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THE Brisbane Lions look set to backflip on their vow not to trade midfielder James Aish after opening talks with Collingwood on Thursday.
Aish finally requested a trade last week after a year of speculation about his future, and nominated Collingwood as his preferred club.
The Lions quickly responded, saying they would not trade the South Australian, meaning Aish could only leave the Gabba via the draft.
But AFL.com.au understands the Lions have had their first discussions with Collingwood about what deal would be required to send Aish to the Holden Centre.
The Magpies look set to have their hands full over the remainder of the trade period.
They had already been busy trying to satisfy Greater Western Sydney's demands for star youngster Adam Treloar, while Melbourne high-flyer Jeremy Howe also nominated the Pies as his preferred new club on Thursday.
Despite the Pies' busy trade workload, they look well placed to reach a deal with the Lions for Aish, the No.7 pick in the 2013 national draft.
Although they are expected to send their 2015 and 2016 first-round picks to GWS for Treloar, they should soon be armed with an array of second-round picks that could be used in any Aish deal.
Collingwood already holds pick No.26, and should get at least one second-round pick from St Kilda – possibly this year's No.24 – for Nathan Freeman, together with either No.28 or 32 from Adelaide for Paul Seedsman.
It is also expected to get a second-round pick back from GWS for Treloar, either in this or next year's draft.
Pies forward Ben Kennedy is also likely to be part of any trade for Howe, which will leave Collingwood with plenty of scope to package two second-round picks for Aish, or offer one pick and a player such as Queenslander Adam Oxley.
Not long after Howe announced his plans to move to the Pies, Melbourne threatened to scuttle them.
Demons football manager Josh Mahoney told Melbourne radio station SEN that the Dees' clear preference was to trade Howe to Gold Coast.
The Suns are prepared to swap pick No.3 to Melbourne for Howe and pick No.6, and would also throw in a later pick.
Despite Melbourne's desire to push Howe to Gold Coast, it's believed Howe remains determined to remain in Victoria and won't be dissuaded from a move to Collingwood.
The most likely scenario is that the Demons will eventually agree to deal with Collingwood, with Kennedy and a second-round pick their expected asking price.
Meanwhile, the Lions have upped the ante in their pursuit of Richmond defender David Astbury and North Melbourne midfielder Ryan Bastinac, with the pair set to tour the club's Gabba headquarters on Friday.
The Lions were close to finalising the terms of a trade for Geelong pair Josh Walker and Jarrad Jansen, but the deal was not expected to be formalised until next week.
Geelong will reportedly receive a future third-round selection in the deal, a pick it could then seek to use for Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith.
The highlight of Thursday was undoubtedly Hawthorn's bold bid to foil Jake Carlisle's mooted move from Essendon to St Kilda.
Carlisle declared the Saints his preferred destination last week, but St Kilda has since been unwilling to meet Essendon's demand of pick No.5 for the key defender.
Sensing an opportunity to add another quality player to their imposing line-up, the Hawks swooped, brokering a three-club deal that would see:
· Hawthorn part with pick No.18 and midfielder Jed Anderson in exchange for Carlisle;
· North receive Anderson and Essendon's pick No.41 in exchange for pick No.15, and
· Essendon receive picks No.15 and 18 in exchange for Carlisle and pick No.41.
Although all three clubs have agreed to the deal in principle, Carlisle will only move to Hawthorn if St Kilda is unable to broker a trade.
St Kilda would not comment when contacted by AFL.com.au, but it is understood the Saints contacted other clubs on Thursday in an attempt to develop a package of picks to revive their hopes of securing Carlisle.
The Saints released a statement late on Thursday that declared Carlisle was still determined to get to the club and that he had reiterated that position from overseas.
His manager Anthony McConville backed the club's position in the statement.
"Given Jake's preference is to play at St Kilda, my focus is to work with the clubs to get him to his intended destination," McConville said.
"I have full faith and confidence that all parties can work together to achieve a fair outcome for everyone."
Given Carlisle's future is unlikely to be resolved for some time, North could look to deal with Hawthorn directly over Anderson.
Any deal would likely centre around the Roos parting with pick No.15 and could involve the Hawks sending a later pick or picks back to North.
Anderson is contracted for 2016 but is exploring options at rival clubs after managing just four senior games this season.
The speedster visited Arden Street last week and would appear a snug fit for a North team looking to improve its outside run.
Collingwood speedster Paul Seedsman has nominated Adelaide as his preferred destination with a second-round pick likely to be on the table when negotiations begin between the two clubs.
The Crows hold picks No.28, which they received from Geelong in the Patrick Dangerfield trade, and 32.
Seedsman played 49 matches with the Magpies and won the Anzac Medal in 2015.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide is continuing its search for a better combination of draft picks to secure Gold Coast forward Charlie Dixon.
The Power's pick No.10 remains on the table, but the Suns won't budge on their demands for at least another selection – or a better first-round pick – rather than a player.
Young Melbourne midfielder Jimmy Toumpas could still make his way to the Power, but it is likely to happen late in the trade period.
Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro also poured cold water on any suggestion midfielder Brendon Goddard was a chance to be traded.
"I heard that a couple of times and it made me laugh," Dodoro told 3AW on Thursday night.
"It's certainly not the case and he'll be lining up with the Bombers next year."
