AFL trade talk is continuing to ramp up as half the competition enters the final couple of weeks of their 2024 seasons.
It has been a busy few days for Melbourne, who received the opening trade request of the year while a superstar's future was brought into question. A host of premiership players at Melbourne and across the competition have been linked into trade talk over the past week.
Here's all the latest trade news and rumours from the AFL landscape.
Premiership Demon lodges trade request
The first trade request of 2024 has been lodged, with Melbourne forward Alex Neal-Bullen seeking a return to South Australia.
Neal-Bullen's desire to head to SA is due to family reasons, with Melbourne permitting the request and will work with their premiership player over the coming weeks and months.
Adelaide loom as a leading landing spot ahead of cross-town rivals Port Adelaide, who have limited draft capital this year.
READ: NEAL-BULLEN SEEKING MOVE TO SA
Sydney veteran to explore options for 2025
Contracted Swans veteran Luke Parker is said to be open to assessing the open market this year.
Parker has had an interrupted year to date due to injury and suspension, playing just six matches.
He has seen his role decrease since his return, starting as the tactical sub in three games while holding down a more forward position when on-field.
According toย AFL.com.au,ย Parker could be on the lookout for a new home this coming off-season.
MORE: PARKER COULD LAND AT SECOND CLUB
Crows coach meets with Suns tall
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is said to have met with Suns forward Jack Lukosius as the Crows potentially look to lure the former Pick 2 selection to West Lakes.
Lukosius is signed to Gold Coast until the end of 2026 but has seen his future at Carrara questioned after being dropped from Damien Hardwick's side.
Nicks is said to have held talks with Lukosius, while Port Adelaide could also show an interest as Power captain Connor Rozee - a close friend to Lukosius - could sway the potentially departing Suns gun.
STORY: LUKOSIUS LINKED WITH WEST LAKES SWITCH
Eagles defender expected to make Hawks moveย
West Coast backman Tom Barrass is expected to make his way to Hawthorn come the trade period.
A deal of four years with the option for a fifth is said to see the Hawks edge out the Western Bulldogs for the premiership Eagle's signature.
The Hawks will likely need to part with a first-round pick for Barrass, who is contracted until the end of 2027.
READ: BARRASS TIPPED TO LAND LONG-TERM VENTURE
Demons shoot down star trade concerns as rival keeps tabs
Melbourne were quick to shut down trade speculation surrounding star midfielder Christian Petracca.
Petracca's name was raised this week as a potential target for clubs as he expressed frustration with the club's direction.
The club confirmed Petracca's frustrations but stated the 2021 Norm Smith Medal winner was not seeking an exit and will see out his long-term Demons contract, which ends at the cessation of the 2029 season.
MORE: MELBOURNE POUR COLD WATER ON BOMBSHELL REPORT
Rivals eyeing Magpie pair
Collingwood pair Finlay Macrae and Reef McInnes are said to have caught the eye of rival clubs.
Macrae is contracted beyond 2024 while McInnes is without a deal for next year, with both players currently out of favour at Olympic Park.
News Corpย have reported that the pair are gaining external interest and could find new clubs in a bid for better roles at AFL level.
MORE: MACRAE, MCINNES EARNING INTEREST
Essendon youngster gaining external attention
Richmond and Collingwood are said to be showing some level of interest in Essendon youngster Ben Hobbs.
Hobbs, a former first-round pick for the Bombers, has struggled to land a consistent run of games this year due to the wealth of Essendon's midfield stocks.
Despite being contracted beyond this year, Hobbs' situation has led to rival clubs keeping an eye on the Horsham product.
READ: FORMER FIRST-ROUND PICK IN THE SIGHTS OF OTHERS
Roos hoping to poach experienced talentย
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has confirmed the club's interest in luring senior talent to Arden Street.
Speaking onย SEN,ย Clarkson said the club would love to have one or two players in the mould of Demons hard-nut Jack Viney brought to the Roos, with the Melbourne premiership player recently linked to North Melbourne.
Viney, Dane Rampe, Callan Ward and Ollie Wines were named by Clarkson, who didn't shy away from flagging his club's intentions.
READ: CLARKSON MAKES TRADE PLANS CLEAR
Beveridge concedes Smith uncertaintyย
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has stated the club's confidence in keeping midfielder Bailey Smith is waning.
Smith has been heavily linked to a move to either Geelong or Hawthorn this year as the former top 10 picks nears the end of his contract.
Despite a successful year of re-signings for the Dogs, Smith looks likely to depart the Kennel after six seasons - his most recent ending before it began due to an ACL injury sustained last year.
MORE: DOGS' HONEST ANSWER TO STAR'S FUTURE
Richmond coach provides latest on future of premiership stars
Needing to deal with a number of top line players ahead of the off-season, Richmond have provided the latest on the future several stars.
Coach Adem Yze admitted the club is no closer to knowing the looming decisions for Liam Baker and Jack Graham, who are both yet to recommit at Punt Road beyond this year.
Gun duo Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton have also been tied to moves elsewhere but are contracted, with Yze flagging talks with the required pair will be held later this year.
MORE: YZE TALKS LATEST ON TIGERS' TRADE RUMOURS
Saint addresses future
In-demand St Kilda defender Josh Battle has spoken on his future ahead of a highly-anticipated decision.
Battle has garnered strong interest from Hawthorn this year as an unrestricted free agent, with the Saints stopper to either switch to Waverley or re-sign at Moorabbin.
With just weeks left in the Saints' 2024 campaign, Battle spoke toย 7 News on where things sit.
STORY: FREE AGENT OFFERS LATEST ON SITUATION
AFL clubs eyeing ex-Roos defender
Former North Melbourne backman Thomas Murphy has regained the attention of AFL clubs amid a stellar season with VFL club Frankston.
Playing as a midfielder for the Dolphins this year, Murphy has enjoyed a career-best year to potentially earn himself a second chance in the top flight.
Murphy spent three years at Arden Street, playing nine games at AFL level before being delisted at the end of the 2020 season.
MORE: VFL GUN LINKED TO POTENTIAL AFL RETURN
WAFL ruckman on radar of AFL clubs
East Fremantle tall Lachlan Blakiston has reportedly landed on the radar of AFL clubs.
Blakiston, who spent most of last year and the start of this season at the WAFL reserves level, has been a dominant force since stepping into the Sharks' senior side midway through the club's premiership defence.
After Brynn Teakle was drafted to North Melbourne in May, Blakiston has been relied on as the club's No.1 ruckman and has put up big numbers to catch the eye of AFL clubs, perย The West Australian.ย
