AFL trade period, day 4 RECAP: Noah Balta inks monster contract extension; Second wantaway Dog set for 'agonising' wait; Jake Stringer put on blast for 'terrible look' as Giants circle

Thank you for tuning into Wide World of Sports' coverage of day four of the AFL trade period.

We'll be back with all the latest trade news, updates and whispers.

With several influential deals still in limbo, will we see movement tomorrow?

Richmond has confirmed Noah Balta's new seven-year deal.

"I am a loyal person, and I want to repay the favour that players like David Astbury, Alex Rance, and Dylan Grimes showed me when I was younger," Balta said in a club statement.

"They pushed me to get better, and now I want to be the one helping to drive the next generation.

"I could not see myself playing anywhere else, and I think the hard work that we are about to all put in will make the future highs even sweeter."

AFL Media journalist Cal Twomey is reporting that Tigers defender Noah Balta has recommitted to the club, inking a huge seven-year extension.

The new deal will see Balta through to the end of 2032.

Balta was due to hit free agency next year.

The 2020 premiership player joins Sam Taylor, Connor Rozee, Aaron Naughton and Max King as the longest signed players in the league.

Leading AFL journalist Damian Barrett does not believe the Bombers will backflip on their one-year deal for Jake Stringer despite growing interest from the Giants.

When Essendon opted against offering Stringer a multi-year extension, the club invited him to test the market in search of a more lucrative deal with more security.

With this playing out, Barrett believes the club will not have a change of heart now.

"I'm fully supportive of what Essendon have done. They can't blink now," he told AFL Trade Radio.

According to AFL Media journalist Riley Beveridge, GWS will tentatively progress on its interest in Stringer — though a trade is not certain.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae is reportedly set for an "agonising" wait to see if his trade request to St Kilda gets done before the trade radio window closes.

Macrae requested a trade away from Whitten Oval last month, naming Moorabbin as his destination of choice.

However, the 30-year-old is contracted with the Western Bulldogs for another three years.

With this in mind, the Dogs have made it clear that they expect a suitable offer for the three-time All-Australian from the Saints.

According to AFL Media journalist Josh Gabelich, the two clubs are yet to begin negotiations to strike a deal.

"It was a month ago yesterday that he requested a trade but it has been slow going so far. Sam Power and Steve Silvagni are yet to have one conversation about Jack Macrae," he told AFL Trade Radio.

"Now there is still enough time, it is Thursday and clearly, the deadline's not until next Wednesday night.

"But this feels like a deadline day move, which would be agonising if you are the player."

Gabelich believes the length of Macrae's current contract is holding back the Saints.

"I think the complicating factor here is he's got three years to run on a really lucrative contract," he said.

"With St Kilda — we know they've got pick 27 and 47. Clearly, the Western Bulldogs are going to want that pick 27 but I can't see St Kilda parting with that for a player that's 30 [years old].

"Does 47 get it done? Is there a conversation about who pays what? I think that'll be part of the negotiation as well, but right now there's not a lot of movement."

Should other clubs enter the race for Jake Stringer?

The Sydney Swans have been relatively inactive in comparison to other clubs at this point in the trade period. 

AFL.com.au's Josh Gabelich believes the club may have a surprise up their sleeve.

"I wonder if they will make further moves behind the scenes to get someone who can help cover the loss of Luke Parker in that midfield-forward role," he said on Trade Radio.

"Clearly they see they're one short. I think they are (up to something)."

Gabelich revealed the Swans had made a late attempt at acquiring Riley Garcia before he confirmed his extension with the Western Bulldogs.

"I wasn't aware of the Riley Garcia interest until yesterday," Gabelich continued. 

"I wonder if they will pivot to someone else."

No deals have been struck in over 48 hours.

Here is a reminder of who has been traded so far.

1. Jack Graham departing Richmond for West Coast.

2. West Coast's Jack Darling heading to North Melbourne.

3. Alex Neal-Bullen landing at Adelaide Crows.

Ben Brown has opened up on the difficulty of accepting his departure from North Melbourne in 2020. 

Brown's final season at the club had been derailed by injuries, with the Kangaroos opting to go a different direction to the star at the conclusion of his contract. 

"A lot of our careers at AFL level are sliding door opportunities. You come in at the right time or the right person gives you an opportunity," he told Trade Radio. 

"North Melbourne were going through a bit of a transition period. The club were pausing all re-signings while they worked out the coaching structure.

"There was then a contract freeze in covid, so we couldn't even do it then. 

"By the time it ended, the club told me I would be best to look elsewhere."

After 11 seasons in the competition, the premiership player confirmed he would be hanging up the boots for good - with injury concerns a driving factor in his decision. 

"The back end of this year, I would play a game and my knee would take a week or two to fully recover," Brown said. 

"It was clear after that it was time to pull the pin."