• Key dates for the NAB AFL Trade Period
NORTH Melbourne's list reset has seen it turn its attention to young Adelaide forward Harry Dear who is yet to play a senior game with the Crows.
The 20-year-old has played two NAB Challenge matches but struggled to break into the Crows' star-studded forward line in two seasons at West Lakes despite kicking 37 goals in 21 SANFL games.
With young key forwards hard to find, clubs are scouring lists looking for quality players who might be denied opportunities and Dear fits the bill.
The Crows only used 29 players this season and had five players kick more than 30 goals for the season.
Adelaide has an exciting bunch of forwards with Eddie Betts, Tex Walker, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern and Tom Lynch settled inside the forward 50.
Dear is the son of Hawks' Norm Smith medallist Paul Dear and grew up in Victoria playing TAC Cup football with the Sandringham Dragons.
It's understood North won't be pursuing Collingwood free agent Nathan Brown despite earlier interest.
Recent reports suggested the Roos would seek to trade for the key defender rather than risk diluting the free agency compensation pick they will get if Daniel Wells departs, as expected, to Collingwood.
But Brown's age – he turns 28 in December – does not fit with the Roos' recent shift in list management strategy. In the wake of their ageing playing group's poor second half of 2016, they decided on a "pretty aggressive reset" that will centre around a youth-based regeneration.
The free agency period started on Friday, with just one offer lodged, Hawthorn's proposed two-year deal for Richmond tall Tyrone Vickery.
Vickery could help fill the forward/ruck hole left by David Hale's retirement at the end of 2015 and Jonathon Ceglar's absence for most, if not all, of 2017 following a knee reconstruction.
However, Vickery is a restricted free agent so Richmond has the right to match Hawthorn's offer, which would force the Hawks to trade with the Tigers or seek to pick up the spearhead in the national or pre-season draft.
Richmond has until Monday afternoon to match the Vickery offer.
The Hawks remain set on securing Sydney Swans midfielder Tom Mitchell during the trade period which opens at 10am on Monday and are expected to get their man.
However, Mitchell's manager, Phil Mullen of Stride Sports, told AFL.com.au his client remained in ongoing talks with the Swans that would continue over the weekend.
Adelaide has indicated it is happy for Ricky Henderson to explore free agency and is yet to re-sign Jarryd Lyons although it is keen to add depth to its midfield.
The Crows' on-ball division will again be able to call on the inside ball-winning talent of star veteran Scott Thompson in 2017 after he re-signed on Friday, while second-year midfielder Harrison Wigg was also given another year to try to break into the Crows' senior line-up.
Carlton star Bryce Gibbs continues to be linked with the Crows although the Blues are not keen to let a contracted player of his value leave.
Despite the Brisbane Lions agreeing to bring in Collingwood defender Jack Frost, new coach Chris Fagan, football manager David Noble and list manager Peter Schwab would have spent this week ensuring they are aligned heading into the trade period.
The Lions' biggest priority will be determining the futures of skipper Tom Rockliff and defender Pearce Hanley.
Rockliff, who is contracted for next season, has been linked with Adelaide since discussions for a long-term extension with the Lions broke down mid-season.
Lions list manager Peter Schwab told Melbourne radio station SEN on Friday morning that the club's discussions with Rockliff could go either way.
"Tom knows that it may well be that a decision could be made that we part ways or there's a recommitment from both parties to keep going, because we know he's got great talent," Schwab said.
• Key dates for the NAB AFL Trade Period
Hanley met with Gold Coast earlier this week and despite being contracted at the Gabba until the end of 2019 seems set for a cross-state move.
Schwab said the Lions hadn't "categorically" decided to trade Hanley but suggested the Suns' pick No.8 would get a deal done.
Lions small forward Josh Green declared he was open to a trade last month but it appears Fagan's appointment as coach could force a rethink.
Green's manager, Ned Guy of McDonald Sports, told SEN that Green would not make any definitive decisions on his future until he had spoken to Fagan, noting former Hawks footy manager's stated desire to beef up the Lions' small forward stocks.
Sydney Swans utility Dean Towers is one player the Lions have monitored during the season and he remains out of contract, but the Lions' trading strategy under Fagan will be focused on bringing in young talent.
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Richmond is keen on Sydney Swans ruckman Toby Nankervis although he has also attracted the attention of the Western Bulldogs as they consider whether to replace Will Minson, who announced on Wednesday he would not be at the club beyond this season.
The Tigers are another club regrouping, under new football director Neil Balme meaning, with defender Reece Conca now expected to stay and the negotiations with the Suns on Dion Prestia expected to take time.
Lin Jong has re-signed with the Western Bulldogs for two years despite keen interest from Gold Coast, which is keen to bring in experienced midfielders in the wake of the impending departures of Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara.
Fremantle on-baller Michael Barlow could appeal to the Suns, although it's believed they're more likely to consider him later in the trade period.
