Every team would love to add a shiny new star in this year's trade period to unveil to their fans in round one next year, but to do so, they'll likely have to part with draft capital.
Stars such as Christian Petracca, Charlie Curnow, Zach Merrett, and even Zak Butters could be on the move in the coming days, and their respective clubs will likely have a suite of draft picks to show for it.
While 2025's draft class hasn't exactly been touted as generational, there's still plenty of value in the picks being discussed.
The Sporting News looks at which picks could be on the move in this year's trade period.
MORE: The 'Dusty-like' Gold Coast star that could unlock Christian Petracca trade
Pick 6, 14 & 17 (Gold Coast)
The Gold Coast Suns are set to be the most active team this trade period. After making an inaugural finals appearance this year, the Suns will be a different looking outfit in 2026, with a number of players coming and going, as they hunt for a premiership.
The Suns are currently in negotiations with Melbourne over Christian Petracca, while also exploring the possibility of landing Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Charlie Curnow. While Ugle-Hagan's value is at an all-time low, and Curnow moving to the sunshine state is becoming increasingly unlikely by the day, Petracca's move to the Suns is imminent after he officially requested a trade to the club last week.
Melbourne's list manager is adamant that the Demons will dig their heels in, and only part ways with their Norm Smith medallist for the right price, saying on Monday, "If someone wants to come and get one of our best players, then it's up to them to come up with a deal that will satisfy us."
Fortunately, the Suns have a number of assets that could appeal to the Dees, including three first-round draft picks this year alone. While the Demons are believed to be heavily chasing rising star Bailey Humphrey, it's hard to believe the Suns would part with the promising 21-year-old in a deal for Petracca, who turns 30 in January.
As such, the likely avenue to a deal is through the Suns' draft capital. One would expect, after years of longing for premiership contention, the Suns will eventually comply and cough up whatever picks the Dees want.
Pick 7 (St Kilda)
St Kilda want high-level talent through the doors now, and there isn't a price, money or draft-wise, that is too much for the Saints, it seems. The Saints have already paid a handsome amount to convince Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni and Leek Aleer to join the club, and they are set to do the same for Suns midfielder Sam Flanders.
Although Flanders has committed to join St Kilda, he is still under contract until the end of 2028, and thus, the Saints will have to entice the Suns to deal the 24-year-old.
Pick seven may seem like a hefty price for a player that collected just one coaches vote in 2025. But according to Seven's Mitch Cleary, that's the direction it would appear talks are heading, with a deal likely to be struck sooner rather than later.
St Kilda expects pick 7 to be a straight swap for Sam Flanders and for the deal to go through in the next day or two @7NewsMelbourne @7AFL
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) October 6, 2025
With pick seven heading to the Suns, it could very well be forwarded onto Melbourne, opening up the possibility for the Dees to ask for two top-10 picks, which would be a solid return for their best-and-fairest runner-up.
Pick 8 (Hawthorn)
Some creative business in last year's trade period was able to land Hawthorn Carlton's first-round pick, and it could prove to be vital as they seek to win over Essendon in negotiations for Zach Merrett.
The Bombers are holding the position that there is nothing the Hawks can offer that will convince them to part ways with their captain, but if the Hawks can convince them otherwise, pick eight would almost certainly be thrown in.
If so, Essendon will end up with three top-10 picks in this year's draft, including their own and Melbourne's, which would be an ideal way for the club to reset after losing their six-time best-and-fairest.
Pick 15 (Adelaide)
After winning the minor premiership and going out in straight sets, Adelaide are desperate to avoid the same embarrassment in 2026. They pursued Petracca hard before he was won over by Gold Coast, and have asked the question of Merrett, and could do the same for Clayton Oliver.
While they've been unable to win over any major star yet, they have landed a dual premiership player in Callum Ah Chee, who is set to make the Crows his third club after a successful stint with Brisbane.
The Crows will be forced into a trade to get Ah Chee across the line, and the Lions could hold up negotiations by asking for pick 15. The Crows are adamant they will not cough up that much for the 27-year-old, according to AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge, perhaps in the hopes they can save it for a bid at another player.
Adelaide is adamant Pick 15 won't be involved in the Cal Ah Chee trade talks, but don't have anything else until Pick 47. The Crows are keen to get involved in other deals to find something that will satisfy Brisbane. @AFLcomau @traderadio https://t.co/4sAYyJxFE1
— Riley Beveridge (@RileyBev) October 6, 2025
If that doesn't eventuate, you would think the Crows could eventually cave in and give the Lions 15, in exchnage for Ah Chee and a later pick.
Pick 18 (Geelong)
The Saints could perhaps be a bit more willing to part with pick seven knowing they can expect a first-round pick back for Rowan Marshall, albeit a late one.
The disgruntled ruckman will be forced to play second fiddle to the incoming Tom De Koning in 2026, and while the Saints have maintained he is needed, the Cats shouldn't need to fight too hard to lure him out of the Saints grasp.
Marshall will be 30 by the start of next season, meaning the Saints can't demand too much. But Geelong's devastating Grand Final loss proved their need for a refresh at the ruck spot, and Marshall will provide that and more, meaning they should do what it takes to land him.