Rumours, whispers, day four; Bailey Humphrey's cryptic message to Gold Coast highlights desire to leave; Clayton Oliver's Melbourne disaster

Geelong chief Steve Hocking has slammed those who believe the AFL is covering up further dodgy deals at the Cats, in the wake of the club being fined for not fully disclosing third party payments.

Speaking on SEN, Hocking revealed just how extensive the audit by the AFL was.

"I would start with the fact this has been extensive. As far as vindication goes, I'm not sitting here saying 'you beauty'," he said.

"This has been six months worth of work.

"They (mobile phone and laptop) were taken for four hours; they went through those and they have an AI search that went though things.

"It was that intensive.

"There will be a range of people out there that think this is a cover up and that because I have a relationship with the AFL Geelong are receiving favours. It's not the case, this is one of the more trying things I have been through."

Gold Coast list boss Craig Cameron said the club was happy to get pick seven for Sam Flanders, who has joined St Kilda.

Cameron admitted that the Suns probably couldn't fit Flanders into their midfield and he deserved the opportunity to do that elsewhere.

He spoke on Ben Ainsworth and his desire to look for a new home, saying they're happy to take him back if he can't find a new home. Carlton has had early chats with them about him, he confirmed.

Young midfielder Jake Rogers has been floated as a player who might also want out. Cameron firmly stated he would not be traded.

Bailey Humphrey has met with multiple clubs and is now posting to Instagram highlighting his desire to leave Gold Coast, despite being contracted until the end of 2028.

Suns list boss Craig Cameron remains steadfast the club will not trade him.

"Not in so many words (has he requested a trade). We are not naïve to think if you're visiting a number of clubs, you're not thinking about it. We are really clear though, we are not trading Bailey Humphrey, we just won't look into that at all," he said.

Cameron admitted his disappointment with Humphrey, telling him and his manager in no uncertain terms that they have gone about things the wrong way.

"I would prefer that this hasn't played out the way it has. It is unusual, I haven't seen it before. I have been around a while, and I haven't seen a situation play out like this before to be honest. It was a bit odd," he said.

"He's 21 and impetuous. It's the way of the world at the moment. Players think they can get out in-contract and that the grass is greener somewhere else. It's just not gonna happen."

Gold Coast list boss Craig Cameron has confirmed controversial Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will undergo a medical at the club today, as they move ahead with potentially trading for him and throwing him an AFL lifeline.

Ugle-Hagan did not play a game in 2025 as he battled personal issues, but is contracted to the Dogs next season on significant money.

"We were looking at someone who was committed to getting himself back to playing football. He met with our leadership group. He will do a medical with us today, and we need to get the AFL to clear it as well, but we are progressing that," Cameron told Trade Radio.

"I think the fact we are not in Victoria and not in the football bubble, I think that helps us. It might help in rebuilding his football career being outside of the Victorian football bubble."

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver is set to choose GWS over Collingwood as his preferred destination for 2026, after the Demons told him to find a new home in the trade period.

Oliver met with GWS and toured the facilities this week, and has clearly had his heart set on them, choosing to only fleetingly meet with Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch.

Hird believes the departures of Oliver and Christian Petracca are an enormous blow for Melbourne, particularly given how little they will receive for the former.

"It's a disaster for Melbourne. An absolute disaster," Hird told Nine's Footy Furnace.

"Not on the current administration, but on the past administration. He's an AFLCA Player of the Year winner twice and a four-time best and fairest, they're paying half his money and he's leaving.

"Petracca and Oliver leaving the club surely has disaster written all over it. Maybe they're making the best of what they can with the situation, but to have those two players walk out of your club with what they can be, I think is a disaster."

Geelong offered a first round pick and would have paid $1m per season of Oliver's salary, had the Demons agreed to that trade last year.

The year before that, Adelaide was all-in on acquiring the Dees star as well. Again, Melbourne declined to move him.

Now, Melbourne will be lucky to get a third round pick for Oliver, while paying half of his salary - and Hird believes it has proven to be a costly mistake.

"If you look at where the club's at, a new CEO and a new coach has come in and good on them to make these tough decisions, but they didn't do it last year and it is a cautionary tale for another club out at Tullamarine about what they choose to do (with Zach Merrett)," Hird said.

Numerous contracted players around the competition want out, including Merrett at Essendon, Charlie Curnow at Carlton and Bailey Humphrey at Gold Coast.

Hird's cautionary tale note might apply to those players down the line, should the players not get their way.

The Dees will reportedly pay up to $700,000 of his salary every year through 2030 just to help dump Oliver, in what can only be described as a desperate move to reset the club.

Fellow premiership star Christian Petracca has requested a trade to Gold Coast.

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