• The state of play and latest whispers from AFL.com.au's trade reporters Nick Bowen and Peter Ryan 
• Swans open to trading premiership defender
• The grab for experienced rucks hots up around the country
• Hawk may leave the nest after Grand Final is done and dusted

PREMIERSHIP defender Craig Bird could be open to a move this trade period after playing just six senior games for the Sydney Swans this year, including just one after round five.

Bird, 26, is contracted for 2016 and remains a required player at the Swans, but if a suitable opportunity comes up at a rival club it is believed both Bird and the Swans would seriously consider an amicable parting.

Several rival clubs have already expressed preliminary interest in Bird.

Bird had his share of injuries in 2015 but seemed to fall out of favour after he was dropped following the Swans' round five loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Despite subsequently being named in the Swans reserves' best players in eight of the nine NEAFL games he played, Bird managed just one more senior game, in round 16 against Hawthorn, when he suffered a calf injury early in the match.

The New South Welshman played in all of the Swans' 11 finals from 2011-14, but watched this year's ill-fated finals campaign from the sidelines.

While Bird could be tempted by the lure of more senior opportunities at another club, the Swans would also likely be open to a trade, given they ideally need to bring in draft picks to match a likely first-round bid for academy player Callum Mills.

They will need to bank even more points if father-son prospect Josh Dunkley commits to the club.

Bird is set to become a free agent at the end of next season.

West Coast ruckmen Callum Sinclair and Scott Lycett look set to become an early agenda item when the Eagles ramp up trade discussions on Swans speedster Lewis Jetta and Brisbane Lions midfielder Jack Redden after the Grand Final.

Callum Sinclair could be the ruck answer for more than one club. Picture: AFL Media

While Jetta looks set for the Eagles, that club's first pick will be no earlier than selection 17 (worth 1025 points under the new AFL Draft Bidding system) depending on the Grand Final result.

The Swans are believed to have asked whether one of Sinclair or Lycett could be part of a trade for Jetta, who last week requested a trade home to Western Australia, although the Eagles maintain they are required players.

Sinclair has had a break-out year for the Eagles this season playing 19 games and lining up in the Grand Final, however Lycett has played just six games after signing a four-year deal at the end of last season.

The Lions are also understood to be interested in the ruck duo, mindful they will almost certainly have to replace restricted free agent Matthew Leuenberger next season.

Sinclair and Lycett are also contracted until the end of 2016 and 2018 respectively, so the Eagles will have the whip hand in trade negotiations with the Swans and Lions.

The Swans' interest in the Eagles ruckmen complicates their pursuit of Leuenberger.

League denies Lions and Blues priority pick bids

The Swans seem to be locked in a two-club race for the Lions ruckman with Essendon, while fellow suitor Fremantle's interest is believed to have waned.

If the Swans did end up snaring Sinclair or Lycett in a trade for Jetta they would likely bow out of the race for Leuenberger.

The Swans could, however, ultimately decide to demand the Eagles' No.1 draft pick for Jetta, to help them match rival bids for Mills and, possibly, Dunkley.

In this scenario, the Swans' interest in securing Leuenberger to bolster their ruck division would remain as strong as ever.

The Swans and Essendon have also been pursuing out-of-contract Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith, along with Geelong.

It is understood Smith, who has yet to inform the Suns that he wants a trade, is now leaning towards the Swans and Geelong if he decides to leave Metricon Stadium.

Collingwood forward Ben Kennedy is another contracted player believed to be considering a change of club in search of more senior opportunities.

Kennedy, 21, has played 25 senior games, including just five this season since the Pies took him with pick No.19 in the 2012 national draft.

The former Glenelg player has already been linked to Melbourne.

James Aish is yet to inform the Brisbane Lions of his post-2015 plans with the club growing more hopeful that he will re-sign.

Rival clubs suspect that unless Aish is able to get to Collingwood in the trade period, he will re-commit to the Lions.

There still seems a strong chance James Aish will re-sign with the Lions. Picture: AFL Media

After quickly turning his back on keen interest from Victorian clubs last week, Port Adelaide midfielder Hamish Hartlett is close to re-committing to the Power.

Hartlett is set to become a free agent at the end of next season, but AFL.com.au understands he will sign a new deal soon that will keep him at Alberton Oval for the long term.

Hawthorn defender Matt Suckling could yet leave Waverley despite the Brisbane Lions' decision to withdraw its interest in the half-back.

The Lions courted Suckling for some months earlier this year but cooled on the unrestricted free agent recently, partly because they did not want to weaken any free agency compensation pick they receive for Leuenberger.

Suckling is scheduled to hold talks with Hawthorn after the Grand Final, but it's understood several rival clubs are circling.

In other news:

  • The Brisbane Lions are keen to trade for Richmond's David Astbury,but the key defender is contracted to the end of 2016 and the Tigers maintain he is a required player at Punt Road.
  • The Tigers remain confident of re-signing out of contract youngster Ben Lennon who was the club's first selection in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.
  • Out-of-contract utility Jeremy Howe remains in on-going talks with Melbourne but has attracted interest from rival clubs including Fremantle and Gold Coast.
  • Gold Coast is considered unlikely to pursue triple premiership Cat Steve Johnson with the veteran's future likely to become clearer later in the exchange period.  
  • Dennis Armfield looks set to extend his career at Carlton, with the speedster expected to re-sign soon, but the future of Blues teammate and fellow unrestricted free agent Robbie Warnock remains uncertain.
  • Brendan Whitecross is on Brisbane's radar, but the Lions will not risk lessening the value of any free agency compensation pick they get for Leuenberger by taking the Hawthorn utility as a free agent.
  • No decision has been made on the future of 30-year-old Fremantle defender Paul Duffield, who is an unrestricted free agent.
  • Out-of-contract Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Mitchell is expected to sign a new one-year deal with the Power shortly.
  • North Melbourne has offered veteran defender Michael Firrito a contract to play on in 2016 but the parties are understood to be some way apart on salary.