Trade Wrap: Merrett is officially a Hawk

Trade Radio 2026 is officially underway!

SEN's Sam Edmund and Kane Cornes kick us off from 7-9am, followed by Tom Morris and Tom Mitchell from 9-11am.

AFL Media’s Gettable with Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge take over from 12-1pm.

Cam Luke and Liam Pickering are next up from 1-3pm with the Trade Feed before the Late Trade from 3-6pm with Damian Barrett, Brad Johnson and Marty Pask (5-6).

Check out the latest from around the trade world on October 5.

DEAL DONE

Zach Merrett is officially a Hawk!

Essendon receives Pick 15, Pick 15 and a 2028 second-round pick in exchange for the seven-time best and fairest.

After an unsuccessful deadline day push last year, Merrett gets his move on day one of 2026!

Hawk completes Dogs medical

Finn Maginness has completed a medical with the Western Bulldogs amid his potential exit from the club.

Space in the Hawks' midfield is filling up with the acquisition of Merrett, with the 25-year-old looking for further playing time elsewhere.

He remains under contract until the end of 2027.

Key Hawk to tour the Suns

With Ben King joining the Hawks, Mitch Lewis re-signing mid year and Calsher Dear also recommitting, young tall Aidan Schubert will tour the Gold Coast Suns in the coming days.

While the Hawks have no interest in letting their draftee from last year depart the club, Schubert will tour the Suns' facilities ahead of a potential request out of Hawthorn.

Zach Merrett deal expected to be done imminently

Zach Merrett is off to the Hawks!

Sam Edmund with the details:

Dons eyeing delisted Docker

Essendon are showing interest in delisted free agent Bailey Banfield.

The Bombers’ list boss Matt Rosa confirmed that the club will look at signing the former Fremantle forward to one of the two assistance package rookie spots provided by the AFL.

“We’ll be exploring mature options and Bailery is one of those,” Rosa said on AFL Trade Radio.

“So we’ll be looking closely at delisted free agents or players performing really strongly in the state leagues.

“They’re the main target for us, guys in the mature space.”

Pendles is a Sun

Scott Pendlebury has joined Gold Coast from Collingwood.

AFL Media's Cal Twomey is reporting that a deal has been agreed which will see Pick 65 go to the Magpies in exchange for the veteran.

Hogan set to become a Pie

The first deal of the Trade Period is set to be completed.

AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge is reporting that Jesse Hogan will be traded to Collingwood, with Pick 75 being exchanged for the 2024 Coleman Medallist.

Dogs: Port must decide what they want for Butters

The Western Bulldogs are saying that Port Adelaide must decide on a trade or accept compensation for Zak Butters.

"There's multiple levers we can pull in terms of getting a deal done but Port needs to work out if they want to accept the compensation pick. We have given them all the information we can to help them with their decision," Player Acquisition Manager Michael Regan said on AFL Trade Radio.

St Kilda’s “dumbest request” in Marshall negotiations

Kane Cornes has criticised St Kilda in their dealings with Geelong around Rowan Marshall.

He cannot believe the Saints would be asking for a first-round draft pick as well as a player for the contracted 30-year-old.

“There’s some ridiculous things going on including St Kilda and Geelong in this tense negotiation for Rowan Marshall,” Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio’s Early Trade.

“The Age is reporting that ‘St Kilda are seeking Geelong’s first-round pick (14) and a player in exchange for Marshall’.

“Just call it off. Idiots. What are St Kilda doing?

“Your player doesn’t want to be there, he’s 30, he’s got a year left. You went and spent $1.7 million on a ruckman (Tom De Koning).

“Of all the stupid things I’ve heard in the first week of (Trade Radio), St Kilda asking for Pick 4 AND a player - this is the dumbest request I’ve heard from a club in at least a couple of years.

“Call it off. Just keep him. He’s contracted. Do you what you did last year and keep him. What are you doing wasting everyone’s time?”

Six clubs call Fagan

There is plenty of interest in Brisbane Lions premiership coach Chris Fagan.

The 65-year-old called time on his coaching career with the Lions last week after guiding the club to a three-peat.

He is expected to move back to Melbourne to spend more time with his family which has clubs in Victoria showing plenty of interest in possible advisory roles.

Kane Cornes says there are clubs and the AFL itself looking at Fagan.

“I can tell you as of about Saturday, six rival clubs plus the AFL have picked up the phone to Chris Fagan seeking his services,” Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.

“Which isn’t a big story, it’s not a surprise to anyone. You’d be stupid if you haven’t picked up the phone.

“Clearly he’s heading back to Victoria so there’s six Victorian clubs plus the AFL have picked up the phone and reached out to Chris Fagan.

“Good luck to whoever gets him.”