Money TalksCredit: The Age
When an out-of-contract captain is meeting with an opposition coach trying to lure him to his club and it’s only round three, you know the AFL’s player movement market has officially entered a different realm.
As St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said in a pre-season interview “the gloves are off”, as more aggressive approaches are made to players that clubs want to recruit. It’s only April, but that heightened activity means efforts to retain or attract big names in 2025 are already in the headlines.
Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman, Carlton’s Tom De Koning, North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke and Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell are yet to commit to their clubs for 2026.Credit: Aresna Villanueva
Money Talks has spoken to 15 competition sources on the condition of anonymity to provide you with the latest information on the biggest names attracting interest from other clubs during the early part of the season.
Miles Bergman (Port Adelaide): This one is intriguing on several fronts. There was significant interest in the talented defender two years ago, particularly from St Kilda, and he remains in demand. A perfect storm is brewing for Bergman, whether he wants to return to Victoria to play with the bayside club near where he grew up, stay or negotiate a pay rise. Port’s pursuit of Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is a factor here, and it’s of note that fellow Power defender and Kapital Sports client Ryan Burton also remains without a deal beyond this season.
Tom De Koning (Carlton): No ruckman in the competition is in better form than the big Blue, who has a huge decision to make on his future. The most in-demand free agent in this year’s class is reportedly fielding an extraordinary long-term offer from St Kilda worth as much as $1.7 million per season, according to The Age’s Caroline Wilson. Carlton are prepared to offer him slightly more than $1 million a year and are flexible on tenure, but they won’t be matching the Saints’ offer for a ruckman. De Koning will need to weigh up the scrutiny that comes with accepting a life-changing offer to share ruck duties with Rowan Marshall and whether its worth departing an environment where he’s playing good football.
Star West Coast forward Oscar Allen would be a man in demand if he left the Eagles.Credit: AFL Photos
Oscar Allen (West Coast): The Eagles’ co-captain has created a furore by meeting his ex-assistant coach, now Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, just three rounds into the season as the Hawks are one of the clubs pursuing the restricted free agent. It’s a new era, but captains don’t traditionally meet suitors mid-season. That’s inviting drama. Allen’s preference was to stay at the Eagles on a long-term deal, but West Coast are being cautious due to his injury issues and the state of their list and don’t want to budge past five years. The reality as it stands now is that both parties would benefit if he departed given he would command a good enough contract to deliver the Eagles a first round draft pick; if he doesn’t, West Coast can match the deal to force a trade.
Sam Draper (Essendon): Essendon, not just Draper, have a big decision to make here, particularly given fellow ruckman Nick Bryan is also out of contract and playing regularly. They already have Melbourne’s first-round selection this year, on top of their own, and there is a scenario where the Crows make Draper a free agency offer good enough that the Bombers receive another first-rounder as compensation. Draper’s management is yet to engage in serious talks with Essendon about his future and the Bombers, who rate Draper, but are prepared to let the situation unfold to make a calculated decision in the club’s best interest.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda): Port Adelaide and Adelaide would love to lure the rising Saint home to South Australia, and Wanganeen-Milera’s friendship with Jason Horne-Francis and Jase Burgoyne ensures the Power have the inside running if he chooses to leave. The Crows have offered Wanganeen-Milera a six-year deal that could stretch to eight. No decision is imminent, but the young defender is happy in Melbourne, so St Kilda will be desperate to show him they have a bright future.
Harley Reid (West Coast): Another player on Hawthorn’s radar, but they are not the only club interested in the 19-year-old who is contracted until 2026. He could depart a year early, but there is much water to go under the bridge before any decision is made on his future. The priority for everyone connected to Reid is allowing him to concentrate on settling into the rhythm of being a professional athlete.
Zak Butters (Port Adelaide): The Age reported this week that Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood will be interested suitors if the Power’s “pre-agent” – he reaches free agency next year – took requested a trade home to Victoria. Butters, who has a close bond with outgoing coach Ken Hinkley, is one of the AFL’s best players, so the queue of clubs lining up for a shot at him is hardly surprising, but Port Adelaide won’t let him go without a fight.
Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne): Has a seven-year deal in front of him from North Melbourne, and he is expected to remain at the Kangaroos. However until his decision is announced, he remains a wildcard.
Matt Rowell (Gold Coast): Rowell met with Geelong, Essendon, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs (two sources said he was impressed with Luke Beveridge’s presentation) in October then focused on playing well for Gold Coast in 2025. There is no rush to decide his future as he is playing brilliant football and not distracted by the uncertainty. He could obviously re-sign for two seasons taking him to free agency, but he is happy to take his time weighing up his next move.
Brayden Maynard (Collingwood): North have not made an official offer but are interested in his type, realising they need to add grunt to their team as well as bounce off half-back. Most competition sources still believe he will remain a Magpie, but the Kangaroos are more likely to value him in the $800,000 per year range. Their interest has shown other clubs there’s a chance he may be enticed away from Collingwood, planting the seed that he might move.
He is a fan favourite and popular in the locker room but do Collingwood fans have to get used to the idea Brayden Maynard might leave?Credit: AFL Photos
Chad Warner (Sydney): An intriguing situation with Warner keeping his cards close after an early-season trip to Perth to spend time with family. There remains a level of confidence he will stay with the Swans for two more seasons. But the offers from the West Australian clubs are so attractive they can’t be dismissed without serious consideration.
Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne): Pickett battles homesickness in the AFL off-season, but has a good relationship with coach Simon Goodwin and is contracted until the end of 2027. He has previously toyed with the idea of returning to Western Australia or South Australia without seriously pursuing it. Demons president Brad Green told this masthead they would want two or three first-round picks in return if Pickett requested a trade.
Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane): Three concussions in short succession has complicated planning, but he has interest from West Australian clubs. The Lions discussed offering him deals ranging from two to six seasons before the latest concussion in round one.
Leek Aleer (GWS): St Kilda were open to giving the lightly played Giants defender a six-year deal if he crossed to them during the 2024 trade period. However, Aleer opted to play out his contract this year. He told this masthead in the pre-season that the number of AFL games he plays in 2025 would be a factor in his decision. The Saints remain interested, but Brisbane were also in the mix long before this season started.
James Worpel, Wayne Milera, Brodie Kemp and Jayden Laverde.Credit: Getty
Five names to watch
James Worpel (Hawthorn): Worpel’s more than repaid the Hawks’ No.45 pick in 2017 and his consistent performance is evidenced in his repeat top-five finishes in the club champion award, including winning in 2019. The hard-edged midfielder, who has played just once this year due to an ankle injury, is a restricted free agent. Hawthorn have a deep on-ball rotation, so a lucrative offer from another club might be able to prise him from Waverley Park.
Wayne Milera (Adelaide): Milera grew up in Adelaide and was the No.11 pick in the 2015 draft, but has struggled with various injuries. His five-year deal expires at season’s end, and he has played the first three games in 2025 without setting the world on fire. The likeliest scenario is Milera remains at the Crows, but another injury could make things interesting.
Brodie Kemp (Carlton): St Kilda came knocking late in last year’s trade period, but Carlton had no interest in moving him. The Blues picked Kemp at No.17 in the 2019 draft while he was recovering from an ACL injury, and further setbacks restricted him early in his career. The out-of-contract swingman, who played 38 games across the past two seasons, started as a defender, but has since swung forward – and kicked five goals last Friday night against Western Bulldogs.
Jayden Laverde (Essendon): Laverde was gettable in last year’s trade period, but remains at Tullamarine for the final year of his contract. He turns 29 this month, and can switch clubs without a trade as an unrestricted free agent, so that could be an appealing option for teams hunting defensive depth. Laverde is yet to appear at AFL level in 2025 because of a hip setback.
Darcy Cameron (Collingwood): The premiership Magpie is contracted until 2026 on a deal of about $450,000 a year. That is unders for the No.1 ruck who finished second in the club best and fairest award last year. West Coast are interested and Victorian clubs are monitoring his situation. At the very least, the Magpies might want to consider recontracting him on better terms for next season.
