Carlton targets revealed, Essendon youngster to join rival: AFL trade news wrap

It’s grand final week, and while the best two sides of the season prepare for the decider, 16 other clubs are working toward the incoming off-season exchange period that is now a week away.

Free agency will open this coming Friday, with the following Monday to see the trade period commence and the deals beginning to be signed off.

The past week has seen Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Carlton among the headlines in the rumour mill.

Young Essendon flanker Massimo D’Ambrosio is said to be seeking a move to Hawthorn just 18 months on from joining Essendon.

It has been reported that while the Bombers had tabled D’Ambrosio a deal for 2024, the Hawks’ offer is said to be more attractive.

D’Ambrosio joined Essendon through last year’s Mid-Season Draft out of the Western Jets.

A pair of players that could be making their way to Princes Park this off-season have surfaced, with Gold Coast’s Elijah Hollands and Western Bulldog Hayden Crozier both linked to the Blues.

Hollands is contracted at Carrara for a further 12 months but has been flagged as a potential trade target, and could join his second club and younger brother Ollie at Carlton in the coming weeks.

Crozier is still without a contract for 2024 and may find his way to the Blues as a delisted free agent should he not be offered a new deal by the Dogs.

Demons onballer James Jordon has reportedly decided on a move to Sydney as he exercises his rights as a free agent.

Jordon is eligible for free agency after being delisted by the club in 2020 before being re-listed through the rookie draft.

A Swans fan growing up, Jordon is now set to join John Longmire’s side as an unrestricted free agent.

Collingwood have been named as the club leading the race for departing Kangaroo Todd Goldstein as Essendon and St Kilda also reportedly chase the veteran ruckman.

Goldstein’s desire to find a second club after over 300 games in the blue and white was confirmed by North Melbourne last week, with rivals beginning to line up to add his experience and services.

The Magpies are said to be keen on the ruckman and are front of the queue ahead of the trade period.

After missing out on Esava Ratugolea, Ben McKay and Liam Henry so far this off-season, the Hawks are said to be placing their focus on forwards who fall off-contract in 2024.

The likes of Todd Marshall, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Ben King are all unsigned next season and could be of great interest to Sam Mitchell as he looks to steer the Hawks back to the top over the coming seasons.

Last Sunday was a busy few hours for Eagles forward Jake Waterman as he looked to make a call on his future.

The West Coast attacker was said to have lodged a trade request, only for a new deal to be signed in a matter of hours.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has given little support to whispers linking Bomber Dylan Shiel to the Saints.

Shiel’s name has been floated as a potential trade option for the Saints in a deal that would follow Jade Gresham’s free agency move to Essendon.

The deal would look to aid both clubs, with the free agency compensation to be passed on to Essendon with Shiel heading the other way, among other pieces.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has revealed the Roos are prepared to play hardball in contract talks with Ben McKay after the defender’s desire to head to Essendon was revealed.

The Kangaroos could gain band one compensation for the loss of McKay should the Bombers’ offer be lucrative enough, which would hand them Pick 3 in the draft.

Clarkson said losing someone of McKay’s stature wouldn’t be worth the return of a later draft selection.

Wantaway Essendon defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has confirmed his desire to land at Alberton this off-season following his trade request.

The Dons defender was spotted at the airport alongside Power coach Ken Hinkley and spoke to media on his hopes of a deal being struck between Essendon and Port Adelaide.

Ahead of a busy few weeks of trade planning, the Power are open to parting with their future first-round pick in the hope of securing their trio of targets.

Esava Ratugolea, Jordon Sweet and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher are all seeking moves to Alberton, and with the club not holding onto a first-round pick this year, their early selection for 2024 will be up for grabs.

That selection could be split into multiple selections to help please the Cats, Dogs and Dons in negotiations.

Ahead of a busy few weeks of trade planning, the Power are open to parting with their future first-round pick in the hope of securing their trio of targets.

Esava Ratugolea, Jordon Sweet and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher are all seeking moves to Alberton, and with the club not holding onto a first-round pick this year, their early selection for 2024 will be up for grabs.

That selection could be split into multiple selections to help please the Cats, Dogs and Dons in negotiations.