As the AFL trade period deadline approaches on Wednesday night, Essendon has rejected Hawthorn’s initial offer for captain Zach Merrett, who wants to join the Hawks after 12 years to chase a premiership, prompting Hawthorn to prepare a revised bid with multiple first-round picks.
Carlton’s Charlie Curnow has expressed a preference for Sydney, with the Swans offering picks 11, their 2026 first-rounder, Will Hayward, and Ollie Florent in exchange for Curnow and pick 22.
Smaller deals continue, including Gold Coast trading Brayden Fiorini to Essendon for a 2026 third-round pick.
