FREE agency opens on Friday and the Telstra AFL Trade Period starts on Monday, but the wheeling and dealing is well and truly underway.
AFL TRADE HUB All the latest news
AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest developments each morning until the end of the Trade Period on Wednesday, October 16.
More interest in electric Swan
Another club has joined the race for Sydney's Zak Jones, with News Corp reporting that premier Richmond is keeping a close eye on the speedy Swan.
St Kilda has long been interested in Jones, but the Tigers have reportedly spoken to Jones' management team should a deal with the Saints fall over.
NEED FOR SPEED Saints to target out-of-contract Sydney jet
There's quite a few complications at play.
St Kilda is already dealing with the pursuit of Brad Hill, Paddy Ryder and Sam Gray as well as dealing with the futures of Jack Steven and Josh Bruce.
Richmond is also waiting to hear from the AFL on its free agency compensation for Brandon Ellis, who is expected to join Gold Coast.
Money could be another issue in the Tigers landing Jones, with a tight salary cap that is already dealing with Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Tom Lynch, Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt and Jack Dyer medallist Dion Prestia.
Blues and Bombers eyeing Brisbane wingman
Out-of-favour Lion Tom Cutler is assessing options in his home state of Victoria and is poised to depart Brisbane, as reported by AFL.com.au.
Cutler, 24, has resisted several opportunities to re-sign with the Lions this year during a season where he was stuck in the NEAFL.
Essendon and Carlton are monitoring Cutler's movement as they look to add more midfield depth.
Cutler played 18 matches in 2018 on a wing but was restricted to just three matches in 2019 as the Lions surged towards a second-place finish.
Mitch Robinson and Hugh McCluggage took the wing spots and Cutler struggled to get a look in, although he was an integral member of the club's NEAFL premiership team.
Tom Cutler training with Brisbane in the pre-season. Picure: AFL Photos
Free agents expected to find new homes today
AFTER a week of chatter, things will really gather steam on Friday with clubs able to lodge paperwork to acquire free agents.
Richmond's two-time premiership wingman Brandon Ellis is expected to quickly become a Gold Coast player with the Suns offering a lucrative five-year deal to the restricted free agent.
Richmond general manager of football Neil Balme told Telstra AFL Trade Radio on Thursday the Tigers didn't want Ellis to leave, but probably had to face reality.
"We want him to stay, he wants to stay, he loves being here," Balme said.
"I think they've offered him something pretty significant, so he's got to seriously consider it because in his life there's more things than just playing footy for the Tigers.
"We'll only support that. It's not that we want him to go … but if that opportunity comes and he wants to do it, we'll maturely look at that."
Adam Tomlinson is expected snap up an offer from Melbourne while Cam Ellis-Yolmen should quickly join Brisbane
