AFL Trade Period Kicks Off: Merrett Lands $4M Hawthorn Deal on Day One

The 2026 AFL trade and free agency period has begun with eight completed moves in three days. Former Essendon captain Zach Merrett, 31, secured his long-awaited trade to Hawthorn on a four-year deal worth $4 million with a fifth-year trigger, ending a bitter 12-month saga. Free agency opened Friday October 2, while the trade period began Monday October 5 and runs until Wednesday October 14.

Merrett finally gets his Hawks move

Zach Merrett played 274 games for Essendon after being drafted in 2013 and claimed a record-equalling seventh best and fairest award last week. Essendon rejected his trade requests in 2025, but agreed to send him to Hawthorn in exchange for picks 15 and 25 in this year’s draft plus Hawthorn’s 2028 second-round pick. Merrett’s four-year deal includes a trigger for a fifth season, according to AFL.com.au. Essendon chief executive Tim Roberts called Merrett “a champion of our football club” and “the defining Bomber of his generation.”

Free agents and restricted moves reshape the landscape

Four unrestricted free agents moved in the first three days. Brisbane’s dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale joined Collingwood on Friday, with Brisbane receiving pick 39 as compensation. Toby Greene moved from GWS to Geelong, Joel Amartey from Sydney to Carlton, and Jordon Butts from Adelaide to the Western Bulldogs. Restricted free agents Zak Butters and Ben King remain unsigned. Port Adelaide can match any bid for 26-year-old Butters, who nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred destination, while Gold Coast will likely match a rival bid for King when Hawthorn comes knocking.

Other trades reshape draft order and club rosters

Collingwood acquired Jesse Hogan from GWS for pick 75 and sent Scott Pendlebury to Gold Coast for pick 65 on Monday. Richmond signed Kieren Briggs as an unrestricted free agent, with GWS receiving pick 46 as compensation. The draft order has already shifted significantly, with Essendon now holding picks 1, 15, 19, and 25 in the first two rounds after the Merrett trade. The Telstra AFL Draft will take place across two nights on Thursday November 19 and Friday November 20.

Geelong shifts focus amid trade competition

With Butters and Merrett spurning Geelong’s advances, the Cats have shifted their focus to injury-plagued Essendon defender Jordan Ridley, contracted until 2029, and St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall. St Kilda asked for a player in exchange for Marshall after the 30-year-old requested a trade to Geelong for a second straight season. The trade period runs until Wednesday October 14, giving clubs nine days to complete their business.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 trade period is shaping up as one of the busiest in recent years, with eight moves done and major negotiations ongoing for Butters, King, and other restricted free agents. Merrett’s departure marks the end of an era at Essendon and signals aggressive roster moves across the league.

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