Trade Rumours 2025

[GVGjr]

3.50PM - CROWS SOUND OUT YOUNGSTER

Adelaide has “asked the question” of contracted Western Bulldogs midfielder Ryley Sanders.
Sanders, who hails from Tasmania and had previously shaped as a future target for the Devils, has emerged as “a possible target” for the Crows, per AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
Twomey added on social media platform X: “Sanders’ brother Ollie plays for Norwood in the SANFL and Crows have always kept an eye on Ryley.

“Not expecting the Dogs let him go but there has been enquiries as they look to bolster their midfield.”
The 20-year-old Sanders has played 35 games — including 21 this season — for the Bulldogs since being drafted no.6 overall in 2023. He has a year to run on his deal.

[Sedat]

I can't see Sanders going for this at all. If he doesn't want to be at the Dogs anytime in the near future, it will because he is taking a big money marquee contract with Tassie.

Would he sign a two year deal at Adelaide ahead of 2028 Tassie? Doubt it.

It depends - if he is promised more substantial midfield time at the Crows, I could see him making the move (even for 2 years). Crows are clearly thin in the middle so it makes sense for Sanders to consider it - he is behind all of Bont, Richards and Freijah in the midfield pecking order for the next 5 years minimum. Adelaide need outside ball users in their midfield.

Is Tassie 100% locked and loaded for 2028 entry? I don't think it matters in any event.

It would be a terrible look for us to offload a top 6 pick who we traded up and sold a lot of capital to secure after only 2 seasons, but we lucked in getting Freijah for a bag of chips in the same draft (thanks Dodo for bidding on Lual at pick 39). If Sanders ultimately helped us secure Butts and Butters, it could be sold to the members.

[Axe Man]

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan set to take massive pay cut to continue AFL career as Bulldogs gear up for play at Zak Butters

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wants to get to the Gold Coast, and a fringe Sun could pave the way for it to happen – and unlock a massive boon for the Bulldogs. See how it can all fall into place.

Western Bulldogs’ forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is facing the prospect of a major pay cut to continue his career at Gold Coast Suns next season.

The highly-talented forward has a deal for as much as $800,000 a year next season but that is likely to be torn up as part of his fresh start in Queensland in 2026.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Suns are strongly considering a move for the 23-year-old on a heavily-reduced rate.

While the exact terms are yet to be thrashed out, the Suns are looking to incentivise his contract which would reward him for strong on-field performances.

It means the goal kicker’s salary could be reduced by as much as half for 2026, but talks will continue between the AFL, Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and his manager, Robbie D’Orazio.

It would make the number one pick a potentially bargain pick-up and cost the Suns a minimal amount in a trade.

But there is acceptance that if Damien Hardwick’s men are going to throw Ugle-Hagan a career lifeline following a difficult year of personal issues it will be on his new club’s terms.

It comes as Gold Coast continues talks with Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca about a move north, but the Demons do not want to pay one cent of his $1.3 million deal.

Ugle-Hagan trained away from The Kennel and did not play a single game for the club this season, leading to a likely mutually agreed exit.

A trade will represent a major saving for the Bulldogs who could keep the salary cap room as part of their bid to land Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters next year.

The Dogs are considered a frontrunner for Butters along with Geelong, but Port is adamant there will be no movement until he becomes a restricted free agent in 12 months’ time.

The brilliant onballer will field offers in the vicinity of $2 million a season to switch colours and return home to Victoria for 2027.

Luke Beveridge’s men are almost certain to proceed with a Ugle-Hagan trade over the next week, potentially as part of a swap for Suns’ utility Connor Budarick.

Budarick, 24, is expected to play in defence for the Dogs next season to help bolster the back half after spending time forward this year for the Suns.

The Dogs are assessing the player market for further defensive reinforcements with Liam Jones on his way out and Buku Khamis exploring a move to Carlton.

Talks with the Blues about a Khamis swap are expected to ramp up next week.

He is contracted for one more season and is no guarantee to depart the club unless the Dogs are satisfied with the deal.

The Dogs are keen to improve their defensive performance to help catapult back into the finals mix for next season after missing the eight this year.

[The Adelaide Connection]

It depends - if he is promised more substantial midfield time at the Crows, I could see him making the move (even for 2 years). Crows are clearly thin in the middle so it makes sense for Sanders to consider it - he is behind all of Bont, Richards and Freijah in the midfield pecking order for the next 5 years minimum. Adelaide need outside ball users in their midfield.

Is Tassie 100% locked and loaded for 2028 entry? I don't think it matters in any event.

It would be a terrible look for us to offload a top 6 pick who we traded up and sold a lot of capital to secure after only 2 seasons, but we lucked in getting Freijah for a bag of chips in the same draft (thanks Dodo for bidding on Lual at pick 39). If Sanders ultimately helped us secure Butts and Butters, it could be sold to the members.

Plot twist- Ryley's brother Ollie plays for Norwood. So yeah, he may be more willing to head to Adelaide than expected.

Also, I wonder if Port would be keen for a midfielder to replace Butters in the deal?

Screenshot 2025-10-07 at 5.18.49 pm.png

[GVGjr]

This from Cal Twomey

G2pAf0bbAAAYZyW.png

[doggies ftw]

Sanders is a good fit for crows, we actually don’t know whether he has any interest in going to Tassie. Just a vibe but he feels like more of a laid back SA vibe than inner city Melbourne, but I’m not really basing that off much. Who knows the appeal of a midfield spot at the crows might be big for him.

Id absolutely explore it though if it resulted in Butts & a 1st, which would possibly give us enough ammo to make Port come to the table. If Sanders landed us Butts & Butters it’d be an absolute no brainer for us. I wouldn’t think of moving Sanders though unless we secured Butters this year, not taking the risk on waiting until next year. Sanders is in a weird position on our list that it Butters doesn’t come he’s a crucial part of our list build, but if Butters does come then he’s realistically an after thought going forward

We do have to be proactive in this situation though and really think carefully about what we do with Sanders. If we think he’s keen to stay long term and we still rate him highly as a future mid internally now we’ve seen him for two years we have to lock him down. I hope he takes massive strides next year but I can see a world in which he doesn’t really improve much due to no real opportunity in our 22 (will open up in 2027) and then with a quiet year and out of contract he’s keen on a move next year and his value will have tanked from where it is now.

Also if we think he’s going to go Tassie trying to push him out now & cash in is a good move, relying on AFL compo, that we can’t even get onto the list until 2027 is the worst strategy.

If we see him as a crucial part of the future midfield and he’s happy at the club then we try to lock him up now, with the caveat that yes if he still wants to go to Tassie we won’t stand in his way but we want him contracted so we can trade on our terms.

Worst thing we can do is sit on our hands and let him go uncontracted into next year and especially 2027 when his value could very easily tank from now

[doggies ftw]

This from Cal Twomey

G2pAf0bbAAAYZyW.png

Lions have made out like bandits here for a good player but with huge concussion concerns, and more importantly a player they should rightfully be getting zero for (FA, and they’ve bought in more in free agency)

The system is absolutely, completely broken.

The AFL should have just let WCE sign FAs without diluting their compo (which is a good rule that should be brought in for all bottom 4 clubs) and WCE would have signed him for free and Brissy nothing.

Equalisation right?

[Critter]

That's a bit surprising. What's the reasoning behind it?

What if it was put to someone at Adelaide that they should ask this question?

[jazzadogs]

Lions have made out like bandits here for a good player but with huge concussion concerns, and more importantly a player they should rightfully be getting zero for (FA, and they’ve bought in more in free agency)

The system is absolutely, completely broken.

The AFL should have just let WCE sign FAs without diluting their compo (which is a good rule that should be brought in for all bottom 4 clubs) and WCE would have signed him for free and Brissy nothing.

Equalisation right?

And West Coast get a pick as part of an assistance package... Which they use to trade for a player they should have got for free!

[lemmon]

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan set to take massive pay cut to continue AFL career as Bulldogs gear up for play at Zak Butters

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wants to get to the Gold Coast, and a fringe Sun could pave the way for it to happen – and unlock a massive boon for the Bulldogs. See how it can all fall into place.

Could there be conversations around us contributing a significant portion of Marra's salary if it meant purchasing our way into one of the Sun's high first-rounders?

Something like:

Marra + pick 11 + we eat 500k on Marra's contract next year
for
Budarick + pick 6

[jeemak]

It depends - if he is promised more substantial midfield time at the Crows, I could see him making the move (even for 2 years). Crows are clearly thin in the middle so it makes sense for Sanders to consider it - he is behind all of Bont, Richards and Freijah in the midfield pecking order for the next 5 years minimum. Adelaide need outside ball users in their midfield.

Is Tassie 100% locked and loaded for 2028 entry? I don't think it matters in any event.

It would be a terrible look for us to offload a top 6 pick who we traded up and sold a lot of capital to secure after only 2 seasons, but we lucked in getting Freijah for a bag of chips in the same draft (thanks Dodo for bidding on Lual at pick 39). If Sanders ultimately helped us secure Butts and Butters, it could be sold to the members.

Is this purely on the assumption we have Butters to replace Libba? Because if it isn't, we're going to definitely need Sanders on the inside.

If Sanders wants to go and clearly states that he does, then it's a top ten and a top twenty pick for a guy who's played 35 games in his first two years.

[jeemak]

Could there be conversations around us contributing a significant portion of Marra's salary if it meant purchasing our way into one of the Sun's high first-rounders?

Something like:

Marra + pick 11 + we eat 500k on Marra's contract next year
for
Budarick + pick 6

I think the idea is JUH foregoes his current contract to keep his playing career alive, and in that situation we clear the salary in lieu of not getting anything of significant value in return.

Would be surprised if any party that isn't JUH and his manager want him on anything close to $800K next year.

[Willow18]

If JUH’s money is off the books we must be quite flushed with cash

[GVGjr]

If JUH’s money is off the books we must be quite flushed with cash

We've locked away a lot of long term contracts but there has to be a bot of scope if we can drop the Marra contract cheaply.

[Aidan7557]

We've locked away a lot of long term contracts but there has to be a bot of scope if we can drop the Marra contract cheaply.

Wilkie offer was like 1.3 mil a year (for example), Marra 800k at least, thats 2.1 there plus ability to push money down the raod with long term deals. I think Freijah is the only one who might get a big pay rise. Gotta be 2.5 to 3 million at least to play with.