EMERGING key defender Kaiden Brand could switch clubs in next month's trade period after stalling contract talks with Hawthorn.

Brand is out of contract and AFL.com.au understands Hawthorn has been unable to make any real progress in its recent attempts to negotiate a new deal with the 22-year-old.

Industry sources believe the South Australian is sitting on an offer from a rival club given the strong demand for key defenders this year.

The Brisbane Lions, St Kilda, North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Fremantle are among the clubs looking to add height to their backlines. 

Geelong could join that group if veteran Tom Lonergan decides not to play on next year, while Port Adelaide could seek a replacement for recently retired full-back Alipate Carlile in the trade period.

Hawthorn re-signed veteran defender Josh Gibson for 2017 last month but, like Brand, fellow defenders Angus Litherland and Matt Spangher remained unsigned beyond 2016.

Brand, 198cm, finally made his AFL debut this season after four years on Hawthorn's list, impressing with his speed and athleticism.

The defender has work to do on his kicking and decision-making, but still has considerable scope for improvement given his relative inexperience.

Brand played 11 games this season, including eight in a row from round 14, but was dropped for round 23 and played no part in the Hawks' finals campaign.

Recruited from SANFL team West Adelaide, Brand spent his first two years at Waverley developing in the VFL with the Box Hill Hawks before a broken shoulder suffered in the NAB Challenge ruined his 2015 season.

The Hawks recruited Brand with pick No.66 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft.