We had Jade Gresham officially become a Bomber, Tom Hawkins re-sign as a Cat, Jack Gunston request a trade back to his old club Hawthorn, delisted free agent Toby Pink signed with North Melbourne and Brisbane’s Tom Fullarton set off to Melbourne.

So, a big day.

While that’s a wrap on free agency - with the free agency signing deadline concluded as of 5pm Friday - there’s still a lot to play out before next Wednesday.

Thanks for joining us today and this week, and we’ll see you bright and early Monday.

For the official moves so far this period, including players and pick swaps, check out our graphic pinned to the top of the blog.

And thanks to the mammoth effort of our reporters to bring all the trade news to the blog this week.

This little blogger has appreciated it a lot. Signing off for the weekend!

Enjoy the round of AFLW and all the weekend trade rumours, folks. See you.

5.13pm on Oct 13, 2023

Tom Fullarton is off to Melbourne

By Marc McGowan

Brisbane ruck-forward Tom Fullarton is off to Melbourne in exchange for pick 47, a source familiar with the deal confirmed to this masthead.

The 199-centimetre former basketballer played 19 games for the Lions but none this past season, and joins the Demons as effectively Brodie Grundy’s replacement and will serve as Max Gawn’s deputy.

Tom Fullarton in action for the Lions.AFL Photos / Getty Images

4.42pm on Oct 13, 2023

Russell returns to Blues, boost to coaching group

Former Blues player, Jordan Russell will return to Ikon Park as a forward line coach after a decade of coaching at the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne.

He spent six years at the Dogs as a development coach, including with the 2016 premiership side, and three seasons at the Roos’ as a midfield and stoppage coach.

Carlton confirmed Russell will take the reins of the Blues’ forward line for 2024, allowing Ashley Hansen to fully focus on his duties as senior assistant under Michael Voss.

Aaron Hamill and Tim Clarke will remain in their roles as backline and midfield coaches respectively, as will Luke Power as VFL coach.

Russell said he’s excited to head back to the Blues in a coaching capacity.

“Some of my best football memories are with the Carlton Football Club, so it is very exciting to be coming back to Ikon Park,” Russell said.

“I am impressed with the direction the football club is taking, and what it is trying to build – one thing that came through clearly during the process was how aligned the club is on its direction and what is required to put itself in the best possible position to succeed.

“It is a coaching group with a lot of experience, led by Michael Voss and I already have a great relationship with Ash, so the opportunity to bring my strengths to what the program already has, to help us go to another level, is really exciting.”

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4.19pm on Oct 13, 2023

Plugging it with Pink; North sign defender

By Marc McGowan

Glenelg premiership player and ex-Swan Toby Pink is officially a Kangaroo, inking a one-year deal on Friday to revive his AFL career.

The 194-centimetre defender averaged almost 11 disposals and three intercept marks in an excellent SANFL campaign this year, and projects as part of North Melbourne’s solution down back after Ben McKay’s departure.

The Kangaroos will be short on tall defensive options entering next season, given Griffin Logue will also still be recovering from his ACL rupture.

Aidan Corr is North Melbourne’s most experienced defender, and may have to tackle the opposition’s No.1 forward, unless the likes of Pink and Kallan Dawson can step up.

Charlie Comben is also set to play down that end of the ground after starting his career as a strong-marking forward.

4.06pm on Oct 13, 2023

Got a trade question?

With the trade period bubbling along and the weekend break fast approaching, have you got a burning question for ANDREW WU or MARC MCGOWAN.

They’ll be on today’s podcast.

Post a question in the comments or email realfootypod@theage.com.au.

But be quick! There’s not much time left to have it answered on today’s episode.

3.45pm on Oct 13, 2023

Hawkins locked in at the Cats

Geelong star forward Tom Hawkins has put pen to paper and is locked in with the Cats for 2024.

It will be his 18th season with the club after joining them as a father-son selection in 2006.

Since then, he’s played 347 games and earned three premierships, five All-Australians, a Coleman Medal, a Carji Greeves Medal and Cats life membership.

Back in the hoops for another season: Tom Hawkins.AFL Photos

He’s also sitting 14th all-time for most VFL/AFL goals on 781.

Hawkins said he’s humbled to sign on for another year.

“The choices we make in professional sports aren’t isolated, they ripple out and involve lots of other people in your life. That’s why after each season, after each contract, I always take time to sit and reflect with my loved ones to discuss our future and not only what’s the best for me but also for everyone who’s on this journey with me,” he said.

“I was always motivated to continue playing with the Cats. Geelong isn’t just where I work, it’s home. It’s the community that’s given me so much, and I feel privileged to have another chance to give back in 2024.”

Hawkins said his motivation, unquestionably, is for the future of Geelong, the club he grew up cheering for. “I will continue as I was always taught, to try and leave this club in a better place than when I started.

“I’m really excited for the challenge that’s in front of the team and myself moving forward into the future.”

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Geelong general manager Andrew Mackie said Hawkins’ leadership, knowledge, professionalism and on-field contribution, where he continues to be one of the best at his craft, will help drive the Cats forward.

3.26pm on Oct 13, 2023

Ziebell joins coaching ranks at Tigerland

Richmond have confirmed retired Roo Jack Ziebell will join their coaching ranks for the upcoming pre-season.

Jack Ziebell with daughter Pippa.AFL Photos

Tim Livingstone, the club’s general manager of football performance, said the Tigers were excited to welcome Ziebell.

“Whilst the majority of his career was played on ball he has also played forward and behind the ball so he has studied the game from all angles and that’s important for the role he will play for us,” said Livingstone.

“He’s a driven professional who has spent the last part of his career developing his leadership skills with the ambition to take on a coaching role. He exudes passion and excitement about coming to Richmond and helping to contribute to our success.”

The former North Melbourne captain played 280 games for North Melbourne across 15 years, including six years as skipper between 2017-2022.

He said he was excited to take the step into a full-time coaching role with the Tigers.

“This is a great opportunity to work with [new Richmond coach] Adem [Yze] and the coaches as they embark on a new and exciting journey at the Tigers,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the team and to draw on my experiences as a player to hopefully teach and guide the team to getting back up the ladder.”

3.16pm on Oct 13, 2023

Your view: Which veteran Bomber will thrive next season?

2.42pm on Oct 13, 2023

Hawks aware of Gunston request, focus on other priorities

By Jon Pierik

Hawthorn have been made aware of Jack Gunston’s request for a trade back to his old club and will assess the request.

However, they say their focus, as of right now, remains on bigger fish to fry.

“We are engaged in other trade discussions that remain our priority,” the club said.

“These longer-term priorities may preclude any discussions with Brisbane progressing.”

Jack Gunston requested a trade back to Hawthorn from the Brisbane Lions.Getty Images

2.35pm on Oct 13, 2023

Roos list boss said club had interest in backmen

North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings said the club was looking to bolster its defensive stocks as it seeks a replacement for key backman Ben McKay, with interest in free agent Bigoa Nyuon.

McKay joined the Bombers during this year’s free agency period.

Ben McKay has headed from North Melbourne to Essendon.AFL Photos

“We’ve been in the key defender space all of this year,” Rawlings said on AFL Trade Radio on Friday.

“We’ve scoured the country with AFL-listed players that might not be getting an opportunity with their club, and we’ve scoured the state leagues.

“Watching Toby [Pink, delisted Sydney defender] perform at Glenelg, his game really came on as a key defender.”

Rawlings said the club also had genuine interest in off-contract Richmond defender Nyuon.

“There’s some interest from our end in ‘Biggie’. He’s a very athletic player, can play in [the] ruck or key defence,” said Rawlings.

“We’re just in discussions at this stage, [he] hasn’t been offered a contract just yet.”

AFL trades day five: Gresham a Don; Hawkins signs on; Gunston wants back in Victoria

Key Posts

The official moves so far

Latest Posts

That’s a wrap for this week

Tom Fullarton is off to Melbourne

Russell returns to Blues, boost to coaching group

Plugging it with Pink; North sign defender

Got a trade question?

Hawkins locked in at the Cats

Ziebell joins coaching ranks at Tigerland

Your view: Which veteran Bomber will thrive next season?

Hawks aware of Gunston request, focus on other priorities

Roos list boss said club had interest in backmen

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