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Collingwood busy, pair request moves, more Dees linked to exit: AFL trade news wrap

We’re a week away from the 2022 trade period, with the Pies, Suns, Demons and Dogs among the clubs doing plenty of the wheeling and dealing.

Published by
Mitch Keating

We're now just days away from the free agency window, while the trade period will be open next week as clubs continue to assess their plans for the off-season.

Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Gold Coast have been among the busiest clubs of the past week, with the quartet set to be major players in the 2022 trade landscape.

Dog Josh Dunkley and Lion Daniel McStay have both requested moves away from their respective clubs, with the total number of confirmed departures now surpassing a dozen names.

Here's all the latest trade news and rumours in the AFL from the past week...

Dunkley decision confirmed as Lions win three-club race

Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley has informed the club of his intentions to join Brisbane on a rumoured six-year deal.

Dunkley has been weighing up his future in 2022 after hitting pause on contract talks at Whitten Oval, with the Lions and Port Adelaide in the race for the gun onballer.

“Josh has indicated to the club he is seeking to continue his career in Brisbane,” Bulldogs list boss Sam Power said in a club statement.

“Josh has been weighing up this decision for some time and this news is obviously disappointing for the club.

Dunkley holds the power to find a second club, while the Lions and Bulldogs will still need to broker a trade to see the midfielder head north.

The six-year-long deal is priced between $700,000-$750,000, according to News Corp, a sum the Bulldogs may have found hard to match.

FULL STORY: Gun Dog set for move north 

McStay confirms Lions departure, Pies move awaits

Brisbane has confirmed forward Dan McStay will exercise his rights as a free agent in 2022, with the Lions tall anticipated to secure a move to Collingwood.

McStay has been closely linked with a switch to the Magpies this season, putting contract talks on hold throughout the year.

A rumoured five-year, $3 million has been flagged for the Victorian spearhead, who now looks certain to return to his home state.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Daniel McStay of the Lions handballs during the round six AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on April 24, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

While the Lions did not state McStay has chosen a new club, the club confirmed on Friday afternoon that his tenure in Queensland will come to an end.

READ MORE: Brisbane free agent set to exercise free agency right 

Clubs circle wantaway Sun as pick-player package offer emerges

A quartet of AFL clubs are believed to be interested in wantaway Suns defender Jack Bowes, with Gold Coast reportedly open to parting with Pick 7 to help broker a deal and aid their salary cap situation.

It has emerged that Bowes is open to opportunities elsewhere despite being signed to the Queensland club until the end of the 2024 season.

In a revelation that is sure only further satisfy interested clubs, the Suns are willing to package Bowes and their 2022 first-round selection of Pick 7 in a trade, according to AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey.

The move is to see Bowes' heavily back-ended contract be scrapped from the Suns' books, hoping the "sweetener" of Pick 7 would see rival clubs tempted to take on the 24-year-old's hefty financial fee.

According to Twomey, EssendonGeelongSt Kilda and Hawthorn are all in the mix.

READ MORE: Bowes, Pick 7 on offer to interested suitors

Tomlinson undergoes Kennel medical

Contracted Melbourne defender Adam Tomlinson has reportedly undergone a medical at Whitten Oval, with the Western Bulldogs potentially looking to bolster their key-position stocks for next season.

The 29-year-old managed just the eight appearances in 2022, which add to a tally of 15 games across the past two seasons after Tomlinson's season-ending knee injury in the opening half of last year.

report earlier this week suggested Tomlinson was likely to find a new club despite being contracted for a further two seasons with the Demons. Now, according to RSN's Mark Stevens, Tomlinson has been rumoured to have partaken in a medical with the Bulldogs.

"Adam Tomlinson is an interesting one at Melbourne," Stevens told Breakfast Club on Friday.

Steven May and Adam Tomlinson during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

"He's had obviously a few injuries, has been squeezed out, Melbourne's key back stocks are pretty good.

"Now my little spies told me that he was out at the Kennel having a medical."

FULL STORY: Demons defender reportedly meets with Bulldogs

Tiger seen as "gettable", clubs begin to circle

Both South Australian clubs have been named as interested suitors in "gettable" Richmond midfielder Jack Graham, but it has been reported that a "really strong offer" is needed to pry Graham out of Punt Road.

Graham has emerged as a name that could find a new home this off-season despite his contract status with the Tigers for 2023.

Richmond are expected to land a double coup of GWS star duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper to bolster their midfield for the next seven years, forcing rival clubs to ask the question of Graham's future.

A product out of Tea Tree Gully in South Australia, Graham's services are understood to be in the sights of both the Crows and Power, with 9 News reporting that the 24-year-old is seen as attainable despite settling in Victoria.

"Nine News understands that it would take a really strong offer to lure him away from Richmond, especially given he still has a year to run on his deal.

READ MORE: Graham gaining interest from Crows, Port

Long-term deal tabled to De Goey

Since falling agonisingly short in their preliminary final against the SwansCollingwood has now turned their attention to securing talented midfielder Jordan De Goey at the club.

Amid significant interest from Moorabbin, Collingwood is aiming to beat off St Kilda for the restricted free agent's services.

In pushing for his signature, the Magpies have offered De Goey a five-year deal to stick with the Magpies going forward, according to The Age.

However, such a deal would be comprised of a number of behavioural clauses which the 26-year-old would have to adhere to.

Jordan De Goey during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between St Kilda and Collingwood (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Dashing Demons defender Jayden Hunt is understood to be facing an uncertain future at Melbourne, with West Coast showing some level of interest in the free agent.

Hunt is among six players still unsigned for 2023 at Melbourne, with the sextet headline by wantaway tall Luke Jackson, who is seeking a move to Western Australia.

But Hunt could join Jackson in a move West, with AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey revealing the 27-year-old is on the radar of West Coast.

Speaking on SEN, Twomey revealed that Hunt faces an uncertain future with the Demons despite holding his place under Simon Goodwin for a majority of this season.

“He played 20 games this year, including the finals series, but his future is uncertain,” Twomey said on SEN Breakfast.

Jayden Hunt during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

“He remains without a deal for next year. He’s an unrestricted free agent so he could walk to wherever he got a contract offer.

READ MORE: Demons free agent left in limbo 

Suns forward gaining rival interest

Fringe Gold Coast forward Chris Burgess is the latest Suns player linked to the exit in what is shaping to be a significant off-season for the Carrara club.

The Suns are believed to be looking to amend their salary cap situation for the future, with the off-season of 2022 likely to see a wave of names depart the club.

According to AFL.com.au, Corbett is the latest name to join the list of Suns players gaining external interest, with rivals circling the out-of-contract key forward.

The combination of Burgess and Corbett was a lethal pairing for the Suns, but despite their best form couldn't break into Stuart Dew's side often enough this season.

FULL STORY: Burgess latest Sun linked to exit

Goodwin perplexed by Kozzie rumours

Melbourne Coach Simon Goodwin is positive livewire small Kysaiah Pickett will remain at the club despite his name being linked with a shift away from the club.

The former 12th pick in the 2019 draft remains contracted for next year, however, Port Adelaide is hunting hard for the 21-year-old.

The Power are in search of a small forward to fill the void created by the retirement of club champion Robbie Gray, although West Coast Eagle Junior Rioli has confirmed his desire to join the teal, black and white.

Speaking on RSN on Wednesday morning, Goodwin stated he is mystified about where the rumours of Pickett's potential departure first began.

"We can't understand where this story has come from," Goodwin began.

Kysaiah Pickett during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

"'Kozzie' left his exit interview a few days ago and he can't speak more highly enough of Melbourne, his love of the footy club, his love for his teammates, and his joy to be in our program. I'm not sure where these rumours have started from, but he's going to be a Melbourne player for a long time."

READ MORE: Demons bemused amid ongoing speculation around gun forward

Lion looped into Dunkley trade talk

A steep asking price for midfielder Josh Dunkley could see the Brisbane Lions offloading young talent Deven Robertson to West Coast for a stronger draft hand, reports the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph.

"The Dogs will ask for two first-rounders because they think (Dunkley) actually improved as a player recently," Ralph told Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

"Imagine bringing in Gunston, Dunkley, the Nick Daicos equivalent in Will Ashcroft, so they use up all their picks on their two father-sons.

"They'll have to get inventive then, so I think they’re gonna have to consider the likes of Deven Robertson - West Coast very keen.

"They'll get this deal done but it's going to take every pick this year and next, that might be OK."

READ: Robertson could find new home as Lions assess Dunkley deal 

How Lions can solve sizeable Dunkley and draft duo dilemma

Things are suddenly looking brighter in Springfield just days after Brisbane's 71-point preliminary final thrashing at the hands of Geelong, with an off-season of brimming optimism officially underway.

Falling one win short of a grand final berth, Chris Fagan will be buoyed by his side's September showing after entering the post-season unfavoured to step past Richmond in the opening week.

It sees the Lions' list well-placed for the years to come, hoping to add to four successive top third finishes and soon claw themselves back to the summit of the competition.

the Lions will be looking at how they can take the next step, or two, for next season. And it seems as though the ink in some ticked boxes is already dry.

Father-son prodigy and worthy Pick 1 prospect Will Ashcroft has already pledged his allegiance to the Lions, while fellow father-son draft hopeful Jaspa Fletcher is also in line to join Brisbane as a top 25 selection at this year's National Draft.

Add in wantaway Bulldog Josh Dunkley's request to join the Den on a long-term deal, and suddenly the lights are shining brighter in the Sunshine State.

But while the trio of seemingly imminent arrivals combine to formulate a mouth-watering list of additions to Brisbane's already talent-rich list, the avenue to land Dunkley, Ashcroft and Fletcher isn't an easy one.

HOW IT GETS DONE: Dunkley, draft duo to land with Lions

Published by
Mitch Keating