Another day done in the 2022 AFL trade period, with several stars officially finding new clubs for 2023 and beyond.
The day's events saw four deals signed and sealed, while the rumours continued to spin as we work through the busiest off-season for some time.
Here's your daily wrap from day two of the trade period
Three moves confirmed, pick swap made
Fremantle winger Blake Acres and Carlton was involved in the first trade of the day, with the Blues handing the Dockers their future third-round selection.
Collingwood landed their second fish of the off-season, reeling in free agent Daniel McStay from Brisbane. The Lions were compensated for losing the 27-year-old's services, gaining Pick 35 ahead of November's National Draft.
What was old became new again, with Liam Jones returning to the Whitten Oval on Tuesday afternoon. While the defender sat out the entirety of the 2022 season, his former club, Carlton, earned Pick 49 as compensation.
In further action for the trading floor, Melbourne improved their draft standing after landing Pick 27 from Port Adelaide in exchange for the 33rd, 43rd and 53rd selections.
The Power had initially landed the 27th pick after losing Karl Amon to the Hawks via free agency.
ACRES: Winger gets to Blues, Dockers gain future pick
MCSTAY: Collingwood signs forward, Lions gain draft compensation
JONES: Defender makes Dogs return, Blues get compensation
PICK TRADE: Demons improve standing, Port bolsters hand
TRADE HUB: Every done deal for 2022
Retired Bomber contemplating AFL return
Retiredย Essendonย forwardย Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is to be considering a return to theย AFL, with both the Bombers and Dockers listed as clubs hoping to sign the livewire goalsneak.
The situation has been raised following a 'change of circumstances' to McDonald-Tipungwuti's personal life that has opened the door for a potential return.
โSome personal circumstances have changed it's fair to say, which has meant he's had the opportunity or the inclination to reconsider. With that in mind, I think he's in a really good headspace,โ his manager Scott Lucas revealed onย Trade Radio.
โI think physically he's also in a better position than perhaps he was at the end of his time at Essendon.
"We'll just work through it all and see where it leads.โ
READ: Dockers, Dons interested in McDonald-Tipungwuti return
Demons to remain at Melbourne after Bomber talks
Essendonย are understood to have met withย Melbourne'sย James Harmes, however, the Demons midfielder looks destined to remain in red and blue.
As revealed by 7ย News'ย Mitch Cleary, Harmes is said to have met with the Bombers asย Brad Scottย looks to bolster his midfield pack for 2023.
Demons list manager Tim Lamb stated Harmes will remain at the club, however, having informed Melbourneย coachย Simon Goodwinย of his decision to stay.
"James will be playing for us, that's unequivocal," Lamb toldย AFLย Trade Radio.
READ MORE: Harmes to remain in red and blue despite Essendon linkย
Cats' talks with contracted tall, former Bomber to continue
Geelongย have confirmed there is external interest in contracted Tallย Esava Ratugolea, with the Cats containing talks with the key-position talent despite stating he's set to remain at Kardinia Park for 2023.
Cats list bossย Andrew Mackieย was certain the 24-year-old would be aย Geelongย player next season whenย speaking to media on Monday, stating that Ratugolea "will be staying with the Cats".
But a change of tune was heard when Mackie spoke onย Trade Radioย on Tuesday morning, with the three-time premiership defender revealing that while the club are keen to keep Ratugolea, the two parties are in ongoing discussions around what his future looks like.
"Esava is an interesting one," Mackie said.
"We've put games into Sav and he's been a big part of our succession plan forward of the footy. Throughout the year as a bit of a circuit breaker we sort of threw him behind the ball and he showed some really good signs as a key back."
STORY: Cats provide latest on Ratugolea, McKenna
Grundy taking pay cut with Demons deal
Outgoingย Collingwoodย ruckmanย Brodie Grundyย is reportedly set to take a pay cut in his new deal with theย Melbourneย Demons.
While Wright wasn't open to discussing the intricacies of Grundy's contract,ย The Ageย have revealed the South Australian will sacrifice some of his pay as part of his move to Melbourne.
A "small reduction" will be implemented as part of the new agreement, while Collingwood are said to be paying a portion of the contract.
Grundy's deal is said to be north of $900,000 per season, while the dual All-Australian's salary will be lower for the final two years of his deal in 2026 and 2027.
FULL STORY: Making making sacrifice to land Melbourne moveย
Tigers' trade offer for Hopper "not enough", players could be needed
GWSย list manager Jason McCartney has provided an update on negotiations between theย Giantsย andย Richmondย for wantaway midfielderย Jacob Hopper, claiming what the Tigers are currently offering for the 25-year-old is "not quite enough" to come to an agreement.
Speaking onย RSN on Tuesday morning, McCartney acknowledged Hopper's contract status gives GWS a leg-up on the Tigers, but added that previous dealings with the Punt Road club have been in good faith.
"[There's] no timeframe [on finalising a trade], and obviously, (Hopper) being in-contract, it does give you a bit more bargaining power, there's no doubt about that," McCartney said.
"We're also conscious of Richmond, and our dealings with Richmond have been really fruitful. We've been quite up-front with what they've been offering straight up, they haven't been holding back, but ultimately, what they've put on the table is everything they've got.
STORY: Giants could seek players in trade for Hopper
Where will Paddy Dow land?ย
In 2021,ย Paddy Dow's future with theย Carltonย Football Club was looking bright. After spending time in the VFL after his omission in the Round 7 win overย Essendon, the midfielder would return to the senior side, and with it solidify a permanent spot in the midfield for the rest of the season.
Fast forward to this season and Dow would be on the outer afterย Carltonย bolstered its midfield depth by acquiringย George Hewettย andย Adam Cerra. Ultimately, those additions put Dow down the pecking order, only managing two games in season 2022. Given limited opportunities at senior level, the 22-year-old was a standout forย Carlton's VFL side. Dow won the side's best and fairest after averaging 28.4 disposals, 7.8 clearances, 3.2 tackles, and 4.5 Inside 50s.
Although he is exploring his options, he is still contracted toย Carltonย until the end of 2023, meaning the club will have to negotiate with other suitors to get a deal done.
We've named five clubs in no particular order who could pursue the former number three pick.
FULL LIST: Five landing spots for Paddy Dow
Eagles set demands for Junior Rioli tarde
West Coastย having seemingly set their demands for wantaway small forwardย Junior Rioli.
Three weeks ago the 2018 Premiership player requested a trade toย Portย Adelaideย with the Eagles bitterly disappointed with his decision.
According toย NCA Newswireย reporter Marc McGowan, the Eagles have their eyes on the Power's 27th pick, which was attained after wingerย Karl Amon's departure toย Hawthornย as an unrestricted free agent.
Rioli's decision to depart hasn't sat well withย West Coast, who looked after him throughout his ASADA ban, with the club looking to get the best compensation out of the crafty small forward.
STORY: West Coast seeking Port's new pick for wantaway forwardย