Overview

• Essendon officials met Zach Merrett and his manager at the Hangar as the club maintained its stance that the captain will not be traded.
• No formal bid has been presented by Hawthorn for Merrett, and senior figures including Tim Watson now expect him to remain with Essendon.
• Charlie Curnow toured the Sydney Swans’ facilities, yet Carlton is resisting a move after rejecting Geelong’s three first‑round pick offer, and any Swans proposal is expected to include a player.
• Christian Petracca’s proposed move to the Gold Coast remains incomplete, with some commentators predicting it will still happen.
• Collingwood is willing to discuss Jordan De Goey at the right price without actively shopping him, as clubs work toward Wednesday’s 7:30pm AEDT deadline.