The Crows have a fight on their hands to foil aggressive rival bids for out-of-contract young talls Jake Lever and Mitch McGovern. Lever has attracted feverish interest from clubs in his home state, Victoria, with the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and Collingwood his most ardent suitors. Long-term offers of up to $900,000 a season are believed to be on the table for the star defender. West Australian McGovern is being hotly pursued by West Coast, where his elder brother Jeremy plays, and Fremantle, with industry sources saying the 22-year-old could receive up to $600,000 a season to move. Adelaide is quietly confident of keeping both players, but is determined not to go outside its salary structures to do so. Of the pair, Lever appears most likely to leave. Charlie Cameron is expected to seek a trade to the Brisbane Lions, having grown up in Queensland, but the midfielder is contracted until the end of 2018 so the Crows hold the whip hand. Adelaide remains keen to bolster its midfield. It has been strongly linked with Brisbane Lions free agent Tom Rockliff and could bid again for contracted Blue Bryce Gibbs in this year's trade period, while out-of-contract Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper is also on its radar. Unrestricted free agent Andy Otten has revived his career this season, performing effective roles for the Crows at both ends of the ground. Adelaide has yet to open talks with the 28-year-old tall, but he will most likely re-sign towards the end of the season.

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The future of restricted free agent Tom Rockliff remains clouded, with the Lions vice-captain telling AFL.com.au recently he would put his family first when deciding his post-2017 football home. The 27-year-old midfielder has been persistently linked to Adelaide and, to a lesser extent, Port Adelaide. With Rockliff expected to attract offers of at least $600,000 and up to $700,000 a season, the Lions would likely receive an end-of-first-round compensation pick, a return they might be happy to take. Adelaide midfielder Charlie Cameron is firmly on the Lions' radar, with the Queenslander keen to return to his home state. The Lions will have to pay a premium to convince the Crows to trade Cameron given he's contracted for 2018, but they will have a strong hand of draft picks that already includes their first selection (currently No.1) and Port Adelaide's first selection (No.14), and could include a Rockliff compensation pick. The Lions have also expressed interest in out-of-contract Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper. Rumours persist key forward Josh Schache could still find his way home to Victoria in the trade period despite re-signing with the Lions for two years in June. However, Schache and the club are adamant there is no substance to this.

The Lions could attempt to lure Jacob Hopper north. Picture: AFL Photos



CEO Steven Trigg says the Blues will only trade their first-round draft pick (currently No.2) for "absolutely elite youth". Giant Josh Kelly, 22, fits that bill and the Blues are one of the frontrunners, along with North Melbourne and St Kilda, to win the midfielder's signature if he decides to come home to Victoria. Carlton is also hot on the trail of fellow Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper, 20, but might be reluctant to part with a top-two pick for him, at least without something else being thrown back their way. The Blues will also face stiff competition if Hopper requests a trade, with Geelong, Richmond and Essendon among a pack of chasing clubs. The future of unrestricted free agent Levi Casboult, 27, remains clouded. The Blues spearhead has put off contract talks with the Blues until the end of the season and has been strongly linked with Richmond. Fellow free agent Matthew Kreuzer, 28, is close to re-signing with the Blues on a deal that will run at least two years. Veteran defender Kade Simpson, 33, wants to continue in 2018, but a call on his future is unlikely until the end of the season, with former Magpie Dale Thomas, 30, in a similar boat. Key defender Sam Rowe, 29, is also in contract limbo after rupturing his right anterior cruciate ligament against Fremantle in round nine, but remains a good chance to play on.

The Magpies are looking to bolster their spine at both ends of the ground, with Adelaide key defender Jake Lever a prime target. Crows forward Mitch McGovern has also been linked with the Pies, but appears more likely to move home to Western Australia if he leaves West Lakes. From here, out-of-contract tall timber quickly becomes scarce, especially after Sam Reid re-signed with Sydney earlier this week. Carlton spearhead Levi Casboult remains a free agent but Richmond appears to be the frontrunner if he decides to leave Ikon Park. However, Lions forward Michael Close is believed to be on Collingwood's radar. Ruckman Brodie Grundy is very close to re-signing with the Magpies on a three-year deal worth about $2 million, while free agent Tyson Goldsack has been offered a one-year extension. Fellow free agents Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keeffe will likely be offered new deals after returning from two-year doping suspensions this season, with Thomas in line for a two-year contract and Keeffe a one-year deal. Ruckman/forward Mason Cox remains out of contract.

The Bombers were briefly linked to Richmond superstar Dustin Martin but it's believed they don't have the cap space to bring in a big fish, with Port Adelaide half-back Jasper Pittard and GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper among their more affordable targets. Free agent David Zaharakis will re-sign but a deal might not be finalised for a while as his manager and the Dons continue to haggle over the terms. Essendon is set to farewell one of their favourite sons at the end of the season, with Jobe Watson likely to call time on his glorious career, while Heath Hocking, 30, and Brent Stanton, 31, will probably join him in retirement. Mark Baguley, 30, has played every game this season, so should go again in 2018, but a call on Ben Howlett, 28, won't be made until the end of the season. Midfielder Jackson Merrett has not played a senior game this season and is unlikely to be offered another contract.



Jasper Pittard could be a target for the Bombers. Picture: AFL Photos



The Dockers are making a massive play for Crows forward Mitch McGovern as they continue to target expat West Australians. West Coast appeared to have the inside running if McGovern decided to come home, given his elder brother Jeremy is an Eagles star, but Fremantle has done its best to get into the conversation. The Dockers have reportedly tabled a five-year deal worth up to $550,000 a season for the forward, which is about $150,000 a year more than the Crows' initial offer. McGovern also has family links to Fremantle, with his father, Andrew, playing 63 games there from 1995-98. Free agents Michael Johnson and Hayden Ballantyne are set to open talks with Freo shortly and are expected to be offered deals for 2018. Ruckman Zac Clarke has recovered well from the knee problems that ruined his 2017 season and fellow free agent Nick Suban has been rejuvenated since earning a senior recall in round 14, but their futures won't be decided until the end of the year. Suban has attracted interest from some Victorian clubs. The Dockers have a host of uncontracted Victorian youngsters: Hayden Crozier, Ed Langdon, Darcy Tucker, Harley Balic, Tom Sheridan and Matt Taberner. Tucker appears likely to stay despite attracting interest from Victorian clubs including North Melbourne, while Crozier and Langdon are also priority re-signings. The homesick Balic appears a strong chance to return home.

Mitch McGovern is set to get a big offer to head back west. Picture: AFL Photos



The Cats again look set to be active this trade period, with Giants Devon Smith and Jacob Hopper at the top of their wish list. In a perfect world, they would also love to welcome club great Gary Ablett back after seven years on the Gold Coast. Geelong coach Chris Scott has acknowledged it will be easier said than done to snare Ablett given he is contracted for 2018 and remains one of the Suns' best players, but the Cats are quietly confident they will get their man. Restricted free agent Steven Motlop appears more and more likely to depart the Cattery after being unsuccessfully put up for trade last year. The talented-but-inconsistent speedster has already been linked to Port Adelaide and could attract a salary of more than $500,000 a season, which should net the Cats a second-round compensation pick. The Cats have an offer on the table for forward Daniel Menzel, but the parties remain some way apart on money. Menzel wants to stay at Geelong and is expected to eventually re-sign. Key defender Tom Lonergan is open to playing on if required, but fellow veteran Andrew Mackie is set to retire. The Cats have tabled an offer for emerging defender Jake Kolodjashnij but negotiations remain ongoing.

If, as expected, Gary Ablett again seeks a trade home to Geelong, do the Suns play ball and, if so, what return will they seek for the 33-year-old? Ablett is contracted for 2018 and remains the Suns' best midfielder – he is on track to win his fourth Gold Coast best and fairest award this year – so they won't give him away for a third-round pick just so he can become the prodigal Cat. Small forward Brandon Matera and defender Trent McKenzie are two Suns who could find new homes in the trade period. The Suns have yet to open talks with Matera, who has been linked to Fremantle and two Victorian clubs, while McKenzie is also out of contract and could seek a fresh start after struggling with injury and form over the past two seasons. Tom Nicholls has not played a senior game this season after falling behind former Magpie Jarrod Witts in the Suns' ruck pecking order. The 203cm Victorian was courted by the Western Bulldogs at the end of last season before re-signing until the end of 2018. If a similar opportunity arises this year, Nicholls might be prepared to take it.

Do the Suns dare to reject another Gary Ablett trade request? Picture: AFL Photos



The Giants' player exchange period will largely be dictated by what Josh Kelly decides to do. For much of this year, most in the industry have expected the 22-year-old midfielder to re-sign with GWS for two years at $800,000 a season. But the longer he remains unsigned the more likely it seems he will move home to Victoria to take up substantially longer and more lucrative offers from North Melbourne ($10 million over nine years), Carlton and St Kilda. If Kelly decides to re-sign, Devon Smith could pursue bigger deals at Victorian clubs, with Geelong understood to be a clear frontrunner, while young midfielders Jacob Hopper and Matt Kennedy might leave in search of greater opportunities, with the former already attracting interest from a raft of clubs including Geelong, Carlton, Richmond, Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions. Of course, if Kelly leaves, the Giants will have more money to throw at Smith and more midfield opportunities to offer Hopper and Kennedy. Veteran Steve Johnson is expected to retire, but journeyman ruckman Dawson Simpson could play on after his encouraging recent performances in the senior team.

Every year, there are whispers Hawthorn has some big-name recruits all but locked away. This year is no different but the Hawks' 2017 targets – if any – are not readily apparent. Given their first pick in this year's draft is a second-round selection tied to GWS' finish, it's hard to see them swooping in at the last minute to broker trades for emerging out-of-contract stars Josh Kelly, Jake Lever and Jacob Hopper. A free agency heist is more feasible but that talent pool is fast drying up and remaining big names such as Tom Rockliff and Steven Motlop have been linked with other clubs, while Jackson Trengove appears likely to re-sign with Port Adelaide. The Hawks will be keen to re-sign James Sicily after his successful move to defence, but decisions on free agents Taylor Duryea and Ryan Schoenmakers and hard-running midfielder Billy Hartung are likely to be delayed until the end of the season. Shaun Burgoyne, 34, wants to play on and given his stellar form that seems a formality, while fellow veteran Josh Gibson, 33, has yet to make a call on his future but appears likely to retire. The Hawks have yet to open contract talks with tall Tim O'Brien, but the out-of-contract 23-year-old is happy at Waverley and should reach a deal with the club towards the end of the season.

The Demons' No.1 target is Adelaide's Jake Lever. Although the Victorian appears likely to come home, Melbourne faces stiff competition from the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood to sign him, while other serious suitors could appear given Lever's emergence as one of the competition's best key defenders. Key backman Sam Frost deferred contract talks when approached by the Demons in June and remains content to wait until later in the year before starting serious negotiations. Veteran midfielder Bernie Vince remains out of contract but looks likely to play on in 2018, while the futures of out-of-contract talls Jake Spencer (free agent) and Cam Pedersen won't be decided until later in the year. The Demons face a tough call on free agent Jack Trengove, who has not rediscovered his best form after recurring foot injuries ruined his 2014 and 2015 seasons. The former captain has played five senior games over the past two seasons and, at just 25, appears to be nearing the end of his AFL career.

Don Pyke might have to make do without Jake Lever next season. Picture: AFL Photos



The Roos have set their sights high this year, aggressively targeting midfield stars Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly. North has dangled a $10 million, nine-year deal in front of Kelly, and is reportedly tempting Richmond's Martin with a six-year contract worth about $1.3 million a season. Kelly appears more and more likely to return home to Victoria and, if that happens, the Roos appear well placed to snare the son of 1980s Kangaroo Phil, with Carlton and St Kilda their biggest rivals. The field in the Martin race seems to have narrowed to the Tigers and Kangaroos, but there is a growing sense Martin will reject North's bigger offer – in excess of $1 million more over six years – to remain at Punt Rd. If Kelly or Martin, or worse still both, turn the Roos down, they could turn their attention to Kelly's GWS teammate Jacob Hopper. Meanwhile, North is again likely to explore trading Todd Goldstein, although the 2015 All Australian ruckman's value is now no higher than a second-round draft pick. The Kangaroos also face some tough calls on out-of-contract veterans Scott Thompson, Jarrad Waite, Lachlan Hansen and Sam Gibson. Of the quartet, Thompson and Waite appear best placed to play on.

The Power is in talks to re-sign restricted free agent Jackson Trengove, with the tall utility expected to turn his back on interest in his home state, Victoria, to stay at Alberton Oval. Fellow free agent Jasper Pittard also wants to re-sign with the Power but his future might remain unresolved for some time. The dashing half-back has been linked most strongly to Essendon, with reports of North Melbourne's interest understood to be overblown. Port's efforts to retain Pittard could be complicated if it decides to pursue interest in restricted free agents Tom Rockliff and Steven Motlop. Port is also looking to find a new home for Matthew Lobbe, who at the end of his career-best 2014 season re-signed until the end of 2019. The 28-year-old ruckman has been out of favour for the past two seasons and with Paddy Ryder in career-best form his prospects of reclaiming a regular senior role with Port appear bleak.

No prizes for guessing the Tigers' priority: re-signing Dustin Martin. North Melbourne has led the opposition raids on the Brownlow Medal favourite, trying to blow Richmond out of the water with a six-year offer worth up to $1.3 million a season. The Tigers have increased their initial offer of about $850,000 a season to about $1.1 million a year and are confident of retaining the midfield superstar. Richmond's efforts appear to have satisfied Martin amid widespread speculation he will re-sign soon. GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper is on the Tigers' radar, but if the Victorian decides to come home they will face stiff competition from Geelong, Carlton and Essendon, while Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions are also circling the 20-year-old. Richmond is also trying to find some aerial support for Jack Riewoldt in attack, with Carlton free agent Levi Casboult increasingly looming as its main target.

Dustin Martin appears close to re-signing with the Tigers. Picture: AFL Photos



The Saints are in the lead pack chasing Josh Kelly should the emerging GWS star decide to return home to Victoria. St Kilda won't be seeking to match North's $10 million, nine-year offer for Kelly, confident it can attract Kelly with a slightly lesser offer given its list is a few years closer to playing finals and its headquarters will soon be located in Moorabbin again, close to Kelly's family home in bayside Melbourne. Emerging forward Jack Billings is poised to re-sign with the Saints with industry figures assessing his worth at about $550,000 a season. Veteran Leigh Montagna is likely to follow long-time teammate Nick Riewoldt into retirement, while defender Sam Gilbert, 31 later this month, could also hang up the boots. Out-of-favour tall Tom Hickey could be a target for clubs looking to bolster their ruck divisions, but the 26-year-old, who is contracted until the end of 2019, is happy at Seaford and believes he can fight his way back into the senior team. The futures of out-of-contract pair Shane Savage and Jack Lonie remain unclear.

Having re-signed Zak Jones and restricted free agent Sam Reid over the past week, the Swans have locked away their two priority re-signings. There has been speculation Sydney could explore trading contracted tall Kurt Tippett given his struggles with injury and form this season. Tippett, 30, is contracted until the end of 2020 and the Swans would create considerable salary cap room if they got his salary off their books. A club in contention looking to bolster its height in attack – Richmond is the obvious example – could deem Tippett a worthwhile punt. However, any trade won't be initiated by Tippett, who is happy in Sydney and ready to do all he can to reclaim a regular senior spot. Veteran Jarrad McVeigh is keen to play on next year, having made a strong return from injury over the past six weeks, but is content for his future to be decided late in the season.

The Eagles' No.1 target is emerging Adelaide tall Mitch McGovern. If the 22-year-old West Australian decides to move home, West Coast will be hoping the lure of playing with elder brother Jeremy sways McGovern to pick it over cross-town rival Fremantle. The Dockers are making an aggressive play for the Crows forward, so the Eagles have a fight on their hands, but it's understood they are quietly confident that if McGovern flies from the Crows he will land in their nest. Coach Adam Simpson signaled in late May the Eagles' desire to add a quality small forward to their list, but the options appear limited. Gold Coast's Brandon Matera has been floated as a possible target, but the Eagles are yet to show interest. North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas could appeal after he fell out of favour at times this season at the rebuilding Roos, while Docker Hayden Ballantyne is just around the corner and a free agent. Key defender Eric Mackenzie, 29, is expected to re-sign later this year after re-establishing himself in the Eagles' line-up over the past two months. It appears West Coast is set for a changing of the guard following the recent retirements of Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell. Sam Butler, 31, looks set to join them, but forward Mark LeCras, 31 later this month, is putting off a decision until the end of the season, preferring to focus on finishing the season strongly.

Out-of-contract Crow Jake Lever tops the Bulldogs' wish list and they have reportedly dangled a five-year offer worth more than $800,000 a season. They face stiff competition for the key defender's signature if he decides to leave Adelaide, with Melbourne and Collingwood among a raft of Victorian clubs waiting to pounce. Forward Stewart Crameri's future remains uncertain more than two months after a hip injury ended his season. The former Bomber, who turns 29 on Thursday, managed just two senior games this year in his return from a year-long WADA ban, and the Bulldogs have yet to indicate whether they will offer him a new contract. Promising youngster Bailey Dale will re-sign but both parties are assessing his market worth in light of his breakthrough second half of 2017, while the Bulldogs are believed to have an offer on the table for fellow 2014 draftee Lukas Webb, who is weighing up the opportunities he can expect at the club beyond 2017. After Matthew Boyd announced his retirement on Tuesday, the Bulldogs face tough calls on club greats Robert Murphy, 35, and Dale Morris, 34. Both remain valuable players when fit, but Murphy appears best placed to continue. The Dogs skipper has played 14 games this season and continues to have an impact, whether in defence or attack, but Morris has had a horror injury run and could decide his body has had enough.

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