AFL trade period LIVE: Hardwick to meet Nick Blakey as day four continues; Coniglio stays with Giants

Roy WardUpdated October 8, 2026 — 9:25am,first published 9:04amKey Posts9.25amWhy the Suns could appeal to BlakeyBy Peter RyanGold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has joined the conga line of clubs in Melbourne to meet with wantaway Swan Nick Blakey.Blakey’s partner lives in Queensland.Christian Petracca made the move to Gold Coast last year, now the Suns are trying to snare Nick Blakey.AFL PhotosOther clubs believe Geelong - who are also scheduled to meet the contracted Swan - are the frontrunners but their capacity to get a deal done is slim given their existing draft capital.However, they could strengthen their hand.9.13amSuns coach to meet BlakeyBy Michael Gleeson and Peter RyanGold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick has flown to Melbourne to meet Nick Blakey, who is as we reported yesterday, is meeting the Cats as well.Hardwick is doing his due diligence on the Swans star.Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick.Getty Images9.02amNick Blakey to meet with Cats in trade bombshellBy Sam McClure, Peter Ryan, Michael Gleeson and Jake NiallNick Blakey will meet with Geelong as soon as Thursday as he explores a potential move to the Cats amid the rancorous fallout from the Pullman Hotel scandal.Blakey flew into Melbourne on Wednesday to meet with his management and discuss a potential exit from Sydney, after a breakdown in the relationship between club and player.Nick Blakey.Getty ImagesAccording to two industry sources with knowledge of the situation, Blakey is preparing to sit down with the Cats as he explores whether a stunning late trade can be engineered despite having five years remaining on his lucrative Sydney contract.He is yet to request a trade; however, this masthead revealed on Wednesday that the Cats, Essendon and St Kilda have all expressed interest in the 26-year-old who is contracted until the end of 2031.9.01amConiglio locks in 16th yearBy As the Giants face more player turnover, one mainstay will remain in the charcoal and orange with midfielder and former captain Stephen Coniglio signing on for his 16th season.Coniglio is the last original Giant still with the club following Toby Greene’s move to Geelong and the Giants confirmed he was sticking around this morning.Stephen Coniglio of the Giants in action.AFL Photos via Getty ImagesGiants football general manager Jason McCartney praised Coniglio.“Stephen is clearly an extremely valued person and player and it’s fantastic that he’ll be at the club next year,” McCartney said.9.01amWelcome to day fourBy The action continues today as more AFL clubs look to lock in deals before the weekend arrives.I’m Roy Ward and I’ll be tapping away at the keys today.All eyes will be on whether Nick Blakey meets with Geelong today or Sydney give any indications of their plans for him.Let’s hope it’s a fun day to come.1 of 1