The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
Port Adelaide is the most active club in the free agency sweepstakes and could yet challenge Essendon as the 2017 NAB AFL Trade Period's destination club.
The Power's signing of Brisbane Lions midfield bull Tom Rockliff is expected to go through on Wednesday, which offset the loss of tall utility Jackson Trengove to the Western Bulldogs.
They are also on the hunt for free agent Steven Motlop and out-of-favour Demon Jack Watts, while the Bombers' potential recruitment of Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad has hit a snag.
AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest action each morning until the end of the Trade Period on Thursday, October 19.
Will Bombers have to prioritise?
The Age is reporting that Essendon's trouble in satisfying three separate clubs for Adam Saad, Devon Smith and Jake Stringer might force it to pick who it wants most.
The Bombers' No.11 and 28 draft picks will be in play in any deals for the star trio, but they will almost certainly have to gather more high-end selections to make the recruiting coup eventuate.
Essendon is trying to nab Saad and Gold Coast's pick 19 in exchange for No.11, with the dream scenario of giving up 19 for Stringer and 28 for Smith.
But the Suns are so far unwilling to part with 19 – they are open to 22 instead, which may not be enough for Stringer.
That may lead to the Bombers having to deal with other clubs, with West Australian Travis Colyer seemingly on the trade table, to acquire a more valued pick.
Lever trade taking shape
Adelaide defender Jake Lever's request to join Melbourne is gathering steam, with the clubs starting to find common ground on a complicated potential deal, The Age reports.
The Crows were steadfast from the beginning that they wanted two first-round picks in exchange for the young star – a demand the Demons initially baulked at.
But Adelaide may get its way, with Melbourne considering offloading this year's first-round pick and next year's in order to receive Lever and other draft picks from the 2017 Grand Finalist.
The Demons could receive the draft pick the Crows score for wantaway speedster Charlie Cameron – likely pick 18 or 19 – although Melbourne may need to part with more than just the first-rounders.
Port may regret losing Ah Chee
Former Port Adelaide utility Paul Stewart has told the Adelaide Advertiser his old club risks relinquishing a future AFL star if, as expected, Brendon Ah Chee joins West Coast.
Ah Chee has struggled for senior opportunities at Alberton Oval, but won Port Adelaide Magpies' SANFL best and fairest and was runner-up in the Magarey Medal.
The 23-year-old West Australian has requested a trade to the Eagles, who view him as a replacement for retired inside midfielders Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell.
"I love Arch as a player and a person. He's a good kid, a professional, he's improved his engine every year and he's got that X-factor about him when he goes forward," Stewart said.
"Him and Robbie Gray had the best set of hands at the club in my time there and if you are a good clearance player who can go forward and kick goals, like Arch can, you have a lot going for you.
"He'd be a great pick-up by West Coast."
Schache's potential still appealing
Homesick Brisbane Lions forward Josh Schache's TAC Cup coaches believe he can still be a star if he can return to Victoria, the Herald Sun reports.
The Schache contract saga has dominated football headlines even since he re-signed for two years at the Lions, and he would ideally like to find a Victorian club.
There has been only tentative interest in the former No.2 draft pick on the opening two days of the NAB AFL Trade Period, with question marks on his competitive desire.
Schache's former Murray Bushrangers coach, Darren Ogier, has not lost faith in the 2015 Larke medallist.
"I think Josh is going to be a very good player whoever he ends up (with)," Ogier said.
"He is very close with his mum and if he got back to Victoria that can only help him."
