PORT Adelaide vice-captain Shaun Burgoyne is the biggest name to surface in trade talks ahead of October's exchange period, with reports the Power midfielder is set to walk out on the club.
Trade week begins on Monday 5 October and Burgoyne adds to a talented list of players that should ensure there is much more off-season movement than in recent years.
North Melbourne's Josh Gibson, Essendon speedster Andrew Lovett and West Coast ruckman Mark Seaby are other key players reported to be seeking new football homes.
The Australian has reported that Burgoyne, 26, wants to move to a Melbourne-based club where he has football ties. He has also been linked to the Sydney Swans.
The premiership midfielder is coming out of contract and managed just nine games this season after suffering severe bone bruising below his knee in round three.
Port coach Mark Williams told afl.com.au Burgoyne would be given time to weigh up his future but he was confident the All-Australian would remain at Alberton next season.
The Age has reported that Gibson, 25, who is also out of contract, has told North Melbourne he wants to be traded to Hawthorn and is prepared to walk in the pre-season draft if a trade cannot be arranged.
North has labelled the versatile defender a required player.
Essendon midfielder Lovett, who is out of contract, is also seeking a fresh start after 88 games with the Bombers, according to The Australian.
Lovett came close to joining Geelong during last year's exchange period, but the two clubs could not reach a compromise. West Coast, Fremantle, Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans are all reported to be interested in the 27-year-old.
Meanwhile, Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd has been told by coach Matthew Knights he is a wanted player next season. The 31-year-old said he would make a decision on his future in the next week.
The Australian also reports that Tiger Andrew Raines will be traded to the Brisbane Lions and West Coast ruckman Seaby is certain to join the Sydney Swans.
Injuries and a lack of form kept Raines to just three games this season and two in 2008 and he is expected to go to the Lions in exchange for their third round pick at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.
While the Swans continue to be linked with Seaby, as well as Port Adelaide, The West Australian reports that Collingwood is considering making a play for the 25-year-old.
Seaby, who played in West Coast's 2006 premiership and losing 2005 grand final side, has been overlooked this season despite Dean Cox's absence, playing just five games.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports that Seaby is now out of Port Adelaide's reach, with new budget restrictions not allowing for extensive trade week spending.
Brent Staker, who is contracted until the end of the 2010 season, has also told West Coast he wants to be traded and The West Australian reports that North Melbourne, the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions have expressed strong interest.
Emerging key defender Matt Spangher and running backman Mark Nicoski are also reported to be weighing up their futures with the Eagles.
Fremantle has stood firm on contracted defender Chris Tarrant, despite reports he will return to Melbourne when his four-year contract expires at the end of the 2010 season.
Fellow Fremantle defender Marcus Drum is reported to be seeking a trade to Hawthorn, while the club has repeatedly doused speculation it would entertain a trade for star ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who is contracted for next season.
Paul Hasleby this week signed a one-year deal with Fremantle for next season, while the club's brightest midfield prospect, Rhys Palmer, recently extended his contract until the end of the 2011 season, taking him out of the Gold Coast's reach.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
