Get all the latest news in the trade, free agency and draft landscape in Inside Trading, AFL.com.au's dedicated column for player movement. Find out the latest on contracts, deals, trades, draftees, rules, agents and who is going where from the AFL.com.au team.

DONS UP DRAPER BID

ESSENDON has upped the ante to keep free agent Sam Draper as time ticks on his contract call, lifting its offer to five years for him to stay at the club.

AFL.com.au revealed last month the Bombers had added a trigger for a fifth season to their four-year deal as they battled Adelaide and Brisbane for Draper's signature, but that has increased again, with the offer now at five seasons.

The deal would run through to 2030 and is in line with the offers from the Crows and Lions, which has had Draper deciding between the three options for most of the season.

The move makes clear Essendon's keen hopes to retain the unrestricted free agent, who hasn't played since round six due to his Achilles injury. 

The Crows and Lions have both been targeting Draper, with Adelaide keen to partner him with Reilly O'Brien and the Lions looking to add to their ruck division as Oscar McInerney has battled injury concerns this season.

If he left, the Bombers would not be able to match a deal but would receive a compensation pick, which would be on the verge of band one (first round) territory and at worst at the end of the first round. 

Draper, who turns 27 in September, is yet to make a call on his future but a decision is expected soon after Essendon's season finishes next week. – Callum Twomey

HAWKS ASSISTANT IN DEES MIX

HAWTHORN midfield coach David Hale is amongst the assistant coaches Melbourne has sounded out in its search for its next senior coach.

The Demons are expected to finalise a short list this week after informal meetings with more than a dozen candidates across the past fortnight.

Melbourne has been in the market for a new coach since sacking 2021 premiership coach Simon Goodwin at the start of August.

Head of development Mark Williams is also departing after six years with the Demons, but Troy Chaplin, Nathan Jones and Nathan Bassett are all contracted for next year.

Hale has built his coaching resume since retiring at the end of 2015, spending six years with Fremantle, where he stepped in as interim coach for the final round of 2019, before joining Sam Mitchell at Hawthorn ahead of 2022.

Melbourne has also reached out to Western Bulldogs midfield coach Brendon Lade and Geelong assistant James Kelly.

Premiership coaches John Longmire and Adam Simpson have publicly ruled themselves out of the race, while former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is widely considered the frontrunner, more than four years after his last coaching gig.

The Demons are planning to make an appointment by Grand Final week, just ahead of the trade period. - Josh Gabelich

YOUNG ROO LANDS DEAL

NORTH Melbourne has rewarded mid-season recruit Cooper Trembath with another contract after a dazzling finish to 2025.

The 19-year-old became the first player since Scott Cummings in 1994 to kick at least three goals in each of his first three AFL games after kicking three more against Adelaide on Saturday.

Trembath has signed a one-year extension for 2026.

The Kangaroos selected Trembath at pick No.10 in this year's Mid-Season Rookie Draft after starting the year with Blackburn in the Eastern Football Netball League.

Trembath made a brilliant debut against Greater Western Sydney with three goals on Sam Taylor, before adding three in the win over Richmond in round 23.

Only five of the 18 players selected in the 2025 Mid-Season Rookie Draft entered the AFL with contracts for 2026, but now Trembath has secured a deal, while North Melbourne's other recruit Zac Banch is also set to be re-signed. - Josh Gabelich

SWAN ON GIANTS' RADAR

JOEL Hamling is being considered by a fifth AFL club, with Greater Western Sydney preparing to replenish its key defensive stocks later this year.

With Leek Aleer and Wade Derksen both expected to land at new homes in October, the Giants have been gauging the availability of readymade options across the competition ahead of 2026.

Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley, Connor Idun and Harry Himmelberg are all crucial cogs in the Giants' defence, but the Giants need more coverage in the event of long-term injuries.

GWS isn't expected to trade for a key defender, but is poised to make a move during the delisted free agency windows, rookie draft or pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).

Hamling has played 14 times for Sydney in 2025 for a total of 105 games since being drafted by Geelong in 2011, but is yet to receive a contract from the Swans for next year.

The West Australian played in the 2016 premiership for the Western Bulldogs, then added 68 games for Fremantle before being signed by the Swans as an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2023.

Only three players in VFL/AFL history have played a game for five clubs – Dale Kickett, Les Abbott and Les Hughson – and only 13 have played for four in the AFL era, with Tom Campbell now at a fourth club but yet to play for Melbourne.

Essendon's Jayden Laverde, Hawthorn's Sam Frost and Richmond's Jacob Koschitzke are some of the other names the Giants have been looking at.

Laverde has played 12 games for the Bombers this year but is one of more than a dozen at Tullamarine in contract limbo. Frost has played only two senior games following the arrival of Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, while Koschitzke has played only twice under Adem Yze this year.

GWS is often in the market for low-cost players and has success over the journey, with the likes of Jesse Hogan, Matt de Boer and Toby Bedford all making big impacts at Engie Stadium. – Josh Gabelich

POPULAR LION TO DECIDE ON FUTURE

BRISBANE premiership defender Ryan Lester will have the opportunity to continue his career into a 16th season.

For seven of the past eight seasons, Lester has lived off one-year deals and will get another one if he chooses to play on.

The 32-year-old is yet to sign a contract for 2026, but is expected to re-sign after playing a crucial role for Chris Fagan again in 2025. 

After arriving from the Oakleigh Chargers via pick No.28 in the 2010 AFL Draft, Lester is the longest-serving player at the club, arriving 12 months before brother-in-law Dayne Zorko, who plays game No.300 this weekend. 

Lester played all 27 games in 2024, finishing sixth in the Merrett-Murray Medal following a career-best season that culminated in a flag. After playing 17 VFL games in 2022, Lester has played 67 games under Fagan since then and now has the option to build towards 250 next year. 

Restricted free agent Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee are the only two other premiership players who haven't re-signed at Brisbane for next year. – Josh Gabelich

SHARP SET TO SIGN ON 

FREMANTLE is close to confirming a new deal for winger Jeremy Sharp after his recent omission from the team sparked opposition interest. 

Sharp was set to come out of contract at the end of this season but is expected to sign a two-year deal to remain with the Dockers as he pushes to return to the AFL line-up. 

The former Gold Coast winger was a bargain acquisition for the club at the end of 2023, returning to Perth during the SSP after being delisted by the Suns.

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His ability to carry a high running load and knack for kicking long goals has been an asset for Justin Longmuir's team, allowing them to play an extra midfielder on the opposite wing who can rotate inside the contest. 

A dip in form, however, and Fremantle's midfield depth saw him replaced after round 15, bringing the 187cm midfielder's future into focus given his status as an unrestricted free agent. 

Sharp played every game in his first season with the club in 2024, averaging 18.2 disposals and 3.9 inside 50s and establishing himself as a mainstay in the team.

The 24-year-old is pushing to return to the line-up for a must-win clash against the Western Bulldogs after hitting form in the WAFL. - Nathan Schmook 

YOUNG PUP TO GET NEW DEAL

THE WESTERN Bulldogs will reward first-year youngster Josh Dolan for an impressive debut season, with the club close to an agreement on a two-year extension.

Dolan is already locked away for 2026 courtesy of his first draftee deal, but the Dogs will tack on an extra two years to his contract and secure his future at the Whitten Oval until at least 2028.

The agreement will reward Dolan for 11 games in his maiden campaign in the AFL system, having broken through for his debut in round one and remained in the side for the first seven matches of the season.

Dolan, who doesn't turn 19 until November, was recruited with the No.31 pick in last year's draft following a standout junior season representing the Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro and Brighton Grammar.

He was part of a successful draft haul for the Dogs, with Cooper Hynes (pick No.20) and Sam Davidson (pick No.51) also featuring heavily this year. – Riley Beveridge

BOMBER TO STAY

VIGO Visentini will add to the list of Bombers re-signings with a two-year extension.

The young Essendon ruck has agreed to the deal, which will take him through to the end of 2027.

Visentini has been one of the five out-of-contract ruckmen on the Bombers' list, however his impending commitment and Nick Bryan's two-year deal announced on Wednesday leaves Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein and Lachie Blakiston as the out-of-contract rucks at the club.

Draper continues to weigh up the Bombers' four-year (plus a trigger for a fifth season) deal against long-term interest from Adelaide and Brisbane as an unrestricted free agent, while Goldstein has previously spoken about being open to a 19th season at AFL level with a decision expected post-season.

The 19-year-old Visentini was drafted at the end of 2023 and has shown encouraging signs at the Bombers, making his AFL debut late in the year against Fremantle and playing two games this year. – Callum Twomey

POWER PROSPECT FLYING

A NINE-goal haul for Zemes Pilot has put further spotlight on the talented under-16s prospect two years out from his draft year.

Pilot, playing for South Adelaide in the SANFL's under-16s competition, booted a massive 9.4 from 27 disposals, six inside-50s and six tackles. He had opportunities to hit the 10-goal barrier late in the game but missed his shots.

Pilot is tied to Port Adelaide's Next Generation Academy and is eligible for the 2027 draft. 

What the bidding rules look like in two years is up for debate, and clubs are also waiting to see if Tasmania's list build rules will give them any extra access to Academy and father-son players ahead of their 2027 draft hand before their proposed 2028 start in the AFL. 

The Power have a number of players who are linked to the club in coming seasons, with Louis Salopek (son of Steven) and Tevita Rodan (son of David) eligible as father-sons in 2027.

The AFL is also still working through the Power's application for Dougie Cochrane, who starred recently on his senior debut in the SANFL, to be eligible as a NGA player in the 2026 draft. – Callum Twomey

CANNONS PROSPECT TO RETURN FROM INJURY

RECRUITERS will get another long-awaited look at talented Calder Cannons midfielder Felix Kneipp this weekend, with the draft prospect set to finally make his return from a frustrating back injury.

Kneipp has missed the majority of this season with a stress response in his back, but has been medically cleared to play a half in Saturday morning's clash against the Northern Knights in Preston.

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The 179cm prospect has attracted interest from a host of AFL clubs while sidelined with the back issue, having been injured at the start of the APS season after a hot start for the Cannons earlier this year.

Kneipp had games worth 26 disposals against the Tasmania Devils and 24 disposals against the Northern Knights at Coates Talent League level to start the year, before he was sidelined for months with his back injury.

He missed the under-18 championships as he rehabbed the issue, but still earned a state combine invite earlier this month, with recruiters now hopeful of catching another glimpse of Kneipp ahead of November's draft period. – Riley Beveridge

SURGERY LOOMS FOR EAGLES ACADEMY STAR

West Coast Academy forward Wes Walley is set to undergo shoulder surgery at the end of the season after pushing through injury in his draft year, with a trio of Eagles NGA prospects managing late-season setbacks.

Talented midfielder/forward Koby Evans, who is tied to the Eagles, is also consulting specialists about potential surgery for a syndesmosis injury, which will rule him out for up to three months and prevent the dynamic youngster from testing at October's 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Combine.

The news comes as fellow NGA product Tylah Williams manages a hand injury, which he suffered while training with West Coast's AFL team earlier this month.

WA Football state talent manager Adam Jones said the shoulder injury for Walley had been an ongoing issue, with confirmation that he would require surgery coming recently as he made his League debut with WAFL club Subiaco.

The teenager could yet line up for Subiaco or West Coast's WAFL team in the final round this weekend before undergoing the surgery and ensuring he is available to start pre-season if selected in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.

"He's had a loose shoulder for a fair while and even at stages last year he felt some instability. But he wanted to put any surgical stuff off until he got through his draft year," Jones told AFL.com.au.

"He's done well to get through this year without any major issues and now the time's come where he's had the scan, which shows 100 per cent he needs surgery. So we're just working through exactly when that will get done."

West Coast is blessed with a talented crop of NGA players this year, with Walley, Williams and Evans all invited to test at the Draft Combine later this year.

The club has made a request for draft help after four poor seasons and two wooden spoons, with expanded access to Academy talent this year a potential assistance lever that has been floated in discussions.

Meanwhile, fellow WA under-18s talent Cody Curtin is set to return from a shin issue to play some minutes with Claremont this weekend.

West Perth youngster Jacob Farrow, who shapes as WA's leading draft prospect, will also return after missing two games with hamstring awareness and illness. – Nathan Schmook