It's been a busy week for several clubs as the AFL world inches closer to the opening of this year's trade and free agency periods.
GWS have seen several players seek moves away from the club following their finals exit, while Carlton told a trio of players they can depart for new homes.
It was another week of headlines for Essendon and West Coast confirmed the incoming loss of a premiership forward.
Read up on all of the latest trade news below...
Shock report surrounding Bombers star
Essendon captain Zach Merrett was a surprise name to be raised in trade discussions, with St Kilda reportedly keen on the Dons star, perย 9 News.
Both St Kilda and Essendon provided comments this week to rule out any move for the midfielder, who is under contract until the end of 2027.
Merrett is understood to be frustrated with the lack of finals football he's undergone during his days in the red and black, however the Bombers skipper won't be leaving Tullamarine anytime soon.
STORY: SAINTS, BOMBERS SHOOT DOWN ESSENDON CAPTAIN TRADE LINK
Trio of Carlton players allowed to find new home, midfielder's likely landing spot revealed
The Blues have informed contract pair Matt Kennedy and Lewis Young they are free to assess the open market this off-season.
Kennedy's manager Dave Trotter confirmed onย Gettableย this week that his client has been permitted to look around for a new home but his most likely destination for 2025 remains Carlton.
Young faces a squeeze at Princes Park, given the likely arrival of GWS veteran Nick Haynes, while off-contract small forward Matt Owies has been told to wait until after the trade period to better understand where his future lies.
MORE: BLUES ONBALLER ONE OF THREE PERMITTED TO LEAVE
West Coast forward confirms desire to join Roos
The Eagles have confirmed Jack Darling has lodged a trade request to join North Melbourne this off-season.
While under contract at West Coast for the 2025 season, Darling is set to join the Kangaroos on a multi-year deal that will extend his AFL career.
North Melbourne have Picks 2, 22, 40, 58 and 64 for this year's AFL Draft.
MORE: DARLING LODGED TRADE REQUEST TO SIGN WITH NORTH MELBOURNE
Crows tall "likely" to join Queensland club
Adelaide free agent Elliott Himmelberg is now reportedly destined to join Gold Coast next month.
Himmelberg has remained without a contract for 2025 and is eligible to join a second club as an unrestricted free agent.
The Suns have emerged as a landing spot for Himmelberg, with a move said to be "highly likely" according toย 9 News.ย
READ: HIMMELBERG SET FOR SUNS SWITCH
GWS veteran step closer to Carlton move
The Giants bid farewell to inaugural player Nick Haynes this week, with the key defender set to explore opportunities elsewhere.
After meeting with the Blues earlier this season, it is expected a switch to Carlton will come to fruition during the free agency window.
Haynes will slot into a defensive role that will aid star Jacob Weitering and further bolster Michael Voss' backline stocks.
READ: HAYNES OFFICIALLY DEPARTS GIANTS
Cats join race for axed Blue
Geelong have emerged as a keen suitor in the race for delisted Carlton Jack Martin.
News Corpย have revealed the Cats are circling Martin following his departure from the Blues, joining Fremantle and clubs from Queensland in showing an interest.
Martin has battled with injury concerns for most of his time with the Blues, with setbacks n=bookending his 2024 campaign.
READ: GEELONG SET SIGHTS ON MARTIN
Saints, Swans reportedly chasing Hawks tall
Contracted Hawthorn defender Sam Frost is said to have gained external interest ahead of a busy off-season for the Hawks.
Sam Mitchell is set to add Saints free agent Josh Battle and wantaway Eagle Tom Barrass next month, with the pair of defenders placing some questions over Frost's role for 2025 despite a strong season from the former GWS and Melbourne backman.
According to AFL.com.au, St Kilda and Sydney are said to be circling Frost, who re-signed with the Hawks midway through this year on a one-year deal.
STORY: FROST GAINS ATTENTION FROM RIVALS AS HAWKS PREPARE TO ADD TWO
Dogs veteran selects Saints following trade request
Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae has reportedly informed the club of his desire to secure a move to St Kilda.
Macrae requested a trade away from the Kennel last week, with the Saints now revealed to be his preferred landing spot, perย AFL.com.au.ย
The Saints have Picks 7, 24 and 43 for this year's draft and could add Pick 8 to their hand if the loss of Josh Battle nets them band one compensation.
MORE: MACRAE'S PREFERRED LANDING SPOT REVEALED
Eagles urged to trade opening pick
West Coast have been nudged to consider splitting Pick 3 for November's draft in order to get wider access to first-round draft selections.
Eagles premiership player Will Schofield toldย Zero Hanger's 2024 Season Reviewย series that the club is in need of better depth of quality talent, with a decision that would see them secure multiple top 20 picks preferred.
"It gets more players of the same age who are high quality into the club. They need to do the same here. I'd like to see them trade Pick 3 for 7 and 12 (for example) or move back further in the draft and take three first-rounders instead of one really good one," Schofield said.
STORY:ย PREMIERSHIP EAGLES CALLS FOR OLD CLUB TO TRADE TO ASSET
Young Swan facing uncertain future
Sydney forward Jacob Konstanty is no certainty to be in the red and white next year as he awaits to here where his future sits.
Konstanty is unsigned for 2025 and is the only top 20 pick from the 2022 AFL Draft yet to extend their maiden contract, with clubs said to be circling should he be allowed to look elsewhere.
His manager, Dave Trotter, toldย Gettableย that Konstanty would have to wait until after the club's season was over to know if he would remain in New South Wales or head elsewhere.
READ: FORMER FIRST-ROUND PICK NO CERTAINTY TO BE RE-SIGNED
Untried Giant requests move to Victoria
Fringe GWS swingman Wade Dersken has reportedly requested a trade to Victoria for family reasons.
Derksen is yet to debut at AFL level despite a strong run of form in the VFL in recent years, with the athletic utility playing at both ends of the field to flex his aerial prowess and versatility.
Melbourne are said to be among the clubs keen on Derksen, perย AFL.com.au.ย
READ: YOUNG GWS SWINGMAN SEEKING TRADE
Suns defender open to finding third club
Gold Coast backman Rory Atkins is said to be exploring his options this year after struggling to break into Damien Hardwick's side.
Atkins played just three games at AFL level in 2024, with his form in the VFL - which netted him a runners-up spot for the J.J. Liston Trophy - not enough to break through for consistent minutes.
AFL.com.auย have reported Atkins, who is under contract for next year, is open to finding a third club after moving to the Suns from Adelaide in 2020.
STORY: OUT-OF-FAVOUR VETERAN COULD DEPART GOLD COAST
Pies cool on Stringer as Swans emerge as favourites
Collingwood have reportedly reduced their level of interest in Essendon forward Jake Stringer.
SEN'sย Sam Edmund detailed this week that the Pies are unlikely to make a move for the Bombers livewire, while Sydney have emerged as a more likely landing spot for the ex-Bulldog.
Stringer is contracted for the 2025 season after reaching a trigger but is said to be assessing his options on the open market.
MORE: BOMBER UNLIKELY TO JOIN REIGNING PREMIERS
Giants flanker seeks SA venture
GWS free agent Isaac Cumming has confirmed plans to depart the Giants in favour of a move elsewhere.
The North Broken Hill product is said to be keen on heading back to South Australia, however a decision on whether to join the Crows or Power is yet to be made.
Cumming will depart as an unrestricted free agent, with GWS to net draft compensation for the loss of the half-back.
