenes to land Zak Butters at the Bulldogs, and why the AFL "has lost control of the whole system".

 

More reading:
No hardball, no deadline drama: Inside Essendon’s trade reset
On the market: Your team by team guide to AFL trade period 

The pursuit of Sydney star Nick Blakey took a major twist on day four of the AFL trade period. Sam McClure and Peter Ryan unpick <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-trade-period-live-all-eyes-on-nick-blakey-as-day-four-continues-coniglio-stays-with-giants-20261008-p613rt.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=real_footy&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">the bold bid from North Melbourne </a>that put them at the front of the queue for the Swan's services.
Can other clubs beat what the Roos have to offer?&nbsp;
Our podcasters also look at the impact of Rowan Marshall landing at Geelong, the multi-club deal brewing behind the scenes to land Zak Butters at the Bulldogs, and why the AFL "has lost control of the whole system".
&nbsp;
More reading:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/no-hardball-no-deadline-drama-inside-essendon-s-trade-reset-20261007-p613kd.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">No hardball, no deadline drama: Inside Essendon&rsquo;s trade reset</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/on-the-market-your-team-by-team-guide-to-afl-trade-period-20261004-p6129g.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">On the market: Your team by team guide to AFL trade period&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>

The $12 million bid that's blown up the race for Nick Blakey

A number of clubs have registered their interest in star Sydney defender Nick Blakey. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan delve into the emerging suitors and what they can potentially offer for a player at "the peak of his career". Plus, the "good business" from Essendon as Jordan Ridley becomes a Cat, the big deal offered for a one-game player, and your questions answered.

A number of clubs have registered their interest in star Sydney defender Nick Blakey. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan delve into the emerging suitors and what they can potentially offer for a player at "the peak of his career". Plus, the "good business" from Essendon as Jordan Ridley becomes a Cat, the big deal offered for a one-game player, and your questions answered.

The 'significant advantage' as Bombers, Cats, Saints circle Blakey

A day after landing Zach Merrett, Hawthorn set their sights on Gold Coast key forward Ben King. Andrew Wu and Michael Gleeson debate how those two gun recruits will elevate the preliminary finalists next year, and why a teenager with one game to his name looms as the key to unlocking the King recruitment. Meanwhile, the Roos have their new coach, Jaymie Graham, and St Kilda’s relationship with ruckman Rowan Marshall turns sour.

A day after landing Zach Merrett, Hawthorn set their sights on Gold Coast key forward Ben King. Andrew Wu and Michael Gleeson debate how those two gun recruits will elevate the preliminary finalists next year, and why a teenager with one game to his name looms as the key to unlocking the King recruitment. Meanwhile, the Roos have their new coach, Jaymie Graham, and St Kilda&rsquo;s relationship with ruckman Rowan Marshall turns sour.

Merrett, King can make Hawks flag favourites

There was no mucking around on the first day of the AFL trade period ... well, not as much as usual. Zach Merrett was granted his request and traded to Hawthorn, Scott Pendlebury was officially traded to Gold Coast, uncertainty surrounded the future of Jordan de Goey and North Melbourne prepared to appoint their next senior coach. Sam McClure and Jake Niall unpack it all with an eye on what wheeling and dealing will be done in the days ahead.

There was no mucking around on the first day of the AFL trade period ... well, not as much as usual. Zach Merrett was granted his request and traded to Hawthorn, Scott Pendlebury was officially traded to Gold Coast, uncertainty surrounded the future of Jordan de Goey and North Melbourne prepared to appoint their next senior coach. Sam McClure and Jake Niall unpack it all with an eye on what wheeling and dealing will be done in the days ahead.

Merrett gets his wish: Dons hostage becomes a Hawk

A four-minute frenzy flipped the 2026 grand final on its head when the Brisbane Lions surged late to destroy Fremantle’s dreams of a maiden AFL premiership. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan were among the 100,023 awestruck footy fans who witnessed it. Hours later, they gather in our studio to analyse the pivotal moments, discuss the future of Lions coach Chris Fagan, rate Kylie Minogue’s pre-match show and tell us who really was the best player on the ground. And we ask what’s next; can the Lions make it four flags in a row and how will the Dockers respond to their traumatic loss?

A four-minute frenzy flipped the 2026 grand final on its head when the Brisbane Lions surged late to destroy Fremantle&rsquo;s dreams of a maiden AFL premiership. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan were among the 100,023 awestruck footy fans who witnessed it. Hours later, they gather in our studio to analyse the pivotal moments, discuss the future of Lions coach Chris Fagan, rate Kylie Minogue&rsquo;s pre-match show and tell us who really was the best player on the ground. And we ask what&rsquo;s next; can the Lions make it four flags in a row and how will the Dockers respond to their traumatic loss?

RIP Wharfie Time: The history and heartbreak of the 2026 grand final

Lachie Neale’s future hangs in the balance, creating selection quandaries for Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan ahead of the grand final against Fremantle. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan ruminate over the options facing both teams, the vital statistics and match-ups that will shape the game. Will the Lions go back-to-back-to-back or will Fremantle’s purple reign at the MCG? Our tipsters have opposing views on how the game will unfold.

Lachie Neale&rsquo;s future hangs in the balance, creating selection quandaries for Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan ahead of the grand final against Fremantle. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan ruminate over the options facing both teams, the vital statistics and match-ups that will shape the game. Will the Lions go back-to-back-to-back or will Fremantle&rsquo;s purple reign at the MCG? Our tipsters have opposing views on how the game will unfold.

Why forgotten Lion could replace Neale

The best footy writers from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald bring you the weekly lowdown on all things AFL.

If you like the pod, please take the time to rate & review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. We love to hear from you and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find us.

And, why not become a subscriber? Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ or https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

The best footy writers from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald bring you the weekly lowdown on all things AFL.
If you like the pod, please take the time to rate &amp; review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. We love to hear from you and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find us.
And, why not become a subscriber? Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe <a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/">https://subscribe.theage.com.au/</a> or <a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/">https://subscribe.smh.com.au/</a>

News, analysis and insight on the AFL from The Age sports team.

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