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FREE agents can be signed as early as Friday, with the likes of Tom Rockliff and Jackson Trengove among the first in line to switch clubs for season 2018.
The NAB AFL Trade Period doesn't start until Monday, but that hasn't stopped the likes of Devon Smith and Adam Saad from nominating new destination club Essendon as their club of choice.
AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest action every morning until the end of the Trade Period on Thursday, October 19.
Hinkley on the hunt for elite talent
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley addressed the flurry of player movement activity at his club in a FIVEaa radio interview on Thursday night.
The Power has already convinced in-demand free agent Tom Rockliff to choose Alberton Oval over Carlton's Ikon Park and has its sights on Geelong livewire Steven Motlop.
Gold Coast and Adelaide are also in the frame for Motlop's services.
"We’ll chat with him, we’re in the mix and we expect an answer in the next 48-72 hours," Hinkley said.
"We see him playing forward-midfield. We're targeting players with elite finish."
Melbourne forward Jack Watts is having dialogue with Port, while Hinkley is resigned to losing Jackson Trengove but is hopeful of retaining Jarman Impey.
Hogan still in Freo sights
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney put Jesse Hogan off the trade radar on NAB AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday, but Fremantle remains interested in the star forward.
AFL.com.au's Damian Barrett understands the Dockers' pursuit of the 2015 NAB AFL Rising Star did not end with Mahoney's comments.
A broken collarbone ended Hogan's season prematurely, after he had already beaten testicular cancer and dealt with his father's death.
He spent time back in Western Australia during those times.
Hogan also received a two-game ban for striking Carlton defender Sam Rowe in round two but still managed to play some impressive football during the year.
Cats haven't given up on Stringer
Reports suggest Jake Stringer is set to join Devon Smith and Adam Saad in nominating Essendon as his preferred landing spot, but Geelong remains in the race for the 2015 All Australian.
The Cats' back-to-back best and fairest winner Patrick Dangerfield confirmed on Thursday night that he and captain Joel Selwood had met with Stringer this week.
"It wasn't so much a sell," Dangerfield said.
"It was just seeing where Jake was at and speaking about what we, as a club, could offer him and he's got a decision to make where he heads in his football.
"We're a bit in the dark, as a few clubs are, about where he's headed. But whether he chooses us, I'm not sure."
Did Trengove sneak into Whitten Oval?
Port Adelaide utility Jackson Trengove has long been linked to the Western Bulldogs and there are unconfirmed reports he has already been fitted for a jumper.
The Victorian fell out of favour at the Power in 2017 and reportedly has a $2 million deal across four years in front of him to join the 2016 premiers.
NAB AFL Trade Radio's Mitch Cleary believes Trengove may even be the first free agent signing.
Menzel likely to depart the Cattery
Geelong forward Daniel Menzel has a number of other suitors as he weighs up whether to accept the Cats' one-year offer.
Fremantle is one potential trade destination for Menzel, who kicked 40 goals in 19 games, but was dropped for Geelong's qualifying final against Richmond.
The Dockers have already indicated their interest in Menzel and he could also return home to South Australia. He finished outside the top 20 in the Cats' best and fairest count on Thursday night.
Talia suits Saints' need for height
Delisted Swan Michael Talia could be headed for his third AFL club, with St Kilda showing interest in the former Bulldog.
Saints chief operating officer Ameet Bains told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Thursday the club wanted to add more height to its defence.
Nathan Brown and Jake Carlisle are St Kilda's defensive mainstays, but young prospect Hugh Goddard is recovering from a long-term toe injury in his right foot.
Bains admitted the Saints were "a little thin underneath that".
"We've been investigating different ways in which we can bolster our defensive stocks and Michael's back in Melbourne and keen to have a chat, so we did that," Bains said.
Crows want to keep Cameron
The Adelaide Advertiser is reporting the Crows plan to hold firm on wantaway speedster Charlie Cameron.
Cameron reportedly is keen to leave Adelaide for the Brisbane Lions – despite having a year to run on his contract – to be closer to family.
Neither the Crows nor Lions commented on the situation on Thursday night, but Adelaide sees Cameron differently to Jake Lever because of him still being under contract.
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