Essendon will have their hands full during the AFL trade period, with Devon Smith, Adam Saad and Jake Stringer all understood to have requested trades to the club.
And Adelaide have been rocked by yet another trade request, with speedster Charlie Cameron the latest player keen to fly the coup.
The Bombers have been the frontrunners to land Stringer since the Western Bulldogs put him on the trade table at the end of a tough season for the 23-year-old.
Smith, who is off contract, was overlooked for the Greater Western Sydney preliminary final side that fell to Richmond and had been seeking a trade back to home state Victoria.
Saad, also originally from Victoria, is on the move from Gold Coast to be closer to his family.
The 23-year-old has played 48 games in three seasons for the Suns after being elevated off the rookie list in 2015 and is contracted until the end of next year.
Stringer, a premiership player last year and an All-Australian in 2015, was put up for trade by the Dogs after a torrid campaign in which he battled form, fitness and off-field issues.
Smith struggled with a knee injury late in the season, but he was an emergency for the preliminary final with GWS coach Leon Cameron preferring now-retired veteran Steve Johnson.
St Kilda, Geelong, Carlton and Collingwood were also reported to have interest in signing the 24-year-old, who has played 109 games in five seasons with the Giants.
The trio would provide a huge boost to John Worsfold’s line-up but Essendon face a tough task to land all three, holding picks 11, 28, 46, 65 and 83 at this year’s draft.
The Bombers also have the option of trading out picks at next year’s draft or including a current player in any potential deals.
Senior Adelaide players are still fuming about defender Jake Lever’s request to be traded to the Melbourne Demons.
And the bad news continued for the Crows on Thursday when it emerged that Cameron has asked to be traded to Brisbane in order to be closer to family.
Brisbane’s playing stocks will be further boosted by the inclusion of four-time Hawthorn premiership star Luke Hodge, who has been talked out of retirement.
It’s believed Hodge will have the option of moving into a coaching role at Brisbane after his playing stint is over – similar to what Sam Mitchell did at West Coast this season.
West Coast moved quickly to shut down talk that they would be willing to put Andrew Gaff on the trade table.
Speculation has swirled for several weeks that Gaff is interested in returning home to Victoria.
But West Coast football manager Craig Vozzo said the rumours simply weren’t true.
Contracted Giants defender Adam Tomlinson has reportedly been offered a long-term deal to join St Kilda.
The AFL’s free agency period begins on Friday.
Anthony
Roar Pro
That is a masterstroke getting Hodge. Did you watch the Hawks v Lions game this season when Hodge was miked up. His knowledge and on-field coaching won the game for the Hawks. Lions stand to benefit in a big way. Plus they will have a genuine leader who will be their role model. No, I think it is a great move and Lions will be the big mover up the ladder in 2018/2019.
Anthony
Roar Pro
Hodge will be a part time player which actually works in the Lions favour long term. Hodge will guide them on the field some weeks. Then take a spell. During that time, the Lions will have to put in practice what they learn and try to step up. In 2019, he might just play half games? 1st quarter, then 3rd quarter? Again, it will teach Lions to step up and put what Hodge teaches them on the field into practice.
Scano
Guest
Agree with every word. He will be taking a spot that a up and comer could be in because as a player he is cooked. His leg speed is reduced however he still has a great footy brain. I would much prefer him to be a coach especially of the NEAFL side and educate the kids.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Because that’s where all the kids are playing? Plus as others have said, NEAFL is about his speed these days, I can’t see how our backline benefits from having someone down back barking orders who can’t make it to the contest. I think this is a mistake to bring him in, in an onfield leadership role, essentially it’s saying to Beams, Zorko, Lester, Robinson etc we don’t rate you to lead so here’s a guy who’s 33 and past it to tell everyone how it’s done because he won 3 flags. Why not just bring back Vossy if we’re going to do that. Yes, he’ll be able to offer leadership down back but surely he can do that in match practice – are we really that dreadful we need Hodge to tell us what to do? Plus as an ex-hawks fan you’re no doubt enamoured, as a QLD fan I’m telling you a bunch of Victorians coming up here to show us how to play football is going to go down like a lead balloon. Hodgey has no love for the Gabba anyway, he never played a game up here in ten years (2008 was the last time he took the field up here) and I think he’s just coming here to try and show people he’s still got it. I don’t think we’re as bad as everyone says that we need him, and I don’t think he’s good enough to command automatic selection in the side. Anyways, it appears as though the VFL has taken over the club and is going to try and tell us how to play, I’ll just wait and see.
Penster
Roar Guru
Why would you waste Luke Hodge at the NEAFL??? I'd be surprised if you'll see him playing full games every week, but as an onfield coach and leadership, he's the best in the business. What we're seeing here is a new coaching transition model and honestly, they need something at Brisbane to inspire and direct the players. Chris Fagan knows exactly what he's doing and exactly what Hodge can bring to the club.
David C
Guest
Francis to SA is the rumour.
Mattician6x6
Guest
For essendon to get job done could hooker to freo be story of trade period?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Re: Hodgey if he wants to coach, coach. I don't need to see him running around for us next year. Would much rather see him play a load of NEAFL games and do his coaching there, and step up into the senior team for tough away games where they're up against it but he won't do that. He's not coming here to play NEAFL. I think it indicates weakness and insecurity in the club - development this year was outstanding, lot of good young talent unearthed. Why the pressing need now to recruit an aging warhorse down back?
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Agree on that, but I think's its unlikely they will land all three players without having to trade some silverware. Gold Coast in particular will try and put them over a barrel.
Birdman
Guest
I wish Hodgey the very best but I hope the deal's only for one year as a player as I can't see 2 years in him.
David C
Guest
Interesting to see how Essendon go next year if they land these 3 targets. Could be a smokey for the GF. Hodge to Brisbane is a major coup, for his leadership on the field. Not sure how the old legs will hold up though.