While the trading floor remained silent for the majority of Friday, the league's movers and shakers were still able to get the ball rolling an a few interesting directions.
While, at present, Josh Dunkley remains a Dog and Oliver Henry a Pie, an intriguing pick swap between Geelong and Brisbane on Friday afternoon could act as the key to igniting the exchange period come Monday.
Ahead of the final few days of the silly season, stay up to date with how Friday played out.
Cats secure Giants' young gun
Geelong and GWS have agreed to terms for a trade that will see young Giants midfielder Tanner Bruhn join the Cats in a swap for Geelong's 2022 first-round pick.
Bruhn's exit is another list blow for GWS, who have already bid farewell to star midfielder Tim Taranto this week, while fellow onballer Jacob Hopper is expected to join Taranto at Richmond this off-season.
The Geelong Falcons product played 30 games for the Gaints in his two seasons with the club, averaging 10.1 disposals, 3.1 tackles and 1.9 inside 50s per game.
Bruhn joined the Giants as the 12th overall pick from the 2020 National Draft, being their first of three the top 18 selections on the night before Conor Stone and Ryan Angwin.
Geelong have handed over Pick 18 to secure Bruhn, with the addition of that selection adding to an already stellar draft hand GWS possesses for this year's count.
READ: Bruhn returns to Geelong
Cats part with spate of selections, Lions shore up hand
Geelong and Brisbane have completed a mutually beneficial pick swap, with the Cats parting with a suite of selections that should provide and avenue for wantaway Pie Oliver Henry to make his way to Kardinia Park.
The Cats sent picks 38, 48 and 55 in the 2022 National Draft north, as well as a future second and future fourth selection, in exchange for Brisbane's Round Two selection, currently listed as pick 25.
After failing to appease Collingwood's asking price for Henry with pick 38 alone, Geelong is sure to offer the Lions' former selection for the 20-year-old.
Brisbane's bounty of selections earned will now be placed into points coverage to draw blue-chip Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher to the Den.
FULL STORY: Cats, Lions complete pick swap
Eagles prepared to let Rioli walk
West Coast are reportedly prepared to let premiership-winning forward Junior Rioli walk to the pre-season draft as a potential trade with Port Adelaide continues to remain out of reach.
Rioli requested a trade to Alberton in mid-September, but with the Eagles and Power still at an impasse over the correct price for the 27-year-old, West Coast's patience is said to be fraying.
MORE: PSD walk for Rioli?
Blue Will Setterfield on Bombers' radar
Essendon is set to pursue a trade for uncontracted Blue Will Setterfield, with the Tullamarine team eyeing the ex-Giant as a prime target to bolster their inside midfield fleet.
The Dons' reinvigorated efforts to draw Setterfield from Princes Park have arisen in the wake of their fruitless chase of Suns utility Jack Bowes.
As reported by News Corp, the Bombers have narrowed their sights on the 24-year-old in the hopes that a late selection will be enough to satisfy the Blues at the trade table.
Previous reports from September suggested that Essendon held a desire to see Setterfield don the sash in 2023 in an effort to add size to their stoppage team.
DETAILS: Bombers eye Setterfield for midfield role
Duursma latest to deny move amid JHF talks
Port Adelaide's Xavier Duursma is reported to have no interest in a move to either North Melbourne or West Coast, with the young midfielder floated as the player added into trade discussions to potentially break the trade deadlock for a deal that would see Jason Horne-Francis land at Alberton.
With the Horne-Francis trade hanging in the balance, the stalemate continues, with Port Adelaide exploring all options with both North Melbourne and West Coast to accumulate enough capital to satisfy the Kangaroos.
Without enough on their own, Port have been exploring the possibility of a three-way trade involving West Coast to help them secure Horne-Francis. On top of that, they are working to secure Junior Rioli from West Coast.
However, the Eagles are said to not be happy with losing Pick 2 and Rioli for just Pick 8 and a future first-round pick and are holding firm on the need for a player to be involved as well.
With it coming to a head, Duursma was mooted as the potential candidate to break the deal open. However, the man who fell out of favour this season, playing just 11 games, is not keen to move, as reported by The Herald Sun.
STORY: Another Port name no-go for Horne-Francis trade
Cats' "insulting" offer for Henry revealed
Geelong are in full operation in their trade talks as young Collingwood player Ollie Henry is looking to move back home and develop at the Cattery.
The Cats have reportedly offered Pick 38 for the former first-rounder, according to former pies recruiter Matt Rendell, and Bombers great Matthew Lloyd cannot believe the lowball trade, which would be "insulting" to the Magpies.
Speaking on AFL trade radio, Lloyd expressed his disappointment with the offer, also suggesting that Collingwood should use their strong arm to ensure they can get the right return in a deal.
"That is insulting,” Lloyd said in his reaction to the reported offer.
READ: Lloyd critical of Cats' reported Henry offer
Giants eyeing Pick 1 to secure GWV talent
North Melbourne may have a suitor for their No.1 pick at this year's National Draft, with GWS setting their sights on securing Greater Western Victoria forward Aaron Cadman from this year's class.
The Giants are among the few clubs that hold a draft hand that might please the Roos, with News Corp suggesting the New South Wales side is pressing their case for Pick 1.
After losing Tim Taranto, the Giants currently hold Picks 3, 12, 15 and 19 along with several layer selections, with Pick 3 and two more early selections likely needed to gain Pick 1.
They're also likely to gain more top selections with the pending departures of Jacob Hopper and tanner Bruhn to Richmond and Geelong respectively.
STORY: Cadman causes Giants to move for Pick 1
Dockers and Dogs in trade stalemate
The Western Bulldogs and Fremantle look no closer to securing deal that would see ruckman Rory Lobb land at Whitten Oval in the next week.
While Fremantle have been firm in their stance, the Dockers are still in discussions with the Bulldogs over a trade for Lobb, with a draft pick likely landing with the Cockburn club.
According to 7 News' Ryan Daniels, the Dogs have offered Pick 30 for the former Giant, with Fremantle knocking back the second-round selection.
It is understood that Fremantle are wanting a pick in the range of 15-22, likely forcing the Bulldogs to deal elsewhere before coming back to the table.
STORY: Latest on Lobb discussions as talks hit wall
Young Roo pledges allegiance to Arden Street
North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas has denied any chance of an Arden Street departure this season, with the young star looking to see out the remaining two years of his contract.
Thomas' name has been raised in trade discussions in recent weeks, with both Gold Coast and Sydney having been linked to the former first-round pick.
The murmurs have come only months after Thomas re-signed with the Roos until the end of 2024, a contract decision that came prior to a frustrating campaign for the 22-year-old.
The Kangaroos stated Thomas had been required to "win back the trust" of the club in a shock decision to drop the exciting onballer midway through the season, while Thomas spent some time away from the club due to a personal matter.
Injuries also hampered his 2022 season, but the ongoing battles haven't been enough to unsettle the North Launceston product, who remains focussed on getting the best out of his career at North Melbourne.
“I've still got another two years,” Thomas told 7 News when questioned on his future. “I want to focus on my footy and do my two years at North Melbourne.
