Collingwood Magpies, Adelaide Crows emerge as new suitors for Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver; Sydney Swans target Carlton

“All I’ll say is, Christian is a contracted superstar of our club and the competition,” Lamb said.

“He’s a modern-day great. He’s already had a hall of fame career. He’s a legend of our footy club, so if someone wants him, come and talk to us – and pay up.”

Collingwood and Adelaide also emerged as potential suitors for Oliver on Monday.

Magpies list boss Justin Leppitsch said acknowledged the Pies’ interest and suggested the Demons’ willingness to contribute to the robust midfielder’s wage could help.

However, two competition sources with knowledge of the situation said the Magpies were unlikely to pursue the four-time best and fairest winner and Leppitsch said they not yet met.

“There is talk with his contract – you may not have to pay the whole lot. We haven’t even gone through those steps yet,” he said.

Crows list boss Justin Reid said the Crows were doing their due diligence on Oliver.

“There is a bit more work that has to go into that, but I think the quality of players like that, or individuals, you certainly need to do your work. But there’s no guarantee what we will do there yet,” Reid said.

Geelong, who attempted to nab Oliver last year, said they would not pursue him because they signed another inside midfielder in ex-Hawk James Worpel.

In other developments on Monday:

Spargo becomes a Kangaroo, Wehr joins Port

Spargo, who played every game in Melbourne’s premiership year, joined North Melbourne as a free agent.

However, Lamb said it appeared increasingly likely defender Steven May will complete the final year of his contract at Melbourne after being advised to explore his options.

Giants winger Jacob Wehr officially joined Port Adelaide as an unrestricted free agent but there will be no compensation for GWS.

Suns explore Ugle-Hagan trade

Contracted Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is expected to have a medical at the Gold Coast this week. He did not play a match in 2025 due to personal issues.

Suns recruiting boss Craig Cameron said his club would continue to seek information from the Bulldogs and the AFL on Ugle-Hagan’s mental health program.

“We haven’t done a medical. We still have some things we need to talk to the AFL about, with regards to his current status … there are those things to go through. I don’t think this will happen in a rush,” Cameron said.

Fiorini picks Bombers

Gold Coast’s running midfielder Brayden Fiorini nominated the Bombers as his preferred destination.

Fiorini is a free agent but Essendon hope to complete a trade with the Suns so as not to dilute their compensation (pick 20) for losing ruckman Sam Draper to the Brisbane Lions.

Meantime, out-of-contract Suns forward Malcolm Rosas is expected to join Sydney as early as Tuesday.

Essendon are also expected to inquire about Sun Ben Ainsworth, who has attracted interest from Carlton.

Curnow a priority for Swans

The Blues said they expected star forward Charlie Curnow to be at the club in 2026 despite continued interest from Sydney and Geelong.

While the Blues knocked back Curnow’s initial trade request, rival clubs are of the belief he is available despite having four years remaining on his contract.

The Cats admitted it would be difficult to secure both Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall and Curnow, but the Swans said Curnow was a priority for them.

However, they are yet to put a package forward for the Blues spearhead and Swans’ list manager Chris Keane refused to speculate about which players they may be prepared to trade for him.

Tackling machine James Rowbottom has been raised as a potential trade option but neither the player nor his management have pushed that to the Swans.

The Blues are working towards deals for West Coast winger Campbell Chesser and Western Bulldogs utility Buku Khamis.

Dons dig in on Merrett

Publicly and privately, Essendon remain adamant that reigning best and fairest winner and club captain Zach Merrett will be going nowhere despite being blindsided by his meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.

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The contracted Merrett has not put in a trade request and has been in dialogue Dons coach Brad Scott about the situation.

Hawks list boss Mark McKenzie conceded Hawthorn, while interested in Merrett, had yet to discuss a potential trade for the 30-year-old.

“It’s been an interesting little period but nothing’s really changed,” Essendon list boss Matt Rosa said.

“Clearly, Zach has been gathering information and, as we’ve stated as a club, Zach’s a champion of our football club, and he’s a required player.

“There is a lot of respect between Zach and [coach] Brad [Scott] … it’s not ideal when your captain has met with another club, but we’re really confident and comfortable we’ll work through it.

“Conversations are ongoing though, and there’s been really good dialogue between Zach and the club, but yeah, Zach will be an Essendon player next year.”

Saints will continue to splash the cash

St Kilda’s talent and acquisition boss Graeme Allan said he had not told his own list manager Steve Silvagni that the Saints were pursuing Silvagni’s son, Jack, from Carlton.

Jack has joined the Saints as an unrestricted free agent on a four-year deal.

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“I didn’t tell his dad. We are great mates, but I didn’t tell him, so he was shocked. He was shocked. He was. Then it was Ross [Lyon] who came over the top. When Ross comes over the top, get out of the way,” Allan said.

Allan said the Saints would be aggressive again next year in their hunt for more high-priced talent, declaring they still had plenty of room under the salary cap.

The Saints have signed Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning on a long-term $12 million deal, while star midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has become the league’s first $2 million-a-season man.

“Not a problem. We’ll go hunting again next year,” Allan said.

“We have plenty of money.”

Allan said the Saints had barely paid 95 per cent of the salary cap this season – the minimum league requirement.

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