NORTH Melbourne is firming as a late bidder for Melbourne midfielder Dom Tyson following its unsuccessful play for West Coast star Andrew Gaff.

Tyson is contracted at the Demons for 2019 but has been exploring opportunities at rival clubs in the hope of spending more time in his preferred position as an inside midfielder. 

The 25-year-old was linked to Essendon ahead of the NAB AFL Trade Period, but Gold Coast has since emerged as his most ardent suitor.

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The Suns remain keen to lure the Victorian to Metricon Stadium and it's understood they're prepared to pay a premium – both in salary and tenure – to do so.

However, it's understood Tyson, who spent the first two years of his career with Greater Western Sydney, would prefer to remain in Melbourne.  

The midfielder would also prefer to join a team where he can enjoy on-field success in the near future, having endured the tough times of the Giants' early years and Melbourne's lengthy rebuild under Paul Roos.

Tyson was raised as a possible direct swap for Braydon Preuss, when the contracted Roos ruckman announced he wanted to be traded to Melbourne. 

North's interest in Tyson appeared minimal at that time, but the Roos are believed to have warmed to the prospect of adding him to their midfield mix, particularly since Gaff decided to remain with the Eagles. 

With Essendon winning the race for Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel on Tuesday, the Kangaroos now appear Tyson's best chance of getting a fresh start in Victoria.

Hawks shift focus to Wingard after Shiel miss

In convincing Shiel to nominate them as his preferred new club, the Bombers have underlined their status as one of the competition's most attractive destinations.

Essendon's likely acquisition of Shiel follows its trades for Devon Smith, Adam Saad and Jake Stringer in last year's blockbuster Trade Period, and has the Bombers well placed to return to the finals in 2019 and push for a top-four spot.

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But Shiel's decision could also have ramifications for one of the Trade Period's other big names, Port Adelaide forward Chad Wingard.

That's because one of Wingard's suitors, Hawthorn, had also been in the race for Shiel, along with Carlton and St Kilda.

Now they've missed out on Shiel, look for the Hawks to intensify their bid for Wingard, who is contracted at Port for 2019.   

The Hawks will face stiff competition from the Western Bulldogs, who are equally keen on the dual All Australian.

The Bulldogs also have a stronger hand in this year's NAB AFL Draft – their first pick is at No.7 while the Hawks' does not fall until No.15 – with which to satisfy the Power, who want to get their hands on the elite South Australian talent on offer. 

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Under Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn has an outstanding record of attracting rival players to Waverley, but the four-time premiership coach's former protege, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, will be just as determined to woo Wingard and met recently with the mercurial forward to push his case.  

Port football manager Chris Davies said on Tuesday nothing would happen with Wingard until he officially requested a trade.  

The 25-year-old appears set to take that first step soon.

Crows to land SANFL star

Discussions between Carlton and Adelaide for Mitch McGovern ramped up on Tuesday with one part of the deal already finalised, allowing the Crows to secure SANFL star Shane McAdam.

The 185cm goalsneak will arrive at West Lakes in a major boost for the Crows' small forward stocks.

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Carlton has agreed to on-trade its second mature-age pre-selection pick to the Crows as part of the McGovern deal, with the deal's finer details expected to be thrashed out in coming days.

The Blues were given access to two state-league players from across the country as compensation from the AFL, with the choice to keep them on the list or on-trade to rival clubs.

McAdam will be the second player on-traded by the Blues under the hand-out, with Geelong handing over pick 42 to land 196cm forward Nathan Kreuger.

Gold Coast was given three picks as part of the hand-out and will retain Werribee's Josh Corbett and West Adelaide's Chris Burgess with a decision to come of the third selection.

McAdam, 23, enjoyed a stellar season for Sturt in the SANFL, his first season in the league after playing in the amateur competition in 2017.

He booted 31 goals in 17 games in 2018 and was one of only two mature-age players invited to the AFL Draft Combine last week, alongside Corbett.

Coached by Marty Mattner at Sturt this season, McAdam is set to reunite with the former Crow after Mattner recently accepted an assistant coaching role under Don Pyke.

Sturt star Shane McAdam is set to become a Crow in 2019. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

Eagles' ruck replacements in limbo

West Coast's bid to replace departed ruckman Scott Lycett could take some time to finalise. 

Lycett becamea Port Adelaide player on Tuesday morning when West Coast announced it would not match the Power's five-year free agency offer for the premiership ruckman, which is understood to be worth about $3 million.

The Eagles have contracted Saint Tom Hickey and Bulldogs free agent Jordan Roughead in their sights as replacements, but the fact they might have to trade for both – taking Roughead as a free agent could dilute the end-of-first-round compensation pick they received for Lycett, No.20 overall – complicates matters.

So, too, does West Coast's pursuit of Tim Kelly. The midfielder will be the Eagles' No.1 priority this Trade Period and it could take some time for them to find the draft pick around the top 10 the Cats are seeking.

Until then, Hickey and Roughead will have to wait. 

In other news:

• Carlton is expected to announce the free agency signing of Collingwood forward Alex Fasolo on Wednesday, having hammered out the final details of his three-year contract with the club at Ikon Park this week.

• Geelong free agent George Horlin-Smith is expected to land at Gold Coast as a trade rather than a free agency acquisition. Out-of-contract at the Cats, the 26-year-old will be exchanged for a late pick. The Suns have decided to pursue a trade rather than through free agency channels to avoid the possibility of his arrival diluting the compensation (pick No.3) they received for Tom Lynch's departure.

• GWS football manager Wayne Campbell confirmed on Tuesday the club would be demanding draft picks rather than players in trade discussions with Essendon over contracted midfielder Dylan Shiel.

• The Western Bulldogs remain confident of re-signing free agent Tom Liberatore, with a new deal believed to be imminent.

• New Tiger Tom Lynch will wear the same jumper at Punt Rd that he wore for nearly all of his eight-season career at Gold Coast – No.19. "It's only a number, at the end of the day, but it makes it easier just keeping the same number. It's a nice fit," Lynch told Richmond's club website.