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BILLY Hartung could be the trade circuit breaker that helps Hawthorn snare Jaeger O'Meara, but it is the Brisbane Lions, not Gold Coast, circling the Hawks runner.

Hawthorn's already strained talks with Gold Coast detoured even further off track on Wednesday when the Hawks and Sydney Swans agreed to a trade for Tom Mitchell centred around pick No.14, a selection the Suns had been eyeing as part of the O'Meara deal.

Hawthorn has also been unable to satisfy the Suns' demands – voiced vociferously and consistently by chairman Tony Cochrane – for a quality midfielder to be included in that trade.

However, Hartung, 21, could indirectly help the Hawks break the deadlock.

AFL.com.au understands the third-year midfielder has attracted interest from the Lions since former Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan took over as senior coach last Monday.

Fagan worked closely with Hartung over the past three seasons at Waverley and is understood to be an admirer of his pace, endurance and work ethic.

Hartung, pick No.24 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, has played 45 games for the Hawks, but was overlooked for the 2015 Grand Final and this year's qualifying final against Geelong.

The Lions' hand in this year's draft includes picks No.16, No.19 (priority pick) and No.21.

Indicative draft order: What picks will your club take to the draft

It's unlikely the Lions would consider trading No.16 for Hartung, but the latter two picks could be on the trade table.

If the Hawks were to secure one of them for Hartung that pick could prove valuable in their O'Meara negotiations with Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, the Bryce Gibbs talks appear set to go down to the wire, with Adelaide having made little progress in its bid to snare the Carlton midfielder before the NAB AFL Trade Period closes next Thursday.

The Crows have pick No.13 on the table for Gibbs but the Blues want a player thrown into the deal and – with the South Australian contracted at Ikon Park until the end of 2019 – are aiming high.

Mitch McGovern and Charlie Cameron are on the Blues' wish list, but both remain contracted at West Lakes and are believed to have ruled out being involved in the trade

Carlton, on the other hand, is understood to have baulked at an offer of out-of-contract Crows midfielder Jarryd Lyons.

Crows may look back to find Gibbs solution

Tensions have been running high between the clubs since the Blues were blindsided by Adelaide's announcement on the opening day of trade period that Gibbs had a "strong desire" to move home to Adelaide.

The Crows remain confident of reaching a deal for the 209-gamer before next Thursday's 2pm deadline, but Carlton's hardline stance suggests they have plenty of work ahead of them.

The glacial pace of the Gibbs talks will likely delay the Blues' efforts to secure Greater Western Sydney key defender Caleb Marchbank.

Carlton has been reluctant to involve its first-round pick, No.5 overall, in this deal, and acquiring pick No.13 from the Crows could help them reach a deal with the Giants for Marchbank.

It's unlikely the Blues will finalise an offer for the key defender before knowing what's happening with Gibbs.

Carlton is also competing with North Melbourne for the signatures of Western Bulldogs midfielder Nathan Hrovat and contracted Giants Paul Ahern and Jarrod Pickett.

Hrovat is happy to join either club and will let the Dogs broker the best deal they can. A trade is unlikely to be completed until later next week when it becomes clearer what both clubs – especially Carlton given all it has its plate – can offer.

The Roos appear better placed to secure a trade for Ahern, but the Blues are odds on to snare Pickett, who has nominated Ikon Park as his preferred new home.

Despite GWS' need to clear salary space for 2017 this trade period, it remains possible Ahern and Pickett could serve out their contracts with the Giants next season.

The Giants still need to trade some of Ahern, Pickett, Will Hoskin-Elliott and uncontracted forward James Stewart, who has been offered a new one-year contract with the club, but could be in a position to retain up to two of them.

The torturous pace of trades in the first four days (just six trades have officially been lodged) has more players than ever uncertain of their futures, with a significant number still unsigned.

Veteran West Coast defender Sam Butler is getting closer to signing a new deal to play on with the Eagles for 2017.

Eagles free agent set for move to Victoria

Out-of-contract Port Adelaide defender Cam O'Shea has attracted some rival interest but could yet re-sign with the Power after the trade period.

The Lions have flagged they are trying to improve their draft position with as many selections inside the top 25 as possible.

They already hold No.3, No.16, No.19 and No.21, and can expect to receive another early pick when Pearce Hanley makes his way to Gold Coast.

The Suns found time amid the O'Meara saga to catch up with Collingwood on Wednesday to discuss a trade for Pies ruckman Jarrod Witts.

The big man was starved of opportunities behind Brodie Grundy this season and his strong relationship with Suns coach Rodney Eade could help him realise his talent.

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Although no trade is expected to take place this week, an early third-round selection is likely to change hands for the 23-year-old, who has played 40 games with the Magpies.

Port Adelaide midfielder Brendon Ah Chee could also find his way to the Suns in 12 months if a trade is not arranged in the next week.

The Suns have indicated to Ah Chee's management they are interested in recruiting the 22-year-old to play alongside his younger brother Callum.

However, with six draft selections in the top 30 this year, the Suns won't know whether they have a vacant list spot until later in the trade period.

Ah Chee's manager, Anthony Van Der Wielen, told AFL.com.au the midfielder was happy to stay with the Power where he has triggered a contract extension for 2017 after playing 11 games in 2016.

However, a move to Gold Coast would likely present further opportunities next season, or in 2018 if he is still on the fringes at Port Adelaide.

Van Der Wielen said Ah Chee would be willing to move to any club if it presented him with further opportunities.   

Ruckman Toby Nankervis is weighing up whether to accept a new contract with the Swans or seek more opportunity with Richmond or the Western Bulldogs.

Swans football manager Tom Harley told NAB AFL Trade Radio the club was keen to retain Nankervis and also remains hopeful of keeping Dean Towers.

Harley said Nankervis was expected to make a decision soon.

Geelong's Nathan Vardy has undergone a medical with West Coast but Port Adelaide is understood to remain interested depending on how its trade period unfolds.

North Melbourne veteran Drew Petrie remains in the frame for a move to West Coast, but the Eagles are yet to decide how to cover their ruck shortfall.

Talented Geelong youngster Darcy Lang is expected to stay with the Cats despite his name being raised in trade talks on Carlton running defender Zach Tuohy.

The contracted 20-year-old has played 34 matches in his three seasons at the Cats and is willing to back himself to cement a spot in the line-up.