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Trade Bell: Gabelich’s update on Merrett, Petracca, Wilkie & more
SEN • September 9th, 2025 2:59 pm
The Trade Bell has sounded!
AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich joined Gerard Whateley on SEN to go through all the latest in the trade space.
Read his thoughts on several players below:
Sam Draper (Essendon)
Lions or Crows?
“Clubs have been chasing him because Essendon can’t match the offer.
“They weren’t prepared to anyway because of the durability question marks around him and how aggressive Brisbane have been. They’ve been prepared to offer five (years) with a trigger sixth year.
“Expect him to land there (at Brisbane), but it hasn’t stopped Adelaide from chasing him even though they re-signed Reilly O’Brien for three more years.
“All eyes will be on what compensation the Bombers get. Currently they’ve got picks 4, 5, 22 and 25, so they are stacked heading into November’s draft.
“But will they get Band 1 or Band 2 for Draper? We’ll have to wait and see.”
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Will he stay or go?
“I think it’s live and in play. I think it’s unlikely that Essendon allow him to move given his contract status.
“We saw the Christian Petracca situation last year. It will be highly unlikely that the Bombers allow Zach Merrett at this age and stage to depart. It will be quite tricky.
“But it won’t stop clubs chasing him. Hawthorn is one that is constantly linked to Merrett. They chased Harley Reid really aggressively, Zak Butters is someone they are interested despite Port being adamant that he’s not up for trade this year.
“We’ll be discussing Zach Merrett all the way to deadline day.”
Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
On Hawthorn links
“And if it’s not Zach Merrett I think we might be discussing Christian Petracca and Hawthorn.
“I think Christian is open to a fresh start. Clearly he went through a lot this time last year and it was a really difficult time for him.
“With so many changes coming at Melbourne across the board, it might be the right time. I don’t believe he’s met with Hawthorn yet but I do believe that they have registered an element of interest.
“Clearly they’re in the market for another midfielder. They expect James Worpel to move to Geelong as a free agent. It’s been a need, especially with the Will Day (injury) situation and the unknown around him going forward.”
Callum Wilkie (St Kilda)
On the Bulldogs’ interest
“It tells us that they are making Cal Wilkie a clear trade priority.
“They need to sort their defensive issues out. They know Wilkie is a long shot given his contract status and St Kilda’s clear stance that he won’t be traded despite them landing Jack Silvagni as a free agent and getting the commitment from Leek Aleer.
“My understanding with the Dogs is they’re prepared to go higher than the $1.1 million per season across four years that they have on the table for Cal Wilkie.
“They weren’t prepared to go any higher with Silvagni given the durability question marks, but when it comes to Wilkie he doesn’t miss. He’s played 155 consecutive games and internally I’m told the (Dogs) players are thrilled with the club’s decision to target a player like Wilkie.
“The problem with that is they can’t wait for an answer forever, they need to be active in this market for a key defender. Steven May was briefly discussed internally but given he’s almost 34 I don’t think they’ll pursue him.
“No contact with Mitch McGovern or James Blanck. Tylar Young was considered months ago but there are bigger offers out there for him.
“Wilkie is the priority but they will pivot if they get a no from him.”
Buku Khamis & Jedd Busslinger (Western Bulldogs)
On Carlton & general interest
“The Dogs are aware of Carlton’s interest in Khamis. He is contracted next year. They tried to extend him beyond 2026 but no movement just yet.
“Jedd Busslinger is the other one under contract. He hasn’t signalled any intention to depart but I dare say clubs will ask the question of him given where he sits in the pecking order.”
Connor Budarick (Gold Coast)
On Bulldogs, Lions & Bombers links
“Another one to keep an eye on with the Western Bulldogs. He was one of the few (Suns) that played in the Elimination Final in Perth on the weekend who doesn’t have a contract for next year.
“Gold Coast have offered him one, but he is weighing up his options. Brisbane are interested, Essendon’s interested, but so are the Bulldogs.”
Neil Erasmus (Fremantle)
On Bulldogs interest before he signed with Freo
“Neil Erasmus was the one to watch at Fremantle. The Bulldogs have been courting him for months.
“There was some confidence at one stage that he would make a big decision to move away from WA and join the Dogs, but the longer the season went and the more midfield minutes he got and the better he played under Justin Longmuir, it was always heading this way.
“Yesterday he put pen to paper on a three-year extension to remain at the Dockers. He told the Bulldogs last week.
“West Coast was also really into him and offered him three years with the promise of more midfield minutes. But he’s locked in at the Dockers.”
Will Brodie (Fremantle)
On Port Adelaide interest
“The one to watch there is Will Brodie. The expectation is he finds his way to Port Adelaide between now and the trade deadline.
“He’s got one year to run on his contract, but he hasn’t played AFL since early 2023. He’s been dominating in the WAFL for some time.
“He’s got a long-standing relationship with Josh Carr from his time at the Dockers.”
Leek Aleer & Jacob Wehr (GWS Giants)
“Leek Aleer has put in a trade request to St Kilda. That spending spree continues at Moorabbin.
“Jacob Wehr will move to Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent. They’ve been into him for some time, as have the Bulldogs.”
Wade Derksen (GWS Giants)
On Melbourne interest
“The trade request hasn’t come through just yet, but 12 months after Melbourne tried to get him out he will get there this year.
“They’ve maintained a serious level of interest in him. Has been dominating at VFL level but very hard to get into that backline at the Giants.”
GWS defensive depth
“I don’t believe they’ll trade for a player, they’ll try to sign one as a delisted free agent or wait until the SSP window.
“Jayden Laverde, Joel Hamling, Jacob Koschitzke and Jacob Blight are all in the mix. I think we’ll see the Giants active.
“I’m intrigued to see if they go for a more high-profile name given the way they’ve exited September.”
