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AFL Trade Rumours 2026: Butters, Blakey, Hogan & Latest Updates

Jesse Mclure

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Last updated: Tue 15 Sep 2026 08:48

Jesse Mclure 1 hour ago

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Zak Butters chooses Western Bulldogs in a record deal; Geelong now after Marshall & Greene.
Nick Blakey linked to Bulldogs and St Kilda; Jesse Hogan formally opts for Collingwood.
Other names drawing interest: Alix Tauru (Gold Coast), Luke Pedlar, Jayden Short, Calsher Dear.

AFL Trade Rumours (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

AFL Trade Rumours: Butters Chooses Bulldogs, Blakey Interest Grows and Cats Reset

The AFL trade landscape has shifted significantly over the past week, with several of the biggest stories from our previous update already changing.

AFL Trade Rumours: Butters Chooses Bulldogs, Blakey Interest Grows and Cats Reset
Zak Butters Chooses the Western Bulldogs
Geelong Turn to Rowan Marshall and Toby Greene
Nick Blakey Linked With Western Bulldogs and St Kilda
Sam De Koning Happy at Geelong
Gold Coast Interested in Alix Tauru
Luke Pedlar Race Down to Essendon and Port Adelaide
Fremantle Contact Nathan Broad
Collingwood Circling Jayden Short
Calsher Dear Meets With Collingwood
Sam Marshall Race Narrows
Nathan O'Driscoll Drawing Interest
Matt Rowell Wants to Stay at Gold Coast
Hawthorn Pair Shut Down Gold Coast Interest
Adam Saad Facing Uncertain Carlton Future
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Set to Stay at Gold Coast
Christian Petracca Shuts Down Exit Talk
Jesse Hogan Chooses Collingwood

Zak Butters has made his decision, Geelong have been forced to turn elsewhere, the Western Bulldogs could have another major target in their sights and several young players are attracting interest ahead of the trade period.

Here are the latest AFL trade rumours and updates discussed on True Footy this week.

Zak Butters Chooses the Western Bulldogs

The biggest development is Zak Butters choosing the Western Bulldogs.

Geelong had reportedly believed they were the frontrunners before learning after their semi-final that Butters had selected the Bulldogs. The deal discussed is enormous, reportedly worth around $17-18 million across nine years.

The Bulldogs will still need to get the move done, but landing one of the competition's best midfielders would be a massive addition to an already talented list.

Geelong Turn to Rowan Marshall and Toby Greene

Missing Butters means Geelong can now turn their attention elsewhere, with Rowan Marshall and Toby Greene firmly on the radar.

The Cats' interest in both is expected to intensify, while Greene's situation was described as roughly 50/50. Importantly, Geelong retaining the draft capital that would otherwise have been needed for Butters could make a Marshall deal easier to execute.

Nick Blakey Linked With Western Bulldogs and St Kilda

Could the Bulldogs add another huge name?

Nick Blakey has been linked with both the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, although there is currently no indication the Bulldogs' pursuit is advanced.

Blakey would make plenty of sense from a football perspective as an attacking distributor from defence, particularly after the Bulldogs secured Butters. The obvious questions are whether they could afford another significant addition and what they could offer Sydney in a trade.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the investigation involving suspended Sydney players, with interested clubs reportedly warned that the outcome could remain unresolved beyond the trade period.

Sam De Koning Happy at Geelong

A move to St Kilda now looks less likely for Sam De Koning.

Despite missing senior selection late in the season, De Koning is reportedly happy at Geelong and currently does not want to play for the Saints. He remains contracted for another season.

That also makes it less likely that De Koning would be incorporated into any potential deal involving Rowan Marshall.

Gold Coast Interested in Alix Tauru

Gold Coast are exploring a move for St Kilda youngster Alix Tauru, who remains contracted for another season.

The Suns liked Tauru during his draft year and are searching for tall options with Ben King expected to leave. Tauru's ability to play at either end makes him particularly intriguing.

St Kilda want to extend him, but there is a suggestion the youngster may be unsettled. Given his contract and potential, the boys believe the Saints could still demand something close to a top-10 pick if a move develops.

Luke Pedlar Race Down to Essendon and Port Adelaide

The race for Luke Pedlar appears to have narrowed.

Essendon and Port Adelaide are now the two clubs in contention for the Adelaide forward, with Pedlar expected to meet with Mark McVeigh.

It follows last week's update when Carlton were also among the clubs linked with the former first-round pick.

Fremantle Contact Nathan Broad

One of the more surprising developments is Fremantle contacting retired Richmond defender Nathan Broad about a potential AFL comeback.

Broad had previously indicated he could take 2027 away from football, while West Coast had also been linked with him earlier in the year.

The boys questioned how much Fremantle need him as a player given their existing defensive stocks, suggesting a move could make more sense if the Dockers also see coaching and development value in bringing the triple-premiership Tiger into the club.

Collingwood Circling Jayden Short

Collingwood are reportedly circling Richmond defender Jayden Short.

Short remains contracted for 2027, meaning the Magpies would need to trade for him, although the expected price would not be significant.

The move raises interesting questions about Collingwood's defensive structure and whether adding Short could allow players such as Josh Daicos or Dan Houston to be used differently.

Calsher Dear Meets With Collingwood

Calsher Dear has met with Collingwood, while Geelong are also reportedly in the mix.

Melbourne had previously been presented as a likely destination, but the latest update puts the Magpies firmly into the conversation.

Collingwood arguably have the greatest need for another young key forward. Jesse Hogan has now formally chosen the Magpies, but adding Dear would give them a younger option who could develop alongside their existing forward group.

Sam Marshall Race Narrows

The chase for Sam Marshall is now down to Melbourne, St Kilda and Essendon.

The Western Bulldogs had previously been among the interested clubs but are no longer considered part of the race.

Nathan O'Driscoll Drawing Interest

The Western Bulldogs are still chasing Nathan O'Driscoll, despite Fremantle putting a three-year offer in front of him.

Port Adelaide have also shown interest in the Dockers midfielder as they look for opportunities to add AFL-ready talent without sacrificing significant draft capital.

Matt Rowell Wants to Stay at Gold Coast

Matt Rowell has told Gold Coast he wants to remain at the Suns in 2027, shutting down any immediate prospect of a move.

However, his longer-term future could become a major story next season. Geelong have been linked with Rowell after missing Butters, while Hawthorn have also been mentioned as a possible future suitor.

Hawthorn Pair Shut Down Gold Coast Interest

Gold Coast's potential attempts to bring a Hawthorn player back in a Ben King deal have taken a hit.

The podcast discussed reports that both Josh Weddle and Calsher Dear want to remain at Hawthorn, reducing the possibility of an established Hawks player being incorporated into any King transaction.

Adam Saad Facing Uncertain Carlton Future

Adam Saad may have to wait until the trade period before learning whether Carlton have a list spot available for him.

The boys struggled to identify an obvious alternative destination if the Blues move on, with the view that Saad may not provide enough of an upgrade for another club to aggressively pursue him.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Set to Stay at Gold Coast

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is expected to sign a one-year extension with Gold Coast.

The podcast suggested the shorter contract is likely influenced by behavioural considerations, but the expectation is that Ugle-Hagan will remain a Sun for 2027.

Christian Petracca Shuts Down Exit Talk

One of last week's biggest rumours has also cooled significantly.

Christian Petracca has indicated he has no intention of leaving Gold Coast, pouring cold water on suggestions that he and the Suns could separate after only one season.

Jesse Hogan Chooses Collingwood

Finally, Jesse Hogan has formally chosen Collingwood.

The move has progressed considerably since last week's update, when Hogan had reportedly completed a medical and the Magpies were increasingly confident he wanted to join them.

Collingwood can now focus on getting the deal completed, while their reported interest in Calsher Dear suggests they could attempt to add both an established key forward and a younger long-term option this off-season.