Aside from Collingwood, there would hardly be two bigger powerhouses in Victoria than Carlton and Essendon. While both clubs’ performances over the past two decades would suggest the complete opposite, the majority of the competition would still crave the aura and history that both clubs own.
It’s part of the reason that both Carlton and Essendon’s approach to the trade requests of Charlie Curnow and Zach Merrett respectively almost jointly captivated the entire buzz of this year’s trade period.
How would each club respond to their superstars wanting out, with both as desperate as each other to recapture the glory days of years gone by?
As it played out, the contrasting approach by both clubs offers a fascinating perspective on the future of trading in the AFL, and also sets both teams on different paths on their roads back to the top.
MORE: Essendon's monster Zach Merrett trade proposal to Hawthorn revealed
After the disaster that was Melbourne's off-field situation the past two years, which included the dealings (or lack thereof) of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, one has to wonder how those precedents might've factored into the decisions made by the Blues and the Bombers.
For Carlton, they decided to cut their losses, knowing that holding a disgruntled Curnow to a four-year contract could potentially derail their 2026 season before it even starts - not ideal for Michael Voss, whose coaching career hangs in the balance.
After rejecting three first-round picks from Geelong, the Blues took the next best offer from Sydney, receiving as many first-round selections from the Swans, plus Will Hayward.
The trade enables the Blues to be more flexible to accomodate the points needed to land father-son prospect Harry Dean in this year's draft, and likewise with Cody Walker in next year's draft.
After Clayton Oliver's situation at Melbourne went pear-shaped, and the Demons had to forfeit all their leverage just to essentially donate him to GWS for a third-round pick while still paying a massive portion of his salary, the Blues decided to cash in on Curnow while his value was still at its peak.
The same, however, can't be said for Essendon. Like the Demons did last year with both Petracca and Oliver, the Bombers have committed to holding their current captain to his contract, against his wishes.
Merrett was desperate to get to Hawthorn, which his manager Tom Petroro made clear in no uncertain terms. While technically a negotiation was had, it was clear that Essendon were never serious in entertaining a deal.
They set the bar so high for Hawthorn that not even Steve Hooker could reach it. The Bombers, according to Nine’s Tom Morris, requested from the Hawks picks 10 and 22 in this year's draft, as well as two future first-round picks, and a future second-round pick.
Essendon wanted four first round picks and a second rounder for Zach Merrett.
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) October 15, 2025
10, 22, 2026 F1, 2027 F1 + a 2026 2nd rounder.
More details on Footy Furnace tonight at 9.40pm.@FootyonNine @traderadio @9NewsMelb @1116sen
It was a godfather proposal, but one the Hawks could never realistically meet. All in all, it was clear that for all Essendon said about refusing to trade Merrett, it wasn’t just politics or smoke and mirrors, they genuinely were never interested in engaging in good faith.
Despite missing the finals in each of the past four seasons and losing their number one ruckman Sam Draper to free agency, the Bombers have bet on Merrett to lead a young squad full of potential to success in the coming years. The idea of him going to Hawthorn might've also influenced their lack of willingness to negotiate a trade, too.
Regardless, if it becomes apparent in 12 months again that the club's immediate chances of winning anything significant is still a fantasy, and Merrett is again kicking down the door, surely they will be more willing to come to the table this time next year.
The Bombers ultimately went down the path of exercising their power to hold their six-time best-and-fairest to his contract, as Melbourne did with Petracca last year. If their position changes over the next year, they will be hopeful they can still secure a monster offer similar to how the Demons were able to with the Gold Coast. Time will tell.