AFL trade news 2025 updates: Rumours, whispers, day two; Brandon Starcevich, Judd McVee move in four

Nine's chief AFL reporter Tom Morris says he has spoken directly to AFL list managers and football bosses to verify reports about this being a weak draft, with some telling him it is the "worst draft ever" across the board.

This could see a team like Port Adelaide pass on all three of their picks in this year's draft and simply elevate existing rookies to their primary list.

The Power hold picks 28, 48 and 66 this year. They don't currently have a first round pick.

GWS star midfielder Josh Kelly will miss most of the 2026 season. He is set to undergo major hip surgery to correct an issue that has been impacting him.

Tennis star Andy Murray has had the same surgery to deal with degenerative hip issues.

This also likely factors into the Giants' desire to land Clayton Oliver in this trade period.

Tom Morris also reported overnight that David Swallow has changed his mind on retirement and wants to play on.

Morris is looking at West Coast as a team that could potentially bring him in for his veteran leadership, even if he plays a bit of WAFL next season.

Swallow is the Gold Coast games record holder, but won't be returning to the Suns.

Jordan De Goey chatter at Collingwood has arisen in the last 24 hours, with Nine's chief AFL reporter Tom Morris saying no one at the Pies is shutting down definitively that he could be traded.

"I'm interested to see if a team like Gold Coast would make a play for De Goey late in the trade period," he told Trade Radio.

Morris admits it is bordering on speculation, but the door is ajar.

Clubs are still attempting to pull Bailey Humphrey out of Gold Coast as late as last night, according to Tom Morris.

These clubs believe Suns coach Damien Hardwick is sympathetic to Humphrey's desire to return to Victoria for family reasons.

He has spoken to Melbourne, Collingwood and Hawthorn and is open to calls.

Gold Coast has been adamant they will not trade him to this point.

Nine's chief AFL reporter Tom Morris believes Essendon would consider trading Zach Merrett, but they will publicly stay steadfast on not trading him until Hawthorn comes to them with a deal that moves them.

"Don't believe anyone who tells you Essendon won't categorically trade him. It has to be unbelievable. But it's not off the table," he told Trade Radio.

So the onus is on Hawthorn to offer something incredibly significant to make the Dons budge.

Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon is confident Clayton Oliver can return to his best with a fresh start and the right motivations.

Melbourne has effectively given the premiership midfielder the boot, saying they will pay $700,000 per season of his enormous salary to facilitate a move.

Oliver has met with GWS and toured their facility, while Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch is also set to meet with him.

"I don't think there'd be too many secrets about where Clayton has been and what he's been up to," Lyon told SEN.

"He had his challenges, that was well-documented. All I heard last year was that he was back and in really consistent behaviours and that wasn't an issue.

"A very highly-motivated Clayton Oliver out there at the moment. Get him in the right environment and he could be of very, very good value."

So, what trades might actually happen on day three?

Sam Flanders is expected to move from Gold Coast to St Kilda for pick seven.

The four-team trade mentioned below is also expected.

Oscar Allen joining Brisbane from West Coast as a free agent will happen, surely.

Will Brodie from Fremantle to Port Adelaide won't take much haggling either.

And who knows what else emerges today!

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