WITH two weeks of the Gillette AFL Trade Period to go, it seems clubs elected to catch their breath over the weekend with the most meaningful trade-related news to emerge being Jonathan Giles' re-signing with Greater Western Sydney.
Giles had been linked with Adelaide after his contract talks with the Giants reached a stalemate last week.
However, the former Port Adelaide-listed player resisted the temptation of returning to his home state, with the Giants expected to announce Giles has signed a new three-year contract as early as Monday.
AFL.com.au understands Geelong and North Melbourne will meet on Monday in an attempt to finalise a trade for Roos ruckman Hamish McIntosh.
McIntosh, 28, has been cruelled by injury in the past two seasons, playing just eight games after surgery to both his Achilles tendons in 2011 and LARS surgery to replace his PCL this year.
However, it has been North's preference to play Todd Goldstein as its sole ruckmen that has prompted McIntosh to seek a new start at Skilled Stadium.
The Age reports that the Cats' ability to reach a deal with the Roos - and to secure Melbourne free agent Jared Rivers - is being complicated by the fact they are also trying to find new homes for their young key-position players Tom Gillies and Mitch Brown.
Melbourne ruckman/forward Stefan Martin remains on the trade table, but The Age reports that to date few clubs have expressed "keen interest" in him.
Martin had an outstanding 2011 season as Mark Jamar's ruck understudy, finishing eighth in the Demons' best and fairest count. However, he managed just seven games in 2012, Mark Neeld's first season as coach.
Melbourne's talks with Collingwood about Magpie key forward Chris Dawes do not appear to have advanced over the weekend.
With clubs such as the Western Bulldogs and Carlton also reportedly circling, Dawes nominated Melbourne as his preferred new home last Friday, news that prompted Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh to suggest the Demons' draft pick No.20 might not be enough to get the trade done.
The Age reports the Demons and Pies had "did not hold meaningful talks" on Dawes over the weekend.
The Demons have been extremely keen to bolster their key-position stocks this post-season, having also made a play for versatile North tall Cameron Pedersen.
However, The Age reports that prospective trade is no closer to being finalised, having been tied into the North-Geelong negotiations over McIntosh.
Greater Western Sydney has spoken with Carlton free agent Brett Thornton, 28, about joining the club in 2013. The Giants are believed to view the versatile key-position player as someone who can bolster their inexperienced and undermanned defence.
Meanwhile, Hawk Clinton Young is still weighing up free agency offers from Collingwood, Essendon, the Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide, while St Kilda and West Coast remain divided over deals that would send Saint Jamie Cripps to the Eagles and Eagle Mitch Brown to the Saints.
Nick Bowen is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
