AFL trade period: Follow the latest news and developments from opening day of trade action

Things have come to a close on the opening day of the trade period.

It’s been a day of preliminary talks and clubs feeling out one another on a range of deals. And stating their cases, as we saw from each club representative this morning.

The sole two confirmed moves today were free agent confirmations: Jacob Wehr from GWS to Port, and Charlie Spargo from Melbourne to North.

Fingers crossed we see Oscar Allen’s move go through tomorrow - and we get the first of our trades getting lodged.

Thanks for your company today and do join us again from 7am WA time on Tuesday as we do it all again!

It was a forgettable season for Bobby Hill, with the 2023 Norm Smith winner playing just one AFL game after round 15 as he dealt with personal issues.

But Collingwood have backed the star forward to bounce back next season and say the WA product - who is contracted until 2030 - isn’t going anywhere.

“Bobby’s staying at the club,” Pies list boss Justin Leppitsch said.

“Everyone knows Bobby had some challenges off the field this year, and I think he’s on top of those now, getting on top of those,” he said.

Here’s a first look at James Worpel in blue-and-white hoops after the restricted free agent made the move to Geelong.

“It has been a busy couple of weeks but I couldn’t be happier to play for the blue and white and a team that I have supported for the majority of my life, I have so many good memories of watching – and probably not so many good memories of playing,” he said.

“It is good to be all done and dusted now.”

Jy Simpkin is set to remain in blue and white, according to Roos list boss Brady Rawlings.

Rawlings said there was “nothing at this stage” by way of interest from other clubs in the 27-year-old.

“I expect him to be there on the first day of pre-season,” Rawlings said.

Zak Butters is going nowhere, according to Port Adelaide list boss Jason Cripps.

The club has denied the three-time Power B&F winner had raised the prospect of a move to his home state of Victoria.

“We want Zak to be at the club for the next 10 years, and that will be our sole focus at the right time,” Cripps said.

“Zak’s really happy, 100 per cent committed to the club and a super important player for our future.

“Zak has never broached the idea of being traded.”

Unrestricted free agent Brayden Fiorini has chosen Essendon as his new club, agent Liam Pickering has just revealed.

The 123-game Sun had interest from Port Adelaide but has opted for the Bombers as his landing point as he seeks some more consistent opportunities.

Fiorini has polled 18 career Brownlow votes - the 11th most in Gold Coast history - and made 18 appearances this year, not missing a game after his first match in round nine. He averaged 21 disposals and four tackles per game.

Away from the trade space for a moment - there’s bright news for West Coast fans emerging from yesterday’s AFL Draft Combine.

Eagles Next Generation Academy prospect Tylah Williams showed off his serious pace by finishing second in the 20m sprint with a time of 2.892sec, and then ranked fourth in the agility test and seventh in the running vertical jump.

Williams is a strong chance to land at the Eagles through next month’s drafts.

Charlie Spargo has at last landed at the Kangaroos as an unrestricted free agent.

Melbourne are set to get a draft pick at the end of round two as as compensation - that currently sits at Pick 41.

Spargo played 108 games across eight seasons at the Dees, including booting a first-term goal in their 2021 flag triumph.

After every club’s list boss or footy manager chatted this morning upon arrival at Marvel Stadium, here are some of the nuggets to emerge:

- Gold Coast have reiterated they won’t be trading Bailey Humphrey under any circumstances, despite interest from Melbourne among others

- Geelong’s list manager Andrew Mackie admits it’ll be “hard work” landing both Charlie Curnow and Rowan Marshall but the Cats are keen to “get busy”

- St Kilda’s head of talent Graeme ‘Gubby’ Allan gave some great lines that included saying signing up Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera “gave us the opportunity to go fishing” as they look to be among the more active clubs across the next 9 days

Here’s the full wrap on West Coast’s Matt Clarke saying Pick 16 won’t be used in any deal to get the Brandon Starcevich deal done, despite Brisbane’s interest.