THE DOMINOS are falling early after Heritier Lumumba and Jarrad Waite took big steps towards finding new football homes on Monday.
With Lumumba declaring Melbourne is his preferred club, and North Melbourne in the box seat to secure Waite, other deals are becoming clearer.
As the NAB AFL Trade Period approaches, the Kangaroos, Carlton and St Kilda all look likely to be heavily involved.
Hawks lead chase for Giant O'Rourke
Young GWS midfielder Jono O'Rourke, who was drafted with pick No.2 in 2012, has requested a trade home to Victoria, according to the Herald Sun.
The Hawks are reportedly leading the chase to secure the 20-year-old, who has spent two years in Sydney and played nine games.
The Age reports that North Melbourne and St Kilda are also in the race to secure the skilful midfielder, who told the Giants last Thursday he wished to be traded.
O'Rourke, who is out of contract, would command a first-round draft pick in any trade given his high rating at the draft two seasons ago.
Market cool on Blue boys
Jeff Garlett has attracted limited interest since he was put on the trade table by Carlton, but there may finally be suitors for Mitch Robinson.
The Age reports that the Brisbane Lions could be keen on Robinson, who has also attracted a level of interest from some other clubs.
Robinson, 25, was dumped by the Blues in early September, one month after he lied about being in an early morning brawl that also involved Garlett.
Eagles or Dockers chasing Malceski?
While Gold Coast appears to be making the running for Sydney Swans premiership defender Nick Malceski, there are other clubs still in the race.
The Age reports one WA-based club and one Victorian club are jockeying for the unrestricted free agent's services.
Malceski has been linked to Melbourne as he tests the market after coming out of contract.
The Sydney Swans have put an offer to the rebounding defender, but The Age reports he will meet with the Suns to discuss a potential move.
Patfull eyes move south
Brisbane Lions defender Joel Patfull is reportedly keen to move to a Sydney club a year before he comes out of contract.
The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday that Patfull, who is contracted until the end of next season, was seeking a trade to this year's runner-up.
Lions talent acquisition and retention manager Peter Schwab said the club remained hopeful the valuable defender would play out his career in Brisbane before relocating to the harbour city.
"I think Joel has ideas of moving to Sydney after his playing career, and that's known by us," Schwab told SEN.
"But right at the moment … Joel's a two-time club champion and finished third this year, so we'd hope he'd move to Sydney after his footy career.
"He is contracted, so at the moment that's the status of Joel."
Lions confident they'll secure Beams
A stalemate is developing between the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood as they negotiate a trade for gun Magpie Dayne Beams, but the Lions remain confident they will get their man.
According to the Herald Sun, the Lions will not consider trading any of their young midfielders as part of a deal for Beams, and the Magpies' interest in Irishman Pearce Hanley has been rejected.
Schwab said the Lions had not considered adding players or dealing with third-party clubs as part of the Beams negotiations.
"We're just trying to deal with Collingwood direct at the moment," he told SEN.
"We're working hard to make sure we can get a deal with Collingwood.
"I think history says that most players will get to where they want to go, so I'm confident we can secure him.
"Right at this stage we think our first selection in the national draft is a significant amount.
"Collingwood obviously don't, so there's a bit of a stalemate."
