3 minute read
The AFL trade period promises to be one of the busiest on record, with star pair Dan Houston and Bailey Smith among players intent on moving to new clubs.
All-Australian defender Dan Houston and star midfielder Bailey Smith are among the biggest names set to switch clubs during the AFL trade period.
But nothing is straightforward amid the jostling and haggling of the competition's annual silly season, which officially opens on Monday.
Both players could be made to wait until close to the October 16 deadline to reach their preferred destinations - if they get there at all.
Port Adelaide's Houston has attracted plenty of interest from Victorian clubs, with Collingwood, Carlton and North Melbourne all in the mix.
The Power, who missed out on free agent Harry Perryman, are eager to find a replacement before letting the contracted Houston leave.
Western Bulldogs gun Smith is the latest high-profile talent keen to move to Geelong, who have a knack of pulling off big deals.
But the Dogs will want more than the Cats' first-round draft pick in exchange for the prolific ball-winner.
Whether Melbourne star Clayton Oliver joins Smith at Geelong is another matter, with Demons president Brad Green attempting to pour cold water on thoughts of the unsettled midfielder leaving.
The strife-torn Dees reportedly shopped around Oliver, who then met with Cats officials and players, before Green said the contracted 27-year-old would be staying.
There could be plenty more to play out on Oliver, while there is also a watch on Melbourne teammate Kysaiah Pickett, who may decide he wants out.
Essendon's Jake Stringer is another unknown, with the market for his services seemingly not as strong as it may have been in the past.
High-end draft picks are also on the trade table this year, after West Coast resisted offers to trade the No.1 pick last year in favour of taking highly-rated teenager Harley Reid as the top selection.
North Melbourne are open to splitting pick two for another top-10 selection, while the Eagles' pick three could be used to acquire an extra selection that could unlock a deal for Richmond's Liam Baker.
Gold Coast have also put multiple first-round picks on the table as they seek to complete a move for Daniel Rioli and snare enough points to land academy prospect Leo Lombard.
Baker and Rioli are set to be followed through the Punt Road exit doors by Shai Bolton, who wants to leave Richmond to return to Western Australia.
Fremantle have first-round draft picks to play with and will likely have to part with two of those to land Bolton, who is contracted to Richmond for four more years.
Tigers midfielder Jack Graham is also weighing up an offer to leave for West Coast under free agency.
The Eagles could acquire a first-round pick for premiership defender Tom Barrass, who wants to join former teammate Sam Mitchell's revolution at Hawthorn.
Many deals set to involve first-round selections have been complicated by compensation picks handed out by the AFL to clubs who lost free agents.
St Kilda and GWS both received 'band one' compensation picks, for losing Josh Battle (Hawthorn) and Perryman (Collingwood) respectively.
Bids on father-son and academy products will throw further spanners in the works on draft night.
Premiers Brisbane are dangling their top draft pick in front of other clubs as they seek to accumulate points to match bids for top prospects Levi Ashcroft (father-son) and Sam Marshall (academy).
The Lions don't want for much, but could also be interested in finding a replacement for retired flag hero Joe Daniher in their forward-line.
North Melbourne are set to add much needed experience and leadership with relatively straightforward trades for Sydney's Luke Parker and West Coast's Jack Darling.
Gold Coast's Jack Lukosius (Port Adelaide), Collingwood's John Noble (Gold Coast), Melbourne's Alex Neal-Bullen (Adelaide) and Giant James Peatling (Adelaide) are all among a large group of players who have requested trades to specific clubs.
