AFL fans crash records in Trade Radio frenzy

The 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio has set a new benchmark for fan engagement, smashing records across every platform and proving once again that footy trades are serious business for supporters.

Broadcast live from Marvel Stadium and co-produced with SEN, Deadline Day drew more than 922,000 plays, with fans consuming 17 million minutes of content in just 24 hours. Over 150,000 fans tuned in live for the final hour as last-minute deals unfolded in real-time.

AFL.com.au and the AFL app saw a surge in traffic, with more than three million social video views and a single post clocking over half a million views. On the streaming front, video content surpassed 9.6 million minutes viewed, while audio hit over seven million minutes.

AFL Media’s Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge led the coverage, breaking stories as they happened and offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look from inside club war rooms. Key interviews included Tom Petroro discussing Zach Merrett’s trade ambitions and Robbie D’Orazio on Charlie Curnow’s headline move to the Sydney Swans.

AFL Executive General Manager of Customer and Commercial Bec Haagsma said the success reflects fans’ growing appetite for trade drama.

“The interest in Trade Radio continues to grow, with over 50 million total minutes consumed across the trading period,” she said.

SEN CEO Craig Hutchison said the results reflect the growing appetite for trade content and the strength of the partnership between SEN and the AFL.

“Trade Radio has become a cultural phenomenon for footy fans.”

“These results are a testament to the passion of the audience, the quality of the talent, and the power of collaboration with the AFL.”

“Deadline Day was electric, and we’re proud to have delivered with the AFL team the most comprehensive trade coverage in the game.”

Overall, the trade period delivered 2.5 million plays before Deadline Day even hit, resulting in a 32 per cent year-on-year increase across AFL platforms.

Trade Radio aired exclusively via the AFL app and AFL.com.au.