The views in this article are those of the author and not those of the AFL or its clubs.
North Melbourne will not always confirm or deny trade rumours and the details relating to the club in this article have not been approved or ratified by it.
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Nick Dal Santo could become a Bomber, a young Lion is set to join Carlton, a Crow could agree to a trade to the Lions in exchange for Jared Polec, and Heath Shaw decides his new home will be with the Giants.
Dal Santo in demand
St Kilda veteran Nick Dal Santo is expected to make a decision on his free agency status in the next 24 hours, News Limited reports.
If the 30-year-old decides to leave the Saints as a free agent rather than be traded, Essendon will remain in the race for his services.
North Melbourne has been favoured to claim the star midfielder, and is also determined to get their man via free agency.
The Kangaroos deny they had offered the Saints a trade package that included their pick 26 and defender Luke Delaney.
Dal Santo's friendship with former teammate Brendon Goddard, who won the Bombers' best and fairest in his first season with the club, could prove pivotal.
Homesick Lion to get the Blues
Carlton is poised to sign homesick Brisbane Lions youngster Sam Docherty.
News Limited reports that a trade is certain to be completed, with the Blues and Lions just negotiating over whether the Blues will surrender their pick 28 or 29 for the midfielder.
As reported on AFL.com.au on Monday, Carlton will also consider trading defender Josh Bootsma to West Coast.
The West Australian, who is contracted to the Blues for another two years, would only consider a trade to the Eagles.
Crows use Wright bait for Polec
Adelaide midfielder Matthew Wright has emerged as the key player in the Crows' bid to pip crosstown rival Port Adelaide by landing Brisbane Lions youngster Jared Polec, The Advertiser reports.
The Lions are adamant they will only accept a player in exchange for the 21-year-old South Australian Polec, given they will lose several other young players.
The Advertiser reports that no Power player is willing to relocate to Brisbane.
The Crows are also determined to work back into the second round of the draft following their sanctions over the Kurt Tippett saga.
Several Crows could be prepared to be traded to a Victorian club for a second-round pick. These possibilities include Bernie Vince, Shaun McKernan, Ricky Henderson and Jarryd Lyons.
Giants in mix for Vince
And Greater Western Sydney is also interested in Vince.
Fairfax Media reports that the Giants met the contracted Crow on Sunday before he headed off to the United States for a holiday.
Vince, 28, is also considering a four-year offer from Melbourne.
The Crows want to gain a draft selection to trump Port Adelaide's pick 30 to on-trade it to the Lions for Polec.
The Crows' decision on whether to trade Vince, their 2009 club champion, could depend on the compensation awarded to Melbourne for losing free agent Colin Sylvia to Fremantle.
Shaw accepts Giant deal
As reported by AFL.com.au on Monday night, Collingwood premiership star Heath Shaw has agreed to a five-year deal with Greater Western Sydney.
The Pies and Giants will now work on a trade for the 27-year-old, with any deal expected to involve promising Giants midfielder Taylor Adams.
Shaw's manager Ben Niall told News Limited: "It's been really hard to process. He's pretty emotional. He's been really attached to Collingwood. It's like an end of a marriage. But he's very passionate about what he does and he's very excited about the opportunity."
The Shaw deal is believed to be worth up to $3.5 million.
