THE SYDNEY Swans' chances of securing Brisbane Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger have received a boost with the trade restrictions on the Sydney Swans to be eased.
Securing the free agent's signature has become a race in three with the Swans understood to be competing with Essendon and Fremantle however Leuenberger is not expected to make a decision on his future until after the finals.
Peter Ryan on the Lions' big trade questions
With his departure almost certain, the Lions declared the contracted Stefan Martin off-limits this week and are expected to play hard-ball with any contracted players who want out.
Collingwood remains the favourite to win Lion James Aish's signature but some rival clubs suspect Hawthorn could yet swoop in late to snare the on-baller.
Aish is yet to inform the Lions that he wants a trade, but equally has given no indication that he is about to sign the three-year contract the club has had on the table for much of this year.
Speculation is that one of Aish's suitors is still participating in the finals.
In a year when ruckmen appear in demand, Matthew Kreuzer looks more certain to stick with the Blues under new coach Brendon Bolton.
Gold Coast's Zac Smith visited Melbourne this week and met with Geelong and Essendon, but also remains on the radar of the Sydney Swans.
The ruckman seems likely to leave Metricon Stadium after Tom Nicholls established himself as the Suns' No.1 ruckman this year, but he is yet to inform Gold Coast that he wants a trade.
However, Seb Tape is close to re-signing with the Suns, with the parties finalising the details of a new deal.
A nightmare run of knee and hamstring injuries has limited Tape to 14 senior games in the past three seasons, but Gold Coast has not lost faith in 2010's No.13 draft pick.
Fremantle and Richmond have emerged as early contenders in the chase for Harley Bennell.
It is believed the Dockers met with Bennell last weekend while he was in Perth but up to five Victorian clubs are understood to be doing their due diligence on the prodigiously talented 22-year-old.
Gold Coast's initial asking price could be two first-round draft picks, which could include a 2016 pick under the new futures trading rules, but Bennell's true market worth is unlikely to emerge until rivals start to make firm offers.
The Suns will look to add experience to the line-up during the trade period but are yet to consider the potential options in detail with the value realised from the Bennell and Charlie Dixon trades still unknown.
Hawthorn's discussions with Ryan Schoenmakers are understood to be positive, but the swingman's performances in the finals could shed further light on his value.
The Western Bulldogs are understood to have offered Michael Talia a new two-year deal, but the key defender is yet to recommit and has been linked with a possible move to join elder brother Daniel at Adelaide.
Although St Kilda and Carlton have emerged as the most ardent suitors of Bomber Jake Carlisle, rival clubs believe the Bulldogs could yet re-enter the race for the key defender if Talia decides to leave.
However AFL.com.au understands the Bulldogs have not changed their initial decision not to pursue Carlisle.
Out-of-contract Port Adelaide utility Andrew Moore will explore opportunities at rival clubs after playing just five senior games this season despite outstanding form in the SANFL. The No.9 pick in the 2009 national draft is a Victorian, but won't necessarily seek a move back to his home state.
Moore's Power teammate John Butcher should remain at Alberton Oval in 2016, with Port likely to offer the key forward a new one-year deal.
The future of unrestricted free agent Jarrad Grant remains up in the air.
The tall forward enjoyed a solid 2015 season, playing 19 senior games, but the Western Bulldogs have yet to offer him a new contract and a firm rival suitor is yet to emerge.
Port Adelaide spearhead Jay Schulz remains in contract limbo, as he continues to consider an offer from the Power and a more lucrative two-year deal with Fremantle.
Schulz's decision is complicated by Port's pursuit of Charlie Dixon and Fremantle's desire to lure contracted Greater Western Sydney forward Cameron McCarthy home.
Port Adelaide remains in the box seat to land Dixon in the trade period, however will likely have to offer more than their first-round draft pick, currently No.10, to satisfy the Suns.
Fremantle remain long odds to snare McCarthy this year, with the Giants adamant they expect the key forward to honour the final two years of his contract, however what the Dockers might offer remains to be seen.
Rival clubs remain confident Scott Selwood will join brother and Geelong captain Joel at Simonds Stadium next year despite recent speculation the West Coast vice-captain was set to re-sign with the Eagles.
The Eagles announced on Friday they had re-signed experienced defender Sam Butler but there remained no word on Selwood's future.
The Eagles are hopeful Lewis Jetta will return to West Australia and haven't ruled out Lions' midfielder Jack Redden although satisfying the Lions' demands might be difficult. If Selwood does leave, the potential to do a deal with the Lions might depend on the compensation received.
Talented Geelong midfielder Jarrad Jansen is also understood to be interested in a trade to obtain senior opportunities. The inside midfielder was in good form at the Cats but could not push past Joel Selwood, Josh Caddy, Cam Guthrie or George Horlin-Smith.
The Cats also re-signed veteran Jimmy Bartel on a one-year deal that will keep him at the club in 2016 and most still expect Lachie Henderson to end up at Geelong.
Out-of-contract Collingwood runner Paul Seedsman could find a new home in 2016, with North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions and Adelaide all believed to be interested in the defender/wingman.
