The AFL trade period is starting to heat up with multiple big-name whispers emerging ahead of next month’s exchange window. From a Bulldogs player seeking a fresh start at a rival club to a Gold Coast gun linked to a potential blockbuster Christian Petracca deal, player movement speculation is in full swing just days out from the 2025 AFL Grand Final.

Khamis Requests Trade to Carlton

Western Bulldogs swingman Buku Khamis has officially asked for a trade to Carlton, with the request coming less than 24 hours after Footscray’s VFL premiership celebrations. The news, reported by The Age, surprised many given Khamis remains under contract at Whitten Oval until the end of 2026.

At 25 years old, Khamis has built a solid if not spectacular AFL career since debuting for the Bulldogs in 2021. He has now featured in 41 senior games under Luke Beveridge, including 14 matches during the 2025 season. However, after July, Khamis struggled to break back into the senior side, despite being an integral part of Footscray’s VFL campaign that ended in premiership success.

The Dogs are believed to be open to exploring a trade, but the club won’t be giving up Khamis without a fight. With his versatility to play at either end of the ground, he provides valuable depth for the Bulldogs’ list. Contract security also strengthens the club’s negotiating position, ensuring Carlton would need to present a convincing offer if they want to secure his services.

Carlton’s interest makes sense given their defensive needs. Following Jack Silvagni’s departure to St Kilda during this year’s free agency period, the Blues are searching for additional depth to support star defender Jacob Weitering. Khamis, with his ability to fill multiple roles across the backline and occasionally pinch-hit in attack, could be exactly the type of player Carlton needs heading into 2026.

While speculation earlier this month linked Carlton and the Bulldogs to Melbourne’s veteran defender Steven May, foxfooty.com.au reported last week that neither side was likely to pursue that option. Instead, the Blues appear intent on targeting younger, versatile players who can provide longer-term value.

For Khamis, a move to Carlton could also represent a chance to reignite his AFL career after an inconsistent run at the Bulldogs. While he has shown flashes of potential, he has often found himself on the fringe of selection, battling for a permanent place in a side stacked with tall defensive options. Joining the Blues might open the door to more consistent opportunities at senior level.

Flanders Floated in Blockbuster Petracca Trade

Meanwhile, attention is also turning north with speculation that Gold Coast midfielder-forward Sam Flanders could form part of a blockbuster deal for Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca.

Nine’s Tom Morris revealed Flanders has met with several Victorian clubs as he weighs up his future beyond 2025. Among the clubs reportedly on his radar is Melbourne itself, opening up the intriguing prospect of Flanders being involved in a direct trade for Petracca.

Petracca, a Norm Smith medallist and one of the AFL’s most dynamic midfielders, has been the subject of ongoing trade talk for more than a year. Having explored the idea of a move 12 months ago, the Demons star is again reportedly open to new opportunities — including at non-Victorian clubs.

According to foxfooty.com.au, Adelaide is growing increasingly confident of landing Petracca if he nominates the Crows as his preferred trade destination. Still, both the Crows and Suns are “very much in the mix,” according to Morris, provided they can put together a compelling trade package.

“Flanders could be part of this deal, I just want to put that on the agenda early,” Morris said on Nine’s Footy Furnace.

“Sam Flanders is meeting clubs over the next week; one of those clubs will be Melbourne.

“There is a possibility, without locking it in, that Flanders is part of a deal that sends Petracca to the Gold Coast Suns, which would be quite incredible.”

If such a deal eventuates, it would shake up the AFL landscape. Petracca joining the Suns could push the emerging club into genuine premiership contention, particularly alongside other rising stars such as Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, and Ben King. Conversely, Melbourne landing a young talent like Flanders — along with possible draft picks — could help refresh their list after a disappointing few years since their 2021 premiership.

For Flanders, any move would mark a major career shift. The 23-year-old has developed into a reliable contributor at Gold Coast, but with the club pushing for more elite talent, his place in the team’s long-term strategy appears uncertain. Joining Melbourne would give him the opportunity to slot into a midfield rotation that could be undergoing significant change should Petracca depart.

A Trade Period of High Stakes

These developments add further intrigue to what is shaping up as one of the most consequential trade periods in recent memory. Clubs are under increasing pressure to balance list management with the push for immediate success, and high-profile moves like those involving Khamis, Flanders, and potentially Petracca could alter the AFL’s competitive balance.

Carlton’s pursuit of Khamis highlights how clubs look to plug immediate gaps while still planning for the future, while the potential Suns-Demons trade illustrates the high-stakes gamble teams are willing to make in pursuit of a flag. With the Grand Final just days away, attention will soon shift from the on-field decider to the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing that could define the next AFL season.

For now, Khamis’ desire to join Carlton and the prospect of Petracca moving north remain whispers. But as history has shown, whispers in September often become headlines by October.