‘Hands off’: Suns’ message to rivals circling top-10 pick; Curnow camp’s fresh ‘reservations’ — Trade Whispers

The prospect of losing big-name players has rival clubs pondering making a play for a young Gold Coast star.

Plus why a Curnow-Cats deal will be tough and promising progress on a young Dee.

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TRICKY CATS PROSPECT HAS CURNOW CAMP ‘RESERVED’

Charlie Curnow’s trade preference is to join Geelong, but the tricky prospect of the Cats striking an appropriate deal with the Carlton has the star forward’s management “a bit reserved”, according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph.

The Cats are one of four clubs linked to Curnow, who’s also attracted interest from Sydney, Gold Coast and Collingwood amid suggestions he wants out of Carlton.

Yet the fact Curnow is contracted to Carlton until 2029 on a significant deal means any possible trade would have to be compelling to persuade the Blues.

And, as Ralph explained on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, the Cats wouldn’t be one of the best-placed suitors to trade for Curnow, considering their current draft hand is all of their natural – and late-round – selections.

“There’s no doubt that the heavy press is on. Absolutely Geelong is into Charlie Curnow,” Ralph told Midweek Tackle.

“I think if he had his druthers, he would like to get to Geelong. They (the Cats) are also into Rowan Marshall so that complicates factors.

“Here’s the issue: There’s no way that Carlton believes a deal can be done with Geelong, so I think his management has some real reservations about it.

“With Bailey Smith we saw Geelong lure a player down and said ‘sorry guys we’ve only got Pick 17’. They had to accept it, the Bulldogs, because he was an out-of-contract player. Whereas this is different. I think Graham Wright, the new Carlton CEO, just says ‘it’s not happening there’ … It’s why (Curnow) has to keep his options open.

“Sydney is the club that has two first round picks – and absolutely would give them up. They might have to use a third party to try and get some established players in – I’m not sure Carlton just wants picks, they’d want some players as well.

“It all makes sense for Geelong to go and get a dual Coleman Medallist in Charlie Curnow. I don’t think it makes sense for Carlton – that’s why his management is a bit reserved about it.”

‘HANDS OFF’: SUNS’ MESSAGE TO RIVALS CIRCLING TOP-10 PICK

The prospect of losing big-name players during the trade period has rival clubs pondering making a play for Gold Coast’s Bailey Humphrey, reports Ralph.

Humphrey, who was taken at Pick 6 in the 2022 draft, played a key role in the Suns’ surge into a maiden finals berth, booting 25.21 and averaging 15.4 disposals from 23 games this year.

The 21-year-old halfway through 2023 signed a four-year contract extension that tied him to the club until the end of 2028.

But Ralph said the Suns of late had sensed growing – and bold – rival-club interest in Humphrey – interest they’re not willing to entertain.

“Maybe this links into Charlie Curnow as well. Bailey Humphrey is a young star on the rise. It just seems to the Suns that clubs are trying to pick him off,” Ralph told Midweek Tackle.

“He’s had some home sickness issues before, but right now he’s very happy.

“It feels like Melbourne, who has been very keen on him before, is trying to ask about him. The view is: ‘OK, if we’re losing Christian Petracca, can we go and get Bailey Humphrey in, who we tried to trade into a draft pick before his draft to try and get him?’

“If you’re Carlton: ‘OK we’re losing Charlie Curnow, could we get Bailey Humphrey?’

“The very, very strong message from Gold Coast is: ‘Hands off. He loves the place, it’s not happening, he’s contracted.’

“Watch this space to see if there’s any movement from those clubs, but Gold Coast is not letting him go.”

‘WENT REALLY POSITIVELY’: GOOD SIGNS FOR NEW DEES DEAL

New Melbourne coach Steven King had a “really positive” meeting with Judd McVee, according to Ralph, amid suggestions the Demons are likely to retain the highly-rated defender.

McVee has had an offer from Melbourne on the table since last year. But midway through the 2025 season, he opted to halt his own contract negotiations, with a view to seek clarity on whether he could play a more attacking key defensive role in 2026 and beyond.

It came amid suggestions McVee was attracting interest from the WA-based clubs.

But Ralph said the more likely outcome now is that McVee re-signs at Melbourne.

“Steven King has got a busy week ahead – the new Melbourne coach is the Geelong assistant – but he has met with McVee,” Ralph told Midweek Tackle.

“I think that’s trending more towards his management coming across in coming days and potentially getting a deal done on a deal that’s been sitting there for the whole season.

“I think that meeting (with King) went really positively.”

Ralph also reported Fremantle was set to re-sign forward duo Patrick Voss and Sam Switkowski, who are both contracted until 2026.

“The club will try to get both of those done and believes they’ll do so with minimum fuss,” he said.

“Of course the ‘Prancing Pony’ (Voss) with his great season has some cache, some leverage. But they were the club that backed him in.

“He’s got a Perth girlfriend, he’s very much entrenched. Expect to see that one done in coming months.”