​​Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.​

The latest AFL trade whispers centre on Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell’s response to calls for the club to target GWS Giants captain Toby Greene, while Brisbane Lions forward Zac Bailey has addressed growing interest from rival clubs following a strong performance against Collingwood. The developments come as the AFL season progresses and clubs begin shaping their future lists, making these discussions significant for both immediate form and long term planning.

Mitchell responds to Toby Greene suggestion

Hawthorn has been linked to Toby Greene after Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes suggested the club should pursue the experienced GWS Giants captain, who is eligible for free agency this year. Greene, a long time leader at the Giants, remains one of the competition’s most influential forwards and has indicated he plans to continue playing for several more seasons.

Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, Sam Mitchell acknowledged the appeal of a player like Greene but stopped short of confirming any formal approach. From a list management perspective, Mitchell made it clear that Hawthorn is now at a stage where adding experienced talent is part of the club’s thinking.

“I love Toby Greene,” Mitchell said during the interview. “You try to imagine players like that in your team, just like other clubs would look at ours.”

During recent matches, Hawthorn’s improvement has been noticeable, particularly in their defensive structure and ball movement through the midfield. From the stands, the team’s ability to maintain pressure across four quarters has shown signs of a side building towards finals contention.

Mitchell explained that the club’s strategy has evolved from focusing purely on youth development to targeting players who can help complete the list. He pointed to the recruitment of Tom Barrass as an example, noting the impact of experienced players in key moments.

“We are always trying to improve our list,” Mitchell said. “A couple of years ago it was about building with younger players. Now it is about finding the pieces that can help us take the next step.”

This approach reflects a broader trend across the AFL, where clubs balance developing young talent with recruiting established players to remain competitive. Greene’s leadership and forward pressure would fit that model, although any move would depend on free agency decisions later in the season.

Zac Bailey focuses on performance amid contract interest

At the Brisbane Lions, Zac Bailey has become a central figure in ongoing AFL trade whispers after reports of significant offers from rival clubs, including Adelaide and Essendon. Bailey is coming off a strong performance against Collingwood, where he recorded 25 disposals and two goals in a high intensity contest.

Watching the match unfold, Bailey’s influence was clear, particularly in the second half when Brisbane lifted its forward pressure. His ability to push up the ground and link play created multiple scoring opportunities, a sign of his growing role within the team’s structure.

Despite the speculation, Bailey said post match on 3AW Football that he is focused on maintaining his form rather than engaging with contract discussions. He acknowledged that external noise can become a distraction if not managed carefully.

“I’m trying not to worry about it too much,” Bailey said. “If I focus on that, it can affect how I play. I just want to keep performing and let the rest take care of itself.”

According to reports, Adelaide has tabled a long term offer, while Essendon and other clubs are monitoring the situation closely. These types of deals reflect Bailey’s value as a dynamic forward capable of impacting games both inside and outside the forward 50.

Social media adds to trade speculation
Bailey also noted the role social media now plays in amplifying trade discussions, even for players based outside traditional football markets like Brisbane. While Queensland has historically provided some distance from the AFL media spotlight, that gap has narrowed in recent years.

“You still see it everywhere now,” Bailey said. “Every time you scroll, there is something about contracts or players moving.”

From a performance standpoint, Brisbane’s coaching staff will be encouraged by Bailey’s ability to remain focused despite the attention. His recent output suggests he is continuing to develop consistency, which is critical for a team with finals ambitions.

According to official AFL match statistics, Brisbane’s forward efficiency improved during the Collingwood game, with Bailey playing a direct role in several scoring chains. Maintaining that level of impact will be key as the season progresses.

What it means for AFL clubs

These AFL trade whispers highlight how clubs like Hawthorn and Brisbane are approaching different stages of their list cycles. Hawthorn is looking to add experience to complement its emerging core, while Brisbane is managing interest in one of its key players.

For the GWS Giants, retaining Toby Greene would remain a priority given his leadership and on field influence. His decision later in the year could shape not only the Giants’ future but also the plans of rival clubs.

As the season continues, these storylines are expected to develop further, particularly as clubs gain a clearer picture of their ladder position and list needs.