Five free agents move as AFL trade period opens

Five players have new AFL homes before a single trade has been done.

Lachie Neale joined Collingwood, Toby Greene joined Geelong, Joel Amartey joined Carlton, Jordon Butts joined the Western Bulldogs and Kieren Briggs joined Richmond. All five moved as free agents, which means out-of-contract players who can switch clubs without their old and new teams agreeing to a trade ABC.

Free agency opened on Friday, October 2. The 2026 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period follows it, starting at 9am AEDT on Monday, October 5 Fox Sports.

When a free agent leaves, the AFL gives the old club a compensation pick. That is an extra selection in the national draft, where clubs take turns choosing the best young players.

Four of the five deals drew band three compensation. Brisbane received band three for Neale, Greater Western Sydney received band three for Greene, Sydney received band three for Amartey and Adelaide received band three for Butts. Band three means a pick straight after the club's natural second-round selection ABC.

The Giants received pick 26 for Greene. The Swans received pick 37 for Amartey.

Briggs drew a lower return. The Giants received band four compensation for his move to Richmond. Band four is a pick in the third round, after the club's natural selection.

That left three clubs disappointed. Brisbane, Greater Western Sydney and Adelaide had hoped for band two compensation for Neale, Greene and Butts. Band two would have meant a pick at the end of the first round, much earlier in the draft order.

For fans, this means the early action is about the draft as much as the players. An early pick can buy a future star. A later pick makes that harder.

The main trade period is just starting. Club list managers, the officials who build playing lists, gather at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne for the official opening The Age. The trade window runs from October 5 to Wednesday, October 14, while free agency remains open until Friday, October 9 AFL.

No trades need a winner on day one. Keep an eye on the picks.