AFL daily boards

Hayes says Sinclair comes back into the team at halfback. The timing isn't specified.

Jack Sinclair is St Kilda's answer to the halfback links. "Jack Sinclair comes back into the team. He's one of the best halfbacks in the comp," Lenny Hayes said. With picks 10, 16 and 41, the Saints will mix "taking best available" with addressing list needs.

Blakey's move to North Melbourne is agreed, so his club changes. No role or position is stated.

Nick Blakey chose North Melbourne, Brady Rawlings said, and a deal is done with Sydney on an eight-year offer. The board signed off on the money, tenure and first-round picks. Blakey asked to meet North among other clubs, and the family link "went in our favour."

Kingsley wants more than half a season from Daniels, Taylor and Buckley; Green and Jones returning matters. Hedged, long-term.

GWS let experienced players go to open gaps for younger players, Adam Kingsley says, and he wants more than half a season each from Brent Daniels, Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley. Getting Tom Green and Darcy Jones back after missing all year is "really important".

Small forwards Angove, Gothard, Hannaford, Hamilton and Delana are in line for front-half spots; no single player is named as winning one.

Small forwards are in line for the spots opening in GWS's front half. Adam Kingsley named Cody Angove, Phoenix Gothard, Oliver Hannaford, Riley Hamilton and Joey Delana: Hamilton "had a significant impact" and Delana was "really strong in the last month of the season."

Whitfield's defensive spot is open; Leake, Oliver and especially Taylor are candidates, but the coach is unsure who.

Who replaces Lachie Whitfield in GWS's defence is open. Adam Kingsley named James Leake, Harry Oliver and particularly Oskar Taylor: "one of those boys particularly will stand up, and I'm not sure who it'll be yet." Players return for pre-season in early November.

Bedendo described as 'probably ready-made' for AFL level, a hedged hint he could play early.

Nathan O'Driscoll wanted to weigh his options, and Fremantle "had to continue to move on and make other decisions on other players," Joe Brierty said of the Richmond trade. The extra pick let them move fast on ex-Bulldog Dominic Bedendo, "probably ready-made" for AFL level.

Roberts, Bice and Lloyd can cover Blakey's roles. Cox decides, so usage is not yet set.

Matthew Roberts, Riley Bice and Jake Lloyd can play Nick Blakey's roles now he's at North Melbourne, Sydney's Chris Keane said, leaving the call to Dean Cox. He added that Harry Kyle, Will Edwards, Jesse Dattoli and Billy Cootee "were able to step in and look at the level".

Rampe's decision on continuing is pending for a couple of weeks. Availability next season is uncertain.

Dane Rampe still hasn't made his call. "Dane's still away... He'll come back and make that decision over the next couple of weeks," Sydney's Chris Keane said. The club went into the trade period "focusing on retaining a lot of the talent that we had."

Lamb expects McLaughlin to add a fair bit to Melbourne's front half; vague role signal.

Will McLaughlin's move from Brisbane to Melbourne ended "reasonably close to what we'd originally offered," Tim Lamb said, and he expects McLaughlin to add a fair bit to the front half. Lamb admitted he spent much of deadline day thinking the deals might fall over.

Hawthorn sees 195cm rookie Purcell as a number 2 or 3 defender; a role signal, not selection.

Ollie Purcell, a former Australian water polo representative, has joined Hawthorn as a Category B rookie, beating interest from other clubs. Mark McKenzie said: "he comes to us as a 195 centimetre back. So we see him as a number 2, number 3 back."

Allan has 'great scope' for more West Coast midfield time; some veterans may move to other roles.

Bo Allan has "great scope" to go through West Coast's midfield, Matt Clarke said, as young players get more time there around Harley Reid. "A couple of those veterans may end up playing some other roles through there as we continue to expose those guys."

Viney traded in to add physicality and pressure to West Coast's young midfield; likely midfield role, not explicit.

West Coast's Jack Viney trade with Melbourne is done, though Matt Clarke said it "went along a lot longer than what we wanted". With Jeremy McGovern and Jamie Cripps retired, Viney adds experience, and his "physicality and his pressure" will back Harley Reid's young midfield.

With Marshall gone, Dodson is looking to step up in the ruck; hedged, no definite role stated.

Alex Dodson will be "looking to take a step up" with Rowan Marshall gone to Geelong. Lenny Hayes said Marshall was "keen to hold down that number 1 ruck mantle" at St Kilda rather than share with Tom De Koning. Geelong "didn't want to part with" Sam De Koning, Hayes said.

King finished rehab and is conditioning; Hayes expects him playing next year but hedges with 'fingers crossed'.

Max King has finished his rehab block and is conditioning. Lenny Hayes said "fingers crossed" but "I'm sure that we're going to see him out there next year." St Kilda skipped an established senior player to keep its first-round picks: "our growth is going to come internally."

With Marshall and Blicavs in the ruck, Neale probably stays forward more; hedged.

Geelong tried to get a future pick back from St Kilda in the Rowan Marshall deal, but it was too compelling to hold out, list boss Andrew Mackie said. With Marshall and Mark Blicavs in the ruck, "it probably allows Shannon Neale to just stay at home more as a forward."

McCartney wants youngsters (Angove, Oliver, Taylor) in departed players' roles; opportunities signalled, not guaranteed. Gothard returns from injury.

Phoenix Gothard, injured two-thirds into last season, returns for GWS with Tom Green and Darcy Jones. Jason McCartney wants youngsters in the departed players' roles: "we need to provide those opportunities." He named Cody Angove and halfbacks Harry Oliver and Oskar Taylor.

Kelly's readiness for round one is uncertain; slow progress after major surgery, timelines indefinite.

Asked if Josh Kelly will be ready for the start of the season, GWS's Jason McCartney wouldn't commit: "the timelines are a bit indefinite at the moment." Kelly is running but progressing slowly, just over 12 months after major surgery, with checks before and after Christmas.

Fletcher moving from half-back to midfield is a viable option for the new coach; not decided.

Jaspa Fletcher moving from half-back into Brisbane's midfield is "a viable option for whoever the new coach and his panel is to discuss," list boss Dom Ambrogio said. Darcy Wilmot could too. Dan Annable comes into the mix, and Bruce Reville "can come in and play wing."

Ashcroft is ready to step up in the midfield; Tunstill looking to go inside more; coach decides.

Brisbane's midfield succession will be decided by a senior coach the club has yet to name. "It will be the coach's call, whoever that is," list boss Dom Ambrogio said. Levi Ashcroft is "ready to step up", and James Tunstill is "looking to go inside more".

Anderson could spend more time in Collingwood's midfield, a hedged role signal that may lift his disposals.

Angus Anderson could spend more time in Collingwood's midfield, list boss Justin Leppitsch said, naming Sam Swadling, Tyan Prindable and Edward Allan among the young mids coming through. With the game more positionally flexible, coaches plan to redeploy players too.

Riley sits behind Cameron in the ruck but may have impact next year; hedged selection signal.

Collingwood missed ruckman Flynn Riley in the mid-season draft but traded for him when his interest held. Justin Leppitsch says Riley is body ready but sits behind Darcy Cameron: "it's more of a long-term play, but it wouldn't surprise me if Flynn has impact next year."

Neale recruited to fix clearance weakness; implies midfield role and heavy inside usage, though not explicit.

"We get 3 of our 4 deals done, we've improved our list," Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch said after landing Lachie Neale and Jesse Hogan without giving up high picks. Neale is the clearance fix: "we're AFL 17 in that space, so we wanted to fix that instantly."

Maginness brought in to replace Liberatore's hard edge; also may be damaging in the front half.

Finn Maginness was brought in to replace the "uncompromising edge" the Western Bulldogs lost when Tom Liberatore retired, list boss Michael Regan says. The Hawthorn recruit also showed in the VFL this year that he can be damaging in the front half.

O'Keeffe to provide ruck and forward aerial presence; body concerns noted, so availability is uncertain.

Hudson O'Keeffe "ripped us apart" late in the year, but the Western Bulldogs were already tracking him, list boss Michael Regan says. The Carlton recruit "brings some aerial presence for us in the ruck and up forward," though Regan conceded his body has frustrated him lately.

Mackie backs Marshall and Edwards as the two-ruck pairing; Conway's injury history suggests fewer ruck minutes for him.

Toby Conway has "had a bit of injuries the last couple of years," Geelong's Andrew Mackie said, and the club would love him to get a good run. Mackie backed Rowan Marshall and 21-year-old Mitchell Edwards as a two-ruck pairing: "5 on the bench really helps that."

King returns to the St Kilda forward line with Owens and Sharman; the 'complement' talk is a loose structure signal.

Max King returns to St Kilda's forward line alongside Mitch Owens and Cooper Sharman, and Lenny Hayes said "they'll complement each other." Down back, Hayes named Jack Silvagni and Callum Wilkie as key defenders and said "Alix Tauru can complement those 2 key position guys."

Riley says he left Carlton purely for opportunity, implying more senior games at Collingwood, but gives no specifics.

Flynn Riley on leaving Carlton for Collingwood: "I would have liked to stay at the Blues... it was just purely for that opportunity reason." Talks with Justin Leppitsch and Shane O'Bree meant "it just felt right to come to Collingwood in the end."

Demattia is unlikely to move and must work to win back his Collingwood spot. His selection is uncertain.

Harry Demattia asked Collingwood for a new opportunity, but Justin Leppitsch said he's unlikely to find a club this trade period: "next thing to him is to work hard and find his spot back into the team." No club has shown interest in Jordan De Goey either: "not as yet."

McGinnis moved seeking regular senior football at the Bulldogs, implying more games, but nothing is guaranteed.

Finn McGinnis told Hawthorn in his exit meeting he was "keen to find some more opportunities to play regular senior footy", Rob McCartney said of his move to the Western Bulldogs. McGinnis has since texted thanking the club and saying how much he loved it.

Marshall wants a strong pre-season to be fit for round 1 after being banged up; hedged, long-term.

Rowan Marshall's trade from St Kilda to Geelong is done. He said he's been "pretty banged up" the last couple of years and wants a strong pre-season to be fit for round 1. He asked for a trade last year and called the move "a fresh start, both for me and for the club."

Short won't join Collingwood because of cap and list constraints. Status quo, no change to any player's role.

Jayden Short isn't coming to Collingwood. Justin Leppitsch said a future second-round pick was offered and more discussed, but list spots and the salary cap got tighter once Lachie Neale and Jesse Hogan were locked in: "unfortunately we couldn't appease what Richmond wanted."

Recap of his knee return and 11 games played; says he is exhausted but gives no availability or role change.

"I don't actually really know how I got back, like, in a way, with where my knee got to." Cody Weightman set out to play one game for the Western Bulldogs this year after his knee injury and played 11. He said he is "pretty exhausted" after years without much of a break.

Recruitment story and fitness confidence; no role or selection detail for the next game.

Jack Viney on Melbourne letting him go: "a new coach wanted to go in a different direction... I can respect the decision whilst I might not understand." He's "really confident in my body" after a disrupted year, and spoke to Essendon, but the Eagles were his first choice.

Coaching staff changes and draft talk; only a general game-style aim, nothing player-specific.

Adam Read and Ryan Burton join GWS's coaching group, with a couple of line coaches changing. Adam Kingsley wants "a game style that gives us an opportunity to compete in finals." On the new first-round picks: "we want to get into this draft. It's a strong draft."

Coleman wants more AFL games after joining Essendon; the rest is recruitment story, with no role detail.

Keidean Coleman on joining Essendon: "At 26, I feel as though I just need to be playing more AFL games." After a hamstring and a concussion he played VFL at Brisbane. He didn't think the deal would go through. Coach Mark McVeigh won him over asking after his kids and partner.

Hawks see Goddard developing as a rebounding or set defender, conditional on his body holding up; long-term and hedged.

Hawthorn's deal with North Melbourne for Josh Goddard ended up costing a future third-round pick. "We're happy with that," Mark McKenzie said. The Hawks see him developing into a rebounding or set defender, "if we can get his body right to play consistent footy."

Off-season list intent to add a ruck. No named player or role change yet.

Landing Lachie Whitfield was Carlton's priority, football boss Chris Davies said, but the club "will want to bring in another ruck" after losing a couple of young rucks, through free agency or the draft. He chose big list changes over "a bit of hoping": "take the punt."

Trade-period recap of Coleman landing and a stalled Geelong bid. No role or availability change.

Essendon landed Coleman late in the trade period. Matt Rosa said the last half-hour was tense but the club was reasonably confident; Coleman was the priority. A bid for a contracted Geelong player stalled on price: "a higher pick than we were sort of looking to give up."

List strategy and draft pick talk with no player role or availability effect.

West Coast kept picks to chase a second top draft selection during peak trading, list boss Matt Clarke said. More premiership players like Jack Viney and Trent Rivers are the aim: "We've still got some targets over the next 12 months, 24 months, 36 months."

Club list strategy and contract commentary. No effect on a named player's selection or output.

"With Tassie coming in, it's really important for us to go to the draft," Joe Brierty said of Fremantle's quiet trade period. The club handed out long-term contracts so the group can "contend for a sustained period"; only two or three on the list have played over 200 games.

Trade stance on Hill and Warner plus coaching staff changes. No selection or role effect.

Bobby Hill is "off the table," Fremantle's Joe Brierty said. Chad Warner, a West Australian free agent next year, is not: "if Chad's looking to explore coming home, we'll definitely engage." Tendai Mzungu and Nathan Broad join the coaches after Adam Reid and Jamie Graham left.

Recap of the Blakey trade and Sydney's list and draft approach. No role change stated.

No player came back for Nick Blakey: "list spots is clearly one, going to the draft is another," Sydney's Chris Keane said. They wanted an early pick "before the Tassie concessions kicked in", and it opens free agency, which they "haven't really been active in" for a decade.

Duursma training with teammates and told to work hard and get fit. No role or selection detail.

Zane Duursma is already running with his new Melbourne teammates after his trade from North Melbourne. "Doesn't have to be a star, he just has to... work really hard, get himself super fit," Tim Lamb said, adding Duursma has shown real commitment to driving his own career.

Trade recap; Rivers and Viney moved to West Coast as a package, no stated role change.

Trent Rivers and Jack Viney went to West Coast as one package. Melbourne was open to splitting them, Tim Lamb said, but "we were happy to keep them together." Bodie Ryan's deadline-day move from Hawthorn hinged on the Rivers deal: "He was nice and tough... he's a good kick."

Rookie-list assessment talk; Hill only 'in the mix', Warner staying at Sydney. No role effect.

Bobby Hill is in the mix for West Coast's new Category B First Nations rookie spot. Matt Clarke: "he'll be just another one of those guys that we'll assess." On Trent Rivers' mate Chad Warner: "Chad's very happy where he is in Sydney... we'll continue to assess him."

Recruitment backstory of Greene's move to Geelong; no role or availability information.

Toby Greene's move to Geelong started early, with Simon Murphy calling his manager, Paul Connors. The Cats didn't speak to Greene himself until a couple of weeks after his season ended. Andrew Mackie: "Jeremy Cameron playing at our club helps with a Toby Greene discussion."

Draft-pick strategy talk about Tasmania's entry; no player role or availability effect.

Tasmania's entry shaped Hawthorn's trade period: Mark McKenzie said protecting the next 2 drafts was the second priority. "To be able to keep our presence in the first round and then enhance our second rounds over the next 2 years was a great result for us."

Recruitment recap of Merrett and King signings; King's goal history is background, no role change stated.

Hawthorn's number one priority was high-end talent, Mark McKenzie said, and it landed Zachary Merrett, traded from Essendon on the first official day of the trade period, and free agent Ben King: "He's kicked 60-plus goals over the last 3 years."

Pedlar's move to Port Adelaide recapped; past injury and selection background, no stated role change.

Luke Pedlar has crossed from Adelaide to Port Adelaide on a three-year deal. Adelaide's Adam Kelly said that after his injury setbacks "I think he needed a fresh start", and that when fit, Pedlar had usually made the Crows' best 23.

Murray retained by Adelaide; team-level list strategy, no specific role or selection change stated.

Nick Murray stays at Adelaide. Adam Kelly said North Melbourne's offer was strong, but with Jordan Butts gone the Crows would not thin their tall defenders further: "we're in a win-now phase... we weren't going to jeopardize our opportunity to win next year."

Free agent signing of Trent Rivers with durability praise; no specific role or availability change for the next game.

Trent Rivers, 25, joins West Coast as a free agent, targeted as a mid-age player for a list that ended the season with 21 under-21s. Matt Clarke said he's durable and has "at least 5, 6, 7 years of really good footy" ahead. Next: pick 3, and list decisions to open up picks.

St Kilda not in talks with Hogan or Hill; may add delisted players. Recruitment context only.

No talks with Jesse Hogan: "we weren't in discussions with Jesse," St Kilda's Lenny Hayes said. The club hasn't discussed Bobby Hill either. But the Saints may still add a couple of delisted or off-list players in the coming months, Hayes said.

Recap of trade talk and praise for Sinclair; his injury is background with no stated next-game effect.

Lachie Whitfield, Jayden Short and Dan Houston came up, but St Kilda didn't pivot after missing halfback Nick Blakey, Lenny Hayes said. He rates Jack Sinclair, out for the back half of the year with a serious calf injury, "the second greatest small defender in the competition".

Praise for Maginness's running; Kennedys appeared in the midfield late last year. No definite role change.

Finn Maginness has "2-way running power at speed" "in spades", Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan says, though "months might be a bit strong" for how long the chase ran. Matthew and Luke Kennedy "started to appear" in the midfield late in the year, he said.

Darcy's rehab is tracking as scheduled with a little running done; no return timeline given.

Sam Darcy has "done a tiny bit of running" and, as far as Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan knows, his rehab is "tracking along as scheduled". Darcy was in for rehab every day, and Regan thinks he is now at Oktoberfest in Germany.

General injury-risk background on Ridley's durability; no specific effect on an upcoming game.

Jordan Ridley has played 26 games in three years, and Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie admits that's a risk. "There's not exact science to that. There is a bit of a punt on it." He's betting a fresh start helps Ridley's body, with extra strength work already bringing gains.

Recruitment talk about Tim English; no effect on any player's role or availability.

GWS's interest in Tim English "was shut down inside a week," Jason McCartney said of the Western Bulldogs: "There's no way the Dogs are going to entertain it." The Giants will still stay open to asking English's management questions again, he said.

Coniglio retained for another year; contract news with no specific role change.

Stephen Coniglio gets another year at GWS, even as four of the experienced players who left will be 32 or older next year. Jason McCartney on why Coniglio stayed: "he was clear he was keen to play on. And also, his back end of the season form was really pleasing."

Contract re-signing talk; no effect on role or availability.

Kai Lohmann is now Brisbane's re-signing focus. He's loved it at the Lions, list boss Dom Ambrogio said, but: "I don't want to be overconfident. That doesn't usually work out too well. But look, he's a super player. They'll be interested in him, no doubt."

List management and salary cap discussion about departed depth players; no effect on a game.

Brisbane list boss Dom Ambrogio admitted the club "weren't overly convincing" trying to keep Sam Marshall. The plan was building its draft hand, so it had to be flexible on depth players like Coleman and McLachlan "to hit this draft. You need to do that to manage your cap."

Club-level trade period summary and praise; no player-specific role or availability change.

Two first-round picks in hand at the end of the trade period. "To think we finished where we did on the ladder... is an outstanding result for the club," Melbourne's Tim Lamb said. The emphasis has been on players who fit coach Steven King's game.

Trade recruitment story about Duursma and McLaughlin joining Melbourne; no stated role or selection change.

Zane Duursma rang Melbourne himself. "He rang us saying, I want to come to your footy club," Tim Lamb said; it hadn't quite worked out at North. Brisbane's Will McLaughlin, stuck behind others, joins too, rated "the most talented player... not playing regular AFL footy."

Recap of Viney's move to West Coast; no specific role or availability detail for next game.

Melbourne told Jack Viney straight how it saw his playing future. "We wanted to be really honest with Jack and give him that information," Tim Lamb said. Viney then made inquiries with other clubs and chose West Coast, where he felt he could add extra value.

Trade and draft flexibility talk; no player role or availability impact.

The trade with Brisbane was about keeping flexibility, Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan says: "We were able to do that trade that gives us a little bit of a better draft hand this year, whether that's for bidding matching or picking players, time will tell."

Vandermeer stays; vague hope of improvement next year, no definite role change.

Laitham Vandermeer explored his options, but Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan says there were no talks on 14 October. "We look forward to Laitham getting the bit between the teeth and becoming the best version of himself next year."

Recruitment recap of how Butters, O'Keeffe and Maginness were landed; no role detail.

Hudson O'Keeffe and Finn Maginness weren't Plan B: Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan says "we were well advanced in conversations with them before Zak actually made his choice." Landing Zak Butters took everyone from Luke Beveridge to the president: "everyone played their part."

Recap of brief Geelong talks with Blakey; no effect on selection or role.

Nick Blakey and Geelong barely got started. Cats list boss Andrew Mackie said talks with Blakey were "pretty short... we spoke to Robbie and Nick briefly, but it sort of quickly morphed into the Kangaroos deal was pretty significant."

Recruitment recap of Greene as free agent signing; no role or usage detail.

Toby Greene was the easy one of three. Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie said the Cats had all three targets locked in before the trade period: "Obviously, Toby was easier being the unrestricted free agent." As a free agent, he cost no trade.

Miers stays and De Koning described as too good to trade; retention, not role change.

Gryan Miers stays at Geelong. List boss Andrew Mackie said the Cats didn't shut down West Coast's interest at once, out of respect to Miers; Essendon talk "didn't even get to that stage". Another club asked about Sam De Koning: "he's too good to not be in our team."

Rowell is a 2027 free agency target; list management talk with no immediate role effect.

Matt Rowell is a 2027 free agency target for Geelong, Andrew Mackie said – "one of a few." How the Rowan Marshall and Jordan Ridley deals were done leaves the Cats "well positioned" for free agents, he said. Marshall, on a three-year deal, may have "6 or 7 years of footy left."

De Goey contract and trade context; no stated change to availability or role.

Jordan De Goey's name came up in trades because his manager wants a long-term deal, Collingwood's Justin Leppitsch said: "not one club came to us." Asked if the club can give that security in his contract year, he didn't commit, saying Tasmania's entry has changed a lot.

Draft targeting at pick 11, long-term development; no effect on current player markets.

At pick 11, Collingwood would target "a top-end inside mid" or a key-position player to develop by 2029-30, Justin Leppitsch said, though it isn't settled. The club kept its early picks, and he's "pretty confident we'll get not just one, but 2 or 3 really good players."

Recruited as a defender; a different system might unlock more ball use, which is speculative.

Jordon Butts was recruited for "that one-on-one defending and an ability to halve contests", Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan says, but a slightly different defensive system might unlock more of the free agent's ball use and offence.

Draft and pick strategy to possibly match a bid for El-Souki; no on-field effect.

Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan says the club's hand of future picks lets it read and react on draft night, and possibly in the pick swap period, so "we might be able to position ourselves to match Khaled" El-Souki if a rival bids on him.

Trade talk: Miers not close to a Bulldogs move and contracted for two years. No role change.

Gryan Miers was "not very close" to a Bulldogs trade, Geelong's Andrew Mackie said, despite "some interest". He's contracted for a couple of years. Contract and draft-pick terms, not Nick Blakey's past, ended the Cats' interest once North Melbourne moved fast, Mackie said.

Recap of Geelong's pick-14 trade for Rowan Marshall and list talk. No stated role or availability change.

Geelong wanted to keep pick 14 but gave it up to land Rowan Marshall, leaving no early pick. "Out of respect to him, we just wanted to get him in," Andrew Mackie said. He called it a great thing for the club that Toby Greene, Jordan Ridley and Marshall "want to come."

Praise for Zac Bell and talk of off-field changes. No role or availability detail.

"Zac's a star. Once he was interested in us, of course we were going to be interested in him." Blair Hartley on Richmond chasing Zac Bell, who missed the club's best this year due to personnel and form. New arrivals Selwyn Griffith and Brett Ratten: "positive off-field changes".

Draft strategy and pick talk. No player role or availability change.

"We're excited about having picks 2 and 5 and getting ahead of Tasmania taking all the picks away from us." Richmond's Blair Hartley on why the club moved into this year's draft, before academy, father-son and Tasmania access shrink its pool further.

Short stays at Richmond after the failed Collingwood trade. No change to his role or availability.

Jayden Short stays at Richmond: the Collingwood deal "never even really got close", Blair Hartley said. He wanted out over his young family, his place in the side and his form. "He's 30, he's not 50. He's still got a heap of good footy." Short's been fined in the group chat.

Draft-pick and trade strategy talk about Rowan Marshall and Sam Marshall. No role change stated.

St Kilda were "really hell-bent" on a first-round pick for Rowan Marshall, Lenny Hayes said. Paying a future first for Brisbane's Sam Marshall was partly about Tasmania's entry compromising next year's draft: "that first-round draft pick will get pushed out."

Draft access and pick swap talk. He didn't say whether pick 2 would be a small forward or a ruckman.

"That's 38 out of 46 we're sitting at looking like we can't get access to." Blair Hartley, on the Futures game and Richmond's pick swap with Port Adelaide, who prize next year's picks for father-son and academy access. Pick 2: small forward or ruckman? He didn't say.

Trade and draft pick strategy after Blakey's move. No stated role or availability change for any player.

Nick Blakey's wish to leave proved "a bit more real than we first realised", Sydney's Chris Keane said. The North Melbourne deal brought pick 6, and Keane is "really comfortable just sitting there, but we're open to all options", including packaging picks to move higher.

Hedged comment on North Melbourne's draft pick cover for Aidan. No role or availability information.

Asked whether North Melbourne have the draft picks to cover Aidan, the answer from GWS Giants' media availability was a hedge: "I think they're all covered. I think he's part of the plans. I don't know for sure."

Draft pick 9 flexibility and a dead swap. Trade talk only, no player role or availability change.

Pick 9 could still move: asked about Port Adelaide's pick 7, GWS's Jason McCartney said their hand gives "a bit of flexibility" up to draft night. A North Melbourne swap tied to Nick Murray is all but dead; it needed to be compelling as "we're not there to help other clubs."

List management and contract aims for Green and Ash. Nothing on next-game availability or role.

Tasmania's entry compromises next year's draft, so GWS let some players go to open spots for the current group and bank on this year's, Jason McCartney said. Next: Tom Green and Lachlan Ash. He wants "at least one" re-signed before Christmas, both by early next season.

Recap of Greene's free agency and Whitfield's trade, with draft assets. No stated role change.

Toby Greene took up free agency and Lachie Whitfield went to Carlton for no first-rounder, which GWS's Jason McCartney called "the best deal that's been done with a 32-year-old or plus player." Giants hold picks 9, 20, 26 and 59: "we needed more assets in this year's draft."

Recruitment context for Schubert and Butler at Gold Coast. Fits the system, but no role or usage is specified.

Aidan Schubert was "certainly a priority" once Ben King looked set to exercise his free agency, Gold Coast's Kall Burns said, a fit for Damien Hardwick's system. Sam Butler joins him from Hawthorn. "That was it for us." At pick 8, he expects "a really good player."

St Kilda moved on from Blakey as a running defender. Trade context only, no role change.

Nick Blakey met St Kilda as a possible running defender alongside Jack Sinclair and Brad Hill, but Lenny Hayes said the Saints moved on: "he's a fair way down the track with North Melbourne." Asked about moving up or splitting picks 10 and 16, Hayes didn't commit.

Re-signing Wanganeen-Milera and Hall is a priority, with no timeframe given. Contract talk, not availability.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Max Hall "are obviously priorities for us," St Kilda's Lenny Hayes said of re-signing the pair. He's happy with initial discussions, but asked whether Wanganeen-Milera could commit before round 1, Hayes gave no timeframe.

Rowan Marshall trade completed and Saints say they are done. No role or ruck usage stated.

St Kilda have completed the Rowan Marshall trade with Geelong, done early to give him comfort. "We spoke to him about dealing in good faith, but we wanted something fair in return. We feel like we got that," Lenny Hayes said. With Sam Marshall in, "that's us done."

Whitfield explains his reasons for joining Carlton. No stated role, position or availability change.

"It's the biggest club in the land... I thought it was a no-brainer in the end." Lachie Whitfield on leaving the Giants for Carlton: the crowds, the MCG, last year's finals run and Josh Fraser's fast, free-flowing game plan. He spoke to Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh first.

Leppitsch gives the timeline of talks with Neale and Hogan. No role or availability detail.

Talks with Lachie Neale began close to 12 months ago and with Jesse Hogan around mid-year, Collingwood's Justin Leppitsch said: "This club's got a good history of getting Brownlow medallist in their early 30s in... So we figured we'd do it again."

Short to Collingwood is called unlikely. It is only trade speculation and states no role.

Jayden Short to Collingwood? "It's not off, no, but it's unlikely," Justin Leppitsch said. A list spot isn't the obstacle; satisfying Richmond is, and that got harder once Jesse Hogan committed to the Magpies. The sticking point is what Collingwood would have to give up.

Riley trade is close and Houston is staying in 2027. Both are list matters with no role change.

The Flynn Riley deal with Carlton is close: "Just a couple of little tinkering things and that's it," Collingwood's Justin Leppitsch said. He denied shopping Dan Houston, saying he never had "one conversation" about him and Houston will "absolutely" be there in 2027.

Goddard talks with North are non-concrete and pick-focused. No role or availability effect.

Talks with North Melbourne over Josh Goddard are "respectful conversations, but probably nothing sort of concrete around what the deal might look like", Hawthorn's Rob McCartney said. Asked if North would want pick 37, he said Hawthorn may look more at future picks.

Off-season list talk on depth and departures; no named player's next-game role or availability changes.

Landing Zach Merrett and Ben King is why Aidan Schubert and Sam Butler went to Gold Coast, Hawthorn's Rob McCartney said: it "leads to conversations about our depth and players maybe wanting greater opportunity." With Calsher Dear re-signed, Schubert would still be developing.

List strategy and draft planning; O'Keeffe 'will develop' implies no clear role change.

Tasmania lets the Bulldogs "zig a little bit this year" and "maybe zag in the next couple of years and bank some extra picks", list boss Michael Regan says, eyeing the 2027 and 2028 drafts. Recruiting focus: ages 22 to 27; Hudson O'Keeffe will develop with the young core.

English and Lobb staying; Lobb's versatility is general talk and signals no specific role change.

"Not even for a second." Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan on whether trading Timothy English was considered. Rory Lobb stays too: contracted and "able to play three pretty integral roles". Finn Maginness adds midfield toughness; Jordon Butts frees up the back half.

Butters contract and Vandermeer trade interest; no game role or availability information.

Zach Butters is a Western Bulldog on a long-term, big-money deal. List boss Michael Regan: "Is this a risk? Yes. Is it a calculated risk? Absolutely." Laitham Vandermeer has drawn no firm inquiries, but the club would assess a fair-value offer if he wants a fresh start.

Trade and draft pick talk about Pedlar; hedged and no on-field role effect.

Adelaide and Port may talk Luke Pedlar's move in coming days, Jarryd Roughead said, but Port want to pick it up later. Holding pick 13, the Crows hope to trade up as it's "our last chance to get some draft picks before these compromised drafts" with Tasmania. It may not happen.

Murray trade to North called unlikely; no immediate availability or role information.

North Melbourne's offer for Nick Murray has met silence. Adelaide's Jarryd Roughead said the Crows have had no conversations with the Kangaroos since it landed, and that a deal is a long shot: "to entertain this, um, you know, it's more unlikely than likely."

Recap: Rankine's full-time midfield move earned his contract; implies continued midfield role but states no new change.

Izak Rankine's full-time move into the midfield is what earned his five-year deal to 2032, Adelaide's Jarryd Roughead said. "From the mid-season point of the year onwards, you would say arguably he was... one of the top 5 players in the competition."

Out-of-contract Williams and Hall wait until after the trade period; contract status only.

Out-of-contract Jack Williams and Clay Hall will have to wait until after the trade period, when West Coast assesses its list spots, Matt Clarke said. He admitted the uncertainty is hard on them and their families: "So it'll be a wait through the trade period for those guys."

Rivers hasn't indicated he wants to move to West Coast; speculative trade talk with no role information.

Trent Rivers "still hasn't indicated he actually wants to make that move" to West Coast, Matt Clarke said, and the Eagles haven't had strong dialogue with Melbourne. Clarke called it separate from the Viney deal; Rivers' age profile suits the club, but there's a bit to play out.

Trade talk for Viney is hedged and unlocked; no role or availability change for any game yet.

Jack Viney to West Coast is "pretty close" but "nothing locked away as yet", Matt Clarke said. Melbourne still has to agree, and he wants it done early in the trade period's final five days. The pitch: "help us on field, but also accelerate the development of our young guys".