CARLTON defender Heath Scotland is still weighing up whether to play on next year, with his manager believing the ball is in the veteran's court.
The 33-year old is yet to inform the Blues of his decision and Paul Connors is confident he will stay at the club should he opt to play in 2014.
The Blues have ruled out making a play for Collingwood defender Heath Shaw, contrary to comments made by his manager Ben Niall on AFL.com.au's Gillette Trade Radio.
Niall said on Friday that his client had an "incredibly strong connection" with Malthouse and he was expected to make a decision on his future next week.
Shaw's choice of new club was reportedly between Geelong and Greater Western Sydney.
Shaw has been linked to the Giants as part of a deal that would send midfielder Taylor Adams to Collingwood, but Niall didn't rule out Shaw remaining with the Magpies in 2014.
The Giants are busy elsewhere, continuing to work on a deal that might get young defender Josh Bruce to St Kilda in 2014.
However a deal that is adequate for both clubs remains a fair way from being resolved and is unlikely to be finalised this weekend.
Greater Western Sydney has expressed interest in St Kilda's Sam Fisher and his name has been linked to the discussions surrounding Bruce's move to the Saints but Fisher is no certainty to leave.
St Kilda's football manager Chris Pelchen said on the Saints' website that Fisher is contracted for next year and no decision has yet been made on the 31-year-old's immediate future.
The Saints made early enquiries about Fremantle youngster Viv Michie but they are in no rush to get him.
Melbourne is believed to be leading the race for the talented 21-year-old, however the Dockers have also offered him a contract to stay on.
Adelaide midfielder Bernie Vince was spotted meeting with Melbourne officials on Friday.
The Crows have said he is not up for trade, but it is believed they would consider an offer if the right deal came up.
Meanwhile, Andrejs Everitt could yet remain with the Sydney Swans in the wake of Lance Franklin's nine-year contract to join the club.
Everitt is still in talks with the Swans, but there has been interest from four rival clubs, including St Kilda, Greater Western Sydney and Melbourne.
The 24-year-old is not a No.1 priority for clubs at this stage of the Gillette AFL Trade Period, but his future will become clearer in the next week.
It is understood Everitt would almost certainly have to move via trade, rather than as a delisted free agent.
Some other items that emerged after another quiet day on the trade front:
- Sam Reid will not be leaving the Sydney Swans, according to Swans coach John Longmire and with Lance Franklin at the club, he might play a new role next season in defence. Nor will Luke Parker be going anywhere after recently signing a new three-year deal with the club.
- St Kilda has approached dual premiership ruckman Darren Jolly about next season to give the club some experienced ruck cover now that Ben McEvoy has gone. Meanwhile, the Saints and North Melbourne continue to discuss Nick Dal Santo's future.
- Tayte Pears is a "strong chance" to stay at Essendon with talks ongoing with the club's recruiter Adrian Dodoro. The Bombers are the only club his management are are speaking to at the moment.
- Sam Docherty continues to be linked with Carlton and the Western Bulldogs. Both clubs have been "very active" in pursuing the disgruntled Lion with his manager Tom Petroro expecting things to play out in the "next day or two".
- There has been some preliminary interest in Richmond small forward Robbie Nahas from West Coast.
- West Coast vice captain Scott Selwood has expressed no desire to return to Victoria despite rumours.
- There have been multiple clubs enquiring about delisted Carlton defender Jeremy Laidler with an expectation there will be more interest in the next few weeks.
- Melbourne remains keen to offload its No.2 draft selection, with football manager Josh Mahoney confirming the Demons have enquired about the Brisbane Lions' Tom Rockliff and West Coast's Luke Shuey. Both have said they would prefer to remain put. The Demons are also in discussions with Adelaide midfielder Bernie Vince, although not for the No.2 pick.
- Mahoney also said that ruckman Mark Jamar remains off the table, while former Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross has been linked to the Demons but will need to wait until late in the trade period before any prospect of being thrown a lifeline.
- Not trade related, but there is no guarantee Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes will captain Melbourne next year. Leading Teams will come in and start the process to appoint a captain in the next month. And discussions are continuing with the Sydney Swans about releasing Stuart Dew to take on the senior assistant coaching role at the club.