
Essendon, Melbourne Linked to New Names, Collingwood and Carlton Targets: AFL Trade News Wrap

The AFL trade period is heating up, and the latest rumours swirling around the league have fans buzzing with excitement and speculation. In this week’s **Essendon, Melbourne linked to new names, Collingwood and Carlton targets: AFL trade news wrap**, we dive into the big moves that could shake up the 2025 season.
Essendon has emerged as one of the most active clubs in recent discussions, with sources suggesting they are eyeing a few surprise additions to bolster their midfield depth and forward options. After a promising season that fell just short of finals glory, the Bombers are clearly determined to close the gap on the competition’s elite. Names like Zac Fisher and Dylan Stephens have been loosely connected to Essendon, sparking debate among fans about whether these young talents could be the missing pieces in Brad Scott’s puzzle.
Meanwhile, Melbourne is also making waves. Despite finishing strongly this year, the Demons know they can’t stand still if they want to reclaim premiership glory. Reports indicate that Melbourne is looking at adding experienced defenders as well as a versatile forward to complement their potent attack. Among the names linked to them are free agent Ben McKay and versatile forward Todd Marshall, each of whom would bring a different dynamic to Simon Goodwin’s already dangerous lineup.
Over at Collingwood, the reigning premiers are never out of the headlines. The Pies are believed to be targeting a few key players to maintain their spot at the top. Their list managers are reportedly watching some young midfielders closely, with a focus on adding pace and depth to keep their edge. There’s also talk that they may try to lure out-of-contract talent from rival clubs, ensuring they stay one step ahead of the chasing pack.
Carlton, on the other hand, is rumored to be circling big-bodied midfielders as they continue to build on the progress of recent seasons. The Blues showed signs of a serious contender this year, and adding a bit more grunt to their midfield mix could be the final piece to push them into the grand final conversation. Players like Jade Gresham and even a surprise mention of Rory Lobb have been thrown into the rumor mill, leaving fans eagerly awaiting official announcements.
As always during trade season, there’s plenty of noise and not all of it ends up being true. However, what’s clear is that the landscape is shifting quickly, and clubs are prepared to make bold moves to improve their chances in 2025 and beyond.
Fans are glued to every update, hoping their clubs can pull off a major coup. The excitement around possible signings, shock moves, and unexpected swaps is what makes this time of year one of the most thrilling in the AFL calendar.
In the coming weeks, we’ll see which of these rumored targets turn into official signatures, and which clubs will be left scrambling. But for now, supporters can only dream, speculate, and passionately debate every whisper and headline.