AFL trade period LIVE: Day two of trade period, mega-deal could be in the works for Butters, Marshall wants out

Updated October 6, 2026 — 11:03am,first published October 6, 2026 — 9:02am

North Melbourne have formally announced Jaymie Graham as their next senior coach.

Graham comes into the top job with an extensive CV, most recently as the forwards coach for this year’s grand finalist and minor premier Fremantle and before that as an assistant under Adam Simpson in West Coast’s 2018 premiership.

“He is widely respected across the industry as a developer of talent and a connector of people - someone who builds strong player relationships instantly and earns respect through his actions,” North president Sonja Hood wrote in a letter to members.

“Our selection panel – chaired by Jennifer Watt and comprising Todd Viney, Andrew Swallow, Nick Dowling, Darren Crocker, and Steele Sidebottom – felt the alignment of Jaymie’s personal values with those of our club, along with all of his extensive football credentials and clear capabilities, made him the very best person to take our club forward.”

Unlike for most first-time coaches, the expectations are high for Graham to get instant results at Arden Street.

After six seasons in the bottom two, North belatedly climbed up the ladder this year – albeit to only 14th – but nothing short of at least a wildcard berth will appease the Kangaroos faithful in 2027.

Further to the last post about Rowan Marshall, the St Kilda ruck finished 10th in the Saints’ best and fairest.

As this masthead reported on Sunday, the Saints want Geelong’s first-round draft pick (pick No.14) and a player in exchange for Marshall. They initially asked about small defender Lawson Humphries but have since shelved that inquiry.

From a Geelong perspective, that seems a high price for a ruck who turns 31 next month, though the Saints will argue their demand is fair as he is contracted until the end of next year.

The Cats also have picks 34, 55 and 73 from this year’s draft, and a full suits of selections from 2027 and 2028. Bear in mind, they also need picks to get a deal done for Essendon defender Jordan Ridley, whom the Bombers will ask for decent compensation.

Wantaway ruckman Rowan Marshall boycotted the St Kilda best and fairest award on Monday night as he pushes the club for a trade to Geelong for the second straight year.

Marshall, 30, informed the Saints last week that he would not be attending the Trevor Barker Award function at Crown’s Palladium, saying he didn’t feel valued by the club and didn’t feel it was appropriate to attend while his trade request was in limbo.

Marshall has played 177 games for the Saints over a 10-year stretch. But his boycott of Monday night’s function is a clear sign of the escalating tensions between him and the club since it brought in high-priced recruit Tom De Koning from Carlton last off-season and installed him as the No.1 ruck option.

The Saints are driving a hard bargain with the Cats in negotiations on Marshall, given he remains under contract, and aware of Geelong’s desire for a seasoned ruckman to bolster their premiership aspirations.

This masthead reported on Sunday that St Kilda had sought Geelong’s first-round draft pick (pick No.14) and a player in exchange for Marshall. They initially asked about small defender Lawson Humphries but have since shelved that inquiry.

Have a look at our interactive to see what the order is as of Tuesday morning. You can also filter to search for each club’s picks.

To catch up on all of yesterday’s trade action listen to the Real Footy podcast, which is happening daily during trade period. Listen to our experts here.

Zak Butters’ impending move to the Western Bulldogs could evolve into this year’s “mega deal” if Port Adelaide decide to match the free agency offer for their outgoing superstar midfielder.

As the AFL’s trade period started on Monday, Bulldogs player acquisition and strategy manager Michael Regan said that a multi-club deal was among the options to try to appease the Power’s demands for Butters, a triple All-Australian.

Another scenario if Port Adelaide were dissatisfied with negotiations after potentially matching the Dogs’ nine-year, $18 million offer for Butters is to send him to the pre-season draft, where Richmond could grab him for free, although Power list boss Jason Cripps hoped to avoid that.

Read more here.

Welcome to day two of trade period. I’m Andrew Wu and will be bringing you news as it happens, along with analysis of the deals done and in the works.

In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap of Monday’s action. 

• Collingwood secured spearhead Jesse Hogan from GWS in return for pick 75.
• Magpies champion Scott Pendlebury officially became a Sun. Collingwood receive pick 65 from the Suns.
• And, in the deal everyone has been waiting for, Essendon traded former captain Zach Merrett to to Hawthorn for picks 15, 25 and the Hawks’ second round pick in the 2028 draft. Read all about how the Bombers ended their resistance here.