AFL trades wrap: Mega deal ‘is happening’ as tweak unlocks deal; rivals’ late plays for Blues duo

It’s been eight days, but we finally had a trade involving a player — and in this case, two.

Two pick swaps were given the all clear by AFL House on Monday, but dozens of players still remain with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over their future before the trade period comes to a close.

Re-live Tuesday October 15’s trade news below!

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3:45PM – HOUSTON’S MAGPIE WISH COMES TRUE!

Dan Houston’s Collingwood wish has been granted after a new iteration — albeit a slight one — of the three-club, five-player mega trade that was first floated on Tuesday was struck on Wednesday afternoon.

As reported by AFL Media’s Cal Twomey, the deal “is happening” and Houston will be officially traded to the Magpies, who will send defender John Noble to Gold Coast. It means the Power will acquire all of Jack Lukosius, Rory Atkins (both Suns) and Joe Richards (Collingwood).

7 News Melbourne journalist Mitch Cleary reported the Power and Suns spent the day at the offices of Connors Sports Management — the company that represent Houston — to “make it happen”.

Details of the trade are expected to be lodged soon with AFL House soon, but this is what Twomey has reported …

PORT ADELAIDE RECEIVE: Jack Lukosius, Joe Richards, Rory Atkins, Picks 13, 29, 36 and 50

COLLINGWOOD RECEIVE: Dan Houston, Pick 58

GOLD COAST RECEIVE: John Noble, Pick 39, future first-round pick (tied to Port Adelaide), future first-round pick (tied to Collingwood)

Essentially, the only adjustment to the deal floated on Tuesday was the Suns adding an extra selection into the trade, with Pick 50 being sent to Port Adelaide. Dual Crows premiership captain Mark Bickley described the addition of Pick 50 as a “miniscule change” on AFL Trade Radio.

2:50PM – DOGS REVEAL LAST-MINUTE CHASE FOR IN-CONTRACTMIDFIELDER

After what has been a quiet trade period for the Whitten Oval, the Western Bulldogs had revealed interest in Carlton gun Matthew Kennedy.

Nine’s Tom Morris has reported that Kennedy, who is contracted at Ikon Park until the end of 2025, could still land at a third club, having started his career at GWS.

“The Western Bulldogs have expressed interest in Carlton’s Matt Kennedy,” Morris told AFL Trade Radio.

The 27-year-old has the blessing of the Blues to look around for a potential new home, with the two-club player keen on finding himself more midfield time.

He has played 118 games in nine seasons at the top level, 19 of which were at the Giants.

1PM – SAINTS FLAG INTEREST IN CONTRACTEDBLUE

St Kilda have reportedly asked the question on contracted Blues defender Brodie Kemp, reports Seven’s Mitch Cleary.

Having lost the highly sought-after Josh Battle to Hawthorn through free agency, the Saints are on the hunt for a third tall as his replacement to accompany the likes of All-Australian Callum Wilkie and Dougal Howard.

St Kilda is targeting Carlton’s Brodie Kemp … STK list boss Steve Silvagni was the man who drafted Kemp to the Blues in 2019,” Cleary wrote on social media platform X.

Kemp played up forward late last season for Carlton amid a club injury crisis, and with the arrival of former Giant Nick Haynes in defence, he may be less likely to to hold down a spot in the club’s best 23.

Cleary also reported the Blues have spoken with out-of-favour Hawks defender Denver Grainger-Barras, who looks set to be delisted at the conclusion of the trade period.

12:55PM – VETERAN DEE, WANTAWAY GIANTUPDATE

Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb has provided an update on the out-of-contract Adam Tomlinson, as the two-club defender continues his search for a new home.

Out of contract after five seasons at the Demons, the 31-year-old has failed to lock down a spot in the starting 22 of Simon Goodwin’s side – stuck behind the likes of Steven May and Jake Lever.

Asked for an update on Tomlinson’s status, Lamb was coy on what was next for both him and the club.

“We’ll just get through this period and see where the cards will fall, and then we’ll take a call on that,” Lamb told AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday afternoon.

“If he can get an opportunity somewhere else, we’re really hopeful that can happen for him.”

Having played 185 AFL games across GWS and Melbourne, Tomlinson would be a ready-made and solid pickup for any club looking to acquire his services.

Lamb also provided an update on the status of uncapped Giant Wade Derksen, who last month requested a trade to play under Simon Goodwin in 2025.

“To be honest I think that’s looking fairly unlikely,” Lamb revealed.

“We’ve thrown a fair few scenarios at the Giants, and they’ve been totally resolute.

“We’d like to bring Wade to the club, but again, I think the way things are tracking that’s going to be difficult for us to sort out.”

12:15PM – VIC POWERHOUSE EMERGES LATE FOR OUT-OF-FAVOURSAINT

Collingwood have emerged as a late suitor for out-of-contract Saint Tim Membrey, with less than 32 hours to go until the trade period comes to a close.

The 179-gamer kicked 30 goals from 19 games this season, but that evidently hasn’t been enough for St Kilda to offer him an extension at his club of a decade.

Membrey has previously been linked to Essendon as a ‘perfect replacement’ for the seemingly departing Jake Stringer, but since the trade period has opened, interest in the 30-year-old has slowed.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday afternoon, AFL Media’s Callum Twomey revealed the 2023 premiers’ interest in Membrey, stating that he could be part of “a very late trade,” or alternatively acquired as a delisted free agent in the coming weeks.

Membrey played at Sydney for two years before moving to the Saints, meaning he is now every chance of becoming a three-club player.

11:30AM – ANOTHER PICK SWAP LANDS

AFL House has confirmed the second trade of Tuesday — though this one isn’t nearly as dramatic as the Eagles-Blues-Tigers three-teamer.

St Kilda has traded Pick 27 to the Brisbane Lions for Picks 32 and 45, giving it more flexibility in its negotiations for Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae.

The Saints may also be anticipating rival bids for Next Generation Academy talents Adrian Cole and Lennox Hoffman in November.

11AM – EAGLES-BLUES-TIGERS MEGA TRADE CONFIRMED

The AFL has on Tuesday formalised a three-way deal between West Coast, Carlton and Richmond.

The Eagles have received Liam Baker (from Richmond), Matt Owies (Carlton) and Picks 12 and 73 (Carlton).

The Blues have received Picks 3, 63 and 68 (West Coast).

The Tigers have received Pick 14 (West Coast via Carlton).

It is the first trade involving a player in eight days.

Seven reporter Mitch Cleary revealed Owies would put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Eagles after pushing for one at Carlton.

8AM – BIG THREE-TEAM DEAL TO BE FILED TODAY

A crucial three-team is nearing finalisation at AFL House today, opening the door for the remainder of business to be done as the trade period nears its closure.

Richmond utility Liam Baker will find his way to West Coast in a deal that will also see the Eagles send Pick 3 to Carlton.

West Coast will deal the third overall selection to the Blues in exchange for Picks 12 and 14 and forward Matt Owies.

The Eagles will then on-trade No. 14 to the Tigers for Baker, who will get his trade wish despite Fremantle’s lingering presence.

AFL Media’s Cal Twomey reported the jam-packed deal will get done on Tuesday.

It gives Richmond its third pick inside the top-25, with trades for Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton still to be arranged between now and Wednesday night.

Regarding Rioli, the Tigers’ dealings with the Suns are nearing a climax, with Gold Coast set to pay a steep price for the skilful rebounder.

6AM – MONSTER THREE-WAY TRADE SHUT DOWN AS STARS STAY IN LIMBO

It’s so ironic, yet so fitting, that for everything the trade period has thrown us this past week – the first deal that truly looked settled, is no more.

The seven-pick, five-player, three-club trade first reported yesterday by Nine’s Tom Morris, has since been rejected by Port Adelaide – much to the dismay of Collingwood, Gold Coast and the handful of players now back in limbo.

In a deal that was supposed to see Jack Lukosius, Joe Richards and Rory Atkins join the Power, Dan Houston join the Magpies and John Noble join the Suns – among seven draft picks being swapped – the Power late on Monday night changed their tune on the unofficial transaction.

Morris reported late on Monday night that Port stepped back as they didn’t believe they were receiving appropriate compensation for Houston’s impending departure – also noting that Collingwood felt the deal was ‘as good as done’ on X.

What the Power are seeking in addition remains to be seen, but you would imagine the trade can’t be too far off being good enough for all parties to tick it off.

The uncertainty from the Alberton camp has left the door ajar for a fourth club to enter the conversation and help sweeten the deal, but more dramatically, perhaps one last pursuit by rivals for one of Houston or the Suns’ prized pick 13.

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