Hawthorn is making an audacious late bid to poach Jake Carlisle from St Kilda's clutches in a proposed trade that would also send Jed Anderson to North Melbourne.
Essendon tall Carlisle requested a trade shortly after the home and away season and last week nominated the Saints as his preferred new home over fellow suitors Carlton.
But AFL.com.au has confirmed that the Hawks are seeking to exploit an impasse in St Kilda's negotiations with Essendon, with the Saints so far refusing to meet the Bombers' demand of pick No.5 for Carlisle.
The Hawks are attempting to snare Carlisle in a three-way deal that, according to reports, would see:
- Hawthorn parts with pick No.18 and Anderson for Carlisle;
- North receives Anderson and Essendon's pick No.41 in exchange for pick No.15, and,
- Essendon receives picks No.15 and 18 for Carlisle and pick No.41.
It is understood that if Carlisle and Anderson agree to be part of the deal it could be signed off on as early as Thursday afternoon.
Any change of heart from Carlisle would be a massive turnaround in one week.
On October 8, he told NAB AFL Trade Radio, "From 2016 onwards I will be at the St Kilda footy club.
"I'm obviously very excited about the decision and it's been a lengthy process since we finished the season.
"I couldn't be happier.
"'Richo' (coach Alan Richardson) was there in my first year at Essendon, Rohan Welsh, who is the defensive coach at St Kilda was my Vic Metro coach in 2009.
"But also just how young they are the exciting football they've played this year.
"I just turned 24 so hopefully I can finish my career there and show the young kids how to develop as well."
