Asking price for skipper revealed; Suns’ openness to Petracca proposal explained — Trade Whispers

North Melbourne has reportedly set a high asking price for its contracted captain amid a rival’s interest.

Plus why Gold Coast could entertain the latest Christian Petracca trade proposal, while it moves close to securing Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

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ROOS, PIES ‘NOT SEEING EYE-TO-EYE’ OVER SIMPKIN

North Melbourne and Collingwood “aren’t seeing eye-to-eye yet” on a potential fair Jy Simpkin trade, reports 7News journalist Xander McGuire.

Simpkin, who led North as its stand-alone captain in 2025, has loomed as a key figure in the trade period after it emerged last month his management had “started sounding out clubs to gauge interest” in the on-baller.

With the Magpies missing out on Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver, who’s chosen the Giants as his preferred destination, they’ve pivoted their attention to Simpkin.

McGuire wrote on X that North Melbourne want “two first-round picks” for Simpkin, who still has four years to run on his Kangaroos deal.

McGuire added: “Collingwood believe they can figure a way to pay his salary – but won’t hand over those picks.

“Still more to play out – but the two clubs aren’t seeing eye-to-eye yet.”

North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings on Friday indicated there’d “been some interest shown” in Simpkin.

“He’s obviously a very good player, so that’s no surprise (there’s interest) when he’s been open to wanting to have a look and seeing if there’s anything out there,” Rawlings told AFL Trade Radio.

“There has been some interest, but there’s been no trade request, there’s been no formal offer or anything like that in terms of a trade.

“The way we see it, while it’s still in that position, he’s a North Melbourne player and will continue to be.”

Simpkin, 27, in May 2023 signed a mega contract extension that secured him to the Kangaroos until at least the end of the 2029 season.

A dual best and fairest winner, Simpkin has played 173 games for the Kangaroos since being drafted with Pick 12 in the 2016 draft.

WHY SUNS WOULD BE OPEN TO LATEST PETRACCA PROPOSAL

Gold Coast is “open to exploring” a trade with Melbourne that would see the Suns part with their pair of top-10 picks to help them land Christian Petracca, reports 9News chief football reporter Tom Morris.

Suns list boss Craig Cameron on Thursday said the club had held “preliminary discussions” with Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb on a possible Petracca deal, but suggested it would “take a little bit of time to work through”. He added the Suns would keep all options open at the negotiation table, but stressed rival clubs were aware of which Gold Coast players weren’t up for trade – particularly Bailey Humphrey, who has met with the Demons.

Morris on Friday night reported on 9News Melbourne that “healthy discussions” over a Petracca trade were continuing between the Suns and Demons – and that while there was still ample work to do, talks were “moving in the right direction”.

“Melbourne would like selections 7 and 8 from Gold Coast for Christian Petracca,” Morris said.

“Discussions are ongoing, but I believe the Suns would do this deal on the proviso they receive an abundance of later picks to help (match bids) with their academy prospects.”

Recruiters believe Suns Academy prospects Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson are two of the top six players in this year’s AFL draft class. Yet the Suns also have three more Academy prospects in late first-round to early second-round contention: Beau Addinsall, Koby Coulson and Jai Murray.

JAMARRA PASSES MEDICAL AS MORE DEAL DETAILS REVEALED

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s wish to join Gold Coast has gathered more momentum, with the contracted Bulldog passing a Suns medical, reports AFL Media.

Ugle-Hagan, who didn’t feature at AFL level in 2025 due to personal reasons, met with senior Suns officials and underwent a medical at Carrara, which he passed.

While the Suns will continue to do their work on Ugle-Hagan and, ultimately, board approval will be needed, AFL Media reported a Suns-Dogs trade was still expected to be finalised by before Wednesday’s deadline.

Herald Sun and Fox Footy Trading Day journalist Jon Ralph reported on X Ugle-Hagan’s deal would “likely be around $200,000 a year, plus incentives”.

Gold Coast Suns list boss Craig Cameron said while the Suns were happy to give Ugle-Hagan another chance, he stressed the most important aspect was ensuring the Bulldog could improve Gold Coast’s premiership chances.

“We believe he can play with our keys because he’s a slightly different tall player inside our forward 50 in that we don’t think he’s a legitimate key-position player. We just think he’s a player with high forward craft and IQ, which adds a different mix,” he told AFL Trade Radio on Thursday.

“The redemption side of things is a nice story, but the reality is he’s got to come in and play good football to a level.”

Cameron said the fact the Suns were based outside the “football bubble” meant they were in “a good place to start to rebuild his football career”.

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