The first official trade request of 2024 has been lodged, with Melbourne premiership forward Alex Neal-Bullen's desire to move back to South Australia granted by the Demons this week.
The request, which was raised due to family circumstances, has the Demons left to part with the defensive-minded attacker to either Adelaide or Port Adelaide, who will both assess how they can get the 28-year-old through the door.
Neal-Bullen is one of the more reliable pressure half-forwards in the competition, with the former Glenelg Tiger ranking in the top five for tackles per game among forwards in 2024 so far, placing him in the same bracket as ex-teammate Toby Bedford, Collingwood brute Beau McCreery and Fremantle jet Sam Switkowski.
Having also proven to be a viable lockdown option in midfield, made evident from his role in the King's Birthday match to keep Collingwood ace Nick Daicos to 15 disposals before he was subbed out of the contest, Neal-Bullen will command some value on the open market.
While the Demons' hand has been forced, they won't be accepting just any offer from the Crows or Power, who each have differing list needs but would be much improved with the wantaway utility's arrival.
A move to West Lakes would have Neal-Bullen perfectly complement attacking Crows duo Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine in what looks set to develop into a new-look front third under Matthew Nicks, who is in line to add promising father-son draft talent Tyler Welsh and potentially Suns tall Jack Lukosius this off-season also.
Rankine is primed for a larger role in the engine room next year after proving to be Adelaide's leading man in his second season with the club, with Neal-Bullen able to offer a defensive edge across the front half of the field.
Add in Ben Keays' current form, key forward pairing Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe, and, hopefully, another year of Taylor Walker mentoring the emerging ranks, and the Crows could be home to the most lethal and balanced attacking contingent in 2025.
So, how do the Crows eventually approach trade talks with Melbourne for Neal-Bullen?
The Demon's value is a fascinating one to assess, with the highly-rated midfield-forward hybrid set to be 29 years of age early next year. His desire to part with his current club and return home may hurt the Demons' standing when they come to the table, while Neal-Bullen is contracted to the red and blue for a further two seasons.
Adelaide will need to weigh up how they best use this year's draft hand to potentially attain both Neal-Bullen and Lukosius while keeping enough picks and draft points to also secure access to Welsh.
The situation is likely to see the Crows at the very least part with their second-round selection for November's intake, currently placed at Pick 26 - which holds value that would likely satisfy either Melbourne or Gold Coast to some degree in a straight swap.
VIEW: CURRENT 2024 AFL DRAFT ORDER
A future second-round selection is unlikely to hold as much value, particularly for the Crows given their need to have a strong enough hand to make a play for Welsh, given the strength of this year's draft class and Adelaide's expected rise up the ladder over the next 12 months. The situation could see both the Demons and Suns pressing for this year's selection instead of next year's, forcing the Crows to consider what they need more - a versatile key position talent or a reliable and experienced front-half conduit.
Port Adelaide can't be discounted from the conversation, with Neal-Bullen potentially a more fitting puzzle piece in the Power's own premiership pursuit. The Alberton club would need to weigh up whether the Demons midfield-forward is best suited to a forward role or higher up the field, however.
Sidelined forward Sam Powell-Pepper has proven to be an equally damaging pressure forward over the past 12 months, while Darcy Byrne-Jones has introduced some backline flavour to Ken Hinkley's forward mix this year also.
Youngster Jackson Mead is proving to be a viable contested asset in his fifth year with the Power, while Willie Rioli is Hinkley's most lethal ground-level threat.
Neal-Bullen could be utilised higher up the field and eventually act as a filler for veteran Travis Boak on the periphery of Port Adelaide's star-studded midfield group, potentially relied on as the club's go-to tagger to free up tackling machine Willem Drew.
Coming ahead of most in Hinkley's forward pecking order - one that currently includes ex-Geelong duo Francis Evans and Quinton Narkle in the side - Neal-Bullen could be in favour at the Power ahead of the fringe pair and Boak, all of who are currently unsigned for next season.
A move to Port Adelaide might also work in favour of the Demons, potentially unlocking a trade deal for reported Melbourne target Dan Houston, who is said to be keen on returning to his home state of Victoria this year.
Houston won't come cheaply should he flee, with Melbourne's interest likely coming at the cost of a first-round pick at the very least. The combination of Neal-Bullen and Melbourne's current 2024 first-round selection of Pick 6 could satisfy the Power. However, further draft capital might be needed to persuade Port Adelaide as they look to add to a draft hand that currently holds just two picks for this year's count.
Melbourne hold Picks 38, 43, 50 and 62 as well as Pick 6, while both clubs could be open to swapping future selections to get a deal that centres around Neal-Bullen and Pick 6 for Houston.
The Power are tipped to prioritise other off-season options, however, with the South Australian club said to be in the running for GWS free agents Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming.
If Port Adelaide lands one or both Giants defenders, they may then be more open to parting with Houston, given their free agency pursuits would come at no cost to their draft hand.
It's an off-season that could see the Power secure Perryman, Cumming, Neal-Bullen and a top 10 draft selection, and potentially further draft capital while losing Houston only.
If Houston stays put at Port Adelaide, the Power will likely need to delve into their future draft selections, with their only selections for this year sitting at 37th and 55th overall. Much like Adelaide's potential 'package', a 2025 second-round selection could be what gets Neal-Bullen to the Power.
