AS CLUBS enter day four of the NAB AFL Trade Period, there is plenty of speculation about player movement but we are still awaiting the first official trade of the off-season.
Collingwood midfielder Dayne Beams' hopes of being traded to the Brisbane Lions has seemingly reached an impasse, while Geelong is increasingly being dragged into discussions.
Beams trade stalls
Collingwood has reportedly told Beams he might have to remain with the Magpies for at least another season if the Lions can't offer adequate compensation.
The Lions have offered Collingwood picks No. 5 and 25 for Beams, with a swap of later draft picks also in the mix.
But AFL.com.au understands the Lions have ruled out involving any of their players in the trade, after the Pies targeted the likes of Jack Redden, James Aish, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley and Dayne Zorko.
Collingwood's head of football Rodney Eade dismissed outright any suggestion the Pies would accept the Lions' first two picks at No. 5 and No. 25 for Beams, insisting the club was adamant it should receive an established senior player as part of any deal.
"We understand Dayne wants to go but it’s not a fire sale for us," Eade told The Herald Sun.
"We are more than happy for Dayne to stay, as the coach is. The coach will be thrilled if he stays. People might think that is a fall-back position, but that is our preferred position.
"So, no, the draft picks (from Brisbane) are not acceptable and Brisbane knows our position."
However, Lions chief executive Greg Swann was just as strong, saying: “If Collingwood wants to keep him next season, well, good luck with that."
Beams, Collingwood's 2012 best and fairest winner, wants to join the Lions, where his brother Claye plays, to be closer to his ill father.
Busy Cats
After missing out on free agent James Frawley to Hawthorn, Geelong has become a hive of trade talk.
Midfielder Allen Christensen surprised the Cats by announcing his intention to seek a new home in Queensland, citing personal reasons.
The Herald Sun reports that Geelong will demand a first-round pick in return for the 23-year-old.
Gold Coast has picks No. 8 and No. 15, while the Brisbane Lions have picks No. 5 and No. 25 and key defender Daniel Merrett could also become part of a Christensen deal.
Another concern for Geelong is the Western Bulldogs' lucrative offer for experienced backman Tom Lonergan, with the Herald Sun reporting the deal stretching to $1.5 million over three years.
The 30-year-old is tied to the Cats for another year, and the club has offered to extend his contract to the end of 2016.
Lonergan has a strong relationship with Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney, a former longtime assistant at Geelong.
Meanwhile, Travis Varcoe will meet with Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley while holidaying in Bali, to discuss a possible move to the Westpac Centre.
Hawk eyes opportunities
The Herald Sun reports that forgotten Hawthorn big man Sam Grimley wants to be traded to gain more senior opportunities elsewhere after failing to break into the Hawks line-up despite terrific VFL form.
The 200cm Grimley kicked 45 goals for Box Hill Hawks to win the VFL's goalkicking award.
The 23-year-old, who is contracted to the Hawks for next year, played each of his three AFL games last year and sees little hope of adding to his tally in an attack that boasts the likes of Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston.
Meanwhile, Bulldogs key forward Liam Jones might not get to Carlton, with The Age reporting the Blues would prefer Greater Western Sydney youngster Kristian Jaksch as a long-term replacement for Jarrad Waite.
The Age also reports that a speculated deal that would involve Jones, Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney and pick 45 going to Carlton in exchange for the Blues' pick 28 has no chance of being realised.
