THE AFL premiership season has finished but the 'silly season' is away to a flying start.
With the free agency period to open on Friday and the Telstra AFL Trade Period to kick off next Monday, the football world is abuzz with talk about numerous players who could trade guernseys next season.
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In the latest news, Geelong star Mitch Duncan has conceded it will be tough for the Cats to retain Tim Kelly, Essendon gun Joe Daniher's issues reportedly aren't with the club's medical staff but his own motivation levels to play, while Richmond forward Dan Butler wants to remain a Tiger but his future is in limbo.
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.
Cats bracing for star to leave
The "writing is on the wall" regarding Tim Kelly's rumoured return to Western Australia, according to Geelong teammate Mitch Duncan.
Kelly, who has enjoyed two brilliant seasons with the Cats, is weighing up a move to West Coast or Fremantle for family reasons, after a request for a trade to the Eagles last year fell through.
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Duncan said the 25-year-old hadn't informed his teammates of his intentions but admitted the signs weren't positive.
"If you looked at most people that leave it this long, the facts are kind of there that they usually do try to ask for a trade home," Duncan told TAB Radio.
"He definitely hasn’t come out and said anything to the players yet.
"The writing is on the wall a little bit seeing as he has not signed a contract yet and we are just about to go into trade period.
"He has been a great servant for us, he has had two high-standard seasons for someone who has just come into the AFL. If he did depart, I couldn’t thank him enough, but hopefully he doesn't and he can stick around and be a part of our next premiership."
Kelly’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen insisted his client was yet to make a decision but hoped the issue would be resolved "in the next week or two".
"Tim has some decisions to make," Van Der Wielen told Perth radio station 6PR on Saturday.
"I have spent a fair bit of time with the family while I have been over here and I will continue to do that over the next couple of days, as I am with the Geelong Football Club."
Joe's motivation blow
Bombers star forward Joe Daniher's decision to reconsider his playing future is squarely about whether he has the desire to play at all, News Corp reports.
Speculation has mounted that the injury-plagued 25-year-old is contemplating a move to Sydney in response to the Bombers' treatment of his debilitating groin problems, but the real issue has been the effect his time on the sidelines has had on his motivation levels.
News Corp revealed Daniher commended the efforts of the club's medical department but had been mentally drained after he'd "gone to hell and back" while undergoing "really uncomfortable and really painful" treatment.
Daniher, who has a year to run on his contract at Essendon, is also believed to have been weighed down by the burden of expectation after playing just 11 games in the past two seasons, regularly playing in discomfort.
Daniher’s father, former Sydney and Essendon player Anthony Daniher, recently told an Essendon past players' function that his son would not depart Bomberland in the Trade Period.
Butler awaits Tiger offer
The future of Richmond forward Dan Butler is unclear as he waits for the Tigers to make him an offer.
The 23-year-old was a member of the club's drought-breaking 2017 premiership side but missed out on this year's triumph after playing just one game after the mid-season bye.
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Butler is keen to remain at Richmond but is unsure of the club's plans. He has met with Carlton.
"I obviously got dropped a few times but I just wanted to go back to VFL and really buy into the program and play my role there and it ended up being a premiership," Butler told News Corp.
"I'm obviously out of contract, so hopefully I can find out in the next couple of weeks what I'm doing. I'm not 100 per cent sure yet. I've got a few big decisions to make, but I love this club and I’d love to stay here.
"I'd love to stay, but it’s probably a bit out of my hands at the moment.
"Obviously I want to play AFL footy, so that's going to come into my decision, but this is just such a great club and it's given me so many opportunities and I wouldn’t be here today without them."
Crow free agent to become a Lion
Adelaide has confirmed the news broken by AFL.com.au on Sunday that unrestricted free agent Cam Ellis-Yolmen has informed the club of his intention to join Brisbane.
The 190cm midfielder, who has played just 39 games in eight seasons and will be 27 in January, will accept a four-year deal with the Lions.
"Cam has been a valued member of our playing group and has shown great resilience to overcome his share of injuries," Adelaide list manager Justin Reid told the club's website.
"We wish him every success in the next stage of his football journey and he will always be part of the Crows family."
Ellis-Yolmen this year averaged a career-best 23.5 disposals and 4.9 clearances in 10 games before suffering a season-ending shin injury.
In other news
– News Corp has suggested Greater Western Sydney spearhead Jeremy Cameron could be wrenched out of the Giants at the end of next year after being "embarrassed" by the club's Grand Final showing on Sunday. This is despite Cameron insisting he and his teammates are "very tight", they "help each other a lot away from football" and are "better people because of that".
