Sometimes it's ruckman. Other times its midfielders. And rarely, it can be forwards.
However, in the upcoming 2024 AFL Trade Period, it is looking like defenders - an increasingly key ingredient in a coach's arsenal.
And of course, we mean which position, ergo, what players, will be enjoying a ride on the competition's off-season carousel.
(Carousel meaning: a merry-go-round; a conveyor system at an airport (AFL) from which arriving passengers (clubs) collect their luggage (players)).
In essence, the ripple effect one player's move might have.
The speculation around Dan Houston potentially departing Port Adelaide to head back to his home state Victoria, with Melbourne reportedly up to their necks in their attempt to lure him home, is beginning to gain traction.
The Power's contingency plan will say that if Houston were to depart, they'd attack GWS pair Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman, with the latter reportedly receiving a whopping seven-year deal.
Looking at the other side of the equation, if the Demons were to miss out on the Power playmaker, their focus may avert to out-of-favour Western Bulldogs halfback Caleb Daniel.
Failing to make an impact at AFL level in 2024 (10 outings; four as a sub), Daniel's writing appears to be on the wall at the Whitten Oval and could seek a fresh start.
The same can be said about West Coast premiership player Tom Barrass, who has been linked with moves to the Western Bulldogs and more recently, Hawthorn, amid an air of uncertainty at the Eagles.
What may play into the scenario is if forward-turned-defender Rory Lobb sticks true to his word from May, which suggested a move to a fourth AFL club was well and truly on the cards.
Lobb's future at the Kennel could dictate how hard the Bulldogs go after Barrass, especially given the successful experiment of the former Giant and Docker transforming into an intercept defender.
However, another layer to that key defensive talk is the Hawks, who are likely to sign St Kilda unrestricted free agent Josh Battle at season's end, despite the Saints' confidence in retaining him.
Battle has met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and was offered a six-year contract to pry him out of Moorabbin.
Could Hawthorn use its war chest to acquire both Battle and Barrass?
If they were to lure at least one, it could see Denver Grainger-Barras held at arm's length by the club, despite a nagging toe injury plaguing his 2024 season.
Grainger-Barras does come out of contract at the cessation of the season and could be viewed as an inexpensive trade target, despite being Pick 6 in the 2020 National Draft.
The futures of Nick Haynes, Josh Rotham and Adam Tomlinson remain in the air while Richmond's Daniel Rioli is likely to be held to his contract (2027) notwithstanding heavy interest from former coach Damien Hardwick and the Gold Coast Suns.
And yet we wonder how their choices will impact the competition.