With the AFL mid-season draft fast approaching, the idea of a trade period to match has been suggested by CEO Gillon McLachlan for the league's future.
If a mid-season trade-period was to be implemented into the 2019 season, there would be a few names circling the trade block and here's who might just be making a move mid-year.
Potential suitors: Melbourne, Essendon
Once a livewire and key component of the Tigers' 2017 premiership campaign, Butler has struggled to keep up with the standard shown by Damien Hardwick's best 22. In 2018, Butler produced strong parallels with his flag-winning debut season but has struggled to find that same consistency in 2019.
The 23-year-old has battled for selection in Richmond's VFL side this season after playing the first three games of the year before being dropped from the Tigers' lineup.
A keen-eye for goal and a menace to defenders with his ability to press, Butler would certainly add much-needed energy to Victorian rivals Essendon and Melbourne.
A third round selection might just get the job done, with Richmond's small forward/midfield stocks at a surplus, but still expect the Tigers to play hard-ball. Both the Bombers and Demons could think about offering a second-round selection for Butler and receive a third/fourth in return.
Potential suitors: Essendon, Carlton, Fremantle
Drafted as the Pies' top pick in 2015, Sier's development under Nathan Buckley found its tune in 2018, amassing 12 games with a 19.5 disposal average.
Collingwood boasts one of the strongest midfield depths in the league, something Sier has found to be a tough assignment to break into in 2019 as he is yet to play at AFL level.
Carlton and Essendon are both in need of a big-bodied, two-way midfielder in hope of reaching a finals campaign in the near-future, and Sier may just be the player to fill that void.
It seems hard to read just how well Buckley ranks Sier within the Holden Centre, but with strong numbers for both Collingwood's AFL and VFL sides he certainly won't let him walk for nothing.
Expect the Pies to ask for a second round pick if sides coming chasing the 21-year-old's signature. Essendon wouldn't shy away from Collingwood's offer but would have an argument to offer less for a player who's yet to play first-team football in 2019.
As for the Blues, they may be the more desperate of the two for Sier. The Blues are showing improvement this season, but still need a partner for Patrick Cripps on the inside of the contested play. A second round pick from the Blues might get a deal done with Sier and a third round in exchange.
Potential suitors: Hawthorn, Adelaide
A 2019 finals spot looks on the horizon for the Lions, with a stronger cover of young, prolific players quickly cementing spots under Chris Fagan as the season progresses.
Tom Cutler managed career highs for disposals, marks and games for Brisbane in 2018, but is yet to see a consistent run this year. Cutler missed selection for the first five rounds this season before being named against Queensland rivals Gold Coast in round six. Three games later Cutler was omitted from the side and once again faces a tough battle to return to AFL level.
A smooth, versatile athlete that can cover any position on the ground, Cutler's trade stock is certainly high for an out-of-favour player. Able to supply run past the centre of the field and play as both a tall and small defender, Cutler would comfortably fit into several clubs across the league.
Hawthorn's midfield depth has taken a hit in 2019 and in consequence so has their finals hopes. If the Hawks want to make a substantial push for the top eight, Cutler might just be a much-needed outfit in this mid-season to fit in as an on-ball/defensive threat. A third-round pick would be enough you'd think.
Adelaide finds themselves right in the middle of the top eight with a growing concern with injuries. If the Crows want to return to finals and push deep into the season, they will need fresher legs. Injuries to Tom Doedee, Paul Seedsman and Wayne Milera have forced Don Pyke to pick second and third string options.
A deal between the Crows and Brisbane could see out a third round pick for Cutler, but expect the Lions to want something in return to help their potential finals campaign. With midfielder Bryce Gibbs out of Pyke's best side, a deal for Cutler along with a second or third round pick for Gibbs could be on the cards.
Potential suitors: North Melbourne, Hawthorn
An agile and silky forward with plenty of room to grow, Dale has continued to flirt with AFL selection at the Bulldogs with consistent performances in the VFL. Following the shock retirement of tall-forward Tom Boyd, the Western Bulldogs now find themselves with a large void in their forward line selections.
If Dale fails to secure a starting spot for the Dogs, then he may start looking to find a role at another club, with a number of suitors in play.
Hawthorn and North Melbourne would both be welcoming sides for Dale, with room for a clean, scoring medium-sized forward in high demand by both clubs.
32 goals in 40 games since debuting for the Bulldogs in 2015, Dale has moulded into a versatile option for the dogs, but wouldn't attract much in return through a trade. A fourth-round selection would comfort the Bulldogs' interest.
Potential suitors: Essendon, Melbourne, Hawthorn
The emergence of Elliott 'Big Easy' Himmelberg in the Crows' forward line structure might just be the beginning of the end for Jenkins' time in South Australia.
At 30-years-old and struggling to make selection, Jenkins is facing the twilight of his career, or at least with Adelaide.
278 goals from 140 career matches prove that Jenkins can still offer a great deal of experience and strength for a club in need of a secondary forward, with several clubs reportedly interested in bringing Jenkins home to Victoria.
Essendon, Hawthorn and Melbourne all find themselves searching for a catalyst for their attacking formula, and an out-of-favour Jenkins could just be that.
Joe Daniher's season-ending injury, Jarryd Roughead's exclusion at Hawthorn and the Demons continuing to struggle in front of goal all suggest a change of action is a necessity.
A mid-season trade between the Crows and either of these clubs would see Jenkins flourish in a new environment. For a deal to get done you would likely need an exchange of picks between second and fourth round selections with Jenkins.
Potential suitors: Carlton, Gold Coast, Sydney
Williams is another option who has fallen out of a consistent role at one club and could walk into one at another. A tough, pacey runner off half-back who becomes a threat the second his side are back on the ball.
Luke Beveridge has had an experimental season with his back-line in 2019, with the likes of Caleb Daniel, Hayden Crozier and Lewis Young all finding roles for the Bulldogs in defence, lowering Williams' chances of selection.
Aging half-backs Kade Simpson and Jarrod Harbrow will soon need cover having hit the last hurdles of their career and Heath Grundy's retirement has opened up the Swans' back-line availability, meaning there are spots for Williams throughout the league.
The Bulldogs won't be looking to give Williams up for steak knives though, with Matt Suckling also facing the twilight of his career. A late second/early third round pick might just entice the Dogs into a deal.
Potential suitors: Carlton, North Melbourne, Fremantle, Melbourne
It's not hard to see that Jarryd Roughead's form has dipped with age since winning three consecutive premierships with Hawthorn, leading to the 32-year-old to play out round eight of this year in the VFL.
Several clubs across the league are battling with depleted forward-line stocks and having to depend on youth to fill the void.
For a player who's set to retire in the next year or two, a deal to move Roughead away from Hawthorn may sound like a poor idea. For a fourth or fifth round pick, clubs could invest into the future with a coaching deal for Roughead post-football. A move similar to ex-teammate Sam Mitchell's trade to West Coast in the 2016 trade period.
Carlton, Fremantle, Melbourne and the Kangaroos have all backed young, inexperienced forwards to lead their 2019 campaign, with some hoping for a late finals push. Not many options available for a mid-season trade would bring a stronger finals experience and presence than Roughead.