WITH just a couple of days remaining before the free agency period opens – and with the NAB AFL Trade Period just around the corner – the speculation is beginning to mount.

AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest action each morning until the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period on Wednesday, October 17.

Hawks in box seat as Blues step up Shiel bid 

Hawthorn is believed to be leading the race for Dylan Shiel, though The Herald Sun reports Carlton has made its move for the contracted Greater Western Sydney midfielder.

The Blues reportedly flew both Shiel and his manager Paul Connors on a private jet to Noosa as part of their pitch for the Giants on-baller, with Brendon Bolton, Stephen Silvagni, Brad Lloyd, Chris Judd and club powerbroker Bruce Mathieson in attendance on the flight.

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AFL.com.au reported on Tuesday that the Hawks were firmly in the box seat for Shiel, despite their bid being worth no more than around $900,000 per season. Carlton and St Kilda are believed to be offering Shiel well over $1 million a season to return to Victoria.

The Hawks are currently in possession of pick 14 at this year's NAB AFL Draft and may have to also hand over a future first-round draft selection in order to complete any deal.

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Hawthorn is also well placed to secure Gold Coast youngster Jack Scrimshaw, as well as Port Adelaide wingman Karl Amon as the club looks to bolster its depth going into 2019.

AFL.com.au reported on Tuesday that the Hawks and the Saints were eyeing off a move for Amon, who requested a trade back to his native Victoria two weeks ago.

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It followed news that Scrimshaw was also seeking a return to his home state, with reports on foxfooty.com.au that the young defender had met with the Hawks last week.

Hawthorn currently holds picks 14, 32, 50 and 86 at the upcoming NAB AFL Draft and will likely use those selections to facilitate trades for Shiel, Amon and Scrimshaw.

Neale likely to be the first domino 

Lachie Neale is set to be the first domino to fall during the NAB AFL Trade Period, with Brisbane in the box seat to prize the talented midfielder away from Fremantle.

AFL.com.au reports that Neale is likely to agree to a five-year contract with the Lions worth around $4 million and could tell the Dockers of his intentions to request a trade imminently.

Brisbane has long been courting Neale, who is contracted for next season, with the Lions likely to give up their first-round draft pick in exchange for the highly rated midfielder.

Neale's move could spark a series of deals being completed, with Fremantle interested in Jesse Hogan and with Melbourne hoping to negotiate a trade for Steven May.

Power defender set for Suns

Gold Coast is firming to complete a trade for Jack Hombsch after the Port Adelaide defender fell out of favour at the club, according to reports in the Adelaide Advertiser.

It was reported by AFL.com.au last month that Hombsch and fellow Power backman Jasper Pittard had been put on the trade table, after slipping down the pecking order at the club.

The Suns have reportedly since moved into the box seat to secure Hombsch, who is under contract in 2019 but has been told he can explore his options after 14 games this season.

Dropped three times throughout the year, Hombsch will be looking for a fresh start at Gold Coast, with the Suns in possession of picks 2, 18, 26, 29, 38, 41 and 74 to complete a trade. 

Big Blue on the trade table

Carlton has told out-of-favour forward Levi Casboult that it would be open to trading him this month, despite him still being contracted through until the end of 2019.

Already on the fringes of Carlton's best 22 and with high flying Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern likely to arrive via trade, Casboult could search for opportunities elsewhere.

Casboult didn't feature for the Blues in the final five games of last season, with the club preferring youngsters Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning up forward.

However, his manager has revealed to AFL.com.au he remains likely to stay at Ikon Park.