VALUABLE
Dayne Beams
Whispers: The Brisbane Lions are in the box seat to land the contracted midfielder who has requested a trade to Queensland to be closer to his family. Talks are at a stalemate, however, with the Magpies expecting more than pick No.4 in return. Gold Coast is waiting in the background.
AFL.com.au says: The 2010 Copeland Trophy winner demands more than pick No.4 and the Lions will find a sweetener to get the deal done.
Mitch Clark
Whispers: The Melbourne-listed tall attracted interest from a number of clubs after announcing he was making a comeback to football. On Tuesday, Clark said he had chosen Geelong over Collingwood as his preferred new home.
AFL.com.au says: There will likely be some wrangling before the Demons and Cats agree to a trade, but a second-round draft pick or three-way deal should ensure Clark gets to Simonds Stadium.
James Frawley
Whispers: Linked with Geelong and Fremantle throughout the season, with Hawthorn dropping out of the race before returning late with terms it thought appropriate.
AFL.com.au says: Hawthorn, unless a mystery club appears.
Shaun Higgins
Whispers: The restricted free agent informed the Western Bulldogs on Tuesday that he wanted a fresh start at an opposition club. Higgins' manager, Bruce Kaider, told AFL.com.au that North Melbourne and one other club were vying to sign his client.
AFL.com.au says: After Carlton bowed out of the race last week, North is all but certain to secure Higgins, with the Dogs unlikely to match the Roos' offer given they could receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.
Kristian Jaksch
Whispers: Deciding between Carlton and St Kilda but the Western Bulldogs have been interested at times throughout the season. St Kilda is the frontrunner.
AFL.com.au says: GWS thinks the versatile tall is talented but accept he is returning to Victoria. After being No.12 pick two years he should command an early second-round pick at bare minimum.
Heritier Lumumba
Whispers: Is set on joining Melbourne and a trade is likely to get done with Collingwood prepared to deal. Likely to be a conversation about second and third-round picks between those two clubs, with Geelong's trade for Mitch Clark a chance to become involved.
AFL.com.au says: Lumumba gets to Melbourne early next week with some exchanging of picks.
Nick Malceski
Whispers: Gold Coast, West Coast and one Victorian club are said to be chasing the All Australian half-back, who has been linked to Melbourne in a reunion with his former coach Paul Roos. Has met with the Suns but the unrestricted free agent is still a chance to stay with the Swans.
AFL.com.au says: Gold Coast is making the early running and appears in the box seat.
Jono O'Rourke
Whispers: North Melbourne, St Kilda and Hawthorn are all circling the former No.2 draft pick, who has requested a trade home to Victoria. Out of contract after two seasons with Greater Western Sydney, he shapes as a key cog in the exchange period.
AFL.com.au says: St Kilda is in a strong position to secure the midfielder, who could form part of a trade between the Giants and Saints involving pick No.1 and other selections.
Patrick Ryder
Whispers: Port Adelaide will need to come up with an offer above pick No.16, its first-round draft pick, to get the deal done. All parties understand that and will try to come up with a fair deal.
AFL.com.au says: Essendon will accept a suitable offer as long as it is an improvement on Port Adelaide's first-round pick.
Jarrad Waite
Whispers: The unrestricted free agent has been pursued by North Melbourne since July and informed the Blues on Monday that he was leaving Visy Park.
AFL.com.au says: The spearhead should be confirmed as a Kangaroo shortly after the free agency period opens on Friday.
SPECULATIVE
Draft pick No.1
Whispers: The Saints' prized pick is on the table as the club looks to multiply its picks inside the top 21. A deal is yet to emerge, but Melbourne or GWS could look to trade up in the first round, throwing in a second strong pick or young player to get the deal over the line.
AFL.com.au says: One of Kristian Jaksch or Jono O'Rourke, who are speaking with the Saints, could be bundled with the Giants' pick No.3 in exchange for the first selection.
Patrick Dangerfield
Whispers: Happy in Adelaide with one year remaining on contract before he becomes eligible for free agency. Would have to agree to a trade and it would need to be a big return for the Crows to consent. Picks No.2 and No.3 might be enough, but Dangerfield is unlikely to want to join Melbourne.
AFL.com.au says: Several clubs are interested but can't see anything happening this trade period. Will be the free agency story of 2015.
Levi Greenwood
Whispers: North Melbourne and the out-of-contract midfielder have been unable to agree on a new deal despite protracted negotiations. Richmond has indicated it is interested in Greenwood, but expects him to re-sign with the Roos.
AFL.com.au says: North football director Geoff Walsh told AFL.com.au on Tuesday the club expected to re-sign Greenwood shortly and, barring an unforeseen development, that remains the most likely outcome.
Luke Lowden
Whispers: Popular figure at Hawthorn who is looking at other options but the Hawks are prepared to stick with him if no options arise. Looked set for Port Adelaide until Patrick Ryder turned their way.
AFL.com.au says: Surprised if he doesn't bob up elsewhere with the Hawks happy to facilitate a trade, but it's unlikely things will happen quickly.
Daniel Merrett
Whispers: The key-position player is exploring his options, with the Brisbane Lions happy to see what trade offers are presented. The Demons are looking for a key defender to replace James Frawley, with Merrett on their radar.
AFL.com.au says: Given his contracted status and age, there could be a difference of opinion in his value delaying a trade.
Aaron Mullett
Whispers: After falling out of favour late in 2014 and missing North's three finals, Mullett has been linked to Collingwood.
AFL.com.au says: Save for an exceptional trade offer from the Magpies, Mullett's run and elite foot skills make him too valuable for North to let go.
Joel Patfull
Whispers: The key defender is keen to relocate to Sydney when his career is over and he is exploring the option of moving north early if a trade can be arranged. Greater Western Sydney would appear to have more cap flexibility than the Swans to get a deal done.
AFL.com.au says: The ball is in the Lions' court given Patfull is contracted, and they would be loath to let another key defender leave the club alongside Merrett. Expect to stay.
Ryan Schoenmakers
Whispers: Could enter trade discussions now that James Frawley has nominated Hawthorn as his preferred club and Brian Lake has re-signed for 2015. Opportunities would be greater elsewhere.
AFL.com.au says: The 23-year-old is more likely to stay at the Hawks and fight for his opportunity.
FRINGE
Sam Blease
Whispers: Has an X-factor and attracted some interest from the Hawks in last year's trade period.
AFL.com.au says: Despite speculation, Blease is not going to Carlton. Collingwood and Richmond are unlikely. Will find a home but won't be until later in trade period.
Sam Frost
Whispers: The key defender indicated he is leaving Greater Western Sydney at season's end. Melbourne is interested.
AFL.com.au says: Deal likely to get done. Whether GWS is prepared to entertain a Melbourne player as well as a later-round draft pick remains to be seen.
Jeff Garlett
Whispers: Carlton signalled its intent to trade the small forward after he and teammate Mitch Robinson were involved in an August street brawl. West Coast and Essendon have since been linked to Garlett, but Carlton recruiting manager Shane Rogers said on Thursday Essendon had not inquired about Garlett.
AFL.com.au says: Carlton and Garlett will both be best served by making a clean break, so the Blues will presumably do all they can to facilitate a trade.
Jonathan Giles
Whispers: The South Australian ruckman is contracted for 2015, but is seeking a trade after struggling for senior opportunities behind Shane Mumford in the second half of this year. Adelaide looms as his most likely destination given Port Adelaide is already chasing Patrick Ryder and Daniel Gorringe, but Giles is open to playing for a team outside his home state.
AFL.com.au says: Given Adelaide will be looking for ruckmen to support Sam Jacobs, Giles looks bound for the Crows.
Daniel Gorringe
Whispers: The Gold Coast ruckman this week requested a trade to Port Adelaide. The Power's No.1 ruck target in the trade period will be Patrick Ryder, but they are also keen to secure Gorringe, the No.10 pick in the 2010 draft. The South Australian could also come on to Adelaide's radar, but the Crows are believed to have preferred ruck targets.
AFL.com.au says: Should get to the Power, but the parties could haggle over his value given he has played just 20 games in four seasons at the Suns.
James Gwilt
Whispers: Delisted by St Kilda, the defender is keen to play on and has spoken to GWS and Melbourne. Can be signed as a delisted free agent, so expect his future to take shape later in the exchange period.
AFL.com.au says: The Demons have other tall defenders in their sights, so GWS appears the more likely destination.
Taylor Hunt
Whispers: Put off contract talks late in the season and could leave the club 12 months after he was first speculated about as a trade option. Played seven games in 2014 – the last of those in round nine – with a groin injury sidelining him for nine weeks.
AFL.com.au says: St Kilda has indicated it is interested in talking to Hunt, but his trade will depend on other dominoes falling first.
Leroy Jetta
Whispers: Not contracted with Essendon for 2015, the small forward is exploring his options as a free agent, but offers are yet to present.
AFL.com.au says: If he is given another chance it will come late in the free agency period or through the draft. West Coast could take a chance on the West Australian.
Liam Jones
Whispers: The key forward fell out of favour at the Whitten Oval in the second half of 2014 and attracted recent interest from Carlton, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne. Jones' manager, Shane Casley, said on Tuesday his client had settled on Carlton as his preferred new home.
AFL.com.au says: The Blues will probably get their man in exchange for their third-round draft pick.
Mitch Robinson
Whispers: Like Jeff Garlett, Robinson is all but certain to depart Carlton in this month's trade period after wearing out his welcome at Visy Park. The hard-nosed forward has reportedly attracted interest from the Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn, but Carlton recruiting manager Shane Rogers said on Thursday the Blues had only fielded "brief inquiries" about Robinson.
AFL.com.au says: Robinson should find a new home, even if as a delisted free agent after the trade period, but it is too early to tell where he'll land.
Brad Sewell
Whispers: Overlooked for the Grand Final, Sewell was this week weighing up his playing future. His 2014 season was interrupted by three separate hamstring injuries and he will turn 31 before the start of next season.
AFL.com.au says: Future is unclear but it is hard to see him continuing his career at a new club after 200 games with the Hawks.
Jason Tutt
Whispers: Has told the Western Bulldogs he is seeking a trade and he has some interest in joining Carlton.
AFL.com.au says: Handy player who has played 26 games in four seasons since being a second round pick (No.31) in 2009. Deal should get done for either a third or fourth-round pick if a club is interested.
