Jesse Hogan has become the first player traded in the 2026 AFL trade period, joining Collingwood from GWS in exchange for pick No.75. The Magpies confirmed the deal on Monday 5 October, the opening day of a window that runs until Deadline Day on Wednesday 14 October, with Zak Butters, Ben King and Zach Merrett the biggest names still to be resolved.
Hogan lands at Collingwood
Collingwood sent pick No.75 to the Giants for the 2024 Coleman Medallist, who has signed a two-year deal with the Magpies, AFL.com.au reported. GWS did not offer the 31-year-old a contract for 2027 after six seasons at the club, and Zero Hanger described the deal as the first domino to fall in this year’s trade period.
“On behalf of everyone at Collingwood, I’d like to warmly welcome Jesse to Collingwood,” Collingwood’s general manager of list and talent strategy Justin Leppitsch said. “Jesse has established himself as one of the competition’s premier key forwards and we’re excited to see him bring his experience and talent to our Club.”
Hogan has kicked 409 goals in 190 games for Melbourne, Fremantle and GWS, and won the Coleman Medal in 2024 with 77 goals in 25 games, the year he was also named All-Australian. Collingwood is his fourth AFL club, and he joins fellow recruit Lachie Neale, who arrived as a free agent last week.
Other deals that could move quickly
Fox Sports listed Scott Pendlebury’s move from Collingwood to Gold Coast among the deals that still technically need to go through as a trade. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Pendlebury is headed to the Suns on a four-year deal (two playing, two coaching) and is likely to be traded for a fourth-round pick.
Fox also named Luke Pedlar’s cross-town move from Adelaide to Port Adelaide, Sam Marshall to St Kilda, Lachie Whitfield to Carlton, Jack Bowes to Essendon and Jayden Short to Collingwood as deals that could be done with less fuss. AFL.com.au reported Carlton expects to use one of its early second-round picks (it holds No.23 and No.24) for Whitfield.
The big ones: Butters, King and Merrett
Butters remains the biggest domino. Fox reported the Western Bulldogs have until Friday 9 October to lodge their $18 million offer to the restricted free agent, and Port Adelaide will then have three days to decide whether to match it. AFL.com.au said Port has been exploring pick swaps with several clubs as it works out how to get the most from the Zak Butters saga.
Ben King, also a restricted free agent, has a reported seven-year, $9 million offer from Hawthorn. Fox said Gold Coast can take pick No.7 as compensation, but matching the offer and forcing a trade could complicate the Hawks’ talks with Essendon over Zach Merrett.
On Merrett, AFL.com.au reported Essendon has knocked back Hawthorn’s offer of picks 15 and 25 plus a future third-round selection, and the Bombers have targeted Noah Mraz as part of any deal. The Hawks are adamant Mraz will not be involved.
Saints’ asking price for Rowan Marshall
The Sydney Morning Herald reported, via Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan, that St Kilda wants Geelong’s first-round pick (currently No.14) and a player in any trade for contracted ruckman Rowan Marshall.
What happens next
Free agency has already seen Neale, Toby Greene, Joel Amartey, Kieren Briggs and Jordon Butts change clubs, and Hogan is now the first player traded. The ABC said up to 40 trades involving about 30 players are expected over the next 10 days. TSB will cover the major deals as they are lodged.
More News
- AFL: Lachie Neale Bids Lions Farewell as Collingwood Move Looms
- AFL: Jack Bowes Requests Trade to Essendon as Cats Open Door
- AFL: Sam Marshall Requests Trade to St Kilda as Lions Confirm Move
- AFL: Toby Greene Completes Free-Agency Move to Geelong
- AFL: Kieren Briggs Completes Free-Agency Move to Richmond
