FREE agency opens on Friday and the Telstra AFL Trade Period starts on Monday, but the wheeling and dealing is well and truly underway.
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AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest developments each morning until the end of Trade Period on Wednesday, October 16.
Gaff not an option for Kelly deal
Gun Cat Tim Kelly's official request to join West Coast means negotiations can finally begin but Eagles star Andrew Gaff isn't in Geelong's sights, The West Australian reports.
Gaff, who considered a return to Victoria with North Melbourne last year, has quickly been speculated about in any potential deal to send Kelly home.
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However, the Cats' initial demand is for two first-round draft picks – not Gaff – to form a significant part of any trade between the clubs for the 25-year-old.
Kelly has put together two outstanding seasons since being drafted in 2017, including being a first-time All Australian this year and finishing fifth in the Brownlow Medal.
Gaff is a dual All Australian but two years Kelly's senior.
Pay rise for dashing Bomber?
Dashing Essendon defender Adam Saad is poised to begin talks about re-signing at the Bombers early next season, according to News Corp.
Saad arrived at Tullamarine on a three-year deal in the 2017 Trade Period for a future second-round pick and has been a strong contributor in the past two seasons.
The former Sun finished third behind Zach Merrett and Dylan Shiel in Essendon's best and fairest count on Tuesday night, after placing fourth last year.
He is a constant offensive threat at half-back – and is always among the AFL leaders in running bounces – but also capable of performing a lockdown role on the game's best small forwards.
Veteran Cat set to play on
Geelong's dual premiership defender Harry Taylor is set to extend his career into a 13th season, The Age reports.
Taylor's management and the Cats still need to thrash out the terms on a new deal, but there is a willingness from both parties to discuss a contract for 2020.
The 33-year-old played 24 of 25 games this year and has played 261 in total, including being part of Geelong's 2009 and 2011 flag-winning sides.
Taylor's good performances and durability followed an injury-riddled 2018 campaign, where he made a career-low eight appearances.
He is also valued highly internally for his mentoring of the club's young defenders.
Essendon must aim high in Fantasia, Daniher deals
Former Bomber Brendon Goddard told Channel Seven that Essendon must "play hardball" on the potential Orazio Fantasia and Joe Daniher trades.
Fantasia and Daniher are both yet to request a trade but are being linked with moves to Port Adelaide and Sydney, respectively.
Goddard believes if Fantasia wants to return to South Australia the Bombers should ask for Power co-captain Ollie Wines to bolster their midfield rather than settle for someone like Sam Powell-Pepper.
He also referenced last year's Dylan Shiel trade as a precedent for Daniher being worth multiple first-round selections.
Goddard called for Essendon to demand the Swans' pick five, as well as No.9 if that selection is received for Tom Papley, who has requested a trade to Carlton.
