The 2024 AFL Trade Period will officially open on Monday, with a host of clubs likely in the mix to have moves finalised on the opening day of the exchange window after months of wheeling and dealing.
The first day of free agency's week-long window saw six deals lodged at AFL House on Friday, and while the trade period is unlikely to see as many players on the move on day one, several deals can be expected to potentially get something finalised in the first 24 hours.
This year's first trade request could also be the first trade deal of 2024, with Melbourne premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen likely to land at Adelaide with little resistance after seeking a return to South Australia in mid-August.
The 28-year-old, who is under contract at the Demons for the next two seasons, has seen his desire to join Adelaide granted, with the corresponding trade capital from the Crows all that needs to be settled on.
Adelaide's second-best selection for November's AFL Draft - Pick 28 - might be all that is needed to see the two clubs shake hands, with that pick returning to Melbourne after they traded it to the Crows for Shane McAdam 12 months ago.
The agreement would see the Demons strengthen their draft hand and hold Picks 5, 28 40, 48, 53 and 64 for this year's intake, while Adelaide's best selection after their opening pick at fourth overall would now be Pick 45. The Crows also hold Pick 63.
The limited draft hand would likely mean Adelaide dip into their future selections to finalise their third and potentially final play to lure talent to West Lakes over the next fortnight, as GWS midfielder James Peatling is also seeking a switch to SA.
Peatling, who had just 26 games to his name before the start of this year, has seen his value soar off the back of strong form late into this year, which led to a bidding war that further increased the price of the off-contract youngster.
The Giants, who have already lost flanker Isaac Cumming to the Crows as part of free agency's first six signings, will likely have their sights set on either a second or third-round pick from the 2025 draft in a deal that sees Peatling added to Adelaide's engine room.
The Crows and Giants could have a quiet trade period soon after the Peatling deal is done, with GWS noting this week that duo Wade Derksen and Xavier O'Halloran are likely to be held to their contracts amid interest from Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs respectively, while youngster Conor Stone has a deal on the table from the club.
Elsewhere, North Melbourne could add close to 600 games of experience early into the trade window as the Kangaroos look to secure West Coast forward Jack Darling and Sydney veteran Luke Parker.
The premiership-winning duo have confirmed their desire to join Alastair Clarkson's clan, with North Melbourne likely using either Pick 61 or 67 on Darling, while Parker could be valued higher and exchanged for Pick 43.
The Kangaroos are also tangled into the Daniel Houston dash, with Collingwood, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs also keen on the Port Adelaide star.
The Power will ask for a high price to be appeased in any trade for the two-time All-Australian, who has not named a preferred club as he looks to secure a move to Victoria.
The race for Houston's services could hinge on another trade period chase as clubs like the Magpies and Blues look to snare Gold Coast's selection of Pick 13, which may then be included in packages placed on the table for the Power to consider.
The Suns look to be one of the busier clubs given their willingness to part with early picks as they look to secure the needed draft points instead.
Pick 13 could be on the move in the early stages of the trade period, but the most likely suitor is yet to emerge, while Pick 6 is set to head south to Punt Road in a deal that sees Tiger Daniel Rioli reunite with Damien Hardwick.
Richmond and Gold Coast are likely to exchange later selections in that deal, which could come after Pick 13 finds a new home.
Collingwood could be the easiest club to deal with for that selection given the Suns are also in line to add Magpies defender John Noble to their rearguard this off-season.
An agreement that sees Collingwood package the South Australian and potentially a second or third-round pick for Pick 13 could be enough to satisfy the Suns, who may just accept the best bidder despite plans to land Noble.
Collingwood coupling Pick 13 with their future first-round selection might then increase the odds of a Houston deal landing, however Carlton remain keen to acquire the dashing defender and will also be in the conversation for the Suns' selection.
On top of the Houston discussions, Port Adelaide will also be in talks with Victorian clubs for departing tall Ivan Soldo, who is said to be keen to head back east after one season at Alberton.
While Power Adelaide could hold Soldo to his contract - which has two years to run in SA - an agreement that pockets the Power a selection in this year's draft should be easy enough.
The ex-Richmond ruckman has been strongly linked to St Kilda, who may look to start talks at Pick 46 for the premiership Tiger. The Saints' next-best selection is Pick 27.
Port Adelaide are waiting on permission from the AFL to be able to trade their future first-round selection to the Suns for SA forward Jack Lukosius in what could be another deal that takes some time.
With the AFL likely to approve the Power's plans to send their top 2025 selection to Queensland, a trade deal should be lodged soon after permission is granted, whenever that does come.
The Power may also find an avenue to attain Collingwood speedster Joe Richards once they settle on a deal for Soldo, while the Magpie could be part of a trade for Houston should he confirm a desire to join Port Adelaide.
A number of headline deals are less likely to occur in the opening days of the trade period and could in fact be delayed until close to the deadline on October 16.
Geelong's plans to pry Bulldogs ace Bailey Smith out of the Kennel will wait on which club folds first. The Cats can offer Pick 17 for the 23-year-old, but the Dogs will be wanting more.
Given Smith is off-contract, a failure to find an agreement with Geelong would see Smith land at the Pre-Season Draft, an outcome neither club will be keen on.
So will the Cats stump up a better package, or will the Bulldogs bow to Geelong's stingy serving? It's a game of chicken that could go down to the wire.
On top of the aforementioned Rioli deal, Richmond will also be working with Western Australian clubs in negotiations for duo Liam Baker and Shai Bolton.
Baker, who looks more likely to land at West Coast and join former assistant Andrew McQualter, could be required to wait until the Eagles send premiership defender Tom Barrass to Hawthorn.
The Hawks' top selection at Pick 14 will likely be the centre of a deal for Barrass, with that pick then potentially heading back to Victoria in a deal that sees Baker become an Eagle, with a number of selections in both deals potentially trading places.
The Tigers will be receiving multiple first-round picks in any deal for Bolton, with Richmond likely most keen on Fremantle's two earliest selections at 10 and 11 overall.
Given the Dockers hold Pick 18 as well, that selection and one of their other first-round picks could be enough to eventually see Richmond and Fremantle reach an agreement.
The Tigers could strengthen their draft hand further on Monday if midfielder Jack Graham seeks and secures a move to the Eagles via free agency. Band three compensation for the loss of Graham would see Richmond pocket Pick 25, while band four would be Pick 42.
