Hello and welcome to Zero Hanger's 2023 AFL Trade Period deadline day blog, where we'll be covering all of the news, moves, and latest rumblings through to the 7:30pm (AEDT) cut-off.

Lodgement of paperwork occurred from 2:00pm on Wednesday, with deals to run until 7:00pm before a final 30 minutes of processing.

TRADE TRACKER: EVERY DEAL SO FAR
2023 DRAFT ORDER: WHAT YOUR CLUB HOLDS FOR THIS YEAR'S DRAFT
2024 DRAFT PICKS: YOUR CLUB'S FUTURE PICKS

Follow the events of deadline day LIVE with us below...

7:32pm - Young Bomber becomes a Hawk in last deal

Essendon's Massimo D'Ambrosio has landed with Hawthorn in what was the final move of the trade period.

The Bombers sent the second-year flanker to Waverley in exchange for Pick 61 and a future fourth-round selection (tied to Collingwood) from the Hawks.

The Hawks could've walked D'Ambrosio to delisted free agency but have instead shown some faith in agreeing to a trade with Essendon.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Massimo D'Ambrosio of the Bombers runs with the ball during the round 16 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 02, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

7:30pm - Essendon and Port Adelaide deal sealed

An agreement between the Bombers and Power is said to have landed that will see Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Xavier Duursmaย swap clubs.

The Bombers were understood to be pushing for a straight player-for-player trade with the Power that would see them acquire Duursma, with Zerk-Thatcher getting his wish to move back to South Australia and join Port Adelaide.

According toย AFL.com.au'sย Cal Twomey, a deal that will see both players swap places has been done, with sPick 73 and a pair of future fourth-round picks also heading to the Power along with Zerk-Thatcher.

6:37pm - Chol becomes a Hawk

Hawthorn have acquired Mabior Chol from Gold Coast, sending a future second-round pick recently received from Brisbane to the Suns.

The Hawks have also received Pick 62 in the transaction, with the Waverley club further adding to their list after the recent acquisition of Jack Gunston.

The move also caps off a bust hour for Hawthorn, who moved Brandon Ryan to the Lions in the Gunston deal while also trading Jacob Koschitzke to Richmond for a third-round pick for this year.

AFL.com.auย have reported the Chol deal has been finalised, with both clubs sending picks as the former Tiger now joins his third club.

6:30 - Gunston makes Hawks return, Ryan and picks involved in deal

Veteran Lion Jack Gunston will return to Waverley Park as part of a deal between Brisbane and Hawthorn that has also seen Brandon Ryan swap clubs.

he return to Hawthorn will mean he will play a similar role at the Lions as a mentor for the young side as an 'on-field coach', having chemistry with current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.

In the same deal, Ryan will depart Hawthorn just months on from joining the club via the Mid-Season Draft, with several selections also included in the deal.

According to AFL.com.au, Hawthorn have picked up Gunston, Picks 47 and 61, and a future second-round pick tied to the Lions for Ryan, Picks 39 and 54 and a future fourth-round selection.

6:19pm - Richmond adds Hawk, Saints send Billings to Demons

Two further deals have been finalised just over an hour out from the trade deadline, with Richmond and Melbourne adding to their list.

According toย AFL.com.au'sย Riley Beveridge, the Tigers have sent Pick 49 to the Hawks for Jacob Koschitzke following days of negotiations.

Koschitzke leaves Hawthorn as the club prepares to bring in Mabior Chol and Jack Gunston from the Lions and Suns respectively.

In another late move, the Demons have acquired St Kilda's Jack Billings from Moorabbin in a deal that sees them send a future third-round selection to the Saints.

Billings was contracted for the next two seasons with the Saints, who are expected to pay a portion of the midfield-forward's contract.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Brad Crouch (left) and Jack Billings of the Saints celebrate during the 2022 AFL Round 09 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on May 14, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Beveridge has reported the future third-round selection involved in the deal is tied to the Demons.

6:01pm - Big three-club, three-player deal set to land

A three-club trade that will see Jack Gunston, Brandon Ryan and Mabior Chol change clubs is said to be in the works.

Gunston is eyeing a return to his old club Hawthorn 12 months on from his move to Brisbane, with the Lions setting their sights on Ryan following the veteran's request to leave.

Ryan, while contracted for next year, recently met with the Lions and has opened to the idea of moving north despite joining the Hawks in May as a Mid-Season Draft recruit.

Chol had requested a trade to Waverley and is now set to join Gunston in swapping Queensland for Hawthorn as part of a three-club deal.

According toย AFL.com.au'sย Riley Beveridge, a deal between the Lions, Hawks and Suns is set to see all three forwards move clubs, with Hawthorn and Brisbane adding to their list.

5:34pm - Hollands' Blues move sorted

Elijah Hollands' move to Princes Park is said to have been finalised, with the Suns midfielder heading to Carlton in a deal that involves four picks changing hands.

According to AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge, Carlton will send Pick 26 and Essendon's future third-round pick in exchange for Hollands, Pick 28 and Gold Coast's future fourth-round selection.

Hollands departs Gold Coast three years on from joining the club as a top 10 draft selection and will now link up with his younger brother Ollie in the navy blue.

Gold Coast SUNS' Elijah Hollands in action during the Round 21 match against Hawthorn. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

5:30pm - Dons deny Power's latest offer for two-player trade

Essendon has reportedly knocked back Port Adelaide's offering of adding a second-round selection along with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher in a deal that would see the two trade pieces head to the Power in exchange for wingman Xavier Duursma.

The Power do have leverage in these negotiations as Zerk-Thatcher is unsigned for next year while Duurmsa has a year to run on his deal.

Duursma is also viewed as a player of higher value given his age, potential and status as a first-round draft selection from only five years ago.

According toย SEN'sย Tom Morris, the Bombers have denied the Power's offering of Duursma for Zerk-Thatcher and a future second-round selection.

The baulked offer comes just two hours out from the trade period deadline.

5:10pm - Port send three picks to Geelong for Ratugolea

Port Adelaide and Geelong have finally agreed to a trade deal for Esava Ratugolea, with a second, fourth and fifth-round pick heading to the Cats for the forward-turned-defender.

Ratugolea departs Kardinia Park 12 months after his first requested a move to the Power, with the high flyer and the South Australian club finally getting their wish to link up.

Picks 25, 76 and 94 have been traded in exchange for Ratugolea, seeing the Cats add to their draft hand for 2023.

Ratugolea's move sees the departing Cat join Ivan Soldo and Jordon Sweet in heading to the Power.

4:35pm - Shiel deal off the tableย 

St Kilda list manager Stephen Silvagni has noted a move for contracted Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel won't come to fruition, confirming the Dons onballer will remain at Tullamarine for the final year of his deal.

A trade to the Saints was floated prior to the trade period, while speculation surrounding a move was rekindled on Wednesday morning despite the Bombers recently stating Shiel will remain in the red and black.

After the latest murmurs surfaced that Shiel is keen on a switch to the Saints, Silvagni has categorically put a line through the Moorabbin club reaching a deal with Essendon for Shiel.

"He will be an Essendon player next year," Silvagni told Trade Radio.

"There was a brief conversation from our football club, but he will be there next year."

Shiel is contracted with Essendon for the next 12 months after joining the club in 2018 on a six-year deal.

Dylan Shiel during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media

4:20pm - Sweet makes SA return, Pick 50 heads to the Dogs

Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet is the second player to make their way to Port Adelaide on deadline day, with the Dogs agreeing to Pick 50 as a direct swap for the South Australian.

Sweet leaves the Kennel after joining the club in 2018 out of Tea Tree Gully, with his place in the selection queue cemented behind All-Australian Tim English.

Following the acquisition of Ivan Soldo, the Power have now further added to their ruck stocks with the acquisition of Sweet.

โ€œJordon has been one of, if not the premier ruckman in the VFL in 2023 and comes to our club looking for more opportunity after being stuck behind the All-Australian ruck in Tim English,โ€ Power list manager Jason Cripps said.

โ€œHe is a mobile tall who we think will complement and develop with our young midfield, and has a mature body and enough experience to challenge to play regularly at AFL level.โ€

The Power now hold Picks 25 and 76 for this year's draft.

3:40pm - Port veteran left in limboย 

Port Adelaide's Scott Lycett is likely to depart Alberton this off-season following the Power's acquisition of Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo.

The South Australian club is also in line to bring in Western Bulldogs tall Jordon Sweet before Wednesday's deadline, leaving Lycett and fringe ruckman Sam Hayes likely left to consider their options elsewhere.

With Dante Visentini also waiting in the wings, Lycett is now out of favour with the Power and could be a player of interest to rival clubs needing to bolster their ruck stocks.

If no interest arises, Lycett could call time on his career - which includes a premiership with West Coast among his 146 appearances.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Jack Ross of the Tigers tackles Scott Lycett of the Power during the 2019 AFL round 04 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on April 13, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Speaking onย Trade Radio,ย Lycett's manager Colin Young revealed there has been some interest in his client, who has a decision to make.

"Scott probably would have stayed on at Port (if Soldo and Sweet weren't heading to the Power)," Young said on Wednesday.

"Now he's obviously available if he chooses to play. I spoke to him before I came on, he'll give it some thought over the weekend whether he will have a chat with a few more clubs next week or he may retire."

2:30pm - Hawthorn baulk at Tigers' latest Kosi offer

Richmond's latest offer of Pick 49 for Jacob Koschitzke has reportedly been knocked back by Hawthorn as they seek a future draft selection instead.

The Tigers had floated a later draft selection for this year's count to pry the fringe forward to Punt Road, with the Hawks wanting a higher price to see a deal agreed to.

Despite upping their offer to Pick 49, the Tigers are now instead said to be needing to place their future third-round pick on the table to satisfy the Hawks, according to AFL.com.au'sย Riley Beveridge.

Richmond currently hold six 2024 draft selections after acquiring future selections from Port Adelaide in a deal that saw Ivan Soldo head to Alberton on Wednesday afternoon.

2:15pm - Hawks, Pies agree to Ginnivan trade!

A trade that was perhaps inconceivable just days ago has been completed, as Jack Ginnivan prepares to swap the Magpies for the Hawks.

Things evidently moved swiftly between Collingwood and Hawthorn after news broke on Tuesday that the livewire forward could depart Olympic Park for Waverley.

The deal sees Ginnivan become a Hawk while the Pies have also sent Pick 39 and their 2024 second and fourth-round picks to Waverley as well, while the Magpies have collected Pick 33 and the Hawks' future second and third-round picks.

2:10pm - First Port domino falls as Soldo heads to SA

Port Adelaide's first trade target has officially joined the club, with Ivan Soldo moving from Richmond as part of a deal that included five draft picks swapping hands.

The Tigers have received Picks 41 and 49 as well as Fremantle's future second-round pick, while the Power have attained Pick 50 and Richmond's future fourth-round pick as well as Soldo.

The acquisition of the premiership ruckman allows the Power to now turn their attention to other trade targets Esava Ratugolea, Jordon Sweet and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher ahead of the deadline.

2:07 -ย Four-club deal officially signed off

Carlton's Paddy Dow is officially a St Kilda player, while the Western Bulldogs have landed Nick Coffield after paperwork for a four-club deal that was settled on Tuesday was lodged this afternoon.

Dow joins the Saints and Coffield heads to the Kennel in a move that also included nine draft selections, with Essendon also involved to help broker the move.

A full breakdown of the deal can be found HERE.

1:19 - Shiel keen to land at Saints, Bombers blocking move

Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel is said to prefer playing for St Kilda next year, however the Bombers are expected to hold him to his contract.

Shiel had been linked to the Saints earlier this off-season as part of a multi-deal move that would follow Jade Gresham's free agency switch to Tullamarine.

Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro was adamant that Shiel will remain with the Bombers last Monday at the trade period's launch, with the Dons again said to be standing firm despite Shiel's reported desire to depart.

According toย SEN'sย Tom Morris, Shiel would prefer to pull on the red, white and black next year, however the Bombers are likely to block any move of the sort and hold the onballer to his contract.

Shiel is signed with the Bombers until the end of next year after joining the club on a six-year deal in 2018.

1:00pm - Hawk expected to make Brisbane moveย 

Hawthorn Mid-Season Draft recruit Brandon Ryan is expected to be traded to Brisbane just months after earning his AFL chance at Waverley.

Ryan joined the Hawks from the Northern Bullants through May's MSD intake, with the 200cm forward playing a trio of games under Sam Mitchell before re-signing with the club for 2024.

The Lions have shown an interest in Ryan following Jack Gunston's desire to move back to the Hawks, with a deal between that would see the Hawks pocket a future second-round selection for the mature-aged recruit expected to land on Wednesday.

7 News'ย Mitch Cleary has reported that the Lions' 2024 second-round selection will make its way to the Hawks, who could then trade that pick on the Suns for access to trade target Mabior Chol.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Brandon Ryan of the Hawks (R) celebrates with Luke Breust of the Hawks after kicking a goal during the round 21 AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 05, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Chol's arrival at Waverley was likely to impact Ryan's selection under Mitchell next year, while fringe forward Jacob Koschitzke is also set for a move away from the Hawks to likely join Richmond before Wednesday's deadline.

12:45pm - Billings set for Melbourne move

Contracted St Kilda midfield-forward Jack Billings is expected to get to Melbourne before the 7:30pm deadline, with a deal between the two Victiroain clubs set to see the Saints continue paying a portion of Billings' contract.

The former top three pick is signed with Moorabbin until the end of 2025 but has been on offer to rival clubs throughout the course of this year.

The Demons are now prepared to trade for Billings, with a later selection heading to St Kilda with further picks swapping hands, according toย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary.

12:15 PM - Blues expected to land Suns onballer

Carlton will reportedly lodge its deal for Gold Coast Suns midfielder Elijah Hollands later on Wednesday afternoon.

Brother of Blues wingman Ollie Hollands, Elijah is contracted through next year but desires a move to Victoria following a lack of senior playing opportunities on the Sunshine Coast the last few seasons.

According toย SEN's Tom Morris, the Blues and Suns will swap numerous draft selections, starting with their second-rounders.

10:30 AM - Bombers to lose defender for nothing!

Essendon may have made an all-time trade period blunder as it appears the club was unaware of an AFL free agency rule regarding third-year rookie contracts.

After stalling in talks for wantaway Bomber Massimo D'Ambrosio, it now appears Essendon will lose the defender for nothing.

SENย reporter Tom Morris revealed that D'Ambrosio, who just completed his second AFL season on Essendon's rookie list, could become a free agent if he declined the Dons' offer of a third-year rookie contract.

"He's a second-year rookie at Essendon, and under the AFL rules, if you're a second-year rookie and you get offered a third-year rookie deal and you decline, you can be a free agent," Morris informed via SENย on Wednesday.

Morris continued, reporting that the Bombers offered D'Ambrosio a one-year rookie deal for his third season that he declined, going on to claim Essendon was "clearly unaware" of the league's regulations.

"So, Essendon offered him a third-year rookie deal [for] one year, if they'd have offered him a senior list spot, different story, [but] they offered him a rookie deal, clearly unaware of the rules. This is a couple of weeks ago," detailed Morris.

"He declined, and now he can be a delisted free agent and walk to the Hawks for nothing. He's going to get there as a delisted free agent.

"Essendon may have mucked it up if they were unaware of that. They should have accepted the offer that the Hawks put to them."

Following the head-turning development, a Hawthorn trade acquisition of D'Ambrosio won't be expected on Wednesday.

Instead, the rebounding speedster is anticipated to sign with the Hawks when delisted free agency opens on Wednesday, November 1.

9:00 AM - Port reportedly acquires ruck target

In the first surprising development of deadline day, Port Adelaide has reportedly reached an agreement with Richmond to acquire ruckman Ivan Soldo.

Despite reports that the Tigers did not wish to offload the 27-year-old, it appears they have had a change of heart.

According toย AFL Media's Cal Twomey on Wednesday morning, Port Adelaide has attained Soldo and this year's No. 50 draft selection. In exchange, it will send this year's No. 41 and 49 selections, Fremantle's future second-rounder, as well as its future fourth-round pick back to Punt Road.

The Power, whose higher-ups have a host of business to sort through, will also be looking to nab wantaway Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet today.

8:45 AM - Gunston, Hawks reunion 'not as certain'

Despite requesting a shock return to Hawthorn, Brisbane forward Jack Gunston may not find his way back to Waverley by Wednesday night's trade deadline.

According toย AFL Mediaย journalist Riley Beveridge on Wednesday morning, Hawthorn's busy day of dealings with the likes of Gold Coast, Richmond, Essendon, and Collingwood could mean the facilitation of a trade with Brisbane is left behind.

"I don't think the Gunston deal is as certain as the other ones," said Beveridge via AFL Trade Radio.

"The Hawks are trying to get six deals done. It is a busy day. Brandon Ryan might be on the go as well. It might help them facilitate deals for Chol and Ginnivan."

8:30 AM - Saint could be dealt to Victorian rival

There is reportedly a watch on St Kilda's Jack Billings on Wednesday, with SENย reporter Tom Morris claiming Melbourne could acquire the out-of-favour midfielder-forward.

While Billings has two years remaining on his current contract, the Saints are thought to be open to facilitating a trade for the 28-year-old Oakleigh Chargers product.

The Demons have already done a lot of business in October, including offloading James Jordon, Brodie Grundy, and James Harmes, as well as facilitating multiple pick swaps.

7:45 AM - Fantasia to team up with prelim finalists

Off-contract Port Adelaide forward Orazio Fantasia has reportedly found his new home, joining 2023 preliminary finalists GWS as a rookie signing.

According toย The Age's Sam McClure via Tuesday's edition of theย Tradies podcast, the livewire forward, who has struggled in recent times with injury, will become a Giant as a delisted free agent.

"[His deal is] done, he's off to the Giants," McClure reported. "No trade, he'll just go delisted and [get] picked up as a rookie.

"[He] had some knee problems that have caused some soft tissues in both the calves and the hamstrings.

"They're (GWS) confident they can get his body right, he's a free hit and Adam Kingsley loves speed, he loves leg speed."

Despite linking Fantasia to Essendon earlier in the year, McClure claimed Essendon's interest in a reunion was ultimately low.

"They (Essendon) had a look at it but I don't think they were that keen," McClure said.

Delisted free agency opens on Wednesday, November 1, with Fantasia poised to sign with his third AFL club after starting his career at the Hangar.

7:30 AM - Port, Hawks among clubs needing to sort multiple moves

Port Adelaide and Hawthorn will be among the busier clubs for the day ahead, with as many as four players landing at both Alberton and Waverley by the deadline.

The Power is keen to bring in Brandon Zerk-Thatcher from Essendon in a deal that could include wingman Xavier Duursma heading the other way, while Geelong's Esava Ratugolea, Bulldog Jordon Sweet and Richmond's Ivan Soldo are all seeking moves to South Australia.

The Hawks are set to work with the Suns, Magpies, Bombers, and Lions, respectively, to potentially bring in quartet Mabior Chol, Jack Ginnivan, Massimo D'Ambrosio and Jack Gunston, with the latter's move no certainty of landing before 7:30pm.

The Lions are keen on bringing Brandon Ryan north from Hawthorn following Gunston's request to pull on the brown and gold once again.

The Hawks are also needing to deal with Richmond in a move that would send fringe forward Jacob Koschitzke to Punt Road.

Carlton are looking to finalise a deal with Gold Coast to bring midfielder Elijah Hollands back to his home state of Victoria, with an agreed trade to see the former top 10 pick link up with his younger brother Ollie at the Blues.

Port Adelaide's Orazio Fantasia is still without a home for 2024, but has met with GWS and could also seek a deal to New South Wales, while Adelaide's Elliott Himmelberg is another hoping for a move to the Giants but a deal is unlikely.