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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With the Gillette AFL Trade and Free Agency Period opening on Friday, October 4, expect several 'all-but-done deals' to become official. Dale Thomas to Carlton and Eddie Betts to Adelaide are just some of the moves that could happen early. Of course, Lance Franklin is expected to go to the Sydney Swans but the deal still needs AFL approval. 
 
Daisy a Blue
Collingwood free agent Dale Thomas will sign a four-year deal with Carlton very soon, according to Fairfax Media. The deal will be worth almost $700,000 a season. It's unclear whether Thomas will attend Collingwood's best and fairest dinner on Friday night. If he does show, it could be as a Carlton player and how we're not too sure how welcoming Eddie and the Magpie faithful will be of 'Blue Daisy'.
 
Betts on
The Crows have been into Carlton free agent Eddie Betts for a long time now and, despite interest from North Melbourne, Adelaide got its man. He's expected to sign with the South Australian club as early as Friday on a four-year deal worth $2 million. His departure from the Blues will free up valuable cap room for the club to snare Thomas.
 
Varcoe up for grabs
Geelong's 2011 premiership hero Travis Varcoe is on the trade block, according to News Limited. The 25-year-old, who has been restricted by injury in the past two seasons, could be on the move for an early draft pick. Varcoe is contracted until the end of 2015, but clubs have reportedly been surprised when the Cats raised his name as a possible trade.
 
Other news
Despite Melbourne's desire for experienced mids, Colin Sylvia will leave the club to join Fremantle. Meanwhile, Tom Petroro, the manager of St Kilda star Nick Dal Santo, told AFL.com.au's Trade Radio on Thursday, his client was in no rush to decide his future. Petroro said the Saints and Dal Santo would have to agree to any move to a new club, whether by a trade or free agency.