AFL trade news hub: Jade Gresham standoff, Lachie Schultz updates

Kieran Francis

Bryn Wakefield

AFL trade news hub: Jade Gresham standoff, Lachie Schultz updates image

A number of big names could be on the move in 2023, with rumours surrounding some of the competition's stars.

Find out who your club could be targeting or losing in this year's AFL Trade Period. 

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The Sporting News has all the latest AFL trade news. 

Jump to: Jade Gresham | Lachie Schultz |  Esava Ratugolea | Xavier DuursmaLiam Henry | Mabior CholMassimo D'Ambrosio Shane McAdam | Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

Jade Gresham latest trade news

St Kilda utility Jade Gresham looks odds-on to leave the club, having yet to sign a new contract.

Rumours have been strong of Essendon's interest in the 26-year-old, while Richmond, Hawthorn and Carlton have been interested.

Interested clubs: Essendon

St Kilda hoping to force Jade Gresham trade - Wednesday, October 11

Talks have stalled on Jade Gresham's free agency move to Essendon, with St Kilda prepared to match the Bomber's contract offer, reports SEN's Sam Edmund. 

Saints list boss Stephen Silvagni could force the Bombers to trade for Gresham, if the deal doesn't trigger end-of-first-round compensation. 

"St Kilda are forcing Essendon to trade for him, and Essendon don't want to trade for him," Edmund told AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday.

The two clubs have until Friday, October 13 to come to an agreement on the move. 

Jade Gresham officially nominates Essendon - Tuesday, October 10

Essendon and St Kilda have both confirmed Jade Gresham wants to play at the Bombers in 2024.

However, Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro stated that discussions were still ongoing regarding Gresham's contract in relation to the compensation St Kilda receive.

The Saints are hoping for first round compensation and could match the Bombers' offer and force a trade if they are unhappy with the AFL's offering.

Lachie Schultz latest trade news

Collingwood prepares offer for Fremantle forward - Wednesday, October 11

Collingwood could part ways with its first round selection (Pick 19) in a bid to snare Fremantle livewire Lachie Schultz, reports the Herald Sun

The Magpies are understood to have offered the 25-year-old a four-year deal with a contract trigger for a fifth year. 

Fremantle are prepared to hold onto Schultz, with the forward set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024. 

Fremantle to play hardball on Lachie Schultz's Collingwood trade - Tuesday, October 10

Dockers football manager Peter Bell revealed the club was blindsided by Lachie Schultz's Collingwood trade request and insisted he could still be at the club next season.

Schultz, who kicked 33 goals in 2023 and finished sixth in the Dockers' best and fairest, is under contract until the end of the 2024 campaign.

"We weren’t expecting the request from Lachie, that’s fair to say," Bell said on 6PR.

"We’re aware of some circumstances - as we are with all our players - that are in the background. And some circumstances have arisen where Lachie’s keen to explore a return home to Victoria.

"Through those discussions we of course have reminded Lachie that you know, while we understand those circumstances, the fact that he’s a contracted player and much loved player and a valued player may mean that there’s every possibility that he plays for us next year and sees that his contract at least.

"We’ll listen but at all times we’ll make the decision that’s in the best interest of the club."

Lachie Schultz Fremantle
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Lachie Schultz requests Collingwood move - Monday, October 9 

Lachie Schultz has thrown a spanner in the works at Fremantle by requesting a move to join Collingwood.

The 25-year-old small forward, who booted 33 goals for the Dockers in 2023, still has one year to run on his contract.

Schulz re-signed with the WA club at the end of the 2021 season after turning down interest from Hawthorn.

However, the Victorian-born player now appears eager to depart and return home as he listed “family reasons” as the motivation behind his shock trade request.

Esava Ratugolea latest trade news

Geelong defender Esava Ratugolea could be on the move after once again spending time between the AFL and VFL this season. 

Despite struggling to cement himself in the Cats side, Ratugolea has shown plenty with his intercept-marking ability and physical frame.

Having nearly completed a move to Port Adelaide last year, it's set to be another busy trade week for the 25-year-old. 

Interested clubs: Port Adelaide

MORE: How AFL trade deals get done: No.1 Pick, Taylor Adams, Esava Ratugolea

Pick swap to open the door for Esava Ratugolea trade - Wednesday, October 11

Geelong's hard stance on backman Esava Ratugolea means there's been little movement on the trade front. 

However, a pick swap which saw Port Adelaide gain Pick 24 and a future second from Fremantle for its 2024 first round selection could be the key to talks. 

Last year's offer of Pick 33 wasn't enough to satisfy Geelong's trade demands, ultimately seeing Ratugolea's move to Alberton fall through. 

Pick 24, along with multiple future second round selections leave Port Adelaide in a much better position to get the deal done. 

The price tag of Essendon's Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will also leave headaches for Power list manager Jason Cripps, though a Xavier Duursma deal could be the key to unlocking both defensive acquisitions. 

'I don't see a deal getting done' - Geelong have no intention to trade Ratugolea - Thursday, September 28

Geelong coach Chris Scott has made it clear the club does not want to trade Esava Ratugolea to Port Adelaide.

Ratugolea has requested a trade to Port Adelaide for the second consecutive post-season with Scott adamant the defender would be staying at Kardinia Park.

"I've been really invested in Esava and my preference is to keep him, so I don't see a deal getting done at all at the moment," he said.

"We try to treat every situation on its own merits. There's obviously comparisons with other situations, but we understand the market for key defenders is really, really strong at the moment, and we're included in that, so that's largely why we'd like to keep him.

"Aside from the investment we've made in him, players are getting huge offers at the moment and we understand why that (a move to Port) would be attractive (for Ratugolea)."

When asked if the Cats would prefer a player traded from the Power instead of draft capital for Ratugolea, Scott said: "I haven't even thought through that, my intention is not to trade him."

Esava Ratugolea Geelong
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Xavier Duursma latest trade news

While winger Xavier Duursma remains comfortable at Port Adelaide, the 23-year-old could find himself involved in a trade with Essendon's Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

The Power's 2018 draftee was taken alongside midfielder Connor Rozee and Zak Butters, but has struggled to build form due to injury.

Why Xavier Duursma wants Essendon trade - Tuesday, October 10

Port Adelaide talent Xavier Duursma is keen to get to Essendon in order to play more through the midfield.

The 23-year-old played more on the wing and flanks in 2023, as he fell behind the likes of Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis in the midfield pecking order.

According to Power legend Kane Cornes, Duursma's desire to get more engine room minutes is the reason behind his trade request.

"What led to his exit was his exit meeting at Port Adelaide, he sat down and said: ‘I’m after more midfield time’," Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.

"They were pretty honest with him and said: ‘Look, we don’t see you breaking into the midfield. We’ve got Willem Drew, Connor Rozeee, Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis and Ollie Wines. We don’t think you’ll get in front of that group. Your best option here is to play on the wing’.

"I don’t think he was that happy with that and they said if you want to explore some more opportunities through the midfield, it’s probably best you do that at another club. That was the catalyst for him exploring his options and speaking to other clubs."

Xavier Duursma Port Adelaide
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 Liam Henry latest trade news

Fremantle winger Liam Henry has requested a trade away from the Dockers, with the 22-year-old attracting attention from Victorian clubs. 

Henry was in career-best form across 2023, averaging 20 disposals from 16 games.

Interested clubs: St Kilda

St Kilda and Fremantle haggle over Liam Henry value - Tuesday, October 10

The Liam Henry trade saga is set to roll throughout the period with St Kilda and Fremantle struggling come to an agreement.

Dockers list manager David Walls said he believed Henry's value was around the first-round pick area.

"I think what we saw in the backhalf of his year this year was really quality footy. A lot of investment from the club. I think if you’re looking at this year’s draft he fits in the first round," Walls said on AFL Trade Radio.

"We’re a fair way apart at the moment. We’ve only had early discussions but a long way apart at this stage.

"We’ll look at futures, we’ll look at everything but it’s got to be something of value to us that we can use … it needs to be towards the pointy end of the draft for us."

However, St Kilda's list boss Stephen Silvagni scoffed at that suggestion: "Really? Top 10? I don’t think that’s any chance of happening. We’ll see what happens."

Liam Henry chooses St Kilda as preferred destination - Saturday, September 9

Henry has a preference to be traded to St Kilda in the upcoming trade period, AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey reported on Saturday. 

Hawthorn are also interested in the Fremantle speedster, and will be competing with the Saints to secure his signature in November. 

Liam Henry Fremantle
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Mabior Chol latest trade news

Gold Coast forward Mabior Chol is shaping up to be a factor in the trade period with multiple clubs after his services.

Chol, who kicked 44 goals for the Suns in 2022, only managed eight senior games this season, playing most of the campaign in the VFL.

Interested clubs: Adelaide, North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Brisbane

Mabior Chol requests trade to Hawthorn  - Thursday, October 2

Gold Coast Suns have announced Mabior Chol has requested a trade to Hawthorn for the 2024 season.

Chol has spent two years on the Gold Coast, kicking 44 goals in 2022.

But in 2023, Chol only managed eight games and was a part of the Suns' flag-winning VFL side.

Mabior Chol Gold Coast
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Massimo D'Ambrosio latest trade news

Mid-season draftee Massimo D'Ambrosio is set for a Tullamarine departure during the AFL Trade Period, with Hawthorn among interested clubs. 

After impressing in his first season, the 20-year-old fell out of favour at Essendon in 2023, playing only eight games in his first full year at the level. 

Interested clubs: Hawthorn

Massimo D'Ambrosio requests trade to Hawthorn - Tuesday, September 26

D'Ambrosio has asked the Bombers to facilitate his move to Hawthorn, according to a report from AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey on Tuesday. 

Essendon had tabled a one-year offer to the utility, who is out of contract at the end of 2023.

However, a lengthier deal is understood to have been offered by the Hawks, where D'Ambrosio should find greater playing opportunity.

Massimo D'Ambrosio Essendon
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Shane McAdam latest trade news

Adelaide forward Shane McAdam could be on the move after spending four seasons with the South Australian club. 

The medium forward played just seven matches in 2023, after producing 23 goals from 17 appearances last year. 

Interested clubs: Melbourne

Shane McAdam requests trade to Melbourne Demons - Thursday, September 14

The Crows confirmed on Thursday that wantaway forward McAdam is seeking a trade to the Demons. 

Adelaide revealed that they had offered the 28-year-old a contract during the season, which is understood to have been a  three-year offer. 

McAdam is a non-free agent, which means Melbourne will need to secure a trade for the goalkicker during the 2023 trade period. 

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Brandon Zerk-Thatcher latest trade news

The key defender merry-go-round is in full swing, with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher joining a number of backmen to seek moves in the 2023 trade period. 

The 25-year-old played 22 games for the Bombers this season, as the club dealt with numerous injury setbacks in its defensive line.

Interested clubs: Port Adelaide, Adelaide

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher requests trade to Port Adelaide - Wednesday, September 13th

Zerk-Thatcher has told Essendon of his desire to join Port Adelaide, with family and go-home-factor the main reasons for his decision. 

A three-year deal had been tabled for the backman, with the 25-year-old deciding to knock back the contract, according to afl.com.au reporter Cal Twomey. 

With a Bombers offer on the table, the Power will need to facilitate a trade for the out-of-contract player, per the AFL's free agency rules.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher Essendon
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Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.