AFL Trade News 2025 – Biggest Player Moves & Deadline Day
Melbourne Reacts to a Thrilling AFL Trade Deadline Updates
Welcome to deadline day! Time is running out and there are only hours left to AFL clubs to ensure their deals are concluded in terms of trade. Whatever becomes of Charlie Curnow, Zach Merrett, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, and Rowan Marshall?
The 2025 AFL Trade Period is formally complete – and how dramatic it was.
As the clock went ticking to the deadline of 7:30 PM on October 15, the footy fans of Melbourne were attached to their screens as one shock move after another transformed the scene to the AFL season 2026.
In the pubs of Richmond to the offices of Docklands, everywhere in the city was the talk of whether and where the person would go, and what it would do in the future of their club.
Major Player Trades and Deadline Day Surprises
The transfer of Oliver Florent, who is based in the town of Sydney, to Carlton is one of the largest headlines in AFL trade news 2025. The Blues gave out a 2026 third-round draft pick, which demonstrates their seriousness of reinforcing their lineup next season. Florent, who is one of the most vibrant young talents in Sydney is supposed to bring energy and experience to the midfield of the Carlton.
Connor Budarick is bound to the Western Bulldogs elsewhere and Brayden Fiorini will be heading to Essendon. Will Brodie jumps Fremantle to Port Adelaide — all in the freshening of trades which characterised the AFL deadline this year.
Yet the action that caused the most shockwave in Melbourne? The blockbuster that everybody was talking about, Charlie Curnow was traded to Sydney as part of the multi-player and pick trade.
To make it even more dramatic, the rumored trade of Zach Merrett to Hawthorn, where AFL would have gotten pick 9 and subsequent picks, is still pending, keeping AFL forums and the twitter feeds in Melbourne ablaze.
Key AFL 2025 Trades at a Glance
| Player Name | From Club | To Club | Draft Pick or Trade Details | Date Completed |
| Oliver Florent | Sydney | Carlton | Carlton gave 2026 third-round draft pick | Oct 15, 2025 |
| Connor Budarick | Gold Coast | Western Bulldogs | Draft pick swap involving multiple clubs | Oct 14, 2025 |
| Brayden Fiorini | Gold Coast | Essendon | Traded for a 2026 third-round pick | Oct 14, 2025 |
| Will Brodie | Fremantle | Port Adelaide | Pick swaps between clubs | Oct 13, 2025 |
| Charlie Curnow | Carlton | Sydney | Part of a multi-player and draft pick exchange | Oct 14, 2025 |
| Zach Merrett (Pending) | Essendon | Hawthorn | Trade offers include pick 9 and future picks | Oct 15, 2025 |
Each trade tells its own story — and collectively, they highlight how AFL clubs are reshaping their lists to gain an edge before the 2026 season bounce.
How AFL Clubs Strategize During the Trade Period
In Australian football, the trade period is much more than a swap meet — it’s a high-stakes strategy session. Clubs look at their lists with surgical precision: identifying gaps, juggling salary caps, and planning for both immediate impact and long-term growth.
Behind the scenes, recruiters and list managers spend countless hours negotiating, sometimes juggling multiple deals at once to secure the right fit. For Melbourne’s powerhouse clubs — Carlton, Essendon, and Hawthorn — every trade is about one thing: building a squad that can contend at the MCG come finals time.
The Impact on the 2026 AFL Season
These trades don’t just shuffle jerseys — they change the balance of the competition.
Having brought in Florent, Carlton has enhanced their mid field strength and the acquisition by Sydney of Curnow has the potential of redefining their front line. In the meantime, Port Adelaide, which so badly needs variety, procures a Will Brodie, to their side.
Assuming that the Merrett-to-Hawthorn transfer materialises, then it might spark one of the largest rivalry dramatics in 2026, particularly in cases where the two will compete in Melbourne.
How Melbourne Fans Are Reacting
The response across Melbourne has been electric. Carlton fans are ecstatic over Florent’s arrival, while Sydney supporters are pinching themselves after landing Curnow.
Essendon fans, on the other hand, are cautiously optimistic about Fiorini’s potential to bring fresh energy into their midfield.
One fan summed it up perfectly on social media:
“This is why we love trade week. Chaos, drama, and a fresh start for every club.”
From coffee shops in Brunswick to packed trams heading down Swanston Street — this trade period is the topic of conversation.
What Happens Next?
Now that the 2025 AFL Trade Period has concluded, all eyes turn to the pre-season draft and list lodgement. Clubs will finalise their rosters, promote rookies, and prepare for training camps in November.
As the dust settles, Melbourne’s sporting community is already buzzing about how these moves will play out next season. The 2026 AFL fixture will tell us soon enough who made the smartest trades — and who might be left regretting them.
Sources
- ABC News – AFL Trade Period Day Live Updates (2025)
- ZeroHanger – Every Completed Trade in the 2025 AFL Trade Period
The AFL Trade News 2025 season has proven yet again why Melbourne remains the heart of Australian football. From shock swaps to tactical rebuilds, this year’s trade window delivered everything fans hoped for — and a little bit of chaos, too.
As teams reset for 2026, one thing’s for sure: the conversation in Melbourne won’t stop anytime soon.
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