Overview

• Day one begins with negotiations over multiple All-Australians, including Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver at Melbourne, Zach Merrett at Essendon and Charlie Curnow at Carlton.
• Collingwood has emerged as a reported suitor for Oliver after his meeting with GWS, with suggestions Melbourne could cover a significant portion of his salary.
• Petracca has publicly nominated Gold Coast as his preferred destination, which would require a sizable trade return given his long-term deal.
• Merrett's situation remains active after his meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and a best-and-fairest speech widely interpreted as hinting at an exit.
• Geelong is viewed as well placed to pursue Curnow according to radio reporting, while St Kilda's free‑agent pickups of Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni and sizable offers are resetting price expectations.