Blakey stand-off headlines frantic penultimate trade day

North Melbourne still does not have Nick Blakey. Essendon has a Brisbane defender asking to join it. And the trade clock is almost out.

Tuesday, October 13 is the penultimate day of the 2026 AFL trade period, the window when clubs can swap contracted players and draft picks. More than a dozen deals were still up in the air heading into the day, with deadline day to follow, according to ABC Sport. Clubs have hours, not weeks, to get them done.

Blakey sits at the centre of it. The Sydney forward nominated North Melbourne as his preferred destination on the Friday before the final three days, as detailed by AFL.com.au. North's pursuit included a reported $11 million contract offer, first reported in ABC Sport's October 9 coverage. Early in the period, North had been expected to pounce only if Blakey asked out.

The price is now public. North was set to offer pick 6, an early selection at the national draft, plus its 2028 first-round pick to Sydney for Blakey, according to Fox Sports. Talks stalled after North's opening bid failed, ABC Sport reported on October 12. Sydney has held firm so far.

North is not working on one deal. The club was also attempting to get a deal for Nick Murray over the line alongside Blakey. Two big swings. One small window.

There is movement elsewhere. Brisbane half-back Keidean Coleman, 26, has requested a trade to Essendon, according to Zerohanger. A half-back is a defender who rebounds the ball out of defence and starts attacks. Essendon has already sent Zach Merrett to Hawthorn, while Brisbane forward Will McLachlan has also asked to leave Brisbane.

For fans, this means a squeeze. List bosses have to match player wishes with picks and money before the deadline shuts. Expect late calls, revised offers and a few deals that wait until the last hour.