AFL trade period: St Kilda seeks Marshall trade, Geelong resists

Consensus Summary

St Kilda’s push to trade ruckman Rowan Marshall to Geelong has dominated the AFL trade period’s first days, with both clubs locked in negotiations over a deal that would see the 30-year-old move to Moorabbin. Marshall, who has one year left on his contract, boycotted St Kilda’s best and fairest night on Monday to protest his stalled transfer, signaling his frustration with the club’s handling of his trade request. The Saints have offered Geelong’s first-round draft pick (pick 14) and a player in exchange, but the Cats have rejected both proposals, viewing the asking price as excessive for a player who has never been All-Australian and is St Kilda’s second-choice ruck. Marshall’s insistence on leaving has created a standoff, with St Kilda president Andrew Bassat previously guaranteeing a trade for a ‘fair deal’ by the end of 2026 if negotiations failed this year.

The impasse traces back to last year’s trade period, when St Kilda failed to secure Marshall’s move despite initial interest from Geelong. Marshall’s dissatisfaction stems from feeling undervalued, particularly after Tom De Koning’s arrival on a long-term deal worth roughly $1 million more annually than Marshall’s contract. The ruck’s agent has reportedly explored options with the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney, but Marshall has consistently expressed a desire to play for Geelong in 2027 and beyond. Meanwhile, St Kilda’s push for Marshall is tied to their need for a ruckman following Rhys Stanley’s retirement, with the club viewing the De Koning-Marshall duo as a significant upgrade. Geelong, however, remains unconvinced, arguing that Marshall’s role as a secondary ruck and his age (turning 31) do not justify the draft capital being offered.

Key figures in the saga have made their positions clear. St Kilda’s footy boss, Lenny Hayes, acknowledged the challenge of finalizing a deal, telling Trade Radio that the club would ‘take a little bit’ to reach satisfaction due to their high regard for Marshall. Geelong’s resistance is further complicated by Sam De Koning’s reluctance to play alongside his brother, adding another layer to the trade negotiations. Meanwhile, Gryan Miers, another St Kilda player under consideration for trade, has done a medical with West Coast and expressed a desire to remain at Geelong for the next two years of his contract. His potential move could free up draft capital for St Kilda to use in securing Marshall, though Miers’ injury history—a partially torn ACL early in the season—has prompted cautious discussions. The Eagles’ interest in Miers could involve pick 21, according to 7NEWS, though no formal agreement has been reached.

The two articles diverge slightly on specific details, particularly regarding Marshall’s age and the structure of St Kilda’s trade offers. The Age notes that Marshall is ‘about to turn 31,’ while 7NEWS specifies he turns 31 ‘next month,’ a discrepancy that could reflect differing interpretations of his birthdate. Additionally, The Age highlights St Kilda’s lack of a nominated player to pair with pick 14 for Marshall, a detail absent from 7NEWS’ reporting. Both outlets agree, however, that Geelong views the current offers as overvalued, with the Cats arguing that Marshall’s lack of All-Australian recognition and secondary role at St Kilda do not warrant the draft picks on the table. The trade period’s live coverage, set to begin at 9 a.m. each weekday starting October 5, underscores the high stakes of these negotiations, with other potential deals—such as Hawthorn’s Aiden Schubert exploring a move to the Gold Coast—adding to the complexity of the week ahead.

As the trade period progresses, the focus remains on whether St Kilda and Geelong can bridge their divide over Marshall’s future. The Saints’ willingness to include a future first-round pick (Harley Barker in 2025) in their latest offer suggests they are prepared to invest heavily to secure the ruck, but Geelong’s insistence on a more favorable deal leaves the outcome uncertain. Marshall’s boycott of the best and fairest ceremony serves as a public statement of his determination to leave, while St Kilda’s internal discussions about other players—such as Miers and Viney—indicate a broader strategy to optimize their draft capital. With the trade period still in its early stages, the next few days will be critical in determining whether Marshall’s move to Geelong becomes a reality or if the clubs remain deadlocked, leaving the ruck’s future hanging in the balance.