WHETHER Shane Mumford plays on next year could have a flow-on effect at Hawthorn.
The Greater Western Sydney big man came out of retirement for this season to help the ruck-starved Giants and ended up playing 20 games, including the Grand Final.
A decision on his future could be made inside the next two days, when GWS holds its exit meetings, but he is set to be a ruck coach at the club whether he plays or not.
Dawson Simpson has already retired, leaving 2018 draftee Kieren Briggs and Matthew Flynn, who will likely miss the first half of next year recovering from an ACL rupture, as the Giants' only other ruckmen.
Ex-Crow Sam Jacobs will sign with GWS for the next two years once the free agency period starts on Friday.
The Giants cast their net wide during the year in their search for ruckmen, with young Hawk Marc Pittonet one of those they enquired about.
Pittonet remains without a contract for next year and has played only seven AFL games in five seasons despite consistently strong VFL form.
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The 23-year-old is behind Ben McEvoy and Jon Ceglar, who re-signed three weeks ago for three years, while 208cm project ruckman Ned Reeves is also on Hawthorn's list.
Pittonet returns from an overseas holiday this week ahead of a decision on his future, and there is still a chance he signs on for a sixth season at Waverley Park.
However, there is going to be a trade between GWS and the Hawks, with contracted forward-ruck Jon Patton announcing on Tuesday his wish to play in brown and gold next year.
Early suggestions are Patton might be secured for a third-round draft pick, but Pittonet could be another option in this deal. - Marc McGowan
Former basketballer heads north
ADELAIDE midfielder Hugh Greenwood will be a Sun in 2020 after officially informing the Crows of his wish to leave on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old will accept a three-year offer with a straightforward trigger for a fourth season that will take him through until the end of 2023.
Only offered two seasons at West Lakes, Greenwood opted for Gold Coast for greater career security, over Hawthorn and Brisbane.
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"He missed the first four to five years that a traditional player would be there to make money, (because) he was in college (basketball). We want to shore up his future," his agent Michael Oakes told Telstra AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday.
"I think it's more the ability to be re-born again and the excitement be generated (at the Suns). It's being part of something that's going to grow."
Greenwood joins teammates Josh Jenkins, Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs) and Sam Jacobs (GWS) in requesting moves, with Cam Ellis-Yolmen set to be a Lion once free agency opens on Friday. - Mitch Cleary
Lions up for pick swap
BRISBANE is open to packaging its pair of top-25 picks in an effort to move higher up the NAB AFL Draft order.
A number of clubs with blue-chip draft picks have already indicated a desire to 'split' their early selections ahead of an even draft and could use the Lions to gain multiple picks.
Brisbane currently has picks No.16 and No.21, but is keen to bundle them and gain an earlier selection if the chance presents itself during the Telstra AFL Trade Period.
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"There's always an opportunity," Lions recruiting manager Stephen Conole told AFL.com.au.
"As a club, throughout the last few years, we've certainly looked at any opportunity that's available – whether that's forward, back, or just staying where we are.
"I'm sure, during the Trade Period, we'll be open to a whole lot of different areas." - Riley Beveridge
Lions recruiting manager Stephen Conole.
Another Crow to fly the coop?
IF BRAD Crouch opts to join Gold Coast, it won't be at $1 million per season, as per his management's recent request.
Suns list boss Craig Cameron confirmed to Trade Radio on Tuesday that the Suns had interest in the 25-year-old, but not at that asking price.
However, talks between Gold Coast and Crouch's management have only been of a preliminary nature, with "a lot of water to go under the bridge."
Crouch is still looking for a long-term extension at the Crows, despite his management garnering interest from rival clubs. - Mitch Cleary
In other news:
- Port Adelaide big man Billy Frampton is poised to join crosstown rival Adelaide when the Trade Period opens on Monday, October 7. The 22-year-old also had interest from Fremantle and North Melbourne.
- Geelong list boss Stephen Wells confirmed on SEN the Cats were keen to lure contracted St Kilda midfielder Jack Steven to GMHBA Stadium in 2020.
- Gary Ablett's manager Liam Pickering told Trade Radio the dual Brownlow medallist was a "60-40 or 70-30" chance of playing on next year.
