The AFL's silly season is upon us, so keep up to date with all the latest free agency and trade rumours, buzz and completed deals right here.
The 2022 free agency period begins at 9.00am on Friday, Sept. 30, and runs until Friday, Oct. 7. The trade period opens on Monday, Oct. 3 and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7.30pm.
Key dates for the 2022 AFL Sign and Trade Period:
Friday Sept. 30, 9.00am
Restricted Free Agency and Unrestricted Free Agency Period commences
Karl Amon became the first player to move clubs during the AFL trade period, leaving Port Adelaide to join Hawthorn on a four-year deal. The 27-year-old wingman has played 124 games for the Power over the last nine seasons. He was Port Adelaide's top vote-winner in this year's Brownlow Medal, averaging 23.6 disposals a game throughout the season.
Monday, Oct. 3, 9.00am:
AFL Trade Period commences
Friday, Oct. 7, 5.00pm:
Close of AFL Restricted Free Agency Offer and Unrestricted Free Agency Period
Monday, Oct. 10:
AFL Draft Nominations open (9.00am)
AFL Restricted Free Agency matching offer three day period ends (5.00pm)
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7.30pm:
AFL Trade Period closes - players and selections
Final day drama - Dunkley to Lions, Mitchell a Pie and O'Meara a Docker
The Western Bulldogs have landed long-time target Rory Lobb and traded out premiership midfielders Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter in a frantic final hour of the AFL trade period.
The Dogs prised contracted ruck-forward Lobb out of Fremantle, who acquired Jaeger O'Meara from Hawthorn, as premiers Geelong snared Ollie Henry from Collingwood to complete their impressive trade haul.
The Cats' Cooper Stephens went to the Hawks as part of a three-way deal, with 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell off to the Magpies.
Contracted players Esava Ratugolea (Geelong) and Hunter Clark (St Kilda) will stay put after failing in bids to get to Port Adelaide and North Melbourne respectively.
Brisbane-bound Dunkley and former teammate Hunter, who is off to Melbourne, will leave a hole in the Bulldogs' engine room as Lobb adds to their tall firepower.
The Lions traded pick 21 plus future first and second-round picks as part the deal to land out-of-contract ball magnet Dunkley.
The 25-year-old won the Bulldogs' best-and-fairest this year and had made it clear he wanted to move to Queensland for lifestyle reasons.
Hunter, who played 173 games for the Bulldogs and starred in their 2016 flag, has had a chequered history off the field and took a leave of absence this year to deal with personal issues.
The 27-year-old will get a fresh start at Melbourne after they did their due diligence on him and gave up a future third-round draft pick in the deal.
Dons secure Weideman, say goodbye to Francis
Sam Weideman is now a Bomber after Essendon completed a trade today for the key forward.
The trade will see Weideman, pick No.54 and No.72 arrive at the NEC Hangar from Melbourne in exchange for pick No.37.
Meanwhile, Aaron Francis and pick No.42 will head to the Swans, with the Bombers receiving pick No.37 and a future fourth round selection.
Francis played 54 games for the Bombers since arriving at the club through pick No.6 in the 2015 NAB AFL National Draft.
Grundy deal done, Pies veteran joins Dees
- AAP
Highly-paid Collingwood big man Brodie Grundy has been offloaded to Melbourne to partner with fellow All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn.
Grundy, who had five years left on his lucrative contract, is off to Melbourne with the Magpies receiving pick 27 in exchange.
Collingwood were determined to part ways with Grundy and his mammoth contract to relieve pressure on their salary cap.
The Magpies pulled off a similar trade in 2020 when Adam Treloar was controversially forced out despite having five years left on his deal.
Grundy never formally requested a trade but saw the writing on the wall and identified a spot alongside Gawn after premiership tall Luke Jackson's departure to Fremantle.
It means Melbourne, who bowed out in straight-sets this year in their premiership defence, will boast serious experience and depth in the ruck.
Gawn has been All-Australian for the last five seasons, while Grundy was named alongside him in the AFL's best 22 in 2018 and 2019.
On the back of those dynamic seasons where Grundy also claimed Collingwood's Copeland Trophy, he was rewarded with a monster seven-year deal at the Magpies.
Gunston on his way to Lions
- AAP
Brisbane have landed a replacement for Daniel McStay with three-time Hawthorn premiership star Jack Gunston traded to the Lions.
Gunston will fit straight into Brisbane's powerful forward line alongside fellow talls Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood following McStay's move to Collingwood.
The Lions gave up pick 48 and a future fourth-round draft selection for the services of Gunston, who has kicked 430 goals in 225 AFL games.
The 30-year-old becomes the third Hawthorn premiership star in five years to move to Brisbane, following in the footsteps of Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall.
"I am very excited to be joining a young group who are continually every year on the rise and ready for some success," Gunston said.
Gunston started his career with Adelaide, playing 14 games for the Crows before moving to Hawthorn ahead of the 2012 season.
He played in a Grand Final every year in his first four seasons with the Hawks, winning three of them.
North defend AFL draft, trade strategy
- AAP
North Melbourne have defended the recruitment of Jason Horne-Francis despite the No.1 draft pick leaving the struggling AFL club after just one season.
Horne-Francis got his wish to play with Port Adelaide after he departed the Kangaroos via a complex four-club trade on Monday.
North also gave up their No.1 pick in this year's draft, but received selections two and three in return.
Kangaroos list boss Brady Rawlings insisted the club did not see signs of potential homesickness in the teenager before they plucked Horne-Francis out of his home state of South Australia last November.
"We reflect on our decision all the time, and with all the background we did on Jason, none of this came out at all - it was actually quite the opposite," Rawlings told RSN radio on Tuesday.
"All the information in front of us was extremely positive.
"His form in the first six, seven weeks was probably better than it was in the back end of the year when he probably wasn't happy and struggling away from home.
"The pull home for Jason is extremely strong ... but we think this is a bit of a one-off case."
Despite finishing bottom of the ladder in the last two seasons, North will not have a No.1 draft pick on their list next year.
The Kangaroos would not have secured this year's likely No.1 draft pick regardless, with Will Ashcroft tied to the Brisbane Lions as a father-son selection.
"We were really keen to get two picks inside three, rather than one, so we're comfortable in what we've done," Rawlings said.
"All year we've had three players at the top of the draft we can't split.
"All coaches love the top-end talent but we really want to bring strong characters into our football club.
"We've brought in Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker (both from Fremantle), who are definitely that."
Horne-Francis heads to Power in AFL mega-deal
-AAP
Jason Horne-Francis has landed at Port Adelaide and GWS have got their hands on the No.1 draft pick in one of the most complicated trade deals in AFL history.
The Giants traded out picks three and 12 to shuffle up the draft order, while North Melbourne coughed up the top pick and last year's No.1 selection Horne-Francis.
The Kangaroos received picks two and three in return, as well as a future first-round choice that is tied to Port Adelaide.
The Power received small forward Junior Rioli from West Coast, who also traded out pick two and get picks eight and 12 back.
A raft of later draft picks have also changed hands in the convoluted deal, which was ticked off by league officials late on Monday.
It was initially blocked because of Port Adelaide's bid to trade future first and second-round picks.
But the restructured deal now has the Power receiving future second and third-round picks to satisfy AFL draft criteria.
South Australian product Horne-Francis has signed a deal tying him to Port Adelaide until the end of 2028, joining the midfield unit alongside Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines, Zak Butters and Connor Rozee.
"Jason is a highly talented player who we know will complement our developing and exciting midfield group," Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps said.
"He is competitive and aggressive, and we like his power and explosiveness as well as his ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard."
Rioli, who starred in West Coast's 2018 premiership side, has inked a four-year deal with Port Adelaide.
Dockers seal deal for Demons ruck Jackson
-AAP
Fremantle have sealed a trade for Melbourne ruck Luke Jackson, delivering the Demons a strong hand of draft picks in a three-way deal with GWS.
The Dockers coughed up this year's top selection -- currently pick No.13 -- plus their 2023 first and second round selections in exchange for West Australian talent Jackson, picks No.44 and No.67. Pick No.44 came via GWS, which allowed Melbourne small forward Toby Bedford to seal his move to the Giants.
Melbourne are expected to quickly move on to securing Collingwood's two-time All-Australian Brodie Grundy as Jackson's replacement.
Jackson requested a long-expected trade home to Western Australia last month. The 21-year-old had said he was open to joining either WA club but West Coast never really appeared in the picture.
The No.3 pick in the 2019 draft, Jackson has played 52 games since his debut in 2020.
Rankine completes move to Crows
Adelaide has secured exciting young forward Izak Rankine via a trade with Gold Coast.
The South Australian returns home and joins the Crows, who he grew up supporting.
The Crows will receive Rankine, Pick No.46 and a future fourth round selection, in exchange for Pick No.5, a future third and fourth round draft selection.
Bombers secure out-of-favour Carlton mid
Essendon has landed Carlton on-baller Will Setterfield, sending the Blues a future fourth-round pick in exchange for the big-bodied midfielder and pick No.68.
Weideman likely to make move to Windy Hill
-AAP
Sam Weideman is reportedly poised to get a fresh start at Essendon under new coach Brad Scott, with the Bombers set to part with a future third-round pick to land the 195cm target from Melbourne.
And Essendon great Matthew Lloyd believes Weideman has to develop a nasty streak to reach his potential as a trade looms.
The key forward has shown glimpses of promise in his seven seasons with Melbourne since being taken at pick nine in the 2015 draft.
But he has managed just 59 games in that time and has not featured in the Demons' last two finals campaigns.
The 25-year-old kicked 13 goals from 10 games this year.
Dunkley camp slams Dogs' AFL trade stance
-AAP
Josh Dunkley's manager has slammed the Western Bulldogs' "ludicrous" threat to force the midfielder into the pre-season draft if a trade agreement cannot be reached with Brisbane.
The Bulldogs are playing hard-ball, insisting on getting two first-round draft picks in return for the 25-year-old, who won his first club best-and-fairest award this year.
At the presentation ceremony late last month, Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said the Lions would have to "pony up" for Dunkley at the trade table.
No deal was struck during the opening week of the trade period, with time now running out before Wednesday's deadline.
The situation has deteriorated to the point where the Bulldogs have said they would be willing to let Dunkley try his luck in the pre-season draft.
"That would be ludicrous ... (if they do that) they get nothing for him," LIam Pickering told SEN radio on Saturday.
"Now that's just cutting off your nose to spite your face. You end up with nothing for him.
"They have a good relationship, Josh and the coach (Beveridge), so you hope it wouldn't end up with that situation as I think that would be a poor reflection.
"I don't know whether they are bluffing or not.
"I know what they (the Bulldogs) want and I know what Brisbane has offered, so they need to work through it, the two of them."
Dunkley, who is out of contract, is determined to get to Brisbane for lifestyle reasons after rejecting interest from Port Adelaide.
Pickering declared it a different situation to two years ago, when Dunkley wanted a switch to Essendon with two years left on his contract and had his request turned down by the Bulldogs.
The Dunkley camp does not expect a Brisbane move to go through until the latter stages of the trade period.
"This will go the distance, I think," Pickering said.
"Unfortunately, I think it could all be knocked over on Monday (but) it will all play out over the next few days.
"He wants to move to Queensland. He has said it publicly."
Dunkley's is one of just several high-profile mooted trades yet to go through.
Melbourne's Luke Jackson wants a move home to WA, Gold Coast's Izak Rankine is keen to get to Adelaide and North Melbourne's Jason Horne-Francis is determined to move to Port Adelaide.
Richmond are keen on GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper and Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy appears set to be Jackson's replacement at the Demons.
Cats snare Tanner Bruhn in trade deal
AFL premiers Geelong have landed one of their key trade targets, striking a deal with GWS for talented midfielder-forward Tanner Bruhn.
The 20-year-old will join the Cats in exchange for pick 18 at this year's draft.
Bruhn was selected by the Giants with pick 12 in 2020 and played 30 games in two seasons, including 17 this year.
GWS are now armed with five top-20 draft picks -- currently No. 3, 12, 15, 18 and 19 -- having also traded out Tim Taranto (Richmond) and Bobby Hill (Collingwood).
They are also likely to acquire more picks from the Tigers in a deal to send midfielder Jacob Hopper to Punt Road.
Geelong are hopeful of striking a deal with Gold Coast for Jack Bowes and pick seven, taking on board the player's hefty salary in the process.
The Cats are also negotiating with Collingwood over Ollie Henry, but have so far been unable to satisfy the Magpies' demands for the out-of-contract forward.
-AAP
Dockers nab Corbett from Gold Coast
The Dockers' interest in fringe Suns continues, with key forward Josh Corbett completing a move to Western Australia on Thursday.
The 26-year-old played 36 games at Gold Coast, with Fremantle parting with a future fourth-round selection in the trade. .
Swans re-sign young duo
✍🏼 Hard working utility Ryan Clarke and emerging key defender Will Gould have both signed one-year contract extensions to remain in the red and white for the 2023 season. #Bloods
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) October 5, 2022
Big moves -- including Dunkley, Lobb -- still to come
While a number of AFL players have found new homes over the past few days, there are a number of big dominoes yet to fall, including deals for former No. 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis, Bulldogs best and fairest winner Josh Dunkley, and Fremantle ruck Rory Lobb.
Lobb is trying to get to Victoria, with the likley landing spot being the Western Bulldogs, while Dunkley has expressed interest in joining Brisbane, a move made tough by the fact the Lions will require enough draft points to secure father-son Will Ashcroft in this year's draft. Dunkley will command a premium, meaning the Lions will need to move other pieces to collate enough draft picks to satisfy all outcomes.
Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy is still awaiting a move to Melbourne, while Horne-Francis to Port Adelaide could go down to the wire with North Melbourne keen to play hard-ball on the contracted midfielder.
Gold Coast's Bowes wants trade to Geelong
The wins keep coming for Geelong with the reigning premiers set to secure midfielder Jack Bowes and pick seven from Gold Coast.
Bowes has declared he wants to be traded to the Cats after the Suns were happy to let the 2016 top-10 draft pick explore opportunities elsewhere.
Gold Coast are determined to get rid of Bowes' hefty contract and told rival clubs they would also be willing to part with their first-round draft pick.
Hawthorn and Essendon were also vying for Bowes' services but the 24-year-old has elected to move from his home state of Queensland to the perennial powerhouse in Geelong.
Freo pair off to North Melbourne
Dockers duo Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker (along with a future third-round pick) have been traded to North Melbourne for the Roos' future second, third and fourth-round picks, the first two being 'special assistance picks' given to them by the AFL.
Zaine Cordy becomes a Saint
Western Bulldogs premiership player Cordy has completed a move to the Saints, after St Kilda identified the 25-year-old free agent as a strong defensive option.
Cordy played 118 games for the Dogs after being a father-son selection at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft has taken up a three-year contract at the Saints. He was offered a two-year deal by the Dogs.
Former Blue re-joins Dogs
Former Carlton player Liam Jones has returned to the Western Bulldogs as an unrestricted free agent. Jones played 66 games at the Dogs between 2010-2014 before crossing to Carlton in 2015, where he spent seven seasons establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the game.
Jones retired in late 2021 after choosing not to follow the league's vaccine rules, but with the AFL removing its stern mandates, the 31-year-old had a clear path back to Whitten Oval where he'll play a crucial role in the dogs' backline.
Versatile Bomber Francis hands in trade request
Aaron Francis has this morning formalised his trade request - informing Essendon he wants to join Sydney.
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) October 3, 2022
Will be a challenge to break into the Swans' best 22 but he's keen for a refresh in a new city.
Expected value a third-round pick https://t.co/3bGpJEPtse
McDonald-Tipungwuti considering return to AFL
Former Essendon livewire Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has met with Fremantle about a shock return to the AFL.
The dynamic forward retired in May after 126 games for the Bombers, citing a loss of passion to play at the elite level.
McDonald-Tipungwuti has been travelling around Australia since calling it quits from the Bombers.
But the 29-year-old's manager, former Essendon champion Scott Lucas, has confirmed McDonald-Tipungwuti is contemplating a return to football.
The AFL cult favourite has spoken with Essendon and Fremantle about playing again, but talks with the Dockers are more advanced.
"Some personal circumstances have changed, which has meant that he has had the opportunity to reconsider," Lucas told AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday.
"He's in a really good head space, physically he's also in a better position than perhaps he was at the end of his time at Essendon.
"A fair bit to play out, but it's certainly something he's considered with both those clubs."
If McDonald-Tipungwuti was to move to Fremantle, he would have to be delisted by Essendon first as he only retired this year.
- AAP
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is weighing up a return to the AFL ... but Essendon isn't leading the race!#AFLTrade #AFL pic.twitter.com/JmPsRRwcI6
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 3, 2022
Giants join Victorian powerhouses
GWS forward Bobby Hill has been granted his wish of a move to Victoria on the first day of the AFL trade period.
Hill was traded to Collingwood for a future second round pick and a swap of this year's third round picks between the two clubs.
The 22-year-old filed a trade request to Essendon last season, but was denied as the Giants played hard ball. The livewire played the first 11 games of the 2022 season before being diagnosed with testicular cancer. He's kicked 34 goals in 41 games.
Hill's former teammate Tim Taranto also made a move to Richmond, who gave up picks 12 and 19 to secure the hard-nosed midfielder.
Taranto has played 114 games since being selected by GWS with pick No. 2 in the 2016 national draft.
Jayden Hunt signs with West Coast
Melbourne's Jayden Hunt as joined the West Coast Eagles as an unrestricted free agent after playing 114 games with the Demons, who received a round three draft selection in return.
"Jayden has been an excellent contributor to our club over a sustained period," Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said.
"He played an important role for us at half-back over the last couple of years and was unlucky to miss out on 2021 premiership having suffered an ankle injury in round 21 of that year.
"We are rapt for him that he has the opportunity to continue his career at West Coast and we wish him all the best in the next chapter."
Hunt played 20 matches at the Demons this season including both finals losses, but was not a member of the side's Grand Final triumph in 2021.
Demons rule out Pickett move
Melbourne have emphatically put to bed "crazy" speculation linking livewire forward Kysaiah Pickett with an AFL trade move to Port Adelaide.
Former Power star Travis Boak fanned the flames, declaring his former club in the mix to land Pickett during the trade period.
But the Demons are adamant Pickett, who has played 62 games for the club and starred in last year's premiership, is not going anywhere.
"Any talk about Kozzy leaving is absolutely ludicrous," Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb told reporters.
"We love Kozzy, Kozzy loves us. There's been no discussion about that.
"All Kozzy talks about is how much he loves this footy club, so we're a bit baffled about all that stuff.
"(Port Adelaide football manager) Chris Davies answered it really well last week that it's never even been in consideration. It's just crazy talk."
Lamb said it would be a "very, very short conversation" if Port Adelaide did inquire about Pickett.
-AAP
Dockers stand firm on Lobb AFL trade
Fremantle continue to talk tough on Rory Lobb, confident they can sign AFL trade target Luke Jackson without losing their leading goal-kicker.
WA product Jackson is determined to leave Melbourne for his home state and is yet to officially nominate a club of choice.
The Dockers are considered favourites to secure his services ahead of West Coast.
The versatile 20-year-old is described by the Demons as a "generational talent" after starring in their premiership last year.
"We've got our first pick this year and first pick next year," Fremantle list boss David Walls said.
"That's where 90 per cent of your currency is, in the first round.
"We've got a few other things on the go, so I think we'll be able to get there."
Fremantle will acquire additional draft picks that could be used in a Jackson deal by trading Blake Acres and Darcy Tucker to Victorian clubs.
Acres will go to Carlton, while Griffin Logue is also likely to achieve his wish of a move to North Melbourne.
-AAP
Graham rejects AFL move to stay at Tigers
Richmond midfielder Jack Graham is set to stay with the AFL club after knocking back interest from Port Adelaide.
The 24-year-old dual-premiership Tiger toured the Power's Alberton Oval headquarters in recent days and had been weighing up a lucrative offer to return to his home state.
But he has now reportedly told Richmond officials he will not request a move when the annual trade period opens on Monday.
Graham is contracted for 2023 and has a trigger that will extend the deal by a further season.
He will be a free agent at the end of 2024.
Graham's decision is a boost for the Tigers as they look to regenerate their list for another premiership push after falling short the last two seasons.
Fellow midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper are expected to leave GWS for Richmond, while Giants teammate Tanner Bruhn has been linked with Geelong.
-AAP
Papley inks long-term AFL deal with Swans
-AAP
Sydney forward Tom Papley has signed a five-year AFL contract extension.
Papley, who requested a trade to Carlton at the end of 2019, is now tied to the Swans until the end of 2028.
The dynamic small forward could have entered next season as a free agent but opted to recommit to Sydney, beaten grand finalists this year.
"The contract didn't take that long to be honest, it all happened pretty quickly during the finals and got it signed off," Papley said on Friday.
"One of the main reasons I signed on was because of this young group.
"They're still learning and I think only half played in their first final this year.
"So we can't wait to get back to pre-season and start working hard again."
The 26-year-old was rookie drafted in 2015 and is now a 141-gamer and All Australian who the Swans were rapt to secure long-term.
"We're thrilled," Sydney's football manager Charlie Gardiner said.
""Few players are as invested and committed to seeing their football club succeed as Tom Papley.
"We all know he is an exceptional player and has well and truly established himself as one of the best small forwards in the competition.
"But equally impressive is his passion and care for the club ... we just love the energy he brings."
Papley, a dual Swans leading goalkicker, kicked 32 goals this season and was pivotal to his club's run to the AFL Grand Final.
AFL star De Goey to stay with Collingwood
-AAP
Wingman Amon seals AFL move to Hawthorn
-AAP
Karl Amon has become the first player to move clubs during the AFL trade period, and Port Adelaide probably won't be happy with their compensation pick.
Amon, who played 124 games for the Power over nine seasons, has joined Hawthorn on a four-year deal.
The 27-year-old wingman was Port Adelaide's top vote-winner in this year's Brownlow Medal, averaging 23.6 disposals a game throughout the season.
Port had voiced their desire to receive a first-round draft pick as compensation for losing the restricted free agent..
"I think it has got to be close to a first round, if not an end of first-round selection," Power football manager Chris Davies told AFL Trade Radio this week.
But they won't receive their wish, with the AFL to hand them a second-round selection (currently pick No.27).
Amon's arrival at Hawthorn will help the club's rebuild.
"It's pleasing to hear Karl indicate his decision to commit to the club was based around the positive direction of the organisation and the exciting brand of football being developed," Hawks list manager Mark McKenzie said in a statement.
"He is an incredibly gifted athlete and can be damaging by foot.
"With more than 100 games under his belt, we believe his skill-set and experience will complement our young and developing list."
Trade scrap looms over top Dog Josh Dunkley
-AAP
Luke Beveridge insists the Brisbane Lions will have to "pony up" for Josh Dunkley during the AFL trade period after the want-away midfielder claimed the Western Bulldogs' best-and-fairest award.
Dunkley was a narrow winner of the Charles Sutton Medal on Wednesday night, just days after making his request for a trade official.
Bulldogs coach Beveridge described the pending move as "the elephant in the room" before presenting Dunkley with the coveted award.
"The obvious thing is that the Lions are going to have to pony up," Beveridge said.
"Sammy (list manager Sam Power) is going to go to work on that over the next week or two."
If granted his trade wish, Dunkley will sign a long-term deal with Brisbane that Beveridge indicated the Bulldogs could not match.
The 25-year-old, who averaged 25.4 disposals and 4.4 clearances a game this season, will leave a big hole in the Dogs' engine room.
"He's extremely well respected by everyone within our football club and obviously it's a real shame," Beveridge said.
"I describe Josh as the glue in our team. He does all the hard team things unconditionally and we're going to need more of that from his teammates, or former teammates, next year.
"He's a real diamond that we discovered and pinched from under Sydney's nose all those years ago.
"It's difficult to come up and match market value when you've got to spread the financial load across your whole group.
"That's part of it, but Josh has also made a life decision on where he sees his future and where he's going to live and what it means to him at this point in time, and we respect that."
Beveridge and Dunkley struck a deal weeks ago that the midfielder would "see it through" with the Bulldogs until their best-and-fairest night, regardless of what decision he made on his future.
The coach said the two parties had invested too much into each other over the years for the relationship to end badly.
"We've had a couple of conversations since and the most deflating one one was when he called me to let me know what the decision was," Beveridge said.
"Again we had that chat and I reminded him of his conviction and he promised me he'd be here."
An emotional Dunkley has described his trade decision as a "lifestyle choice" and lauded Beveridge as a "father figure".
He polled 231 votes to win the best-and-fairest award ahead of fellow midfielder Tom Liberatore (211) and key forward Aaron Naughton (180).
In doing so, Dunkley became the 13th Bulldogs player of more than 1000 in the club's AFL/VFL history to play in a premiership, reach 100 games and win a best-and-fairest award.
Dunkley was part of the Dogs' drought-breaking flag in his debut season (2016).
Meanwhile, Brisbane defender Darcy Gardiner is off the free agency market after signing a three-year contract extension that ties him to the Lions until the end of 2025.
The 27-year-old, recruited from the Geelong Falcons with pick 22 in the 2013 draft, overcame concussion issues and a series of shoulder setbacks to reach the 150-game milestone earlier this year.
Hawks' Gunston to join Lions as free agent
-AAP
Hawthorn sharpshooter Jack Gunston will depart the Hawks as an unrestricted free agent to join Brisbane, where he will chase a fourth AFL premiership.
The 30-year-old booted 430 goals in 225 games for Hawthorn, winning flags in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Gunston was an All-Australian in 2018, won Hawthorn's best and fairest in 2020 and led their goalkicking in 2015, 2016 and 2020.
He follows former teammates Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall in heading to Brisbane for the twilight years of his career.
"We were always in open discussion with Jack and his management about his current position here at the club and what his future might look like," Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney said.
Jack Gunston is set to join the Lions. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images "Today Jack informed us, after considerable thought, that he would exercise his right as a free agent to explore the market, and we respect that completely.
"Jack has been an incredible servant during his 11 seasons here at Hawthorn."
The Hawks re-signed young forwards Tyler Brockman and Emerson Jeka for 2023.