WITH one big trade fish in Josh Caddy being hooked by Geelong on Wednesday, it appears the future of Collingwood's Chris Dawes is also getting closer to being resolved.

While the Herald Sun is reporting talks on the weekend will decide the fate of the disgruntled Magpies' forward, The Age says it is now down to three clubs - Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Carlton.

Dawes is understood to favour the Blues given his ties to incoming coach Mick Malthouse, but Carlton has little to offer in the way of a trade.

Melbourne (NAB AFL Draft pick 20) and the Bulldogs (21) both have the trading ammunition and the finances to satisfy an exchange for Dawes.

The Demons have stated since early in the Gillette AFL Trade Period they were on the hunt for a mix of quality youth and hardened experience.

They continued that pursuit on Wednesday with coach Mark Neeld reportedly speaking with out-of-contract Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton.

Neeld was in Perth to speak to the family of teenage tall forward Jesse Hogan, who they acquired via a trade for the GWS mini draft on Tuesday, and also spoke to the Bomber, who was in the west doing a test with Fremantle.

Melbourne seems determined to get another forward target and is also believed to be pursuing North Melbourne's Cam Pedersen.

Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said the club had been open with Essendon about bringing 24-year-old Gumbleton to Perth for tests.

"We've got Scott over, we've done the medicals," Bond said on Gillette AFL Trade Radio.

"We're really comfortable with where it's at. We think we've got a bit of time with it.

"We're never going to make any promises to Scott or his manager or Essendon that we can’t keep. We've still got to work through some stuff."

One of the biggest trade period pieces to fall happened on Wednesday with homesick Gold Coast midfielder Caddy joining Geelong.

The Cats beat a number of teams to the prized midfielder and will send their compensation pick (received for losing Gary Ablett) to the Suns.

The clubs will also exchange a number of other draft picks that are still to be finalised.

That compensation pick, which can be taken after the ninth-placed team's first pick, has not been activated for this year's draft, but it can be used in the 2013, 2014 or 2015 drafts.

Gold Coast football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft said the club was happy with the outcome.

"We are really pleased we will secure a first round compensation pick … as well as draft selections," Ashcroft said.

"Continuing to spread the age of our playing group with elite talent ensure we will have a very balanced playing group in the years to come which is important as we strive for sustained success."

Another Sun looking to head to Victoria is young ruckman Tom Hickey, with his wish to play at St Kilda expected to be made easier now with the Caddy deal done.

Josh Toy's manager James Pitcher told AFL.com.au the 20-year-old defender was still deciding on whether he wanted to remain on the Gold Coast or return to Melbourne.

Toy, who has a congenial heart condition, has played 13 games in his first two seasons.

The Brisbane Lions struck a blow on Wednesday, with restricted Melbourne free agent Brent Moloney all but assured of playing at the Gabba in 2013.

Moloney will return from an overseas holiday on Thursday and head directly to Brisbane to undergo a medical and could be signed by the end of the week.

Moloney was Melbourne's best and fairest winner in 2011 but struggled under Neeld in 2012, playing 15 games.

His manager Bruce Kaider told AFL.com.au's Trade Radio there was no reason he would not pass the medical.

"He's in great condition," Kaider said.

"You never say never, there's always elements of doubt, but there's no reason it won't happen if he passes the medical."

Unrestricted Hawthorn free agent Clinton Young is still weighing up his future, deciding on whether to accept a contract from the Hawks or move to Collingwood after touring their facilities earlier in the week.

Meanwhile a tug-of-war still looms over West Coast defender Mitch Brown, with St Kilda in pursuit of the 'required' Eagle.

Brown has told his manager Liam Pickering he wants out, but despite not guaranteeing him playing time next year West Coast says he is still under contract and required.

The race for out-of-contract North Melbourne forward Lachie Hansen is narrowing, with GWS and Fremantle, keen for a big body to stand alongside Matthew Pavlich, making enquiries.

Michael Whiting covers AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting