Awkward standoff set to muddy AFL trade period as clubs, players prepare to make moves

Melbourne looms as one of the biggest stories of the trade period. Not only do their two best midfielders want out, the club is steadfast neither Clayton Oliver or Christian Petracca have a route out.

Oliver wants to be traded to Geelong, though he's yet to formally tell the Demons of his wish after the board late last week shut down any possibility of him moving down the highway.

This was partly due to an understanding the Cats cannot compensate Melbourne at the trade table. A future first rounder for a four-time best and fairest, even with his off-field issues, doesn't cut it.

LIVE UPDATES: Follow grand final day for NRLW, NRL

IN PICTURES: Forgotten Origin hero headlines NRL class of retirees

READ MORE: Jets stunned by late try in State Championship thriller

Besides, Geelong list boss Andrew Mackie has his eyes firmly set on wantaway on-baller Bailey Smith, who is out of contract.

This won't be a straightforward trade between the Western Bulldogs and Cats, whose first draft pick has drifted to 17 and will seep into the 20s by draft night. The Dogs will argue they are losing a gun midfielder in his prime. The opposite view is Smith is out of contract and coming off a torn ACL.

Expect the Dogs to butt heads with Geelong on Smith, and also with St Kilda on Jack Macrae, who is a three-time All-Australian and contracted until the end of 2027 at Whitten Oval.

This gives the Dogs more leverage in discussions with the Saints, who are not keen to part with pick 27 for the left-footer.

St Kilda's draft position is strong, boasting picks seven and eight. They've also told Port Adelaide ruck Ivan Soldo he can slot in alongside Rowan Marshall in their best team.

The Power are unlikely to play hard-ball with Soldo, but would like a 2024 or 2025 second rounder back in return given he has two years remaining on a deal.

Of bigger significance for Port is bringing in Jack Lukosius from Gold Coast, whose back-ended salary was due to exceed $2.1 million across 2025 and 2026 at the Suns.

The Power have a six-year contract for Lukosius but no selections until pick 39, so futures may be required to do this deal.

Alternatively, a bumper deal for All-Australian Dan Houston would hand Port the picks they need to re-enter the draft and bring Lukosius in.

Houston, who is contracted until the end of 2027, has requested a trade to a Victorian club. Although he didn't nominate Carlton, the Blues have been his preferred landing spot since he went cold on Melbourne.

North Melbourne and Collingwood are in the mix for very different reasons. The Roos have the draft picks to satisfy Port, and even though Alastair Clarkson has chatted directly to Houston, they are yet to win him over.

The Pies don't have the draft picks, but are making a bold play to acquire the Suns' pick 13 for John Noble, who requested a trade there with two years remaining on his contract.

Gold Coast is less interested in this year's draft and keener to stockpile picks for 2025, all thanks to another promising academy intake. As a result, pick 13 is for sale to the highest bidder, so long as it includes at least one selection for next year.

Carlton is also in the running for pick 13 and, like the Pies, it would make their pursuit of Houston more palatable.

Blue Matt Owies is on the trade table, as is contracted midfielder Matt Kennedy. Both are yet to attract serious interest from rivals.

North's trade play appears clear: Bring experience in to complement youth. To that end, Jack Darling will arrive from West Coast for a late pick on a two-year deal. Luke Parker will also find his way to Arden Street from Sydney, while Caleb Daniel is weighing up an offer from the Kangaroos.

GWS has lukewarm interest in Jake Stringer and an eye on Dylan Shiel, who are open to explore multi-year offers from rivals. Essendon would consider a trade for both, but to this point have been relatively inactive from a player acquisition perspective.

The Giants will also negotiate a trade to send James Peatling to Adelaide after he requested a move there last week. The Crows tabled a four-year deal and trumped several rivals post-season. But list boss Jason McCartney will seek to hold onto midfielder Xavier O'Halloran, who wants to play for the Dogs on a multi-year deal but is contracted to the Giants until the end of 2025.

Alex Neal-Bullen's move to the Crows could be the first of the trade period on Monday. The Demons aren't standing in his way after the premiership player requested a move to South Australia for family reasons. Pick 28 looks the most likely payment for the utility.

Richmond's list team may as well position themselves in Perth for the next week thanks to Fremantle's interest in Shai Bolton and West Coast's keenness on Liam Baker.

The uncontracted Baker waited until Andrew McQualter was appointed before confirming his desire to be an Eagle. Bolton has four years remaining on a deal but wants to return to Perth for family reasons. Is he worth picks 10 and 11? Richmond believes so, whereas the Dockers disagree.

Regardless, the Tigers will enter the 2024 national draft with a suite of picks like we haven't seen since GWS joined the competition. They are gunning for Gold Coast's pick 6 for Daniel Rioli, who also wants out despite winning the best and fairest last week. Tom Lynch confirmed to 9News last week he is going nowhere after speculation a rival could poach him and his $1.4 million salary.

The Eagles plan to get pick 14 from Hawthorn for Tom Barrass, then use that as part of the Baker trade. Contracted Hawks midfielder Finn Maginness has drawn interest from rivals.

Last but definitely not least there are the premiers, Brisbane, which will attempt to fill a $900,000 void left following Joe Daniher's retirement.

Tim Membrey could be an option as a free agent, though it would still leave the Lions short of a second ruck. Their main focus is on acquiring the draft points to bring Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall in under the league's father-son and Next Generation Academy system.

Last year West Coast had a look at Lion Devon Robertson, who ultimately elected to stay, but don't be surprised if this is explored again given his lack of senior games in 2024.

The trade period runs from 9am Monday to 7.30pm on October 16.