Melbourne are reportedly keeping tabs on unsigned Carlton forward Matt Owies, who could find a new club this off-season given his uncertain future at Princes Park.
Despite booting the third most goals for the Blues this year - behind only Coleman Medal-winning pair Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay - the 27-year-old has been informed he can look elsewhere this off-season.
With his contract reaching its expiry and Owies not eligible for free agency, the small forward can depart via the trade period or through delisted free agency should Carlton cut ties with 72-gamer.
Owies is said to have met with West Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast as he assesses his options for 2025 and beyond, while Melbourne could join the race for his signature.
According to AFL.com.au, Melbourne are weighing up a potential move for the ground-level threat, who kicked 33 goals in 2024 to bring his two-season total to 60 majors since the start of last year - a period of 41 games.
The Demons are set to lose forward Alex Neal-Bullen to Adelaide this year, with Pick 25 from the Crows likely coming the other way.
That would add to Melbourne's draft hand of Picks 5, 37, 45, 50 and 61, with a mid-range pick potentially all that is needed to sign Owies given Carlton's lack of advances to re-sign the former basketball prodigy.
The Demons are also in talks with GWS to attain wantaway swingman Wade Derksen this off-season, with the uncapped Giant unlikely to demand an early selection.
The Eagles, Lions and Suns will need to balance their draft picks and points given the access all three clubs will have to Academy, father-son or Next Generation Academy prospects for November's AFL Draft.
West Coast, who hold Picks 3, 23 and 59, will likely rely on late selections to match a bid for NGA-tied talent Malakai Champion, while Gold Coast are hoping to package the needed group of later draft selections to match bids for first-round draft chance Leonardo Lombard.
Brisbane could be forced into matching a bid for father-son gun Levi Ashcroft as early as Pick 1, while Academy talent Sam Marshall may also fetch a bid in the top 20.
The 2024 trade period opens on Monday, October 7.