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Trading and drafting

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Trade requests: Wayne Campbell in his playing days for Richmond and former Bombers skipper Zach Merrett.

Like Merrett, I tried to leave my club. This is why I’m proud of it, and he should be too

I faced a similar situation to Zach Merrett halfway through my career. Here’s how it played out, what I learnt and what Merrett should do now.

  • Wayne Campbell

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Bobby Hill embraces Nick Daicos at training this week.

‘Extremely well paid’: McRae’s pointed Daicos comments; young Pie finally gets his debut; Voss sorry for taunt

The Collingwood premiership coach was quick to point out the contract status of Nick Daicos. Meanwhile, Patrick Voss has apologised to Harrison Petty for the taunt he used.

  • Jon Pierik, Roy Ward and Scott Spits
Hawthorn co-captain Jai Newcombe.

Risk versus reward: Rating the best and worst long-term deals across the AFL

We dive into the risks clubs take when they sign players to long-term deals, and how often the risk actually pays off.

  • Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan
Phoenix is run by 2000 Essendon premiership star Scott Lucas.

Management company run by premiership hero fined

Phoenix Management, the player agency run by Essendon premiership hero Scott Lucas, has been fined for breaching rules relating to young players.

  • Andrew Wu, Peter Ryan and Hannah Kennelly
Zak Butters enjoyed his time representing Victoria. The free agent’s future will be a talking point all season.

Everyone wants to butter up Zak. But can a deal get done?

The new rules relating to free agency and the bidding process will have a huge impact on how clubs hunting for the Power star craft a package for him.

  • Peter Ryan
Zach Merrett with Essendon teammates.

‘Everyone’s had enough’: Essendon legend Hird thinks Merrett will stay with the club

James Hird thinks Zach Merrett will stay at the club, despite his former player trying to secure a trade to bitter rivals Hawthorn in the off-season.

  • Russell Bennett and Jon Pierik
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North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.

‘This is on me, not the club’: Alastair Clarkson opens up on the Roos’ plight

In an expansive interview, the veteran four-time premiership coach outlines his goals for the struggling North Melbourne, and what would make him walk away.

  • Jake Niall
John Longmire was senior coach of the Swans between 2011 and 2024, during which time the team won the premiership flag once and played in the grand final five times.

The three clubs that could entice John Longmire back to coaching

The premiership coach is “a new man”, looking younger and healthier after embracing a new role. His youngest child has finished school. So what’s next?

  • Caroline Wilson
Jagga Smith celebrates after the siren.

The Blues kicked one goal in a half and still won. But that wasn’t the real story

The reaction had Carlton lost to Richmond, after last week’s drubbing by Sydney, requires no imagination. But there was a more interesting storyline than another Blues fadeout.

  • Michael Gleeson
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.

Not just Tasmania: Look out Collingwood, Victorian rivals are circling Daicos

Nick Daicos appears unwilling, for now, to sign the kind of long-term extension that could make him a Magpie for life.

  • Sam McClure