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AFL trade period: Live coverage of penultimate day of trading

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Chris RobinsonThe West Australian
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Matthew Owies looks likely to land at West Coast.
Camera IconMatthew Owies looks likely to land at West Coast. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

It’s fast approaching now-or-never territory for AFL clubs looking to move players in and out, with the clock ticking ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s trade deadline.

Follow the latest news and developments here!

Eagles speak on trade

West Coast’s list manager Matt Clarke has spoken on the club’s big trade.

“We are delighted to get a deal done for Liam and we believe he can make an immediate impact for us in 2025 and in the years ahead,” he said on Baker, who joins the Eagles on a five-year contract.

“He is an outstanding character in the prime of his career who has a strong relationship with our new coach Andrew McQualter and he is eager to get to work.

“Liam’s skill and dynamic playing style makes him a valuable asset for us as we embed a new gamestyle.”

Owies has a three-year deal at the Eagles.

“It’s exciting to bring Matt across to the west after two really strong seasons for Carlton,” Clarke said.

“Matt is a proven goalkicker who brings pressure at ground level and we think he can complement our talented forward line.”

‘Absolute joke’

It’s fair to say plenty of Eagles fans aren’t thrilled at the club’s move this morning.

Here’s a taste of some of the supporter reaction in the wake of the big trade, with some labelling it a ‘disgrace’ and an ‘absolute joke’.

EAGLES TRADE NOW OFFICIAL

The deal is officially done.

West Coast get Liam Baker, Matt Owies, pick 12 and pick 73... and give up pick 3.

The other parties? Carlton receive pick 3 while giving up picks 12, 14, 73 and Owies, while Richmond get pick 14 in exchange for Baker.

Schofield’s surprise

2018 premiership Eagle Will Schofield has also expressed his shock at his former club’s move...

Cornes goes bang

There’s plenty of fan backlash out there for the Eagles in the midst of the impending trade - and incoming Seven analyst Kane Cornes hasn’t missed the club either.

Cornes has likened West Coast to the carcass of a wildebeest in the jungle​, with other clubs feasting on them, as he tries to make sense of the deal.

EAGLES TRADE DETAILS

Here’s the wrap on the West Coast trade that’s about to be made official in the coming hours.

A refresher: The Eagles receive Liam Baker, Matt Owies, pick 12 and pick 73... while giving up pick 3.

Welcome Matt

Casual Eagles fans may not know too much about Matt Owies, who will form a part of the impending blockbuster trade.

The 27-year-old has played 72 games for Carlton, and has booted 60 goals in the past two seasons.

He kicked 33 this year, which is more than any West Coast small forward has achieved in a season since Jamie Cripps in 2018.

With the deal about to go down, it also begs the question of Tom Barrass’ potential path to Hawthorn: Will the Hawks be forced to give up more for Barrass now that the Eagles have secured Baker?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Matthew Owies of the Blues celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match between the Carlton Blues and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on August 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Camera IconMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Matthew Owies of the Blues celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match between the Carlton Blues and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on August 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos) Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Split decision

There already appears to be some head-scratching from Eagles fans online around the impending call to turn pick 3 into two later first-round picks.

West Coast executed a similar move just two years ago, where they traded pick 2 in exchange for picks 8 and pick 12.

That move ended up in the arrivals of Reuben Ginbey and Elijah Hewett, but cost the Eagles the chance to bring in the likes of Harry Sheezel or George Wardlaw with the original higher pick.

It’s a divisive path to go down, and one that is set to cause plenty of debate across the coming days if it goes through as expected.

EAGLES TRADE BREWING

West Coast are widely believed to be on the verge of executing a massive trade move that will see them split their pick three.

The deal appears to be based on the Eagles receiving picks 12 and 14 from Carlton, along with small forward Matthew Owies, with some other exchanging of later picks potentially involved.

West Coast could then use pick 14 to land Liam Baker.

It is expected at least the first of these deals will be finalised as soon as this morning.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the penultimate day of trading!

There’s a lot to get through, and it appears the Eagles are on the brink of making some enormous moves happen, so let’s get right into it...

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