AFL trade period LIVE updates: Roos complete blockbuster Blakey deal, and they’re not done yet; Blues, Giants at Whitfield impasse

Essendon’s interest in the Western Bulldogs’ mid-forward Laitham Vandermeer has cooled as they focus on attempting to land Brisbane defender Keidean Coleman.

The Bombers had expressed some interest in Vandermeer but it had not progressed far. They have also decided not to take their interest in Geelong’s Gryan Miers any further. They’re looking to go to the national draft and trial the odd SSP prospect as they reset.

Nick Blakey opted not to join the Roos as a father-son prospect and flirted with a move to Geelong first once he wanted out of Sydney, but he chose North Melbourne – the club his dad John played in two flags at – once the Cats’ assets dried up after trading for Jordan Ridley and Rowan Marshall.

Blakey joins the Roos on an eight-year deal worth at least $11 million in totality, and they hope, too, to add Adelaide key defender Nick Murray before tomorrow night’s deadline.

North’s backline has been their obvious weak spot in their climb back to relevance, but they are halfway to fortifying it.

The Roos will need to navigate whatever comes next when it comes to the Pullman Hotel saga, but Blakey will be at Arden Street in 2027.

This is the deal that has sent Nick Blakey from Sydney to North Melbourne.

Sydney get: pick No.6, 47, North’s 2027 F2, North’s 2028 F1, North’s 2028 F2
North Melbourne get: Nick Blakey, pick 52, Sydney’s 2028 F2

The Nick Blakey trade is done. He is a North Melbourne player. Details to follow.

Significant progress has been made between North Melbourne and Sydney on a deal for Nick Blakey.

The Roos’ pick six this year, plus their 2028 first-rounder, appear likely to be the Swans’ major return, but there could be other selections involved, potentially in Sydney’s favour, which is still to be determined.

North are also feverishly trying to find a way to appease Adelaide for contracted key defender Nick Murray.

It still looks like pick 33 will be the key to Zane Duursma becoming a Demon, which the Kangaroos would then offer the Crows, on top of their 2027 first-rounder, to try to deliver Murray to Arden Street.

Blakey and Murray are both represented by CDG Sports.

The Bombers have offered Brisbane pick No.27 for Keidean Coleman, but the Lions insist they want Essendon’s pick No.17 to be tempted to trade the contracted defender.

Essendon also have No.21 in the draft, but the Bombers believe that is too high a pick for a player who has played just 15 games in three years after a horror run with injury.

Coleman is one of the heartbreak stories from the Lions’ premiership three-peat. He played in the losing grand final to Collingwood in 2023 and then missed all three flags.

The rebounding defender looms as a readymade long-term replacement for Dayne Zorko, who, at the age of 37, can’t have much footy left in him, so you can understand why the Lions do not want to lose Coleman.

If he can stay fit, he would comfortably be among Essendon’s top six players.

While we wait for the action to heat up, get yourself up to speed on the drama at Carlton by reading Jake Niall’s report.

Carlton will do an internal probe into the circumstances that saw Lachie Cowan and Will Hayward admitted to hospital on Sunday morning.

The Blues will deploy officials, including their integrity officer, to gain a fuller picture of what transpired on Saturday.

Lachie Cowan was taken to hospital via ambulance but has since been discharged.AFL Photos

They will then pass on the results of their probe to the AFL, according to two competition sources familiar with the situation, but speaking off-record, and then it will be up to the AFL to decide whether to take any action against either Cowan or Hayward.

The Blues have described the medical treatment of the two players as separate incidents, with Cowan taken to hospital by ambulance after a night out, and Hayward taking an Uber to hospital for treatment to a cut head after falling following a night out.

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Hello everyone.

I’ve swapped the running shoes for a comfortable seat to give you the latest from the other test of endurance – trade period.

There’s plenty to look out for on the penultimate day of wheeling and dealing.

It’s an important day for North Melbourne in their quest to land Nick Blakey from Sydney, who are holding firm on their gun All-Australian defender. Can Carlton find a deal for Lachie Whitfield to appease GWS? We’ll also find out a bit more about Keidean Coleman’s wish to get to Essendon.