There is plenty of anxiety among fans and there could be a flurry of activity ahead of Thursday afternoon's NAB AFL Trade Period deadline.
Deals are yet to be completed for big names such as Jake Carlisle, Adam Treloar, Chris Yarran and James Aish, but each player is expected to get to their preferred destinations.
'Yaz' might not play next year
It seems almost unfathomable that a fully fit player in his prime would sit out a season to get to his club of choice, but that's apparently what disgruntled Blue Chris Yarran is considering.
The Herald Sun reports the 24-year-old is so desperate become a Tiger that he could give the 2016 season a miss and join Richmond as a free agent.
"It’s a possible option," a source close to Yarran told the Herald Sun.
Carlton refuses to accept Richmond’s offer of pick 19 for the 119-gamer, and it is believed the Blues would also have knocked back the pick 17 the Tigers tried to coax from the Brisbane Lions in exchange for defender David Astbury.
Carlton remains adamant it wants the Tigers' pick 12 for Yarran.
But The Age suggests the Blues might soften their hardline stance given it appears untenable for Yarran to fulfill the final year of his contract at Ikon Park.
It's believed the Blues and Yarran have not had direct contact at any stage of the trade period, and Carlton's free agency compensation for him next year wouldn't be as good as pick 19.
Treloar already a Pie?
Adam Treloar's move from Greater Western Sydney to Collingwood isn't yet official but a club-produced video that has been leaked online seemingly confirms Treloar is already a Magpie.
The video features the 22-year-old in a Collingwood polo shirt signing his lucrative new contract, and reveals his motivations behind his desire to join the Pies.
The video was filmed on Friday, before Treloar left for a holiday in New Zealand, and was to be released pending the announcement of the trade.
Collingwood and the AFL are investigating the source of the leak.
In the video, Treloar appears at home with his girlfriend and dog.
"It’s a little bit weird that now I’m pulling on a Collingwood polo – I’ve been used to the Giants for five years – but I’m very excited at the opportunity," he says in the production.
"It’s been a tough decision, but one that I am at peace with. I think it is the best decision for myself and my family, and I can’t wait to get stuck into the pre-season and run out in round one in front of hopefully 90,000 people."
Treloar was also excited to reunite with coach Nathan Buckley.
"He coached me back in under-16s, he was just great, his professionalism ... I can’t wait to work with him again and get started," he said.
Blues eye five-for-one deal on Menzel
Yarran's talented teammate Troy Menzel's mooted move to Adelaide is believed to hinge on the outcome of a medical examination conducted by the Crows, The Advertiser reports.
The 21-year-old South Australian, who has a well-documented history of knee issues in his teenage years, recently had hip surgery.
The left-footed forward has been proposed as part of a trade that sends uncontracted Crow Sam Kerridge and pick 28 to Carlton.
However, if Adelaide rejects Menzel, Victorian Kerridge would likely still find his way to the Blues for a future second-round draft pick.
Carlton then plans to on-trade pick 28 to Greater Western Sydney for Giants quartet Lachie Plowman, Andrew Phillips, Liam Sumner and Jed Lamb – essentially landing five players for Menzel, without surrendering any early picks at this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Bastinac for pick 17 and Bewick?
North Melbourne runner Ryan Bastinac is poised to be traded to the Brisbane Lions in exchange for pick No.17, a swap of later picks and possibly Lions left-footer Rohan Bewick, the Herald Sun reports.
Bastinac, 24, has received a four-year contract offer from the Lions, who would prefer to trade midfielder James Aish for the pacy Roo and a second-round pick.
The Kangaroos also haven't given up hope of landing Aish, but he remains determined to play for Collingwood, and the Lions and Magpies continue to make slow progress in their talks.
The Lions require more than the future second-round pick Collingwood is offering for Aish.
Black back to the Roos
Fremantle could face serious key forward issues if it loses skipper Matthew Pavlich to retirement and misses out on Giants young gun Cam McCarthy, but the Dockers have lost interest in North Melbourne tall Aaron Black, theHerald Sun reports.
The opportunity-starved Black, 24, is now likely to remain a Kangaroo.
Meanwhile, The West Australian reports Freo CEO Steve Rosich insistence that Pavlich's decision, which is expected in the next fortnight, will not be based on whether the Dockers are successful in their quest for McCarthy.
