Sydney offers Ollie Florent, Will Hayward and picks in bold bid to land Charlie Curnow

Sydney has offered Ollie Florent and Will Hayward along with pick 11 and a first-round pick in the 2026 draft in exchange for pick 22 and Charlie Curnow.

A day after Curnow toured the Swans headquarters, Sydney has reportedly made the offer that was expected to get the ball rolling with Carlton.

The dual Coleman Medallist is signed at Carlton until 2030 and the Swans’ offer comes days after the Blues rejected Geelong’s offer of three first-round draft picks over the next three drafts.

The 28-year-old, who is earning more than a million dollars a season, is understood to be willing to take a pay cut to leave Carlton and had been keen to return to his hometown of Geelong.

The Blues have so far been steadfast in their declarations they will not trade Curnow unless an exceptional offer was made.

Curnow’s fate was among several proposed moves that still hung in the balance, two days out from Wednesday’s 7.30pm (AEDT) deadline.

The Carlton key forward, Essendon captain Zach Merrett, Melbourne premiership midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, and North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin are yet to learn where they will play next season.

As of Monday there was no word out of Essendon about Merrett, who is yet to officially ask for a trade to Hawthorn.

Curnow was in Sydney touring the Swans’ facilities on Monday evening, meeting again with coach Dean Cox as he explores his options.

While the Swans have a better first-round pick at No.11 this season - Geelong’s top selection is at 19 - a player will need to be part of the offer to attract interest from the Blues.

As it stands Carlton will not let Curnow go. Essendon have the same stance with Merrett.

That means Sydney, Geelong and Hawthorn will most likely need to be creative and involve other clubs if they are to pull off their big-name trades.

Curnow spoke briefly to reporters as he arrived at the Swans’ headquarters.

Asked if he was still hopeful of a move, Curnow said: “There’s a fair bit to play out, so I’m not too sure. But we’ll see what happens. It’d be good.”

There was some trade action on Monday, with Richmond key defender Tylar Young joining West Coast for pick No.38.

Young will reunite with Eagles coach and former Tigers assistant Andrew McQualter.

Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie joined Port Adelaide for pick No.103 - a sixth-round selection.

The draft pick will not be used, but the move frees up a list spot and room in the Dockers’ salary cap.

Other trades yet to be confirmed include Geelong’s pursuit of St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall.

Petracca wants to join Gold Coast, with the Suns adamant Bailey Humphrey isn’t going anywhere as part of that deal, while Oliver looks certain to join GWS.

Adelaide and Brisbane are still jostling over the value of two-time premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan appears likely to leave the Western Bulldogs for Gold Coast, while Collingwood hold interest in Simpkin.

Meanwhile, dual Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft has signed a four-year contract extension with Brisbane, tying him to the club until the end of 2030.

Ashcroft missed the 2023 grand final after a strong start to his debut season but has bounced back to be an integral member of the Lions’ midfield in back-to-back premierships.

“I am obviously stoked to sign on and play at this great club, and I am super excited for what’s to come in the future,” the 21-year-old said in a club statement.

“We have a club of great people, so it made my decision really easy.”