Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie has conceded talks with St Kilda over a trade for Rowan Marshall have had "challenges", with the Cats also looking to satisfy Essendon over a deal for defender Jordan Ridley.
The Cats aren't looking to part with their opening selection for next month's draft - currently Pick 14 - in either trade deal, while the Saints are said to be keen on a first-round pick as well as a player in return for their ruckman.
Quizzed on where negotiations sit between both clubs, Mackie said there is some uncertainty over how a trade will be struck with the Saints.
"It's hard to see (when a deal gets done) right now," Mackie said.
"There's some challenges to that deal, but we've committed to Rowan that we'll try and make it happen.
"We've been clear with them about what it looks like from our point of view, and the first-round pick's pretty valuable, obviously pre-Tasmania."
Mackie noted talks with Essendon over a trade for Ridley are "in an OK spot", with wantaway Cats utility Jack Bowes potentially an option to add to Geelong's offer.
Outside of Bowes, the Cats are confident they won't need to trade a player to get both Ridley and Marshall through the door, while also holding hope they can retain their top draft pick for 2026.
"We're hopeful that that's not needed. We feel like we've got plenty there," Mackie said of trading players.
"Pick 14 is of real value to us, just given what's going to transpire in the competition.
"I feel like we've got enough that we can get the trades done. But when you've got contracted players that want to come to your club, it doesn't make it easy on us.
"We've got intentions to try and bring them in, but we understand that there is always a scenario where they're held to their club that they're contracted to.
The Cats have been recently linked to Sydney's Nick Blakey, however Mackie was quick to hose down any idea of a trade for the All-Australian defender.
"No, there hasn't (been discussions)," Mackie said.
"I got asked about that the other day. It's not something that we've thought about, haven't needed to. The hypotheticals this time of year, I completely understand.
"There's obviously been a lot of conversations about certain players from the Swans, but my understanding is he's got a long-term contract up there."
Sydney, too, knocked back the thought of trading Blakey this off-season.
