West Coast utility Jarrod Brander is believed to be heading for the exit at Lathlain Park, with a return to Victoria potentially on the cards.
Reports emerged earlier this month that the 22-year-old would not be offered a new deal past the 2021 season, with Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett stating the club will work with Brander throughout the trade window.
"If Jarrod is a tradable player, we'll see if someone's got some interest in Jarrod," Nisbett told ABC Radio.
"After that we'll see what happens from that point on, but we'll make decisions post the trade period."
Midfielder
Disposals
Marks
Inside50s
Brander first joined the Eagles via the 2017 National Draft as a first-round selection and tall-forward prospect, but has since emerged into a formidable winger for West Coast.
With plenty left to offer at AFL level, we've named FIVE fitting homes for the Bendigo Pioneers product.
This selection comes from a number of standpoints, with the Cats needing to look into their future while remaining in contention for a premiership in 2022.
Brander would not be out of comfort at Kardinia Park after graduating from Geelong Grammar, moving back to a more familiar setting.
Should the Cats also look to implement a succession plan for their three oldest onballers in Isaac Smith, Shaun Higgins and Joel Selwood in midfield, Brander could firm as a cheap option to hold down the fort on the wing for the future.
Geelong are understood to have shown interest in Brander's services in the past according to SEN's Sam Edmund, and could be likely to strike should he be available for a move back to his home state.
“I believe Geelong has an ongoing interest in Jarrod Brander, he was a boarder at Geelong Grammar before being drafted high and I’m told there’s an ongoing interest there," Edmund said last month.
“The Cats think they can turn him into something special.”
The Hawks have been building an exciting young list ahead of Sam Mitchell's arrival, with the likes of Changkuoth Jiath, Dylan Moore, James Worpel, Will Day and Denver Grainger-Barras among those 22 years or under.
Mitchell has inherited a youthful side that will need to bide its time to have an impact in the top-eight, with a number of holes needing to be plugged.
The Hawks have already bid farewell to club great Shaun Burgoyne, while endurance athlete Tom Scully also announced his retirement in 2021.
Should Hawthorn be looking to add young talent that can offer explosive run at a small price, Brander may just be their man.
An arrival at Waverley would see Brander join a versatile midfield ensemble at the Hawks, with Lachie Bramble, Connor Downie, Jai Newcombe and Tom Phillips adding plenty of support to star duo Tom Mitchell and Jaeger o'Meara.
Despite working their way back from an extensive finals drought last year, the Saints entered 2021 with the second oldest list in the competition.
An injection of youth and speed could be what places the Saints back on track next year, with a midfield reshuffle looking imminent ahead of 2022.
The Saints will look to build around star onballer and best and fairest winner Jack Steele, with Zak Jones and Jack Billings also commanding minutes in the middle.
Duo Seb Ross and Luke Dunstan were placed on the wings throughout periods of this season, with renowned runner Brad Hill finding time in defence to offer the Saints attack from the back.
Dunstan's time at Moorabbin is over, leaving an opening in Brett Ratten's engine room for the 2022 season.
The Saints could utilise Brander as the ideal option out wide, while also moving him forward to work alongside Max King, Tim Membrey and Rowan Marshall as an attacking asset.
The Magpies flagged for a quieter trade period this off-season, looking for bargain buys and cheaper options to bolster their list under newly-appointed coach Craig McRae.
Collingwood have landed Bulldog Patrick Lipinski and Cats tall Nathan Kreuger this exchange window, while also heading to the draft to add further youth.
Brander would be seen as a viable addition to fill either multiple roles across all thirds of the ground, giving Lipinski and Kreuger more definition in their placing at the Holden Centre.
Brander is able to offer plenty of run for the Magpies and can also slot into a key-position to aid either defence or attack for McRae's side.
With emerging gun Josh Daicos likely to land more minutes deeper into the midfield, Brander could slot into a spot on McRae's wing for 2021.