ESSENDON'S play for Brendon Goddard is set to be the major talking point when the AFL's first free agency period starts on Monday.
The Bombers are keen to bolster their midfield stocks, with a long-term offer, reported to be worth as much as $800,000 a season, being tabled to the St Kilda star.
As Goddard is a restricted free agent, the Saints will have just 72 hours after Essendon's deal is tabled to decide whether to match the offer. If the Saints do so, the 27-year-old would need to enter the NAB AFL Draft or seek a trade to leave the club.
Sources close to Goddard say it's a decision he has been agonising over for weeks.
The earliest Essendon would likely announce the deal is Wednesday after the Saints' time period expires. However, it could be announced as early as Monday if the Saints decide immediately not to match the offer.
Richmond looms as another of the major free agency players.
The Tigers appear likely to snare Crows forward Chris Knights, an unrestricted free agent who this week announced his plans to leave Adelaide.
They are also reportedly in the market for Port Adelaide key defender Troy Chaplin, a restricted free agent.
Brent Moloney could also be on Essendon's radar. The Melbourne onballer quit the club this month and has said he is keen to move to a club capable of playing finals. The Bombers pursued Moloney during last year's trade period but failed.
Click here for AFL.com.au's Dummies' Guide to Free Agency
But while the Bombers appear set to swoop, they could also lose Angus Monfries through free agency.
The half-forward is an unrestricted free agent and is understood to be deciding whether to stay at Essendon on a two-year contract or leave for a longer deal at a rival club.
The future of Cat Shannon Byrnes could also be decided in the free agency window.
AFL.com.au revealed Melbourne could be a new home for Byrnes, who has struggled to break into Geelong's line-up for the past two seasons.
Carlton veterans Jordan Russell and Bret Thornton both intend to use their unrestricted status to find new clubs, as does Port Adelaide's Steven Salopek.
Melbourne's Jared Rivers may also end up at another club.
Although it seems a bidding war will unfold between Victorian clubs for the services of Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy, clubs will need to wait until the Gillette Trade Period on Monday, October 8.
Caddy, like Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett, is out of contract but does not yet qualify for free agency. Caddy requested to be traded to Essendon last year before a deal fell through. He announced his intentions to return to Victoria earlier this month.
Suns coach Guy McKenna told AFL.com.au this week the club was expecting Caddy to name several Victorian clubs as a potential new home.
"Obviously the experience of last year will help Josh and the footy club immensely," McKenna said.
"Last year he chose one club and we couldn't come up with a deal … so it probably left him high and dry. This year we'd hope he's going to nominate a few and we'd get the best deal done."
Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey
