The 2021 AFL Trade Period is a long way away, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill hasn’t started spinning already. Keep up to date with all the latest AFL trade rumours here.
For a full list of free agents and out of contract players, check out our list here.
Adelaide Crows
Matt Crouch – Has been offered a three-year deal, but will hold off on making a decision regarding his future until he’s ready to do so. Is understood to be mulling over his options after brother Brad returned to Victoria last offseason and commentators believe a move could be in both his and Adelaide’s best interests. Restricted free agent.
Jake Kelly – Contract talks between Kelly and the Crows are progressing well, according to reports. Unrestricted free agent.
Tom Lynch – Does not appear to be a priority for Adelaide and could be on the hunt for a new home. North Melbourne and St Kilda have been floated as potential suitors. Unrestricted free agent.
Tyson Stengle – Rival clubs are keeping a close eye on the small forward, who was sacked by the Crows over repeated off-field issues. His former club, Richmond, are thought to be the most interested but did not pick him up in the mid-season draft. Unrestricted free agent.
Daniel Talia – Had been loosely linked with Essendon last offseason but remained with Adelaide. Has publicly stated he’s yet to receive an offer for next season and has previously admitted he’s uncertain of his future at the Crows given his age and the club’s rebuild. Unrestricted free agent.
Brisbane Lions
Grant Birchall – Was expected to retire at the end of the season, but has made recent public comments that indicate he may stay on for another season. Unrestricted free agent.
Carlton Blues
Patrick Cripps – Has signed a six-year contract extension that will see him remain with Carlton for the rest of his career.
Sam Petrevski-Seton – Looks likely to be in need of a new home next year – Fremantle have recently been linked to him. Has barely featured in Carlton’s best 22 this season and the club reportedly hasn’t even begun talks on a new deal yet. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Collingwood Magpies
Mason Cox – Despite insistence from interim coach Robert Harvey, most commentators believe the American’s time with the club will conclude at season’s end. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Brayden Maynard – 6PR radio’s Brad Hardie dropped a bombshell by boldly claiming Maynard would request a trade to Melbourne at the end of the season but, despite his confidence, Maynard’s management have shot down this rumour.
However, recent reports claim he could yet be another victim of Collingwood’s salary cap issues and that he’s likely to basw his future on who the Magpies bring in as coach. Contracted until 2022.
Essendon Bombers
Matt Guelfi – Has impressed in 2021, but recent reports indicate he’s a fair way down Essendon’s to-do list and could be looking for a new home. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Cale Hooker – Is yet to begin talks on a deal for 2021, but is weighing up between playing on or not versus finding a new home. Unrestricted free agent.
Darcy Parish – Has capped off a remarkable breakout season by signing a two-year deal to remain with the Bombers.
Jake Stringer – Has put months of speculation to one side to re-sign with the Bombers for three more years.
Fremantle Dockers
Adam Cerra – Latest reports claim he is extremely likely to request a trade home to Victoria at season’s end. After previously saying he was in no rush, Cerra’s latest public comments – that his decision is about more than football and that he needs to think of his family – are typical of a homesick player. The fact he hasn’t signed a four-year deal that largely mirrors that of Andrew Brayshaw is telling.
Latest news says it’s between Carlton and Richmond at this point, but both clubs are scrambling to find cap space and the Tigers are wary of the Dockers demanding a straight swap for Shai Bolton. Hawthorn are thought to have the funds, but it’s unclear whether Cerra is keen on moving there. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Rory Lobb – Despite having two years to run on his contract, AFL.com.au claims the ruck-forward hybrid is weighing up a move to Victoria or the Gold Coast and that rivals believe he is gettable. His healthy salary could be an issue, however, and Essendon have ruled themselves out. Justin Longmuir, for his part, has called the rumours “disappointing” and is firm in his belief Lobb will stay. Contracted until 2023.
Geelong Cats
Jordan Clark – Fremantle are very keen to lure the native West Australian over. Clark was thought to be a serious chance of requesting a trade in search of greater opportunity last year but eventually chose to stay. However, he’s again found it difficult to crack into the Geelong line-up and could be tempted. Recent comments from Chris Scott on Clark’s future were fairly evasive. Contracted until 2022.
Charlie Constable – Is allegedly keen to leave the Cats in search of more opportunities and rival clubs are starting to take an interest. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Cam Guthrie – The reigning best-and-fairest winner is looking a near certainty to re-sign. Unrestricted free agent.
Gryan Miers – Is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal soon. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Quinton Narkle – Will wait until the end of the season before making a call on his future and is attracting heavy rival interest. Had been heavily linked to both Western Australian clubs last offseason and the fact he only signed a one-year deal has raised eyebrows. Fremantle are reportedly keen to nab him. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Esava Ratugolea – Has re-signed with Geelong, ending any speculation he could be on the move.
Gold Coast Suns
Will Brodie – A move to Essendon last season was, at one point, seen as a formality. While he didn’t end up moving then, all reports now indicate he’s almost certainly on the way out – although the Bombers are unlikely to bite this time. Contracted until 2022.
Ben King – St Kilda are allegedly very keen to lure the twin brother of Max King to Victoria – but he’s rejected overtures from Victorian clubs before. Contracted until 2022.
Sean Lemmens – Gold Coast have been super impressed with his transformation into a lockdown small defender and are moving to sign him to a long-term deal. Restricted free agent.
Jack Lukosius – Kane Cornes has implored Port Adelaide to have a crack at the South Australian youngster, but he’s clearly got a vested interest in putting such rumours out there. Contracted until 2022.
Izak Rankine – As with Lukosius. An ex-Power legend suggests a rival club’s young star should join the Power. Surprise, surprise. Contracted until 2022.
GWS Giants
Kieren Briggs – Hasn’t played much, but that’s been enough to attract the interest of rivals, according to reports. Is a versatile key position player and Brisbane are allegedly interested him bringing him over as cover for Eric Hipwood – who’ll miss most of next season. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Jacob Hopper – Tom Morris is reporting that Hopper has paused contract negotiations until later this year. Gave the stock-standard ‘my focus is on football’ answer when quizzed as to his future before. The club is confident he will eventually re-sign, but as-of-yet unspecified Victorian clubs are circling. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Josh Kelly – Is arguably the biggest gettable name on the market following re-signings elsewhere. Kelly was on the radar of Essendon, Hawthorn and, particularly, North Melbourne – but the Bombers have since reportedly dropped out. The needle keeps changing on whether he’ll stay or go, but latest reports claim he is now more likely to stay. Restricted free agent.
Hawthorn Hawks
Oliver Hanrahan – Has struggled to find a place in Hawthorn’s best 22 this season and is being courted by Geelong and Gold Coast as a result. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Blake Hardwick – The Hawks are set to go on an internal signing spree given the retirements of Tom Scully and Jon Patton have freed up salary cap space and Hardwick is at the top of the list. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Tom Mitchell – Kane Cornes has suggested the Hawks part ways with the 2018 Brownlow medal winner while he has currency to accelerate their rebuild, while Mitch Cleary later claimed it was on the cards. This has been dismissed by the Hawks, however. Contracted until 2023.
Harry Morrison – Like Hardwick, Hawthorn will ramp up their efforts to re-sign him now that they’ve got some cap space. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Tim O’Brien – Another target the Hawks will look to use some of their newly-found cap space on. Restricted free agent.
Jaeger O’Meara – Like with Mitchell, Mitch Cleary claims Hawthorn are open to moving on one of O’Meara, Mitchell or Chad Wingard to accelerate their rebuild. Contracted until 2023.
Chad Wingard – As above. Reputable sources claim the Hawks are considering moving him on while he still has currency to get their rebuild properly underway. Contracted until 2022.
Melbourne Demons
Sam Weideman – Has fallen out of favour at Melbourne in 2021 and commentators are urging him to explore his options. There has been no news on whether Weideman wants a new home, but North Melbourne are thought to be interested while Essendon are not. Out of contract, not a free agent.
North Melbourne Kangaroos
None
Port Adelaide Power
Robbie Gray – Is set to be rewarded with another one-year deal for next season. Unrestricted free agent.
Hamish Hartlett – Has publicly declared his desire to remain with Port Adelaide and help them win a premiership, but has conceded his age means he isn’t a priority re-signing. Unrestricted free agent.
Peter Ladhams – Has disappeared from Port Adelaide’s best 22 and rivals are circling after inquiring heavily – but being rebuffed – last season. Contracted until 2022.
Jarrod Lienert – Has struggled badly to find a place in the Port Adelaide side in 2021 and looks likely to either request, or be in need of, a new home next season. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Richmond Tigers
Shai Bolton – Contract negotiations with Richmond are at a standstill, according to reports, and Bolton is attracting significant interest from Fremantle, West Coast and, more recently, Essendon. The Tigers are confident they’ll keep him but his manager, however, has publicly stated he’ll wait until the season’s done before deciding on his future. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Mabior Chol – Is attracting heavy interest in his home state of Queensland (where he played his junior football) as both Gold Coast and Brisbane seek badly-needed support in their thin ruck divisions. Essendon have also reportedly entered the race recently. Recent comments by his manager appeared to imply he’s more likely to leave Richmond than stay. Unrestricted free agent.
Callum Coleman-Jones – Would have attracted a lot more attention during last year’s trade period had he not received a lengthy suspension for breaching COVID protocols. Clubs in need of ruck depth are said to be very keen on prizing him away, with Gold Coast and the GWS Giants the most keen at this stage. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Daniel Rioli – Is in talks with the Tigers on a two-year extension that his manager is confident will be sorted without fuss. However, his long stints out of the senior side in 2021 have led to some speculation a trade could be on the cards. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Ivan Soldo – Is set to receive a one-year extension before the season is out. Out of contract, not a free agent.
St Kilda Saints
Jack Billings – There was growing talk that both Billings and St Kilda may decide a fresh start is best for both parties as the no.3 pick from the 2013 draft hits free agency. However, recent reports now indicate both parties are keen on an extension. Restricted free agent.
Luke Dunstan – Has had himself a very tidy season despite reportedly being told he wouldn’t be in the senior side at all in 2021. As a result, he’s apparently keen on a move to a club where he can have more guaranteed game time and Carlton have been floated as a fit, while Gold Coast have also apparently entered the race. Unrestricted free agent.
Jack Sinclair – Has been one of a very small handful of St Kilda players to improve in 2021 and should get rewarded with a new deal soon. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Sydney Swans
Jordan Dawson – Is yet to begin contract talks and rivals have taken notice. Recent public comments, however, indicate he is very likely to stay at the Swans. Adelaide are understood to be very keen on the South Australian native and will go hard, but several clubs are interested. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Will Hayward – Kane Cornes has suggested the Crows make a play for the South Australian forward but, given his contract, any moves seems very unlikely. Contracted until 2024.
Tom McCartin – The Swans are looking to nip any trade murmurs in the bud and re-sign the young defender to a two-year deal. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Luke Parker – Has started negotiations with the Swans over a new deal and is expected to get a deal done without much fuss. Restricted free agent.
Dylan Stephens – Negotiations have begun on an extension for the youngster, but he has struggled to win a spot in the senior side so far this season. Out of contract, not a free agent.
West Coast Eagles
Jarrod Brander – The Eagles have made him a priority after locking down Oscar Allen and he’s set to stay – although the Cats are allegedly interesting in nabbing him. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Luke Foley – His breakout performance against Richmond has catapulted him near the top of West Coast’s priority list for re-signings. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Xavier O’Neill – Is starting to find his place in the Eagles line-up and is set to be rewarded with a new deal shortly. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Josh Rotham – West Coast have surprised some outsiders by moving quickly to lock down the unheralded defender. Is a native West Australian, so any compelling rival interest appears unlikely. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Dom Sheed – Is set to turn his back on free agency and re-sign with the Eagles before the home-and-away season is over. Restricted free agent.
Elliot Yeo – Rumours abounded at one point that West Coast would consider trading Yeo to free up salary cap space in a bid to sign Patrick Cripps, but this has been rubbished by WA-based journalists. Contracted until 2023.
Western Bulldogs
Josh Dunkley – Has publicly claimed he’s now happy to stay with the Western Bulldogs after his attempts to cross to Essendon in the offseason failed. Contracted until 2022.
Patrick Lipinski – Can’t get a game for the senior side despite tearing it up in the VFL and is almost certain to leave. North Melbourne and Carlton are the most interested, while the Swans are understood to have recently entered the race. The Bulldogs aren’t keen on letting him go, however.. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Stefan Martin – Qualifies for free agency again at the end of this season, but should hit a contract trigger that extends his deal with the Dogs for another year. Unrestricted free agent.
Ed Richards – Has fallen out of favour at the Bulldogs and faces an uphill battle to get back into the side. North Melbourne and Brisbane are reportedly interested. Out of contract, not a free agent.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – Stunning reports from Sam Edmund claim rival clubs believe they could realistically prize the no.1 draft pick away from the Western Bulldogs after just one season. Rumours have been floated that he is unhappy with being so far away from selection in the senior side, but no evidence to prove this has come to light. Contracted until 2022.
Mitch Wallis – Has been encouraged by journalists to seek a new home after falling out of favour this season. Could be of interest to Gold Coast or Essendon. Unrestricted free agent.
