Overview

• Essendon rejected Hawthorn’s final package for Zach Merrett — picks 10 and 22, a future first and Henry Hustwaite — leaving the captain at the Bombers under contract to 2027.
• Hawthorn reworked its draft hand via an official swap with Carlton, sending picks 9, 31, 42 and 43 for picks 10 and 22 in an effort to sweeten its Merrett bid.
• Carlton traded Charlie Curnow to Sydney for Will Hayward plus the Swans’ next three first-round picks, with Ollie Florent moving to the Blues in a separate deal.
• Gold Coast secured Christian Petracca in a deal headlined by three first-round selections, including picks 7 and 8 this year, along with additional pick exchanges.
• GWS acquired Clayton Oliver for a third-round pick as Melbourne agreed to cover a large portion of his remaining salary, and Gold Coast landed Jamarra Ugle-Hagan for pick 74.