AFL Trade Rumours: Players in Limbo Amidst Selection Squeeze

A key defender from Hawthorn, Ethan Phillips, finds himself among numerous AFL players uncertain about their future for 2025. Reports have emerged that both St Kilda and Carlton are expressing interest in acquiring his talents, as noted by AFL Media. The 25-year-old centreman was added to the Hawks’ roster earlier this year, joining them from the Victorian Football League (VFL), where he was recognized as a promising player with the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal honor.

Phillips played as a consistent performer for Box Hill, Hawthorn’s affiliate in the reserves grade, until he was called up following a season-ending knee injury to another player. Despite his contributions, Phillips might be released by Hawthorn after playing just one AFL game. This situation arises as the Hawks have recently acquired Josh Battle via free agency from St Kilda and are looking to sign Tom Barrass from West Coast, pushing Phillips further down in their defensive line.

According to Josh Gabelich from AFL Media, both Carlton and St Kilda could provide much-needed defensive depth, but neither is expected to act until late in the year through the delisted free agency window or the pre-season supplemental selection period. As the Saints seek to cover for departed players and the Blues aim to strengthen their key defensive stocks, names like Phillips are being scrutinized for potential inclusion.

In other AFL news, Essendon players Will Setterfield and Sam Weideman remain uncertain about their future contracts. The Bombers have left the players’ futures up in the air, pending decisions during the trade period about available list spots, stated Matt Rosa, the Bombers’ list manager on Trade Radio. Setterfield, formerly from Carlton, and Weideman, formerly from Melbourne, find themselves in competitive roles without assurance of playing time.

The Bombers are not expected to be particularly active during this trade period, focusing instead on maintaining flexibility. Meanwhile, interest remains around Jake Stringer‘s future at the club and potential intrigue surrounding Conor Stone from GWS and Finn Maginness from Hawthorn.