Following an eventful start to free agency last week, day one of the 2024 AFL Trade period had plenty to unpack.
All 18 clubs and their list management teams filtered into league headquarters to prepare for 10 days of madness that has been bubbling at the surface all year.
With trade moves set to be made official, we saw two players - and their respective clubs - reach agreements whilst a seventh free agent found a new home.
Here's all the latest trade news for the opening day of the 2024 AFL Trade Period.
Demon, Eagle find new homes
Albeit low on the entertainment factor, Melbourne's Alex Neal-Bullen and West Coast's Jack Darling found new homes with relative fuss, joining Adelaide and North Melbourne.
Neal-Bullen's move to the Crows has been a long time coming, following his official trade request to South Australia in August for family reasons.
The Demons secured Pick 28 in the exchange, which, ironically, they gave up to Adelaide for the acquisition of Shane McAdam last year.
Darling's switch comes as the Kangaroos are set to offer a longer deal, with the club targeting much-needed experience both on and off the field.
The 32-year-old will work in tandem with forward spearhead Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar.
The Eagles received Pick 67 in return.
Free agent move No.7 in the books
Following six moves on the opening day of the free agency period, Richmond midfielder Jack Graham will make it the seventh.
Graham's move to West Coast has been in the works for months, with the signing of Andrew McQualter as senior coach likely playing a major role in the decision.
The 26-year-old will reunite with McQualter and join teammate Liam Baker in making the trip west, which is reportedly on a four-year deal.
Pies frontrunner for Houston
Collingwood is "confident" of securing Port Adelaide star Dan Houston during the trade period.
Despite many moving parts, the Pies are prepared to part ways with John Noble (Gold Coast) and Joe Richards (Port Adelaide), as well as an array of picks to land Houston.
It was made official on Monday that Richards wants to join the South Australian club, which could play an integral role in getting a deal through for the two-time All-Australian.
The deal could involve the Suns as well, who are likely to hand over Jack Lukosius to the Power.
Collingwood will likely have to out their 2025 first-round selection to receive draft capital for this year.
Dogs duo's future still in limbo
The futures of Western Bulldogs premiership duo Caleb Daniel and Jack Macrae still remain in the air.
The pair are contracted, and the Bulldogs have made it clear that they will not be moved on unless a satisfactory deal can be met.
St Kilda is heavily invested in bringing Macrae to the club, while it is understood North Melbourne are after Daniel.
According to Bulldogs list management, the small utility has not indicated his desire to leave, while the Saints are yet to reach out to the club.
Determined Docker in the sight of rivals
Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw is reportedly being eyed off by St Kilda and North Melbourne next yearย when he hits free agency status.
Brayshaw has become one of the best rovers in the competition, showcasing his impressive two-way running to complement Caleb Serong and Hayden Young.
As a result, the Sandringham Dragons product is being sought after by the Saints and Kangaroos, who are in desperate need of an A-grade midfielder.
Brayshaw will fall under the restricted free agency status, allowing the Dockers to match any bid made by a rival if one were put forward.
"Put it to bed": Geelong's say on Oliver
Geelong's pursuit of Melbourne star Clayton Oliver was "fleeting", according to list boss Andrew Mackie.
The Demons have been emphatic in their denial of Oliver's potential departure, with the club set to hold him to his contract that has six years attached to it.
The Cats, despite meeting him last week and entertaining a move, have all but put a line through the trade.
Clurey switch unlikely
Port Adelaide depth defender Tom Clurey looks unlikely to make a switch to West Coast.
Clurey had been linked to a move to the Eagles this year as the Perth clubs prepares to part with premiership defenderย Tom Barrass.
While West Coast is prepared to part with Barrass, a subsequent move that sees Clurey leave for Western Australia is now unlikely.
The Eagles are assessing their options to add depth to their list. However, the acquisition of Clurey is not expected to proceed.
Why Matt Owies is uncontracted
Carlton list manager Nick Austin explained small forward Matt Owies' uncertain future is a result of the club wanting to prioritise several other assets and list moves for 2025.
Austin declared that the Blues will have a new-look forward line next year that will consist of Zac Williams permanently, while they will back in youngsters Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin.
Jack Silvangi also missed with a knee injury, while Ashton Moir showed plenty in his first few AFL games.
Our front half is going to look a little bit different next year," Austin said.
"[We have] a lot of faith in Jesse Motlop and Corey Durdin to come through, they're only 20 and 21 as it is. They've had some injury troubles this year, but we need to create a pathway for those guys to step up and take more responsibility."
Bombers realistic on midfielder pursuit
Essendon are realistic in their pursuit of Hawthorn midfielder Finn Maginness, who is contracted for next year.
The Bombers were hopeful of adding the versatile midfielder to the mix but have quickly understood that it's a near-impossible move.
โFinn's someone in terms of where our list is at and our profile (we have looked at),โ Rosa said onย AFL Trade Radio.
โWe would like to add players with better running capabilities, and Finn's definitely sort of one of those players.
โBut he's a contracted player had a really good final series, so we don't expect anything to happen in that space.โ
Giants confirm interest in Essendon duo
GWS has confirmed that they will look into the potential acquisition of Essendon duo Jake Stringer and Dylan Shiel, with the latter previously a player at the club.
It has been widely reported that Stringer is looking for a longer deal, with his current contract only lasting until the end of next year.
Giants list manager Adrian Caruso will lead the club's plans to potentially pry both players out of Tullamarine as they weigh up their list options.
"We've got a list of guys that we're doing a little bit of preliminary work on, Jake being one of those," Caruso said.
"[Shiel] will be one, there's a heap of guys. It's a range of positions and age, seeing what's available, seeing who might be attainable.
"It's got to make sense financially for us, in a pick sense and also from a list spots point of view."
Blues shutdown Membrey rumours
Carlton was reportedly poised to assess a potential acquisition of St Kilda forward Tim Membrey, who is eligible for free agency under an unrestricted band.
Membrey is without a contract next year but is a consistent contributor for the Saints, making him a handy inclusion for any club if he seeks a move elsewhere.
However, Blues list manager Nick Austin has poured cold water on the suggestion, confirming on Monday the club won't be pursuing Membrey.
"No, that won't be happening, we'll be prioritising the draft," Austin said.
The Blues will also welcome back Jack Silvangi from a knee injury.
Depth Lion set to seek move again
Brisbane midfielder Deven Robertson has seen the writing on the wall after struggling to get a senior game in 2024.
Robertson signed a two-year deal during the 2023 season but has lacked opportunities following the inclusion of Will Ashcroft to the side.
And next month, the Lions will gain Will's younger brother, Levi, and academy product Sam Marshall.
Robertson has been linked to his home state, Western Australia, before, with the Eagles poised as a better suitor if they were to entertain a trade.
"Clearly, he would like some more opportunity. We've had a really open discussion with him, and he's going to explore his options. He hasn't told us he wants to go anywhere, but he wants to explore his options," Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio said.
West Coast looked into Robertson last year and could again during this trade period.
