The 2023 free agency signing period has reached its deadline, as a pair of free agents found new homes following days of speculation.
The signing window closed at 5:00 PM (AEDT) on Friday, as Jade Gresham officially became a Bomber and delisted free agent Toby Pink penned a North Melbourne contract.
After several reports on the positions of Essendon and St Kilda regarding Gresham's move, the Bombers finally lodged their deal for the now-ex-Saint at AFL House.
As expected, the Saints declined to match Essendon's offer, which has since been reported to be a three-year contract at approximately $700,000 per season.
Subsequently, St Kilda was handed end-of-first-round draft compensation -- recognised as 'Band Two' -- by the league, which currently sits at No. 21 in this November's draft order.
SEE ALSO: 2023 DRAFT ORDER
Despite the potential for the Saints to match the Bombers' contending offer if their compensatory return was expected to be lower than Band Two, Gresham ultimately made his way to Moorabbin after St Kilda elected to let him walk.
The now-confirmed transaction frees up both clubs to place a focus on their trade plans ahead of next Wednesday's exchange period deadline, with the Bombers needing to settle deals with several other clubs that involve defensive pair Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Massimo D'Ambrosio, who are hoping to get to Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, respectively.
A deal with the Power for Zerk-Thatcher could include Victorian wingman Xavier Duursma, who recently signalled his intention to be traded to Tullamarine.
The Saints are also set to see players coming in and out of Linton Street over the next few days, with Fremantle's Liam Henry aiming to make the switch east, while St Kilda defender Nick Coffield has requested a move to the Western Bulldogs for a fresh start.
While those deals are expected to unfold over the course of the coming days, the free agency window's expiry has quickly arrived.
North Melbourne officially added ex-Swan Pink to its ranks as a delisted free agent, with the key-defensive prospect having last been AFL-listed in 2019 with Sydney.
A total of 21 players were still eligible to exercise their rights as free agents before 5:00 PM, as Gresham was the only player under the restricted band who remained unsigned heading into Friday's proceedings.
Athletic Richmond defender Bigoa Nyuon was expected to land at Arden Street following strong links to North Melbourne over the past week, though a deal was not reached by the deadline.
Nyuon, 22, was eligible for free agency given he was previously delisted by the Tigers and then re-listed via the Rookie Draft two years ago.
Others who were also eligible after previously being removed from the senior list include Brisbane's Rhys Mathieson, Essendon's Will Snelling, Suns recruit Jake Stein, Hawks forward Fergus Greene, journeyman Tom Campbell, West Coast's Zane Trew and Bulldog Roarke Smith.
Former Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko is also yet to cement his future, while tall Cat Rhys Stanley is expected to recommit at Kardinia Park for another year.
Geelong stalwart Tom Hawkins recommitted to the Cats late Friday afternoon, putting an end to short-lived speculation that he could depart.
GWS veteran Lachie Keeffe's future hangs in the balance after being told to wait until after the trade period to know where his position with the Giants sits, as the New South Wales club plans to lure Elliott Himmelberg from Adelaide via trade.
St Kilda's Dan McKenzie is another who faces an uncertain future, with the wingman heading overseas to undergo special medical treatment after a season sidelined by soft tissue injuries.
Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett is also treading water for the next week as the Power looks to attain ruck pair Jordon Sweet and Ivan Soldo from the Bulldogs and Tigers, respectively.
If Soldo, who is under contract at Punt Road for a further season, doesn't head to Alberton, then Lycett presents as a strong chance to earn a new deal.
A total of eight players have found new homes via free agency so far this off-season:
Players who are not offered new deals prior to the end of this month can still find new homes via the delisted free agency signing period, which opens on November 1.
They can also be re-listed via the Rookie Draft if they haven't already served the maximum three years on the rookie list.