On a special night for Cameron at Crown Palladium, he also took home the Darren Millane Award as the Pies’ best clubman.
McRae spoke about his big man’s impact. “Darcy has played a pivotal role in our side this year, and it’s fantastic to see him get the recognition he deserves tonight,” he said.
“Stepping into a leadership role ahead of the season, Darcy has not only set high standards for himself, but he is constantly supporting and mentoring his teammates to ensure everyone in our program is committed to growing and improving.“
– Russell Bennett and Scott Spits
E.W. COPELAND TROPHY TOP 10
1. Darcy Cameron 328 votes
2. Nick Daicos 315
3. Isaac Quaynor 303
4. Jamie Elliott 298
5. Harry Perryman 292
6. Josh Daicos 288
7. Steele Sidebottom 265
8. Scott Pendlebury 253
9. Ned Long 238
10. Jack Crisp 228
Marshall hollers for Geelong
Peter Ryan
St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall has formally requested a trade to Geelong just hours after the Saints landed free agent Blues ruckman Tom De Koning on the first day of the free agency period.
Marshall has been on the Cats’ radar for some time as they look to bolster their ruck stocks following their grand final loss to the Brisbane Lions.
Rowan Marshall, here celebrating a goal against the Cats in 2024, has requested a trade to Geelong.Credit: Getty Images
The 29-year-old still has two years to run on his contract, but his position has been in doubt at the Saints since they made their huge play to recruit De Koning. The Cats have pick No.18 in the national draft which may be enough to secure Marshall who finished sixth in the Saints’ best-and-fairest this year.
Teammates De Koning and Jack Silvagni joined St Kilda from Carlton as free agents on Friday morning, with the Blues gaining a top-10 pick in next month’s national draft for losing De Koning, and another at the end of the first round for losing Silvagni.
The duo were among the first players to officially exercise their rights when the free agency window opened, according to the AFL.
The Blues did not match St Kilda’s monster eight-year contract offer to restricted free agent De Koning and will receive pick No.9 as compensation.
In a statement, Carlton list boss Nick Austin said: “Multiple first-round selections is a great position for us to be in ahead of November’s draft, and we will look to maximise these assets accordingly in line with our overall list management strategy.”
Meanwhile, De Koning, in a Saints statement announcing his arrival at the club, said he was “absolutely pumped” to be joining Ross Lyon’s side.
“From the outside you can see how tight this playing group is,” he said.
“There’s a real determination to get the best out of themselves and each other, and I want to contribute to that.
“Players like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens and a whole group of emerging players are showing what can be achieved when you’re aligned and hungry for success.”
Silvagni declared his intention to join the Saints last month.
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Austin said the compensation pick they would get for losing Silvagni was welcome. At this stage, it equates to pick No.19, but that number is expected to blow out as clubs insert themselves higher in the draft order by exercising their rights to select players in their academies or father-son selections.
Silvagni spoke on Friday, through a St Kilda statement, of his excitement at joining his new club.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining St Kilda and starting this new chapter,” he said.
“The Saints have a strong mix of established talent and exciting young players, and I feel I can add to that with my experience, versatility and drive to compete.
“As a young father, this decision is also about building the next stage of my life with my wife Grace and our son Charlie. The opportunity to grow both on and off the field in a stable and supportive environment was really important in making this choice.”
He also paid tribute to Carlton.
“Carlton will always be part of me. It’s where I grew up, where my AFL career began, and it’s deeply connected to my family and our history in the game,” Silvagni said.
“I’ll always be grateful for the experiences I had there and the people who supported me. But now I’m looking forward with full focus on the Saints, and doing everything I can to help us push forward.”
The Saints also released a statement on Friday addressing the playing future of skipper Jack Steele, who told the club in his exit interview that he planned to step down from the captaincy. The 29-year-old hard-nosed midfielder has played 185 games for the Saints since making the switch from GWS in 2016, but could now be looking for his third football home.
“The club called Jack in today for a follow-up discussion about his playing future and to discuss his openness to explore other opportunities,” the Saints said in their statement.
“Jack advised the club he wants to stay but is prepared to consider opportunities if presented to him.”
Elsewhere, James Worpel, who was also a restricted free agent, has left Hawthorn for Geelong on a four-year deal. The Hawks received an end-of-second-round pick as compensation.
Melbourne premiership player Charlie Spargo (North Melbourne) and GWS defender Jacob Wehr (Port Adelaide) are set to find new clubs as unrestricted free agents.
Back-to-back premiers Brisbane are set to strengthen their list with the addition of Essendon ruckman Sam Draper and West Coast forward Oscar Allen.
Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek is weighing interest from Melbourne, while Gold Coast midfielder Brayden Fiorini has a choice between Essendon, Port Adelaide and the Suns.
The free agency period runs until October 10. The trade period overlaps, running from October 6-15.
Petracca wants a Gold Coast sea change
Melbourne premiership midfielder Christian Petracca wants to be traded to the Gold Coast Suns.
The 29-year-old Norm Smith medallist met with the Gold Coast on Thursday after both the Demons and Petracca decided he should explore his options during the trade period.
Melbourne midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver are both seeking new clubs for 2026, with Petracca keen to land at Gold Coast.Credit: Getty Images
A competition source with knowledge of the situation, who preferred to remain anonymous, said Petracca had decided he wanted to join the Suns.
Petracca also met with Adelaide on Monday in a hastily arranged catch-up after it only became clear late last week Melbourne wanted to release the champion midfielder who still has four years remaining on his contract.
Petracca was impressed with the pitches presented by both clubs but decided on the Suns after being shown around the Gold Coast facilities on Thursday. The Crows had already baulked at adding an extra season to his current deal, which expires at the end of 2029, and it was clear that a trade between them and Melbourne was going to be difficult. The Suns have more options to do the trade, even with the Demons aiming to clear his contract from their books.
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The two clubs will now need to make a trade. The Demons’ interest in Suns Sam Flanders and Bailey Humphrey could help them execute a deal.
The Suns are open to trading Flanders, who also has interest from St Kilda and Essendon, but not Humphrey, who is contracted until 2028.
A photo surfaced online on Friday showing new Demons coach Steven King and club great Nathan Jones flanking Humphrey in Melbourne. Carlton and Collingwood have also been linked to Humphrey.
Petracca has been a champion at Melbourne after being pick No.2 in the 2014 national draft.
He had a knee reconstruction before he played his first match but was the key player during the Demons’ surge to a drought-breaking flag in 2021, when he was best on ground in the grand final.
He has won two club best-and-fairest awards and is a four time All-Australian. However, he became disillusioned with the club at the end of 2024 after he suffered horrific injuries during the King’s Birthday clash that year.
Petracca is regarded as one of the most dedicated and professional players in the game, however he has needed to continually work on his commitment to team aspects as his frustration on field can spill over at times.
Melbourne’s willingness to trade Petracca is part of a club strategy under their new coach to move beyond their recent premiership era, with the Demons also asking contracted premiership players Clayton Oliver and Steven May to be traded.
With Marc McGowan
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