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• Who's on the move? Nick Bowen tracks 2016's free agents
OUT-OF-CONTRACT midfielder Tom Mitchell won't make a decision on his future until he has met with the Sydney Swans.
Mitchell's future has been clouded since he suddenly put contract talks with the Swans on hold in late June.
Hawthorn has since emerged as a serious suitor for the 23-year-old and is understood to have a deal in front of Mitchell that is significantly more lucrative than the Swans' offer.
AFL.com.au expects Mitchell to join the Hawks in the NAB AFL trade period, which opens next Monday.
Trade period preview
But his manager, Phil Mullen of Stride Sports, said Mitchell would meet with the Swans before announcing any plans.
"The plan that has been in place for several weeks is still valid. The Swans will call to arrange a meeting and we will proceed from there," Mullen said.
Recruited as a father-son selection in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft at pick No.21 overall, Mitchell has played 65 games for the Swans, including all 26 matches this year.
He averaged 27.9 possessions a game this season and was one of the Swans' best players in their Grand Final loss to the Western Bulldogs, finishing with 26 possessions and two goals.
Meanwhile, clubs expect many of this year's trades to involve out-of-favour players seeking greater senior opportunities.
One such player is former Collingwood premiership player Travis Cloke who is hoping to join this year's premiers, the Western Bulldogs, despite being contracted with the Magpies for 2017.
AFL.com.au understands the two clubs met about three weeks ago to work out an appropriate trade for Cloke, with a late-third or fourth-round draft pick expected to get the deal done.
Several fringe Bulldogs players are scheduled to have review meetings at the club on Tuesday, when the premiers will get a better understanding of which players are seeking greener pastures.
Stats a bargain: Trade targets by the numbers
The Bulldogs are hopeful of retaining midfielder Lin Jong, who has attracted interest from Gold Coast.
Several out-of-contract Sydney Swans such as utility Dean Towers and ruckman Toby Nankervis remain in limbo ahead of the trade period, with the Mitchell talks and the uncertainty surrounding next year's total player payments ceiling delaying negotiations.
Towers and Nankervis missed selection in the Swans' Grand Final team despite showing good form at times in 2016, and have attracted interest elsewhere. They are expected to meet with club officials for end-of-season reviews later this week.
Greater Western Sydney forward Will Hoskin-Elliott has been linked with Collingwood but the club is yet to meet with him, while North Melbourne free agent Daniel Wells is not expected to announce any decision on his future until after the club's best and fairest count on Friday night.
The Magpies are believed to be close to re-signing Tim Broomhead, with the forward likely to recommit for another two years.
Out-of-contract Giants midfielder Jack Steele is still weighing up his future and is unlikely to make a decision until after the club's best and fairest count on Friday night, while contracted defender Adam Tomlinson is expected to stay put despite interest from Victorian clubs.
Port Adelaide has signalled its intention to be active in the trade period. Power football manager Chris Davies told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Monday the club would be silly not to keep an open mind on rival offers for their players, including those who are contracted.
Experienced Port players Hamish Hartlett, Matthew Lobbe and Matthew Broadbent have already emerged as trade targets for opposition clubs.
It also emerged on NAB AFL Trade Radio on Monday:
- Geelong has expressed some interest in North Melbourne's Daniel Wells but Collingwood remains frontrunner for his services.
- Jarryd Lyons wants to stay at Adelaide and is considering an offer from the Crows.
- Clay Smith is expected to re-sign with the Western Bulldogs this week after being part of the premiership team on Saturday following three knee reconstructions.
