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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CARLTON ruckman Shaun Hampson could be one of the first players to find a new home when the Gillette AFL Trade Period commences on Monday morning, with Richmond making a concerted play for the big Blue.
Hampson is contracted for next season but AFL.com.au understands Richmond has expressed strong interest in the 25-year-old, keen to provide more support for No.1 ruckman Ivan Maric.
Hampson is believed to be weighing up a new start at Punt Road, having fallen behind Robert Warnock in Carlton's ruck pecking order in the second half of 2013.
Maric has carried lingering groin problems through the past two seasons as he has shouldered the bulk of the Tigers' ruck load, but Hampson could help ease that burden.
However, the Tigers might face competition in brokering a trade for Hampson, with Hawthorn also reportedly keen on the Blue.
Sydney Swans forward/ruckman Jesse White remains intent on securing a trade to Collingwood.
White looked set to join Adelaide in last year's trade period as part of a package deal for Kurt Tippett before that trade was blocked by the League's investigation of the Crows' salary cap.
White looks almost certain to leave the Swans this year, given they appear on the verge of securing Hawks superstar Lance Franklin on a nine-year, $10 million contract.
With the Swans' key forward options now likely to include Franklin, Tippett, Sam Reid and Adam Goodes, White might have struggled for senior opportunities next season.
The Swans will presumably also welcome the extra salary cap space White's exit will create.
Fellow Swan Andrejs Everitt also looks set to explore his trade options as he remains uncontracted.
Everitt is likely to attract opposition interest, having enjoyed a career-best 2013 season, when he played 20 games, including all three of the Swans' finals.
St Kilda is no closer to reaching a deal with North Melbourne for contracted midfielder Nick Dal Santo, with the clubs' negotiations over the three-time All Australian likely to drag on.
The Saints are understood to be prepared to trade Dal Santo but only at the right price.
Collingwood defender Heath Shaw is expected to nominate his preferred new club early in the trade period.
The 2010 premiership hero has a Melbourne Cup field to choose from, with Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn, Melbourne and Gold Coast all believed to be interested.
Reports this week suggested Geelong would consider trading Travis Varcoe, but AFL.com.au understands it would take an exceptional offer to prise the contracted speedster from Simonds Stadium.
Melbourne is awaiting opposition offers for its prized No.2 pick in this year's draft, having set its asking price at an established midfielder with at least eight seasons left in the tank.
Under new coach Paul Roos, the Demons are desperate to lure an opposition midfield star to boost their on-ball division.
Giants Dylan Shiel and Taylor Adams, West Coast's Luke Shuey and Essendon's David Myers are among the midfielders who have already been linked with Melbourne.
GWS key defender Josh Bruce has attracted significant opposition interest in recent weeks, but has settled on St Kilda as his preferred new home, as has North Melbourne key defender Luke Delaney.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Lions defender Elliot Yeo will be hoping for a smooth passage to his nominated new home, West Coast.
On the free agency front, Carlton is likely to lodge a lucrative four-year offer for Collingwood star Dale Thomas early next week, while the Brisbane Lions are expected to take unrestricted Richmond free agent Luke McGuane.
