AFL trade period LIVE: Day two of trade period, mega-deal could be in the works for Butters, Marshall wants out

Lead: North Melbourne has officially appointed Jaymie Graham as its new senior AFL coach, following the sacking of Alastair Clarkson. The Kangaroos also continue discussions around trading star ruckman Rowan Marshall, with St Kilda demanding Geelong’s first-round draft pick and a player in exchange. Meanwhile, the Hawks have lodged paperwork for Ben King, while the Dees are reportedly offering a package involving North’s disgruntled No.4 pick. Timeline of Events: On October 6, 2026, North Melbourne confirmed the appointment of Jaymie Graham as their new senior coach, marking a shift in leadership after the departure of Alastair Clarkson. The club’s president, Sonja Hood, praised Graham’s experience and leadership qualities, highlighting his work with Fremantle and West Coast. Earlier that day, reports indicated ongoing trade talks involving Rowan Marshall, with St Kilda seeking Geelong’s first-round pick (No.14) and a player. The Saints had previously considered swapping Marshall for small defender Lawson Humphries but later abandoned that proposal. Meanwhile, the Hawks had submitted paperwork for Ben King, with the Dees offering a potential package tied to North’s No.4 pick. People, Organisations and Places Involved: Key figures include Jaymie Graham, the newly appointed North Melbourne coach, and former coach Alastair Clarkson, who was dismissed earlier this year. Rowan Marshall, a 30-year-old ruckman for St Kilda, has been pushing for a trade to Geelong for the second consecutive year. St Kilda’s management, including club president Sonja Hood, continues to negotiate with Geelong. Geelong’s selection panel, led by Jennifer Watt, is evaluating potential trades, while the club also seeks to acquire Jordan Ridley from Essendon. The Hawks, represented by Ben King, are engaged in discussions with the Dees, with the latter offering a package involving North’s No.4 pick. Background: North Melbourne, historically struggling in the league, has shown improvement in recent years. After six seasons in the bottom two, the club climbed to 14th in the 2026 season. However, fans remain dissatisfied, expecting at least a wildcard berth in 2027. The appointment of Jaymie Graham, a relatively inexperienced coach with a track record at Fremantle and West Coast, signals a bold move. Graham’s hiring follows criticism of the club’s previous press conference, where the tone of announcing Clarkson’s departure was deemed unsatisfactory. Rowan Marshall’s situation highlights internal tensions within St Kilda. The 30-year-old ruckman, who has played 177 games for the Saints, boycotted the club’s best and fairest awards ceremony, citing feelings of undervaluation. His trade request has intensified as St Kilda prioritizes younger players, notably Tom De Koning, who was signed from Carlton as their primary ruck option. The Saints are leveraging Marshall’s remaining contract to secure a high-value deal with Geelong, which is eager to bolster its depth ahead of a potential premiership campaign. Differing Details and Disagreements: While both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported on North’s coaching change and the ongoing trade discussions, ABC News added specific details about Graham’s background, including his tenure at Fremantle and West Coast. There were slight variations in the description of the Saints’ demands for Marshall, with some sources noting the initial interest in Lawson Humphries, which was subsequently dropped. Additionally, The Sydney Morning Herald mentioned that North has a “huge offer” in play for an Adelaide key defender, though the specifics remained undisclosed. Reactions and Next Steps: Club officials, including North’s president Sonja Hood and football manager Todd Viney, expressed confidence in Graham’s ability to lead the team forward. However, concerns remain about the challenges of managing a young, untested coach in a competitive league. For St Kilda, the negotiation with Geelong over Marshall appears to be a high-stakes proposition, with the Saints unwilling to compromise on their demands. Meanwhile, the Hawks’ trade for Ben King and the Dees’ potential offer for North’s No.4 pick suggest further activity in the AFL trade market. As the trade period progresses, more deals are expected to emerge, particularly as clubs seek to strengthen their rosters ahead of the upcoming season.