Ahead of what is expected to be another explosive trade and free-agency period, we take a club-by-club look at the dramas on the cards for the next few weeks.
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ADELAIDE
Who's in play?
Everything revolves around the Patrick Dangerfield situation. The Crows need to get maximum compensation for a franchise player. A potential deal with Geelong could involve the two clubs agreeing to trade without the Crows officially matching the Dangerfield offer. That way the Crows can use the AFL compensation pick in an exec age of picks and players. They should end up with the Cats' first-round pick in any event.
What's the priority?
Another superstar midfielder, obviously. Can they somehow land something close to that with the salary cap room now available? Collingwood's Paul Seedsman could be another trade target.
BRISBANE LIONS
Who's in play?
James Aish has been told he must either re-sign or nominate for the draft, turning up the heat on their former No.7 who has been linked to Collingwood but could just easily stay. Jack Redden has requested a trade and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is another player reportedly leaving. The Western Bulldogs would love to get their hands on Stefan Martin. Jed Adcock was delisted but wants to play on somewhere else.
Staying or going? Lions midfielder James Aish. Photo: Getty Images
What is the priority?
Perhaps just avoiding a mass exodus, however they have irons in the fire and are confident they can nail a trade for Geelong midfielder Jarrad Jansen. Could potentially make a play for one of West Coast's back-up big men Callum Sinclair and Scott Lycett, and have shown interest in Tigers defender David Astbury and Carlton hard-man Tom Bell.
CARLTON
Who's in play?
There is no way Lachie Henderson will be at the club next year and Richmond is closing in on Chris Yarran. Queensland-born Tom Bell has attracted a "go home" pitch from Brisbane, but he is contracted. Crucially, they were able to re-sign Matthew Kreuzer, but the future of another big man, Robbie Warnock, remains unclear.
What's the priority?
List manager Stephen Silvagni is reportedly planning a raid on up to four GWS youngsters – wingman Liam Sumner (No.10 draft pick), defender Lachie Plowman (No.3), goalsneak Jed Lamb (No.21) and former rookie-listed ruckman Andrew Phillips.
Some established key-position help would be nice, too, which is why Geelong's Josh Walker and Essendon's Jake Carlisle are on the radar.
Matthew Kreuzer is staying with the Blues. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo
COLLINGWOOD
Who's in play?
Some potential comings and goings here, making them a major player. Expected to make gains, but the loss of former No.10 Nathan Freeman, who has nominated St Kilda as his preferred destination, will off-set that a bit. Paul Seedsman is also considering a move.
Battling injury: Paul Seedsman is in doubt for Friday night's game against Geelong. Photo: Getty Images
What's the priority?
Will land the second biggest fish in the trade sea in GWS midfielder Adam Treloar in a deal that could cost them a first-round draft pick this year and maybe a second-round in next year's. Still in the hunt for Brisbane's James Aish, which would reinforce an emerging midfield.
ESSENDON
Who's in play?
Set to lose another high-rated key position player, this time swingman Jake Carlisle. If he goes to another club and fulfils the All-Australian-calibre talent some feel he has, it will be another crushing blow. Jake Melksham has officially told the club he wants out, with Melbourne in the box seat. What happens to Brent Stanton?
What's the priority?
A ruckman. Gold Coast's Zac Smith would be a prime pick-up if he wants to come, or Brisbane's Matthew Leuenberger. The next month will be a good test of just how "on the nose" the Bombers are, or will potential targets embrace a new coach and a fresh start?
Set to go: Jake Carlisle. Photo: Getty Images
FREMANTLE
Who's in play?
The Dockers don't tend to lose many, although Luke McPharlin's retirement leaves one hole. This trade period could be pivotal as to whether the club surges further towards a premiership or drops down and reloads.
What's the priority?
Offence, offence and more offence. They need a key forward and are circling GWS young gun Cam McCarthy, despite the fact he has two years to run on his contract and the Giants say he's untouchable. Could rival Geelong for trade-period impact if they could get McCarthy and Gold Coast's troubled star Harley Bennell. The Dockers appear to have a clear run at the West Australian if they are prepared to take the gamble. Don't be surprised if North Melbourne's Aaron Black also emerges in the conversations about Ross Lyon's team.
The Dockers are targeting GWS' Cam McCarthy. Photo: Getty Images
GEELONG
Who's in play?
They just need to do the deal for you-know-who, and Patrick Dangerfield is keen to make sure the Cats don't have give up too much. Whether the Cats have to let go a promising youngster will be one of the intriguing elements to this. The club's supporters breathed a sigh of relief when they re-signed Steve Motlop. Josh Walker might figure there is more opportunity at Carlton.
Josh Walker. Photo: Getty Images
What's the priority?
The Cats have their fingers in more pies than anyone, hoping to pull off a stunning trade triple threat by adding Lachie Henderson and West Coast's Scott Selwood to Dangerfield. They have cleared out veterans James Kelly and Mathew Stokes, which frees up some room. What happens to Steve Johnson looms as another big Geelong-related subplot.
GOLD COAST
Who's in play?
The Suns made the decision to cut ties with No.2 draft pick Harley Bennell, but their trade options are decreasing, and therefore, what they can demand. Richmond are the latest to pass on the exciting playmaker. Key forward Charlie Dixon has quit the club and wants to go to Port Adelaide.
Charlie Dixon wants to go to Port Adelaide. Photo: Getty Images
What's the priority?
The Suns probably have enough talent to make the finals yet, they just need to get them on the field. Replacing Dixon sets them a task, so the question is whether Rodney Eade goes hunting for another goal-kicker and key marking target. They are one of the clubs showing the most interest in Melbourne high-flyer Jeremy Howe.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Who's in play?
Adam Treloar ended the long-running commentary on his status by confirming he wanted to move to Collingwood, where he is expected to accept a lucrative six-year offer. Skilful running player Curtly Hampton could be involved in the deal.
Adam Treloar wants to move to Collingwood. Photo: Getty Images
What's the priority?
The challenge is to squeeze the most out of Collingwood as they can, and maybe even parlay whatever they get into something better. Ironically, Collingwood's is the lead they should follow in making the best of a bad situation, as they did when Dayne Beams walked out this time last year. The money they had allotted to Treloar can now also be used. The Giants haven't disappointed in their short history at trade time so there could be a surprise or two yet.
HAWTHORN
Who's in play?
Who would want to leave Hawthorn? Ryan Schoenmakers will be on the list for clubs looking for a key forward, so the challenge for the Hawks is how to hold on to the grand final heroes as well as other fringe players who might be targeted like Matt Suckling and Brendan Whitecross.
What's the priority?
The club has said publicly that they will not be as active as they have been in other years. They will go to the draft but also look to push through some of the talent who have had to wait their turn during the club's triple-premiership era. But then again, you wouldn't put anything past the Hawks, would you?
On the move? Ryan Schoenmakers. Photo: Scott Barbour
MELBOURNE
Who's in play?
Former No.4 draft pick Jimmy Toumpas has been linked to Port Adelaide, which would be a move home to South Australia. Several clubs are speaking to Jeremy Howe's management as his future remains in limbo, and the Demons could still trade Jack Watts, but only at the right price.
What's the priority?
It won't be a matter of the Demons' intent to improve the list, rather how bold they are willing to be and who wants to come. Would they use pick No.6 to target another young (but further developed) gun from GWS or Gold Coast, like they did with Dom Tyson? Essendon speedster Jake Melksham is a former No.10 pick and Paul Roos will be hoping the 24-year-old can maximise that potential at the Demons.
Linked with Port Adelaide: Jimmy Toumpas. Photo: Getty Images
NORTH MELBOURNE
Who's in play?
Key forward Aaron Black is contracted but could be open to a move back to his home state of Western Australia, bringing Fremantle into the frame. He has spent most of the year in the VFL and playing behind Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie and Ben Brown. Defender Michael Firrito has been offered a new contract for next season.
Michael Firrito will be at North in 2016. Photo: Pat Scala
What's the priority?
More outside pace and polish. You can understand North Melbourne wanting to top-up again after the Shaun Higgins and Waite success stories and Collingwood's 23-year-old Anzac Day medallist Paul Seedsman is one player who might fit. They have also been connected to Gold Coast's Aaron Hall.
PORT ADELAIDE
Who's in play?
The Power avoided losing key forward depth by coming to terms with Jay Schulz, who will now join Charlie Dixon and Paddy Ryder to give them a dangerous and flexible forward triad.
What's the priority?
Convincing Melbourne's Jimmy Tuompas could be a shrewd acquisition if they can unlock the key to his talent. They are prepared to give up a top 10 pick to sign Dixon, which seems like a worthy call.
RICHMOND
Who's in play?
The club remains confident of re-signing Ben Lennon, the former No.12 draft pick from 2013, and does not want to use him in any deal for Carlton's rebounding defender Chris Yarran. David Astbury is contracted but Brisbane have enquired about the key defender's status.
What's the priority?
The Tigers have pulled out of the race for Harley Bennell after meeting with him last week. Made a big play for Adam Treloar but were beaten to the punch by Collingwood. It seems only a matter of when and at what price for Yarran. Would they consider looking at someone like Steve Johnson?
ST KILDA
Who's in play?
The Saints don't intend to use former No.3 Jack Billings as trade bait to secure Collingwood's Nathan Freeman, but if not him, then who or what draft picks will they use to get that deal done?
What's the priority?
Alan Richardson's team is a far more appealing one to play for now and that could be ratified if the Saints can beat Carlton and the Western Bulldogs for Jake Carlisle's services and couple him with Freeman. It would be an impressive double, for sure.
SYDNEY
Who's in play?
Craig Bird has emerged as a target of several clubs and Lewis Jetta has requested a trade home to West Australia after looking out of sorts in this year's finals series.
What's the priority?
The Swans are another team in the market for big men. It's understood they have asked the Eagles whether Scott Lycett or Callum Sinclair could be involved in a trade for Jetta, and they are also monitoring the scenarios around Brisbane's Matthew Leuenberger and Gold Coast's Zac Smith.
WEST COAST
Who's in play?
Ruck duo Scott Lycett or Callum Sinclair are both on the radar of clubs despite the fact they are contracted and that the Eagles have said they are required players. Scott Selwood is weighing up whether to join his brother, Geelong captain Joel, at the Cats having missed out on the grand final team.
What's the priority?
The Eagles have had great success in recent years specifically identifying players open to the "go home factor". Lewis Jetta is one such player, as is Harley Bennell, but would they trust their culture enough to consider the Gold Coast player? Brisbane's Jack Redden would be a diversion from that, but still a pivotal addition for a team who was just one game away from a premiership.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Who's in play?
Unrestricted free agent Jarrad Grant is looking elsewhere and it would be interesting to see which club considers themselves a match for his unique style. Will Minson's currency would have increased after his performance in the elimination final against Adelaide, and there are plenty of clubs looking for a ruckman. It would be a massive shock if fringe key defender Michael Talia did not leave after the scandal that broke following the loss to the Crows.
What's the priority?
The Dogs have one of the best groups of players under 23 years old in the AFL so it's logical that they ensure there is enough money to lock in all of those future stars. But they also proved they are not too far away from seriously contending, so you can see why they would go hard after Brisbane's Stefan Martin and also have their hat in the ring for Essendon's Jake Carlisle. Both would be perfect.
