The fear that Essendon will match any restricted free agency bid by Sydney for Joe Daniher next year and force the Swans into a deja vu trade period in 12 months remains the strongest lever to break the trade deadlock for the star forward ahead of Wednesday night's 7.30pm deadline.

The trade deal that always shaped as likely to take until the 11th hour – if it were to be done at all – is approaching that final hour.

Final hours: Will Joe Daniher get to the harbour city? Credit:Eddie Jim

Three key trades – Joe Daniher's request to become a Swan, Tom Papley and Jack Martin's wish to join Carlton – remain unresolved on the eve of the final day of AFL trading, with the Papley trade still seemingly dependent upon Daniher's trade to Sydney.

The most likely arrangement to break the Daniher deadlock appears likely to involve picks five and nine going to Essendon given that the Swans have turned down Essendon's request to include an elite player as part of the trade.