Brisbane forward Will McLachlan has requested a trade to Melbourne, choosing the Demons after meeting with them and Essendon earlier this week. The out-of-contract 21-year-old played just one AFL game in 2026 as the Lions charged to another premiership.
Updated 6:15pm AEDT, Wednesday 7 October: Brisbane has officially confirmed McLachlan’s trade request.
Brisbane confirmed the request in an official club statement on Wednesday, saying: “The club respects McLachlan’s request and will work towards facilitating an outcome that best reflects his value to the Brisbane Lions.”
The trade request was first reported by AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey on Wednesday 7 October, and Zero Hanger also reported that McLachlan had nominated Melbourne as his preferred new home. Brisbane and Melbourne still need to agree on a trade for the move to go ahead.
Stuck in the queue at the Lions
McLachlan was picked up by Brisbane in the 2024 mid-season draft after a breakout start to that year with the Geelong Falcons as an over-aged player. He made his AFL debut in 2025 and played six games that season, but featured only once at senior level this year.
He showed his class in the VFL, booting 35 goals in 11 games for the Lions’ VFL side, including a haul of eight against North Melbourne, according to AFL.com.au. Zero Hanger noted he was stuck behind Kai Lohmann, Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey and Charlie Cameron in Brisbane’s forward line.
What Brisbane said
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Lions list boss Dom Ambrogio said the club was keen to keep McLachlan and compared him to premiership star Kai Lohmann.
“He has no issues with the club, the city of Brisbane, homesickness, any of that. It’s just opportunity for him,” Ambrogio said on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio.
“We think he’s on a similar trajectory to Kai Lohmann, who played eight games in his first two years; Will’s played seven. They have similar traits – quick, exciting, high-flying country boys, bring a heap of energy and excitement, one’s a left-footer, one’s a right-footer. We’ve been desperate to retain Will.
“He’s just been at our club when there’s been a bit of a queue in front of him. We rate him really highly. We don’t intend to give him up lightly.”
The Demons’ long pursuit
Melbourne has been linked to McLachlan for some time, having shown interest in him as a mid-season draftee in 2024, AFL.com.au reported. Demons list manager Tim Lamb named him as a new name of potential interest when the trade period opened.
Zero Hanger also reported that Melbourne is expected to land North Melbourne’s Zane Duursma, a former pick No.4, during this trade period.
What it means for Brisbane
McLachlan’s request adds to a busy off-season for the premiers, who are also searching for a new senior coach to replace Chris Fagan. Danny Daly has already pulled out of the coaching race. Ambrogio’s comments make it clear the Lions won’t let McLachlan go without a fair return.
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