As the AFL trade period enters its second day, the game's familiar rhythms of departure and arrival play out once more — coaches finding new homes, players weighing loyalty against opportunity. Jaymie Graham, shaped by a playing career of modest length but meaningful depth, has been appointed North Melbourne's senior coach, becoming only the third man in the AFL era to lead three different clubs. Around him, the trade board hums with possibility: defenders seeking fresh starts, young forwards whose destinations remain unresolved, and the quiet arithmetic of list managers trying to build future
AFL Trade Day 2: Graham Named North Coach as Ridley, Miers Deals Loom
I feel like I've landed in the right place
Mark
So Graham gets the North job—what's significant about that beyond just filling a coaching vacancy?
Mimi
He becomes the third coach in the AFL era to lead three different clubs. That's rare. But more than that, he's someone who played only 37 games, missed a premiership grand final, and he's framing that as his strength—he can relate to players who don't have 300-game careers.
Luke
Right, but we should be careful here. He says that's his strength. We don't know yet if it actually translates to winning at North Melbourne. He's filling in for other coaches twice before—one match at West Coast, two at Fremantle. This is his first permanent senior role.
Mark
Fair point. What about the Miers situation? Is he going to West Coast or not?
Mimi
That's genuinely unclear. West Coast's list manager said it's unlikely. But Cornes thinks the medical he did is a signal he's seriously considering it. The logic is that West Coast might offer him security and tenure that appeals to someone managing an ACL injury.
Luke
And that's all speculation based on the fact that he did a medical. We don't have a quote from Miers or West Coast saying they've made an offer. We know Geelong wants to keep him. We know West Coast is interested. The rest is inference.
Mark
What about Ridley to Geelong?
Mimi
His agent is saying there's real openness and positive conversations. If it happens, Essendon loses another best-and-fairest winner—they'd have just Peter Wright left.
Luke
Again, that's the agent's characterization. We don't have Geelong on record confirming they're actively pursuing him or what they'd offer. It's hopeful language from Ridley's side.
Mark
So we're in that middle space where things feel like they're moving but nothing's locked in except Graham.
Mimi
Exactly. Graham's the certainty. Everything else is in motion, and the reporting is picking up signals—medicals, agent statements, list manager comments—but the deals aren't done.
Luke
Which is the honest position. The trade period is inherently uncertain until the paperwork is signed.
Le Pouls
- Graham's appointment at North Melbourne is confirmed, but the emotional weight of his departure from West Coast lingers — players who worked under him are publicly mourning the loss of a mentor they describe as irreplaceable.
- Jordan Ridley's move to Geelong hangs in a delicate balance, with his agent cautiously optimistic but no deal yet sealed, leaving Essendon's list looking increasingly bare of decorated talent.
- The Gryan Miers situation is openly contradictory — West Coast's list manager calls it unlikely while an AFL analyst points to a completed medical as evidence a deal is closer than anyone is admitting.
- Zane Duursma's move from North Melbourne to Melbourne appears the most straightforward of the day's transactions, with the Demons offering draft currency for a 21-year-old still searching for his best football.
- The broader trade period is quietly rewriting the historical relationship between Geelong and West Coast, with each potential deal adding another line to a decades-long exchange of significant players between the two clubs.
As the AFL trade period enters its second day, the game's familiar rhythms of departure and arrival play out once more — coaches finding new homes, players weighing loyalty against opportunity. Jaymie Graham, shaped by a playing career of modest length but meaningful depth, has been appointed North Melbourne's senior coach, becoming only the third man in the AFL era to lead three different clubs. Around him, the trade board hums with possibility: defenders seeking fresh starts, young forwards whose destinations remain unresolved, and the quiet arithmetic of list managers trying to build futures from moving parts.
The second day of the AFL trade period delivered one confirmed appointment and kept several major player movements tantalizingly unresolved.
Jaymie Graham was officially unveiled as North Melbourne's new senior coach, arriving from five years as West Coast's forwards coach. At his introductory press conference, he presented himself as a relationship builder — someone who wants to challenge players while making them feel genuinely supported. "I feel like I've landed in the right place," he said, promising Kangaroos supporters that 2027 would give them reason to be proud. His playing career stretched to just 37 games, including 24 during West Coast's 2006 premiership season, though he missed the grand final itself. He has spoken of that experience not as a wound but as a source of empathy — something that helps him connect with players navigating their own difficult moments. The appointment makes him only the third coach in AFL history to lead three different clubs, alongside Brett Ratten and Rodney Eade.
The tributes from West Coast players were immediate and warm. Josh Treacy called Graham his favourite coach over five years. Jye Amiss described him as one of the best people he had encountered in football. Pat Voss kept it brief, but the sentiment was clear.
Elsewhere, Jordan Ridley's agent expressed genuine optimism about a move from Essendon to Geelong, describing conversations as respectful and positive. Should Ridley depart alongside Zach Merrett's earlier exit, Essendon would be left with just one former best-and-fairest winner on their list. The Gryan Miers situation remains publicly contested — West Coast's list manager called a move unlikely, but analyst Kane Cornes pointed to a completed medical as a sign that a deal offering long-term security could yet tempt the Geelong forward away. Zane Duursma, meanwhile, looks set to leave North Melbourne for Melbourne in exchange for draft picks, continuing a trade period that is steadily reshaping several clubs at once.
The second day of the AFL trade period brought confirmation of one major coaching move and kept alive the possibility of several high-profile player shifts that could reshape multiple lists before the window closes.
Jaymie Graham, who spent the last five years as West Coast's forwards coach, has been locked in as North Melbourne's new senior coach. At his introductory press conference, Graham spoke about his approach to the role with a mix of measured optimism and clear-eyed assessment. He described himself as a relationship builder, someone intent on creating an environment that supports players while also challenging them to improve. "I'm genuinely excited, nervous, proud," he said. "I feel like I've landed in the right place." To the Kangaroos supporters, he offered a simple promise: "I hope what we produce in 2027 will make you proud."
Graham's appointment carries particular weight because of what he brings from his own playing experience. His career spanned 37 games, a modest tally that included 24 appearances during West Coast's 2006 premiership season—though he missed out on playing in the grand final itself. Rather than viewing this as a limitation, Graham has framed it as a source of resilience and empathy. "My experiences previously give me diversity as a coach," he explained. "It helps you connect, helps you show empathy when you need to." This appointment makes him just the third coach in the AFL era to lead three different clubs, joining Brett Ratten and Rodney Eade in that distinction.
The news of Graham's departure prompted immediate tributes from West Coast players who worked under him. Josh Treacy posted on Instagram that Graham was his "favourite coach and bloke" over the past five years, expressing gratitude for the impact on his career. Jye Amiss called him "one of the best blokes you'll meet" and thanked him for his influence both as a person and footballer. Pat Voss kept his message brief but warm, using emojis to convey his support for Graham's new opportunity at North Melbourne.
While Graham's appointment is settled, several other trades remain in flux. Jordan Ridley's agent, Nick Gieschen, told Trade Radio that there is genuine optimism about moving the Essendon defender to Geelong. "I think there's definitely an openness from Geelong to get him into the club," Gieschen said. "We're having really respectful, positive chats at the moment." If Ridley departs alongside Zach Merrett's earlier exit, Essendon would be left with just one active best-and-fairest winner on their list: Peter Wright, who claimed the award in 2022.
The question of Gryan Miers' destination remains contested. West Coast's list manager Matt Clarke suggested yesterday that it was "unlikely" Miers would arrive at the Eagles this trade period. But AFL analyst Kane Cornes disagreed, pointing to the medical examination Miers underwent as a telling sign. "If that was the case, he's not doing a medical," Cornes said on Tuesday. He suggested that if West Coast presented a deal offering long-term security and tenure—something that might appeal to a player managing an ACL injury—Miers could be persuaded to leave Geelong despite public statements about wanting to stay.
Meanwhile, Zane Duursma appears set to move from North Melbourne to Melbourne. The Demons are reportedly offering either Pick 47 or a second-round selection from this year's draft or next year's to acquire the 21-year-old, who has played 38 games across three seasons with the Kangaroos.
The trade period has already seen significant movement between certain clubs. If Miers does join West Coast, it would continue a pattern of high-profile players moving between Geelong and the Eagles this century. Mitchell White, a 1996 All-Australian, moved from the Eagles to the Cats in 2000. Scott Selwood, the 2012 best-and-fairest, made the same journey in 2015. And Tim Kelly, a 2019 All-Australian, went in the opposite direction at the end of that season. Another major trade would add another chapter to that history.
Citations marquantes
My experiences previously give me diversity as a coach. It helps you connect, helps you show empathy when you need to.— Jaymie Graham on how his playing career shapes his coaching approach
I think there's definitely an openness from Geelong to get him into the club. We're having really respectful, positive chats at the moment.— Nick Gieschen, Jordan Ridley's agent, on prospects of moving to Geelong
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