Bryce Gibbs, Gary Ablett and Jake Stringer will be among at least a dozen players hoping to find new homes on a frantic final day of AFL trade negotiations.
Plenty will be at stake when clubs meet at Etihad Stadium for their final talks ahead of Thursday’s 2pm deadline.
A remarkable 22 players were traded on the final day of last year’s trade period, with eight deals – including Brett Deledio’s move to Greater Western Sydney – lodged in the dying minutes.
The conclusion to this year’s trade period is unlikely to be quite so dramatic but the tally of 12 deals finalised by the close of business on Wednesday should be doubled.
Plenty of attention will centre on whether Carlton midfielder Gibbs will finally be dealt to Adelaide.
A deal between the two clubs had appeared to be imminent when Crows officials, including list manager Justin Reid, arrived at AFL House late on Wednesday afternoon.
But the Crows departed without comment soon after and it quickly became clear a trade would not be struck just yet.
Multiple reports suggested the Crows had agreed to part with two first-round draft selections, with the stall in negotiations related to a future pick swap.
Should Gibbs end up at Adelaide, the Crows could be more willing to grant forward Charlie Cameron his desired trade to Brisbane.
Ablett appears certain to be traded from Gold Coast to Geelong, with the Cats set to give up draft picks rather than a player.
The 33-year-old’s manager Liam Pickering met officials from Geelong and the Suns on Wednesday afternoon, with all parties confident a deal would be struck.
Essendon and the Western Bulldogs continued to haggle over the value of estranged Bulldogs forward Stringer.
Stringer’s management had indicated there was no chance of him remaining at Whitten Oval, although there appeared to be no significant movement on Wednesday in negotiations.
Fremantle’s Lachie Weller remains set on moving to Gold Coast and has warned he will walk out on the Dockers when his contract expires in 12 months if he is not granted a trade.
Brisbane’s Josh Schache, Giants speedster Nathan Wilson and former Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge – who is certain to join Brisbane – are among others waiting for trades to be finalised.
Cat
Roar Guru
Ablett won a B&F last year - in 14 games and equalled his highest ever average disposals for the year (33) contrast that to Jimmy who couldn't run on his chronic foot anymore, Stevie J who was offered a one year deal but wanted two (Giants gave him two and only got 1 useful one out of him) and Chapman who had 3 good games in him at Essendon. One player is still capable of playing his best - three who were clearly not.
Harsh Truth Harry
Guest
Michael at last some truth. Watch out for Don Freo in here he will ask for you to be banned from this site for negativity. It's wonderful for the so called Geelong culture they clear out Bartel, Chapman, Johnson and co for being too old then bring in a 34 year old with continual injuries and questionable commitment.
Cat
Roar Guru
Come up with some new material. Heard it all before.
michael steel
Guest
I think the Ablett trade to Geelong will be the fizzer of 2018. They will go down , not up. I've never been convinced that Chris Scott wants him , since his whole coaching tenure has been stamped with a "get rid of older players before theybecome too old" mantra. And although I feel with Stevie J he got it wrong, the team has consistently been in the 8. With Ablett, anything short of a premiership will be a failure, considering the hype.
Harsh Truth Harry
Guest
Mackie, Lonergan, Lang, Motlop...Geelong have gone backwards even if they land Ablett they will struggle to make the 8 let alone challenge.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Surely most of these would have been sorted overnight.