THE FOOTY is done and dusted for 2018, but the fun is only just getting started.
With the free agency period opening on Friday and the NAB AFL Trade Period commencing next Monday, the whispers regarding who is changing club this October are ramping up.
AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest action each morning until the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period on Wednesday, October 17.
WATCH OR LISTEN Trade Radio is back
Lynch set to pick Tigers
Star forward Tom Lynch will announce this week he intends to join Richmond when the free agency period opens on Friday, the Herald Sun reports.
Lynch had been courted by Hawthorn and Collingwood, along with Richmond, but reports indicate he will officially nominate the Tigers as his club of choice in the coming days.
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The former Gold Coast co-captain announced that he would leave the Suns almost two months ago, sparking a frenzied chase for his signature.
The Suns are unlikely to match a free agency bid for Lynch, meaning they will receive a first-round draft pick (pick three) as compensation at the upcoming NAB AFL Draft.
New recruit planning for life with Gaff
Impending North Melbourne recruit Jared Polec believes he will be playing alongside Andrew Gaff at the Kangaroos next year.
AFL.com.au reported over the weekend that the Port Adelaide wingman, who looks set to join North Melbourne during the trade period this October, has informed Power teammates that Gaff will be alongside him at Arden Street in season 2019.
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Gaff is yet to tell West Coast of his decision on his future as a free agent, but is assessing offers of more than $1 million a season to return to his native Victoria.
North Melbourne is set for a huge off-season, with the Kangaroos also meeting with Swans defender Nic Newman and Suns midfielder Aaron Hall in recent weeks.
Another Eagle facing tough call on future
There's another uncontracted West Coast premiership player still yet to make up his mind on his future, with ruckman Scott Lycett still weighing up a move.
Lycett appears likely to return to his native South Australia this October to join Port Adelaide, with the 203cm big man a restricted free agent at season's end.
Speaking after West Coast's Grand Final victory on Saturday, he said he would lean on fellow free agent and close mate Gaff when making his final decision.
"I'm going to enjoy this win and then obviously I'm going to have to make a decision at some stage," Lycett told AFL.com.au.
"I've just been speaking with 'Gaffy', 'Jezza' (Jeremy McGovern) and other guys out of contract, guys who have been in that position before."
Premiership Tiger unsure on what's next
Richmond forward Jacob Townsend admits he doesn't know where he will be playing his footy next year, with the premiership Tiger forced to wait on a new contract.
Townsend starred in Richmond's finals campaign last year but found the going tough throughout a challenging 2018 season and managed just 10 games.
With free agent Lynch set to join the Tigers on a lucrative contract during the free agency period, Townsend is one of a number of Richmond players being made to wait before their future is decided.
"We're talking about it now and I'm not too sure what's going on," Townsend told AFL.com.au.
"There could be a fair few changes with players that come and go, like any other team [has], and I think I'll just have to wait and see who comes before anything is done."
