As many as 14 players are still seeking trade deals just under 60 hours out from this year's player movement deadline.
The 2023 AFL Trade Period will close at 7:30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday night, with a multitude of moves likely heading toward the 11th hour of the signing and trade window as negotiations continue after the opening week.
Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and St Kilda are among the busiest clubs, with deals to see players coming and going needing to be settled in a short amount of time.
Here's where the remaining deals stand and how they might be brokered before Wednesday's deadline.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon to Port Adelaide)
The Bombers might be required to package a draft selection with Zerk-Thatcher to send him to Alberton, with Port Adelaide wingman Xavier Duursma heading the other way in that deal. It's unlikely Essendon will want to give up more than the key defender, but given Duursma's contract, age and selection as a first-round pick just five years ago, the Power have leverage.
Xavier Duursma (Port Adelaide to Essendon)
Has requested a trade to Essendon despite being signed with the Power for 2024. As mentioned above, his move is expected to come as part of a deal that sees Brandon Zerk-Thatcher head to South Australia in return. Port Adelaide will be keen on acquiring more from the deal than just a player-for-player swap, with this one likely heading to the final day of the trade period.
Esava Ratugolea (Geelong to Port Adelaide)
The Power's offer of Pick 25 seems fair for the forward-turned-defender, but given how high the Cats rate Ratugolea and the reported figures surrounding the high-flyer's expected contract with Port Adelaide, Geelong are wanting more. That selection is also likely to be pushed out closer to Pick 30 on draft night, too. Given they hold Fremantle's future second-round selection, the Cats might be keen on getting that involved.
Ivan Soldo (Richmond to Port Adelaide)
There's said to be interest from the Power and Soldo in this one, but the Tigers won't be as willing, given he's the only man standing in line behind co-captain Toby Nankervis. Soldo is contracted for next season, giving Richmond every right to hold him to his deal. Soldo isn't the only ruckman the Power is keen to add, as they could offer either Scott Lycett or Sam Hayes new deals for 2024 if their pursuit falls short.
Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs to Port Adelaide)
It is seen to be last in the queue among Port Adelaide's trade targets, with the Bulldogs ruckman left to tread water as the South Australian side looks to settle their business with others first. Sweet won't be an expensive buy for the Power, but their limited draft hand, given their interest in three other players, might still make things difficult enough. The Bulldogs could be prepared to try and re-sign Sweet if his desired move to Alberton doesn't take off.
Mabior Chol (Gold Coast to Hawthorn)
The Suns are keen on a pick higher than the future third-round selection that was tabled to them by the Hawks for Chol, who has two years to run on his contract.ย A three-club trade deal that would see the Hawks send forward Jacob Koschitzke to Richmod and then allow Chol to make the move south has also been flagged, which would likely see the Tigers send a selection to Carrara.
Massimo D'Ambrosio (Essendon to Hawthorn)
The young Bomber's move to Waverley looks to be one that could come in the 11th hour, despite D'Ambrosio being unlikely to cost the Hawks a high price. Currently equipped with Picks 4, 33, 44, 54 and 63 for this year's draft, while a late future selection could get the deal over the line. Both the Bombers and Hawks have other business to tend to, leaving D'Ambrosio among the players likely waiting for their moves to be finalised.
Paddy Dow (Carlton to St Kilda)
This one could be straightforward enough for both parties, with Dow likely costing the Saints a third or fourth-round selection. St Kilda holds Pick 56, which could please the Blues, however, a future selection might be of greater interest given Carlton's links to father-son pair Ben and Liam Camporeale for next year's draft. The pick the Blues receive for Dow could also be used in a trade for Gold Coast's Elijah Hollands.
Nick Coffield (St Kilda to Western Bulldogs)
Coffield's move west looms as one of the deals that could be first to strike this week, with the Saints wanting to add to their draft hand before furthering talks with the likes of Fremantle and Carlton for deals for Liam Henry and Paddy Dow respectively. The latter deal could include the Dogs and Coffield, with a two-player deal that involved up to four clubs floated.
Jack Gunston (Brisbane to Hawthorn)
This one surprised the Hawks, who have other business to tend to before considering a play for the Lions veteran. Gunston's request to head back to Waverley just 12 months on from his move to Queensland has come late in the piece, with Hawthorn expected to prioritise moves for Mabior Chol and Massimo D'Ambrosio. The Hawks are unlikely to be keen on giving up more than they should for a player they didn't have in their trade plans, while other Victorian clubs are likely to be keeping tabs on the situation that surrounds Gunston's future.
Shane McAdam (Adelaide to McAdam)ย
This one has been prolonged given the Crows' desire to have a player heading the other way in a deal for McAdam. South Australian Demons defender Harrison Petty has been the big name involved in these discussions, but with two years to run on his deal and his value to Melbourne it's unlikely the Victorian club will be parting with the 23-year-old. The Crows already have Picks 10, 14 and 20 for this year's draft and they're not keen to add to their hand, while Melbourne's hand of 6, 11 and 42 is unlikely to help the situation. Adelaide might be prepared to acquire a future selection from the Demons given they'll be needing additional draft points in 2024 to get access to highly-rated father-son prospect Tyler Welsh.
Elijah Hollands (Gold Coast to Carlton)
Talks between the Suns and Blues were slow to take off but it's expected negotiations will speed up over the coming days prior to the deadline. Hollands, who is under contract for 2024, could head back to Victoria and link up with his brother Ollie once Carlton settles on a deal with St Kilda that would see midfielder Paddy Dow head to Moorabbin. A future draft selection is likely to satisfy the Suns, perhaps Carlton's next second-round pick.
Jacob Koschitzke (Hawthorn to Richmond)
The Hawks reportedly requested Richmond's second-round selection for Koschitzke, which was since ballooned out to Pick 29 following a suite of additional compensation selections. It's likely the Tigers will only need to part with a third-round pick for the fringe forward, while a deal that involved Gold Coast and Hawks target Mabior Chol has been floated.
Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide to GWS)
The Power aren't likely to stand in the way of this deal if an offer arises from the Giants, with Fantasia unsigned for next season and open to finding a new home following a tenure at Alberton that consisted of battles with injury and form. The Giants could table a late draft selection for the former Bomber, while delisted free agency looms as another avenue for the New South Wales side to consider in the event Port Adelaide decides not to offer Fantasia a deal for 2024.
