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AFL Trade Frenzy: Curnow, Merrett, and Petracca on the Move!

9/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

2025 AFL Trade Period opens October 6, with Carlton's Charlie Curnow, Essendon's Zach Merrett, and Melbourne's Christian Petracca seeking trades.
Curnow prefers Geelong, but Gold Coast and Sydney may bid early.
Hawthorn shows interest as Merrett cools, while it targets Petracca next.
Gold Coast pursues Curnow and Petracca; St Kilda reportedly leads to sign Sam Flanders from Gold Coast.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 AFL Trade Period introduced a "free agency" system, allowing players like Adam Goodes to negotiate with multiple clubs, resulting in a 30% increase in trades. This shift marked a significant evolution in player movement dynamics, reflecting a growing emphasis on player agency. Today, players like Charlie Curnow and Zach Merrett continue to explore new opportunities, highlighting ongoing competition for top talent.

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Story summary

2025 AFL Trade Period opens October 6, with Carlton's Charlie Curnow, Essendon's Zach Merrett, and Melbourne's Christian Petracca seeking trades.
Curnow prefers Geelong, but Gold Coast and Sydney may bid early.
Hawthorn shows interest as Merrett cools, while it targets Petracca next.
Gold Coast pursues Curnow and Petracca; St Kilda reportedly leads to sign Sam Flanders from Gold Coast.

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