THE 2015 NAB AFL Trade Period officially starts at 9am on Monday but there has already been an unprecedented number of players walk out on their clubs and nominate a preferred destination.
Who are they, where are they going and how will they get there?
Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
Where's he going?
Returning to Geelong to be near family at Mogg's creek and his fiance's family in Geelong.
How will he get there?
Trade expected to include Geelong's first round draft pick, No.9, and potentially a second round pick in this year's draft, which is currently pick No.28 for the Cats. Seems a fair deal for all parties for a player who has given eight years good service and could have threatened to go to the NAB AFL Draft and leave the Crows with nothing.
Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
Where’s he going?
Carlisle and his management have declared he will be playing at St Kilda next season, but there is still a deal to be negotiated before he can slip the polo on.
How will he get there?
This one won't happen quickly. The Bombers expect the Saints' No.5 pick as compensation, but that won't happen. St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains was quick to declare last week that pick was off the table as a straight swap, meaning some creative trading will need to take place. If the Patrick Ryder deal is taken as a loose guide, the Bombers earned equivalent of 1442 points for him, with Port Adelaide paying a premium because he was still under contract at Essendon. The Saints have 1878 points with pick five so if they could find something around pick nine or 10's value (at 1395 and 1469 points respectively) then a deal could happen quickly. This might require a third party to enter the equation.
Cam McCarthy (Greater Western Sydney)
Where's he going?
Nowhere if you ask GWS, Fremantle if you ask his management. The young key forward is desperate to return home to WA and play with the Dockers.
How will he get there?
The complication for McCarthy and the Dockers is the 20-year-old is contracted for two more seasons. The Giants hold all the power and don't need to accept any deal for a player they rate very highly. Fremantle is reportedly prepared to offer its 2015 and 2016 first round picks. The Dockers are desperate to land a key forward and could even sweeten that deal to land McCarthy. It won't be an easy transaction but every club has a price.
Adam Treloar (Greater Western Sydney)
Where's he going?
The midfielder has nominated Collingwood, and his other major suitor, Richmond, has dropped out of the race. Carlton attempted to enter discussion late.
How will he get there?
Treloar's talents demand a first-round selection as a starting point, with the Magpies' 2015 or 2016 second round pick likely to be thrown in. The Magpies may have two second round picks after the Nathan Freeman deal but they have to consider what might get James Aish to Collingwood. Whatever happens Treloar will be a Magpie by the end of the trade period and the Giants will get points they need.
Chris Yarran (Carlton)
Where's he going?
Long linked to Richmond, Yarran seems destined to make his way to the Punt Road next season if the two clubs can work out a deal. Hawthorn was linked to the classy Blue, but he will only meet with the Tigers, dismissing interest from the premiers.
How will he get there?
Another early-Spring standoff has developed, with the Blues adamant that Yarran is worth the Tigers' first pick (No.12). The Tigers' second-round pick is No.31, which would seem unders for the 24-year-old. The answer could be Richmond's pick No.12 and No.31 for Yarran in exchange for Carlton's pick No.20. Of course, if Ben Lennon walks, which is highly unlikely, then he might become mixed up in the deal.
Jarrad Jansen (Geelong)
Where's he going?
The Brisbane Lions are the big-bodied midfielder's club of choice as he seeks senior opportunities. The Lions have tracked his progress all year and are the only suitor that has come forward.
How will he get there?
Jansen is out of contract so the ball is in the Lions' court. He is also yet to play a senior game and was recruited with pick No.36 in 2013, so the Cats aren't in a position to be demanding. It is possible late in the period he could move for a pick upgrade once both clubs bring in other selections, or a third-round pick.
Curtley Hampton (GWS)
Where's he going?
The talented defender nominated Adelaide as his club of choice, ahead of Collingwood. The Magpies pursued the young Giant but were edged because of Hampton's family connections in SA.
How will he get there?
Hampton is contracted for 2016, but this should be a straight-forward trade that takes place early in the week for the Crows' second or third-round pick in this year's NAB AFL Draft, which would give the Giants' more points to acquire Academy players. Most likely a third round pick.
Harley Bennell (Gold Coast)
Where’s he going?
After meeting with a handful of clubs, the talented but wayward West Australian has nominated Fremantle as his preferred home. The Dockers are in the box seat.
How will he get there?
Gold Coast and Bennell's manager have insisted there is more than one club interested in the midfielder, potentially boosting his price north of a second-round pick. Gold Coast will almost certainly ask for Fremantle's first-round selection (No.16) but the Dockers will offer their second (No.35). Don't expect a quick resolution to this.
Nathan Freeman (St Kilda)
Where's he going?
Has requested a trade to St Kilda in search of more opportunities, with his preferred club making all the running so far.
How will he get there?
This all depends on where he sits in the Saints' list of priorities. Picks will be required to land Jake Carlisle. Consensus has Freeman demanding a second-round pick, which the Saints have at selection No.24.
Zac Smith (Gold Coast)
Where's he going?
He is likely to go to Geelong however Essendon remains interested depending on the decisions of other ruck targets.
How will he get there?
Expect a third round pick will be adequate although the Suns may be interested in ascertaining whether any Cats are seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Lachie Henderson (Carlton)
Where's he going?
The Birregurra boy wants to join Geelong. He would slot nicely in defence at Simonds Stadium.
How will he get there?
It depends on what Geelong have to relinquish to get Patrick Dangerfield because clubs can't trade both first and second round picks in a future draft. Most likely he commands the Cats' first round pick for 2016, which means Adelaide would not be getting a future second round pick for Dangerfield.
Charlie Dixon (Gold Coast)
Where's he going?
Port Adelaide has wanted Dixon for a long time and now looks set to grab the key forward who will now be under some pressure to deliver.
How will he get there?
Port Adelaide has said it will be prepared to hand over pick No.10, its first round pick in 2015. This should be enough to get the job done however the Suns appear prepared to haggle.
Jack Redden (Brisbane Lions)
Where's he going?
West Coast was always his preferred destination although the Eagles seemed uncertain at first how they would get him. The 24-year-old now looks likely to join this year's runner-up.
How will he get there?
The Eagles have pick No.17, which may be enough to get a deal done particularly if the Swans are able to land the Eagles ruckman Callum Sinclair as part of the deal to get Lewis Jetta.
Tom Bell (Carlton)
Where's he going?
Wants to return to the Brisbane Lions for family reasons and the Lions are keen to get the strong-bodied midfielder.
How will he get there?
Carlton will want a second round pick but the Lions are likely to be more comfortable exchanging pick No.39 for the 24-year-old who played every game this season. We think his value lies somewhere in the mid-30s so there might be a little finessing needed.
Jake Melksham (Essendon)
Where's he going?
Melbourne offered him a deal he could not refuse with the added bonus of re-uniting him with his former line coach Simon Goodwin.
How will he get there?
A second round pick looks a reasonable exchange for the 24-year-old who has played 114 games. The Demons have pick No.25.
Matthew Leuenberger (Brisbane Lions)
Where's he going?
It's a choice between Essendon or the Sydney Swans with the Bombers slight favourites.
How will he get there?
The restricted free agent will receive an offer that the Lions are unlikely to match provided it is large enough to get them a second-round pick, which would be No.22 for the Lions.
Scott Selwood (West Coast Eagles)
Where's he going?
Joining his brother at Geelong after 135 games and a best and fairest at West Coast.
How will he get there?
The free agent needs to wait to see whether the Eagles match the offer or hope for compensation, which could be pick No.37 depending on the size of the offer from the Cats. West Coast was still hoping for pick No.18 last week.
James Aish (Brisbane Lions)
Where's he going?
Aish is from South Australia, but he wants to ply his trade in Melbourne, nominating Collingwood as his preferred football home.
How will he get there?
If the Lions don't budge and carry out their promise to send him to the draft then Aish might end up at Carlton rather than Collingwood. We suspect Aish reconciled himself to that fact before he requested the trade to the Magpies. The Lions are yet to adequately explain how playing hard ball in this instance would benefit their football club given Aish could attract at the very least two second-round draft picks and/or a player. They did, after all, choose him knowing they had two years to make certain he wanted to stay. No-one likes players leaving clubs and nominating destinations after two years but the Lions need points to secure two of their academy players and may eventually see the value in one or two more draft picks for Aish. They should then lobby hard for the support necessary losing players.
Lewis Jetta (Sydney Swans)
Where's he going?
Returning to Western Australia for family reasons and is set to join West Coast.
How will he get there?
Depends if West Coast ruckman Callum Sinclair decides to move to the Sydney Swans and whether his move will be tied up in the trade for Jetta, with the Swans keen on the youngster who had an outstanding season as second fiddle to Nic Naitanui.
