With the 2025 AFL season reaching its conclusion last Saturday, the off-season player movement period will commence later this week. 

The 2025 Free Agency Period will open on Friday morning, closely followed by the trade period and the AFL draft over the coming month. 

Geelong has been a major player in both periods across recent history, adding the likes of Bailey Smith and Patrick Dangerfield through trades, while also securing players like Tyson Stengle and Jack Martin in free agency. 

Take a look at all the key dates to keep an eye on ahead of a busy player movement period. 

2025 Free Agency Period

Free Agency Opens: Friday October 3 at 9.00am

Free Agency Closes: Friday October 10 at 5.00pm

The AFL introduced free agency at the end of the 2012 season, giving players another avenue where to transfer from one club to another. Free agency is a common form of player movement in major football and sporting codes around the world.

Under the AFL Player Rules, an Unrestricted Free Agent may automatically move to the Club of their choice.

An offer to a Restricted Free Agent may be matched by their Club. Should their original Club match the offer, and the Restricted Free Agent Player does not wish to remain with their original Club, they must enter the National Draft or seek a trade. Compensation in the form of AFL allocated draft picks will apply to clubs with a net loss of Free Agents, based on the formula determined by the AFL.

2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period

Trade Period Opens: Monday October 6 at 9.00am

Trade Period Closes: Wednesday October 15 at 7.30pm

The Trade Period is a 10-day window that occurs following each year's Grand Final, but before the Telstra AFL Draft, allowing all 18 clubs to exchange players and draft picks in a formal setting. It gives clubs a chance to improve their playing list or selections at the Draft.

Trades may involve players and draft picks, or a combination of both. Participating clubs deem what's a fair exchange, although ultimately it is verified by the AFL.

There is a rule change for this year, with clubs now able to trade picks two years in advance. It means clubs can trade picks for the 2025 draft this year as well as 2026 and 2027.

Geelong's Recent Trade Acquisitions

2025 Telstra AFL Draft

Draft Dates: Wednesday November 19 - 20

First held in 1986, the AFL's national draft is the main way clubs add players to their lists, alongside the trade period and free agency.

The 2025 Telstra AFL Draft will be held over two nights on November 19-20.

Click here for more information on how the AFL draft works. 

Geelong's Recent National Draft Selections

Each club's draft picks as of September 30, 2025

Adelaide: 14, 41, 48, 50, 66, 68
Brisbane: 18, 37, 40, 46, 49, 61, 72
Carlton: 35, 44, 62
Collingwood: 34, 52, 64, 70
Essendon: 4, 5, 22, 25
Fremantle: 11, 29, 38, 47, 65
Geelong: 17, 35, 53, 71
Gold Coast: 6, 13, 16, 31, 56, 67
GWS: 12, 30, 32
Hawthorn: 8, 26, 55, 69
Melbourne: 23, 53, 59
North Melbourne: 20, 21, 39, 57
Port Adelaide: 24, 42, 60
Richmond: 2, 3
St Kilda: 7, 43, 58
Sydney: 9, 27, 45, 63
West Coast: 1, 15, 19, 33, 51
Western Bulldogs: 10, 28

AFL Draft Combine

The AFL Draft Combine is a multi-day event held before the AFL National Draft, where prospective players participate in a range of tests to determine their chances of being selected by an AFL club. 

The three-day national Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5. Club interviews will be held at the MCG on Friday and Saturday, ahead of physical testing at the State Netball & Hockey Centre on Sunday. Selection to attend the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Combine was based on nominations supplied by AFL clubs.

The state Draft Combines will be held in Melbourne (October 5), Adelaide (October 11) and Perth (October 12), with invited participants to feature in physical testing.