Geelong premiership player Gryan Miers has expressed a strong desire to remain with the Cats despite undergoing a medical with the West Coast Eagles amid ongoing trade speculation. The Eagles are actively pursuing several players as part of their list management strategy, including Melbourne’s Jack Viney and defender Trent Rivers, while also aiming to secure Rowan Marshall from St Kilda.
Miers underwent the medical with West Coast last Friday but informed Geelong that he prefers to stay with the Cats. His willingness to complete the medical was reportedly a precaution in case of unexpected trade developments before he departs overseas. Meanwhile, West Coast remains hopeful that Jack Viney will declare his intention to join the club early in the trade period, which officially begins Monday. However, Essendon has also shown significant interest in Viney, signaling a competitive environment for acquiring the Melbourne midfielder.
The Eagles face challenges with only four available list spots, adding complexity to their recruitment plans. A potential trade for Viney is expected to require minimal draft pick compensation, though West Coast would need to assume his contract until 2028. Trent Rivers, who becomes a free agent next year, remains a target for the Eagles, but he may choose to stay at Melbourne for another season. Brisbane was previously interested in Rivers but appears less likely to pursue him now.
On another front, Geelong has secured free agent Toby Greene and made an offer of a future first-round pick for Essendon key defender Jordan Ridley. However, the Cats remain firm on not trading their first-round selection or a key player such as Lawson Humphries to acquire Rowan Marshall, who turns 31 next month. This stance complicates negotiations with St Kilda, as the Saints are seeking considerable compensation for Marshall, who is ranked among the top five ruckmen in the AFL this season by Champion Data. St Kilda’s expectations for a pick in the mid-20s, which could fall to the early 30s by draft night, have proven difficult for Geelong to meet.
Jack Bowes, a 28-year-old midfielder surplus to Geelong’s requirements, has nominated Essendon as his preferred destination. Given he was offered only a one-year contract by the Cats, a trade involving Bowes is unlikely to command a high draft pick.
In other trade developments, Richmond defender Jayden Short is keen to move to Collingwood but the Magpies are uncertain if they possess sufficient draft capital to secure the 2020 best-and-fairest winner. While Melbourne initially showed interest in Short, that has since cooled. Short has only met with Collingwood so far, although other clubs have expressed curiosity. Collingwood is also seeking a trade for Carlton ruckman Flynn Riley after his trade request and is expected to exchange a late pick for GWS Giants forward Jesse Hogan.
Carlton continues to pursue GWS’s Lachie Whitfield but faces challenges meeting the Giants’ demand for a first-round draft pick for the 32-year-old half-back. The Blues can match a bid for father-son prospect Cody Walker using their two first-round selections but would be left with only second-round picks afterward. Carlton football boss Chris Davies acknowledged the difficulties in securing Whitfield, noting that GWS must be willing to release him for a trade to materialize.
As the trade period progresses, clubs are balancing list management priorities with player desires, draft pick valuations, and salary commitments in a competitive and fluid market.