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

Catch up on all the AFL latest trade news 👇

Published by
Mitch Keating

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.

Here's all the latest AFL trade news here.

Bomber's shock trade request to Hawks

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.

MORE: Essendon youngster reportedly requests move to Victorian rival

Carlton targeting Gold Coast midfielder, Dogs defender

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.

READ: Carlton linked to Suns gun and fringe Bulldog

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

Melbourne midfielder seeking Swans switch

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.

MORE: Free agent Demon reportedly confirms destination club

Goldstein tied to grand finalist

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.

MORE: Collingwood reportedly front-runner for in-demand ruckman

Hawthorn turn attention to 2024 options

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.

STORY: Hawks expected to turn to 2024 off-contract crop to bolster scoring power

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Ben King of the Suns celebrates a goal with team mates during the round 3 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on June 21, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

West Coast forward flips on trade request call

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.

READ: Eagle backflips on trade request, reportedly re-signs with West Coast

Lyon plays down dealings with Bombers

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.

STORY: “There's a lot of noise”: Lyon speaks on Shiel trade chatter

Clarkson provides latest on McKay and compensation call

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.

MORE: “We just can't lose him”: Clarkson reveals Roos' McKay compensation plans

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Ben McKay of the Kangaroos handballs during the round 10 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on May 20, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Zerk-Thatcher keen to land at Port Adelaide

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.

"Mum's over the moon," the Bombers stopper told 9 News.

STORY: Essendon backman confirms desire to depart

Port to put future first on trade table

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.

STORY: Port reportedly puts first-rounder on table in hopes of unlocking off-season

Adelaide tall linked to GWS move

The Crows are reportedly open to the idea of parting ways with contracted forward Elliott Himmelberg to GWS.

A move of that nature would see Himmelberg link up with his brother Harry at the Giants, with Adelaide potentially prepared to send the 2024 free agent east before the final year of his deal.

A trade might only occur if the Crows can find a suitable replacement over the course of the exchange period.

READ: Crows ‘prepared' to offload contracted forward to interstate rival

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Elliott Himmelberg of the Crows celebrates a goal during the round 12 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on August 16, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Cats prepared to part ways with Pick 7

Geelong have stated their opening draft selection is up for grabs if an offer can please the reigning premiers.

The Cats will enter the draft at Pick 7 and could either look to double their draft hand for the opening night of the count or seek to bring in experienced talent through trading.

STORY: Geelong open to moving on top draft pick

The tricky junction Tigers have hit in list plans

Newly arrived Richmond coach Adem Yze will reach a crossroads through his opening few days at Punt Road as the Tigers plan for 2024 and beyond.

The Victorian powerhouse added GWS duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper last year to increase their immediate premiership chances at the cost of their draft hand for last year and this year.

With ageing premiership stalwarts and a crop of youngsters that have faced delays in their development, all eyes turn to how Richmond work through this off-season under Yze.

ANALYSIS: Adem Yze, Richmond list committee facing true crossroads this off-season

Published by
Mitch Keating