Alix Tauru is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing AFL storylines following ongoing speculation regarding his future at St Kilda.
Tauru is contracted for next year, but was revealed to have toured Gold Coast's facilities in recent weeks.
Despite the speculation, the Saints were keen on extending his time at Moorabbin for four years. And yet the latest word out of St Kilda is that it is open to a trade.
All the while, Tasmania looms as a late 2027 destination ahead of its introduction to the AFL.
With all this in mind, could Tauru be the first AFL player to engage in an NRL-style trade?
Now hear me out.
In the NRL, it is not uncommon for players to be signed by three clubs in three years, especially when considering the PNG Chiefs' introduction to the competition in 2028.
Jarome Luai, a four-time premiership Penrith Panther, has played for Wests Tigers across 2025-26. However, halfway through this year he signed for 12 months with the Parramatta Eels for 2027 before landing at the Chiefs for season 2028.
Connor Watson is currently at the Sydney Roosters and has agreed to join the St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2027 before heading to PNG.
Laui and Watson's 2027 clubs (Eels and Dragons) knew the pair were joining the expansion side, but agreed to the 12-month contract.
But deals like this, at least publicly, have never been ticked off in the AFL.
Sure, there have been players that filed through three clubs in three years, such as Brodie Grundy (2022-2024; Collingwood, Melbourne and Sydney) and Jacob Townsend (2019-2021; Richmond, Essendon and Gold Coast).
But those moves were never locked in. Could Tauru be the first?
The Saints are open to moving the former Pick 10 on from the club if the deal is right.
The Suns would be interested in his services, but if rivals know St Kilda is willing to negotiate, more would line up.
Sydney has been mentioned in the Tauru conversation; North Melbourne has the financial lure to get him to turn his head.
But which club would sign a raw, talented utility like Tauru, knowing he could potentially join Tasmania?
Well, for starters, a club like the Kangaroos could use the 12 months to convince the right-footer to remain at Arden Street, depending on improved on-field results as well as a lucrative deal.
The Swans' advantage would be their consistent ability to contend for premierships, and given their list profile, they don't look like dropping outside the finals race any time soon.
The lure of the Sydney lifestyle, which is the same play up at Gold Coast, has been used successfully on players in the past.
So, is any of this suggesting that this will happen? No.
But maybe not yet. Trade talks and speculation around AFL players' futures are shrouded in secrecy and concealment.
There are plenty of dos and don'ts regarding player movement in the AFL competition, unlike the NRL.
