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THE GULF between Essendon and St Kilda in their talks over Jake Carlisle appears wider than ever, with discussions close to breaking point after meetings on Friday.
The Saints tabled their first offer to the Bombers on Friday afternoon, offering picks No.5 and 63 in exchange for Carlisle and the Bombers' two early second-round picks (No.23 and 25).
Essendon was quick to reject the offer, ramming home the fact that a significant gap remains between where the Bombers and St Kilda value the key defender.
There is a growing sense Essendon would prefer to accept Hawthorn's offer of picks No.15 and No.18, rather than continue negotiations with the Saints, who are unwilling to part with pick No.5 in a straight swap for Carlisle.
The Essendon-Hawthorn deal has been agreed to in principle by the two clubs, but it can't proceed unless Carlisle backs away from his commitment to St Kilda, something that was all but ruled out by his manager, Anthony McConville, on Friday night.
If talks break down between the Bombers and Saints, AFL.com.au understands the 24-year-old could attempt to reach his preferred home via the pre-season draft.
Charlie Dixon's proposed move to Port Adelaide also continues to drag on, but the expectation is that Gold Coast and the Power will be able to reach a deal next week.
Port has offered its first-round pick, No.10 overall, for the spearhead, but the Suns continue to push for an extra pick.
It is understood Gold Coast would be satisfied with an additional second-round pick, but the Power has so far resisted that demand.
It could be that a further shuffle of later picks will be required to break the impasse.
Wantaway Brisbane Lions midfielder James Aish visited the Holden Centre on Friday to undergo a medical test ahead of his desired move to Collingwood.
North Melbourne, however, is making a late play for Aish.
Roos list manager Cameron Joyce told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Friday that he had contacted Aish's manager, Liam Pickering, to renew North's longstanding interest in the South Australian.
The Roos' biggest challenge will be convincing Aish that his future lies at Arden Street, as Pickering reiterated on Friday that his client remained set on a move to Collingwood.
However, North has not given up hope that it can thwart the Pies' plans.
If Aish does change his mind, North would appear to be in a strong position to reach a deal with the Lions.
Roos midfielder Ryan Bastinac toured the Lions' Gabba headquarters on Friday and could be packaged with two of North's second-round draft picks, most likely No.38 and 40, to satisfy the Lions.
Bastinac is contracted for the next two seasons, but is expected to be open to a fresh start given he fell out of favour at the Roos last year.
Jeremy Howe's requested trade to Collingwood is likely to go ahead despite Melbourne's statement on Thursday that it would prefer to deal with Gold Coast.
Gold Coast offered to swap pick No.3 for the Dees' pick No.6 as part of a Howe trade, a deal that Melbourne was understandably keen to grab with both hands.
However, it's believed both Melbourne and Gold Coast are resigned to the likelihood Howe will become a Magpie next week, in a deal that is likely to involve Pies forward Ben Kennedy and/or second-round picks.
Contracted West Coast midfielder Matt Rosa has not surprisingly attracted rival interest after requesting a trade on Wednesday, with Gold Coast understood to be among the chasing pack.
Essendon ruckman Jonathan Giles has visited West Coast's training headquarters as the Eagles look to bolster their ruck stocks after Callum Sinclair's departure to the Sydney Swans.
Giles struggled to break into Essendon's senior team this season even after Tom Bellchambers went down with injury.
The former GWS ruckman is contracted at the Bombers for another season, but could jump at a move west if the Eagles make him an offer.
Suns ruckman Zac Smith is still expected to reach Geelong next week, with the Cats trying to come up with a suitable draft pick, one Gold Coast is hoping will fall in the second round.
North ruckman Daniel Currie remains on track to replace Smith at Metricon Stadium, most likely in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
Hawthorn Brendan Whitecross could be set for a fresh start after struggling for senior opportunities this season, with GWS and the Lions meeting with the unrestricted free agent recently.
Giants forward Jed Lamb is still expected to land at Carlton, possibly in a package deal with ruckman Andrew Phillips, midfielder Liam Sumner and defender Lachie Plowman.
It is not yet clear how the Blues will get that deal done, with talks over Chris Yarran and the half-back's move to Richmond their priority.
The Tigers are continuing their search for a late first-round pick to exchange for Yarran.
