The Hawks' decision to move on Mitchell and the looming trade of  Lewis have not been a result of salary cap pressure to squeeze in new arrivals Ty Vickery, Tom Mitchell and probably Jaeger O'Meara but will instead create room for other potential recruits next year. The departure of Mitchell and Lewis will create an extra million dollars space in their cap to front-end contracts for next year and give them the scope to go after a free agent. Fremantle star Nat Fyfe and Richmond midfield champion Dustin Martin are among those who will become eligible for free agency next year. The Hawks want to reshape their list profile and in particular their midfield, mindful that four more veterans will be out of contract at the end of next year and all likely to retire.

Hawthorn and Melbourne met on Monday to discuss a trade for Lewis, who reiterated his desire to move to the Demons. Melbourne's original offer for Lewis last week was for pick 66. Hawthorn then said they wanted to keep the contracted player prompting the Demons to guarantee a third year and slightly more money in the contract offer to Lewis, something Hawthorn believes should be better reflected in the trade terms. With just three days left in the trade period Hawthorn's discussions with Gold Coast about Jaeger O'Meara remain tense.

Richmond are trying to work with the Suns on a deal for Dion Prestia, but discussions have not moved substantially. The Suns want Richmond's pick six but the Tigers want one of the Suns' four picks in the 20s back for that.

Gold Coast and Port Adelaide have discussed a pick swap in which the Power could use their future first-round pick to get two picks in the 20s this year. Other clubs including the Giants are keen on gaining one or more of the Suns' selections. The Suns want to bundle picks for players not more picks.

Pearce Hanley is expected to move from Brisbane to the Suns with a deal for the defender close on Monday night. He could be part of a deal involving Port.

The strong possibility remains that Brett Deledio will return to Richmond and play out his contract there next year with the Tigers and Cats no closer to negotiating a trade.

The Tigers want Josh Caddy but the Cats have been adamant that they will not let him leave.

Billie Smedts has been raised as an alternative to complete Zach Tuohy's move from Carlton to Geelong after the contracted Darcy Lang said he did not want to be traded. The Smedts trade appeared a slight possibility on Monday.

Adelaide and Carlton have had discussions about a possible trade for Bryce Gibbs and were due to talk again early Tuesday, with the Giants interested observers of what unfolds and the impact on their negotiations with Carlton for Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett, James Stewart and Rhys Palmer. Essendon has also had interest in Stewart.

Gibbs has three years to run on his contract which means the Blues may not need to budge until the Crows come up with a suitable offer.

Carlton is interested in the Crows' pick 13 to help do the deal with the Giants for that group of players and avoid having to use their pick 5 in that exchange, but they ideally want a future first-round pick or a nominated senior player as well from the Crows for the Gibbs deal.

Sydney forward Xavier Richards has asked the club to trade him, after the Swans and his management could not reach a new deal.

Koby Stevens is expected to move to St Kilda from the Bulldogs by Tuesday or Wednesday, most likely for a low-key pick swap.

A trade sending Joel Hamling from the Dogs to Fremantle should go through smoothly. The Dockers hold picks 35 and 43, either of which could be used. Nathan Hrovat will also move to North Melbourne, which secured Giants midfielder Paul Ahern on Monday, or Carlton.