The AFL Trade Period has ended. Here’s what happened.

The AFL’s Trade Period ended on Wednesday, wrapping one of the busiest parts of the season.

Clubs swap players and draft picks in a flurry of deals and negotiations.

The 2025 window just wrapped up and featured lots of significant moves, as well as a few deals that fell apart at the final minute.

Here's what to know.

Context

The Trade Period is a ten-day window after the AFL Grand Final where clubs can officially exchange players and draft picks.

It allows teams to strengthen their lists or improve their draft position before the AFL Draft in November.

Clubs can trade players, draft picks, or both. Most deals involve two clubs, but trades involving three or four clubs are allowed.

Free Agency

This year’s Trade Period ran from 6 to 15 October, overlapping with the Free Agency period, which gives long-serving players the option to move clubs.

Unrestricted free agents can leave freely, while restricted free agents (generally higher-paid players) can have their offers matched by their current team.

Storylines

Sydney pulled off one of the biggest moves in recent memory, landing Carlton’s dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow.

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The Swans gave up three first-round picks and Will Hayward to secure the star forward, continuing their long tradition of recruiting elite goal-kickers (think Buddy Franklin).

Melbourne also dominated headlines, trading two of its star midfielders, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, in a major shake-up.

Petracca joined the Gold Coast Suns in exchange for picks 7, 8, and 37 plus future selections, while Oliver moved to Greater Western Sydney for a future third-round pick.

Gold Coast also added Jamarra Ugle-Hagan from the Western Bulldogs.

Ugle-Hagan was the league’s number one draft pick in 2020 but did not play in 2025 as he dealt with off-field issues.