Door ajar on Curnow move, Dons hunt a Lion: The trade state of play at each non-finals team

Melbourne

Coach Simon Goodwin is already out, and there could be other high-profile exits to come. Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver – who are both on contracts worth more than a million dollars a year – were both keen for a fresh start last year. The Demons refused to consider trading them in 2024, so it will be interesting to see if Petracca and Oliver try to move again – and if list boss Tim Lamb softens his stance with a new coach on the way. There is nothing to the Petracca-Hawthorn whispers at this stage. Young defender Judd McVee is looking around, and has interest from the WA clubs, while Adelaide also raised his name internally but won’t pursue him, as he weighs up whether to stay in red and blue. The other player whose name came up in trade speculation is forward Bayley Fritsch. They are among the clubs to have shown interest in Marcus Windhager, but his preference is to remain at St Kilda if they improve their financial offer. Giant Wade Derksen is on Melbourne’s radar, potentially as a delisted free agent.

North Melbourne

The Kangaroos want to add some defensive steel to their mostly young midfield brigade, and have identified Saint Marcus Windhager as the man who could do that. They have presented a five-year contract offer with serious financial terms to Windhager’s management, and have as good a chance as any suitor if he chooses to depart. That said, Windhager’s preference is to continue playing with his close friend Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera at St Kilda. No.4 draft pick Zane Duursma has had an inauspicious first two seasons in the AFL, averaging only seven disposals and kicking 13 goals in 23 matches. North have no intention to move him on, regardless of how frustrated he might be. Will Phillips and Bailey Scott are worth monitoring as two players who spent most of the season out of the senior side.

Port Adelaide

Like crosstown rivals Adelaide, the Power missed out on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s signature. They have a decision to make on ex-Hawk Ryan Burton, who has struggled with injuries and is no longer a first-choice defender at Alberton. Burton is highly unlikely to be involved in a trade: his fate will likely be re-signing with Port, or signing elsewhere as a delisted free agent (assuming he lands at a third club). Giant Jacob Wehr is one player they are monitoring. The biggest priority is retaining midfield star Zak Butters, who is a restricted free agent next year. The Power have presented him with a new-age deal, where he can re-sign for two years – taking him to unrestricted free agency – then have the option to tack on six more. A conga line of Victorian clubs are interested in bringing Butters back to his home state, but don’t expect a resolution in the next two months.

Richmond

There won’t be a repeat of last year’s big-name departures (Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker and co.), with the Tigers instead set to work on the margins as their rebuild continues. They are among the clubs chasing out-of-favour Suns goalsneak Malcolm Rosas, while they have told veteran winger Kamdyn McIntosh he won’t be offered a contract for 2026. Jacob Koschitzke is unlikely to score a new contract at Richmond, but is among the defensive depth options the Giants are sifting through. Jacob Blight fell just short of his contract trigger, and might attract interest elsewhere. Perhaps, the most fascinating situation to monitor is whether Richmond keep the North Melbourne pick they secured during last year’s draft. Free agency compensation, academy and father-son selections, as well as a potential, albeit unlikely, West Coast priority pick, could push it deep into the top 10 in a weaker draft than recent years.

St Kilda

The Saints are preparing for a club-defining off-season after making Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera the league’s first $2 million man. They upped their seven-year offer for Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning to about $1.8 million-a-year, as this masthead reported on Wednesday, while they are in the box seat for GWS defender Leek Aleer, who is seeking greater opportunity. St Kilda have also positioned themselves as favourites for contracted West Coast forward Liam Ryan if he departs. The Saints will take advantage of salary cap rules to pay above the limit to accommodate the incoming talent, but there may be some losses. North Melbourne have offered Marcus Windhager a five-year deal, while Melbourne and Essendon have also expressed interest. Contracted ruckman Rowan Marshall has a call to make with De Koning’s impending arrival, and Geelong are a possible destination. Captain Jack Steele will probably remain at Moorabbin, barring a late twist.

Sydney

The Swans plan to be aggressive in the player movement period after a rare September off, with dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow linked to them. However, coach Dean Cox said this week they had not spoken to the star Blue. Curnow, who raised the possibility mid-season of a move to Gold Coast, is contracted at Carlton until the end of 2029, so a lot would have to happen for him to follow Tony Lockett, Barry Hall and Lance Franklin as a marquee forward recruit for Sydney. The Swans inquired about troubled Western Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, but have reportedly cooled on the idea of bringing him in. The Ugle-Hagan situation remains delicate. They still have work to do to retain Jake Lloyd and back-up ruckman Peter Ladhams, and have decisions to make on veterans Dane Rampe, Robbie Fox and Joel Hamling. Cox also made clear that Ollie Florent – who spent significant time in the VFL this year – was under contract and a required player. Sydney have liked Sun Malcolm Rosas for years, and this could be the time they finally secure him.

West Coast

The Eagles are primed for a big off-season after a second wooden spoon finish in three seasons, and four straight years in the bottom three. They will lose restricted free agent Oscar Allen to Brisbane, but would gain the No.2 draft pick as compensation, while Liam Ryan (contracted until 2026) is weighing up a move to Victoria, with St Kilda the likeliest destination. Speculation continues about Harley Reid, but any decision on his future is not expected to occur this year. Uncontracted speedster Jack Petruccelle is another to watch. West Coast would love to bring Brisbane premiership defender Brandon Starcevich home, and are in a tug-of-war with Adelaide for another Lion, Callum Ah Chee. They also expressed interest in Docker Neil Erasmus, veteran Cat Mitch Duncan and Giant Wade Derksen. The Eagles have long held interest in Deven Robertson, who could aid their midfield depth.

Western Bulldogs

Coach Luke Beveridge previously hinted at his disenchantment with his key defensive stocks, but was blatant about it after the Dogs’ round 24 defeat to Fremantle. He even mentioned they will see what is available in the “market”, so watch this space, given they already met with Jack Silvagni. That followed Beveridge subbing out Jedd Busslinger in the third quarter to go smaller despite acknowledging they were struggling with the Dockers’ talls. Veteran Liam Jones played just once after round six, while mid-sized backman Buku Khamis is exploring his options after not playing in the Bulldogs’ past eight matches. The Jamarra Ugle-Hagan situation becomes messier by the week. It is hard to imagine him being part of the club’s plans, even with a year to run on his contract. But much like Tarryn Thomas before him, is another club willing to take the risk on him? There is also fascination about midfielder Adam Treloar, whose physical issues mean the Dogs are yet to a new contract for him. Along with Silvagni, they have registered their interest in young Docker Neil Erasmus, while Gold Coast’s Alex Davies is someone they inquired about in the past.

*We left Gold Coast off this list, on the assumption they won’t stumble again when an injury-ravaged Essendon rolls into town on Wednesday night.

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