AFL trade deadline day LIVE: Pies come up Short in chase for Tigers star; Dons, Lions go down to wire in Coleman deal

Brisbane could let a player walk to the pre-season draft for a second straight year if Melbourne fail to come up with a better offer for Will McLachlan.

The Lions let premiership forward Callum Ah Chee go for nothing last year after being unimpressed with Adelaide’s trade offers.

The same scenario could play out tonight with McLachlan, who kicked 35 goals in 11 VFL games this year, but played just once in the AFL.

The Demons already landed Zane Duursma yesterday, and hope to secure McLachlan before the 7.30pm deadline tonight.

The Lions rejected Melbourne’s latest offer of pick 48, plus a swap of future second-rounders.

The Lions can use only three picks at this year’s draft due to list spots, and the Dees’ selection would improve Brisbane’s position by only five places

Key defender Sam De Koning is reportedly not keen on leaving Geelong, but that hasn’t stopped trade rumours swirling as the deadline approaches.

The premiership player was dropped from the Cats elimination final against the Blues and was also not picked for the semi-final clash against Fremantle.

The 25-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Cats, following the addition of Jordan Ridley and Rowan Marshall.

Whereas the police investigation into the Pullman hotel incident has conceivably cost Isaac Heeney millions of dollars via loss of sponsors, Nick Blakey has garnered millions from the Pullman imbroglio.

It’s a strange economy, the AFL.

At the least, Blakey will be paid an extra $400,000 or more per season over the next five years by dint of his move south to North. And he has added a further three years on the same kind of remuneration, becoming one of the highest-paid players in the competition, at least until Tasmania arrives.

How does a player who found himself in strife – and suspended by the Swans alongside four teammates for breach of standards and professional conduct – end up profiting from his mistake (aside from some sharp work by his agent)?

Collingwood’s Ruby Schleicher is out for the rest of the 2026 season, after scans confirmed a fracture to her shoulder. The skipper sustained the injury during Collingwood’s two-point loss to St Kilda.

The injury means last week could have been Schleicher’s final outing with the Pies. She and several other players are out of contract this year and the skipper is yet to sign a two-year deal with the Pies.

It comes at a time where Collingwood’s women’s program has come under increased scrutiny with only one win this year.

So why can’t Collingwood’s AFLW program find success?

You can read more here. 

The Brisbane Lions remain resolute they want Essendon’s pick 17 for Coleman, but the Bombers have offered their No.27 and are unwilling to hand over either 17 or pick 21.

Essendon were clear from the outset with Coleman and his manager, Tim Batty, that they were very keen on him, provided pick 27 could get a deal done. Coleman has told the Bombers he wants to join them.

Will an end to the impasse be found?

North Melbourne finally landed a big target on Tuesday when Nick Blakey crossed from Sydney on a multimillion-dollar deal after a tumultuous season. But, with just one day left in the 2026 trade period, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan say there’s more work for the Roos to do. Our team breaks down a busy day nine of the trade period and looks at the deals still to be done.

Good morning, and welcome to the final day of the AFL trade period.

While the biggest names – such as Nick Blakey, Zak Butters, and Zach Merrett – have already had their futures decided, there are still a host of players either being sought by rivals or waiting for clarity.

Among those are Adelaide’s Nick Murray, the Brisbane Lions’ Keidean Coleman, and Melbourne duo Jack Viney and Trent Rivers.

It’s a big day ahead, so stay tuned, and thanks for joining us.