AFL press conferences

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.

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."

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.

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."

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".

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.

The Western Bulldogs won the race for Zak Butters, but "it wasn't quite clear-cut that they were the front runners," Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps says. Port "had some work to do behind the scenes" with Butters and Peter Lenton on how his exit played out.

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."

Bodie, delisted by Hawthorn after the season, has moved to Melbourne after talks between the two clubs and his management. Mark McKenzie: "Super character. So once we knew that that was a chance, I'm very happy to facilitate that and we wish him all the best."

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."

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."

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."

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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."

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".

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

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."

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.

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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.

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."

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."

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.

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".

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.

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.

The two picks from the Brisbane trade could be packaged "with another one to come up the order", Western Bulldogs list boss Michael Regan says. A list spot for a supplemental signing aged 22-27, after Louis Emmett's success, is "in our heads" but "not a fixed thought".

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

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."

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".

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."

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.

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.

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

Jayden Short isn't coming, and Collingwood's Justin Leppitsch says Richmond weren't unreasonable; the Magpies were partly at fault. After missing Zac Butters, he says the club is "in a position to go again for that type of player" next year, and may re-rookie some players.

"We don't want empty stands." Collingwood will never bottom out, list boss Justin Leppitsch said: the aim is to "win consistently whilst... nabbing a flag along the journey." Draftees will develop mainly in the VFL for a year or two, with a sprinkling of AFL games.

"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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

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.

"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.

"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".

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."

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.

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."

"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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

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."

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 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."

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.

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.

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."

"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.

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."

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."

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."

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.

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.

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."

Zak Butters says ankle surgery won't cost him round 1 at the Western Bulldogs. He "lent towards different clubs at different stages" but never told Geelong they were his pick. He weighed revealing his move home a year early: "the AFL landscape isn't probably quite ready for it."

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

Zak Butters on joining the Western Bulldogs after a long process: "once I knew, I just wanted to get it done." Raised a Bulldogs supporter in the west, he caught the train from Bacchus Marsh to the 2016 finals, "still one of my favourite days," and wants to "run that back."

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.

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."

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."

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".

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.

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."

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."

Nick Blakey: Essendon has discussed the Sydney star internally but hasn't met him, Matt Rosa said: "We haven't had an indication off Nick's management that he's looking to leave Sydney." He called new performance boss John Longmire "a calming influence over the whole club."

Nick Martin, who missed last year, and recruit Brayden Fiorini, injured at the start of the year, are both coming back, Essendon's Matt Rosa said: "We're looking forward to those 2 coming back."

Essendon traded Zach Merrett to Hawthorn early, though Matt Rosa said Merrett had been open to waiting until year's end to talk with the new coach. "I thought we were able to work through it in a really respectful way with Hawthorn, and hopefully it's a win-win for both clubs."

Mason McGroder, a Sydney academy prospect who has represented Australia in long jump, "tested really well" at the National Combine, Chris Keane said, though his football can grow. Rivals will largely decide where Henry Meaney and Jake Medved sit in the draft, he said.

Sydney offered Joel Amartey five years, but he left for Carlton as a free agent. Chris Keane: "Given he has left, we are comfortable with what's there." He named Logan McDonald, Peter Ladhams and Liam Hetherton as key forwards, calling McDonald's finals "really encouraging."

Harry Cunningham has a Sydney offer but "a little bit to work through," Chris Keane said, expecting more clarity in coming weeks. On Nick Blakey, contracted five more years: no trade pursued, a deal "significantly challenging", and staying in 2027 is the likeliest outcome.

Dane Rampe is away and yet to decide his future; Sydney's Chris Keane expects a call "over the next few weeks." Keane said the club's retention focus "hasn't changed, and won't change", and constant talks with the managers of Tom McCartin and Chad Warner, free agents next year.

Dominic Bedendo is back on an AFL list, joining Fremantle as a free-agent wingman after two VFL seasons at Port Melbourne. After an injury-hit four years at the Western Bulldogs, he said two years of continuity has his body "feeling really good".

Josh Goater has asked to go to Hawthorn, and North Melbourne are still waiting on the Hawks' offer. Brady Rawlings said North saw him in their best 23 next year: "we're actually losing players out of our defence rather than gaining them."

Zane Duursma is still "pretty adamant" about leaving North Melbourne despite new coach Jaymie Graham trying to change his mind, Brady Rawlings said. He denied Melbourne had made three offers, just one chat North wouldn't entertain. Without a trade, North will try to re-sign him.

"5 won't be it." North Melbourne's bid for Adelaide's Nick Murray has stalled, and Brady Rawlings won't split pick 5 to land him as it would cost a pick in the 20s too. North keep 5, with at least six names beyond the top two: "a pretty even group."

Lincoln McCarthy is close to a 2027 deal with Brisbane. Dom Ambrogio said it took time as McCarthy had moved further from the club, so they worked through his pre-season and role. Keidean Coleman? "Contracted... not something we're looking to initiate," he said.

Sam Marshall has asked to be traded to St Kilda. Brisbane's Dom Ambrogio says the Lions tried to keep him and will facilitate the move, but want full value: "There's not many elite running 20-year-old premiership midfielders available in the draft."

Why Lachie Neale left for Collingwood, from Brisbane's Dom Ambrogio: "neither side saw the need to enter into a negotiation. It wasn't going to come to a meaningful conclusion." Will McLachlan, wanted by Melbourne and Essendon, is yet to decide; Ambrogio expects to hear soon.

Nathan O'Driscoll is leaving Fremantle for Richmond after spending time in and out of the side. Joe Brierty said the move is about regular senior football: "the opportunity at Richmond means that he feels like he can play consistent full footy."

Forwards coach Jamie Graham is off to North Melbourne, a move Fremantle's Joe Brierty called "so well deserved". Brierty said the draft comes first, with "our full suite of picks this year and the additional pick". On Sydney's Chad Warner: "we haven't had those discussions."

Geelong's Lawson Humphries sees himself at the Cats while contracted, Fremantle's Joe Brierty said, but "if Lawson's looking to come back to WA, I'm sure that we would entertain those discussions." He said Luke Jackson and Shai Bolton went "to another level" after coming home.

Murphy Reid and Isaiah Dudley are expected to play more AFL football after losing Sam Switkowski opened a spot in Fremantle's front half, Joe Brierty said. He wants the 14 listed players from Peel's state league flag to "put pressure on the guys getting selected".

Jamie Graham starts as North Melbourne coach immediately, joining the trade period before pre-season. The panel was "unanimous", Jen Watt said. Graham wants more defensive balance and turnovers nearer goal, and warned it could be clunky early: "like driving a manual car."

"Not going to be too many changes." Jaymie Graham expects North Melbourne's assistant coaches largely to stay, calling the club "well positioned with staff and coaches". Asked if he'd talk trade-requesting players into staying, he declined: "I've just walked in the door."

"No, he didn't fall out of favour, he's injured." North Melbourne's Brady Rawlings on Tom Powell, who is "well and truly" in the best team and due back for pre-season. Blake Thredgold, an early second-round pick, missed all year injured and gets another pre-season.

Jack Viney, still contracted, is weighing West Coast and Essendon after Steven King told him Melbourne's young midfielders left "limited opportunity" for him there next year. Tim Lamb said Viney thanked the club for its honesty and will decide within days.

"If he did want to go, we'd be in the market, absolutely." Carlton's Chris Davies on Lachie Whitfield, who'd add "more run" from halfback. Neither Whitfield nor GWS is 100% sure; it needs sorting in 10 days. On a first-round pick: "we haven't got to that point yet."

Ruckmen Flynn Riley and Hudson O'Keeffe have sought trades from Carlton despite extension offers. Chris Davies said Collingwood offered Riley "a significant deal in terms of term". If both go, "I'm not concerned, no", citing Marc Pittonet's year and Liam Reidy as backup.

No knee surgery for Gryan Miers before 2027: Geelong's Andrew Mackie called the medical feedback "really positive" and said Miers worked through the mental side too. Harley Barker, drafted last year, is through a knee reconstruction; Mackie is "really confident" in him.

Essendon made real gains with Jordan Ridley's body this year, Matt Rosa says, and staff believe he's "getting to a spot where he's going to play a large chunk of games." Geelong's reported future first? "It's a high value because we feel he's one of our most talented players."

Scott Pendlebury is a Sun after Gold Coast completed a pick 65 deal with Collingwood. Kall Burns said he will "stiffen up our midfield" in a sacrificial midfield role and can also play forward and back, though Damien Hardwick and his coaches make the final call.

Fremantle's David Walls says Hugh Davies, committed to for three years, is "ready to step in and play straight away" in key defence, with Josh Draper, Oscar McDonald and Brennan Cox also there. Asked about Alex Pearce's Achilles, he gave no detail on his recovery.

Calsher Dear has re-signed with Hawthorn for two more years. Mark McKenzie hopes he can "just get a free run from a body perspective" and complete a full pre-season, which he hasn't managed in the last couple of years. McKenzie never thought 100% he was gone to Melbourne.

Jack Viney is weighing Melbourne against West Coast and Essendon after coach Steven King laid out next year's midfield mix and how it could affect his role. "We felt we needed to be 100% honest with Jack," list boss Tim Lamb said. Lamb's best guess: a decision within days.

Rowan Marshall is "contracted for next year," Lenny Hayes said, and nothing Geelong has offered "has probably really satisfied us", though he thinks a deal can get done. If he goes, St Kilda may need another backup ruck to Tom De Koning despite "high hopes" for Alex Dodson.

Carlton signed free agent Joel as a second key forward because Harry was too often alone. Chris Davies: "we felt that Harry was probably a bit one out at different points this year." Talk of Joel's contract numbers frustrated Davies, who knew the real figures.

"I spent a full week sleeping in a hospital with my wife in the middle of the season." Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell revealed the private ordeal at season's end, and said players, coaches and staff quietly covered for him without it ever reaching the media.