Saints in need of a ruckman to replace the departed Ben McEvoy, rumours of talks between Swans and Cats, and Port Adelaide intensifies its chase for Brisbane Lion, Jared Polec.
Saints tall order
With the departure of ruckman Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn, the Saints are in need of a big man to help developing tall Tom Hickey. Veteran ruckman Darren Jolly fits the bill.
Jolly has been delisted by the Magpies and his experience, discipline, and work ethic would be a handy acquisition for the Saints and their young list.
Other ruckmen the Saints may be interested in are Geelong's Trent West and Richmond's Tom Derickx.
Melbourne veteran Mark Jamar could also be up for trade but the Demons insist that he has not been discussed and is under contract.
Swan on the fly?
Speculation persists that the Swans' premiership defender Nick Smith could be on the trade table. The Swans see Smith as a future leader but he has strong family roots in Melbourne and often considers a move back home.
The Swans would not like to see a player of such quality depart but they could be prepared to cut their losses for the right price.
Moving up the draft order is believed to be on the Swans' mind but there is some suggestion the Swans have been talking to Geelong.
From the Cats, the speculation here is that Travis Varcoe could be on the market.
Varcoe's run would be of interest to the Swans and they may see him as a running defender to replace the ageing Rhyce Shaw - who was injured for most of 2013 and in the few games he did play he was used up forward.
Polec trade not coming easy
Port Adelaide is now hoping to secure Brisbane Lion Jared Polec by offering its second-round pick at the NAB AF Draft (No.30), The Advertiser reports.
The Lions want players over draft picks for the 20-year-old, but with none on their list willing to move to Brisbane, the Power must try to work a three-way deal. Adelaide is in the same boat and must also use a third club to try and land Polec.
McEvoy trade blocks Stanley
The Advertiser is also reporting Ben McEvoy's crossing from St Kilda to Hawthorn has ended Port Adelaide's chase for St Kilda utility Rhys Stanley.
The Power asked about Stanley on Monday and were told he was off-limits.
Port football manager Peter Rohde expected talks to intensify now that McEvoy had departed. The Power need a key forward/ruckman to support Jay Schulz in attack and help out Matthew Lobbe in the ruck.
Other news
St Kilda remains keen to sign North Melbourne's Luke Delaney on a three-year deal. The club doesn't want to trade veteran midfielder Leigh Montagna, but it's expected he could eventually be linked to a trade for Delaney.
Hawthorn midfielder Xavier Ellis is undergoing a physical in Perth with Fremantle weighing up whether to pounce.
Sydney Swans forward Jesse White's trade to Collingwood appears inevitable, after he moved to Melbourne, but don't rule out Geelong.
