AFTER at least 11 mooted deals failed to go through on Deadline Day last year, clubs got to work earlier in 2026 and ensured there were fewer players facing awkward returns on day one of pre-season.

The deals that didn't get done were still a major part of the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, however, with three players failing to find a new home after being included in trade talks.

Some were called off early after it became clear a deal wouldn't work, while others went down to the wire, with North Melbourne's efforts to land Nick Murray becoming the central storyline of Deadline Day.

Amid a flurry of trades in the final 15 minutes, Kangaroos list manager Brady Rawlings tried desperately to satisfy Adelaide's demands but came up short.

AFL.com.au runs through the deals that didn't get done, and where it leaves those players.

TRADE TRACKER Get the details of every trade

NICK MURRAY

The Adelaide key defender was intent on getting to North Melbourne, where he would have become a vital member of the backline after splitting his time in the AFL and SANFL this season. His value to the Crows, however, shot up after the departure of Jordon Butts as a free agent and the club took a hardline stance and demanded a pick in the top 20 from the Kangaroos. North's best offer was picks 33 and 49 this year as well as 2027 selections in the first and third rounds, working relentlessly on deadline day to put forward a generous offer. Murray's contracted status made a deal difficult, however, as did the fact that North had rightly prioritised Nick Blakey once the Swans star became an option. The Crows said on Wednesday night they were rapt to welcome Murray back to the club next season, where he will be needed. 

JAYDEN SHORT

The two-time premiership defender was keen to follow in the footsteps of so many of his former teammates in recent years by exploring a move elsewhere as the Tigers transition to a younger list. Collingwood offered the 30-year-old a three-year contract, but a deal never really got close to eventuating, being called off about an hour before the deadline. Magpies list manager Justin Leppitsch confirmed a future second round pick was part of negotiations, but Richmond counterpart Blair Hartley was blunt in his assessment. “I think we’re just disappointed for Jayden it didn’t work out, but we’re excited to have him back. It was something he was keen to explore. We said we’d listen. There wasn’t a lot of talking and we welcome him back to Richmond straight away."

GRYAN MIERS

This one always seemed a long shot, but once the clever Cats forward took a medical at West Coast before he headed overseas for a holiday, the door was ajar. Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie said the club was open to moving Miers with a “really good” deal, but it never gained any serious traction. Reports of an Essendon push were knocked on the head by Mackie, calling it “hearsay”. Miers, 27, has two years remaining on his contract and will return to a Geelong forward line that will become more crowded in 2027 with the addition of former GWS skipper Toby Greene.