Biggest deals remaining, how they get done, Esava Ratugolea, Lachie Schultz, Jack Gunston, Liam Henry, Xaviver Duursma, Port Adelaide Power, Mabior Chol

There are more than 15 deals left to close before Wednesday night’s trade deadline in what promises to be a hectic few days.

So, where are the big movements? And how will they ultimately be achieved?

With insights from list managers and industry sources, foxfooty.com.au explains how the seven largest transactions are made.

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STATUS OF PLAY: What has your club done during this trading period… and what remains to be done

Shane McAdam to Melbourne

A deal that, somewhat unexpectedly, extended into the second week of the trade period as the clubs haggled, with Melbourne apparently offering their future second-round pick (the Dees have a tied second with Sydney). Quite a generous offer for the 28-year-old, who has played seven games this season, although that 2024 pick would likely be in the low 30s. Adelaide are determined to try and snag a Melbourne player, targeting the pair South Australian Tom Sparrow and Harrison Petty. The Crows have been particularly hard on Petty recently, reportedly making a tempting offer to the swingman. However, Melbourne have no interest in moving Petty, who has two years remaining on his contract. A list manager foxfooty.com.au They believe Adelaide has “exhausted” its offer for Petty and that may be why negotiations have stalled so much.

What does: Melbourne gives up future second-round pick

Xaviver Duursma at Essendon/Brandon Zerk-Thatcher at Port Adelaide

Direct player trades are so rare these days, with the Lewis Jetta-Callum Sinclair trade in 2015 being the last of its kind. But all signs point to Duursma and Zerk-Thatcher being involved in an affair this week, with one list manager saying foxfooty.com.au they think it would be a good deal, and frankly, it makes a lot of sense once both men’s careers stabilize. Essendon is happy to retain Zerk-Thatcher, if need be, after offering the defender a three-year extension to stay at the club. The guard is coming off a strong season under Brad Scott to become an important part of the Bombers’ back six and really put the former Pick 66 on the map. It is therefore understandable that the club does not want to let the 25-year-old fullback leave despite his request to return to South Australia. On the other hand, Duursma is perhaps better regarded given his immediate impact in the competition after being drafted with Pick 18 in 2018. The 23-year-old winger, however, has not reached the same heights as his first-round colleagues Connor Rozee and Zak Butters and has generally struggled to make a significant impact at AFL level in recent years, with Port willing to facilitate a deal. The Power will also push for a favorable pick trade, or some sort of sweetener, but that may be based on Duursma’s reputation more than actual production. It’s also worth noting that from a team needs standpoint, the Bombers and Power both need capable defenders, but Duursma is under contract and Zerk-Thatcher is not. Port have picks 25, 41 and 49, while Essendon have picks 9, 31 and 52.

What does: Direct exchange

Esava Ratugolea to Port Adelaide

The standoff is perhaps the most intriguing deal to watch over the coming days and one that is expected to be resolved after Port’s initial offer of Pick 24 (now Pick 25) – a selection obtained during a trade of choice with Fremantle – was rejected by Geelong. Although the Cats are the team playing hard given that Pick 24 is more than a reasonable offer, pressure is mounting on the Power given the number of deals they still need to complete. An industry source said foxfooty.com.au There has been tension between the two sides over the swap – and even limited dialogue – suggesting Port have “infuriated” some clubs with their lack of urgency to complete deals. Of course, Ratugolea has only shown signs as a defender, while the 25-year-old has had a stint in the VFL this year and might not even make Chris Scott’s preferred six defenders. A list manager said foxfooty.com.au power should offer Pick 24 and something else to get over the line, and Ratugolea could still be headed to the draft if necessary. It comes after the forward-turned-defender attempted a move to Alberton last year, but this time he is out of contract. It’s ultimately hard to see Port offering much more than Pick 25, with selections 41 and 49 completing its draft hand.

What does: Port Adelaide drops Pick 25

Liam Henry in St Kilda

A deal that has been in the works for some time as the winger joins a host of key names to leave the Dockers in recent years. A delay could have been caused by the Saints’ meager draft hand until Friday, where the club received late first-round compensation for the departure of Jade Gresham in free agency to Essendon, currently No. 21. There had a view on pick 21 could have actually been moved to Fremantle for Henry, however foxfooty.com.au can reveal that St Kilda plans to take this pick with their No.13 draft selection.The Saints also hold picks 35 and 56 as well as what they get for Nick Coffield, while club list boss Stephen Silvagni said on Friday a deal was “reasonably close” and he hoped that it will be finalized in the coming days. Pick 21 seems to be the fairest given that Henry, 22, still has untapped potential, but both sides will naturally push for more to favor their side. It is still possible that Hawthorn, who was a key competitor for Henry before choosing St Kilda, will also try to re-enter the conversation, if the Hawks are prepared to offer Fremantle more than the Saints are.

What does: St Kilda waives future second-round pick

Lachie Schultz to Collingwood

The shock of the trade period first emerged last week when Schultz attempted to return to Victoria for family reasons. It was revealed that after Taylor Adams’ trade request to Collingwood, the club decided to try and sign Schultz 12 months earlier after learning they would seek a move from the Dockers when the small forward was released out of contract at the end of 2024. list manager said foxfooty.com.au it would bemust be a future first-round pick – not Collingwood’s current first-rounder, Pick 19, given he’s about to move back several places – plus something else going to the Dockers. A player manager said foxfooty.com.au Fremantle are also hoping to secure a second-rounder in addition to the Pies’ future first-rounder. This is believed to be what the two sides are at odds over as the Pies consider walking away from negotiations. Of course, Collingwood could do this in the hope of signing the 25-year-old as a free agent at the end of next season, where they would not be giving up anything from a business perspective. However, the premiers are in the sweet spot, so the prospect of adding Schultz and Dan McStay to a grand final-winning forward line would be enticing. Another list manager said foxfooty.com.au they believe Collingwood would eventually “bow” in negotiations and needed to close the deal now.

What does: Collingwood gives up future first-round pick and future third-round pick, Fremantle gives up Schultz and future fourth-round pick

Mabior Chol with Hawthorn

The key forward is set to join Hawthorn after winning the race for his services against Adelaide and North Melbourne. A list manager said foxfooty.com.au The Hawks are expected to ‘pay up’ for Chol, who has two years left on his Suns contract, as Hawthorn reportedly offered the 26-year-old a four-year deal with a trigger for a fifth year to lure him to Waverley . . But having only one very good season under his belt – a 44-goal campaign in 2022 when Ben King was out – it’s difficult to assess his value. Another list manager said foxfooty.com.au they think Chol is worth a third-round pick. Assuming Hawthorn remains in the bottom six next year, that of course increases the value of his natural draft position. Foxfooty.com.au can also reveal that the Suns’ preference is to secure a future selection given their plethora of picks in this year’s draft – and that they are considering a second round. But the Hawks would be hesitant to give up a future second-round pick given that it could be in the early 20s. That means Hawthorn can either do it and take something back in the trade or give up a future third-rounder. 7News reported that it could be a three-way trade with Richmond for Jacob Koschitzke, who The Herald Sun reported Hawthorn “optimistically” asked the Tigers for a top-25 pick, even though the Hawks only offered the forward a one-year extension and selected him in of 12 senior matches this year. That top-25 asking price was called “ridiculous” by one listing manager.

What does: Hawthorn gives up future third-round pick

Jack Gunston with hawthorn

It only emerged on Friday that Gunston was looking to return to Hawthorn after a season in Brisbane – a season he finished outside the senior team as the Lions reached a grand final. Foxfooty.com.au understands Gunston fell out of favor at Brisbane despite being recruited to help the club win a premiership and played a key role in his decision to seek a second move in 12 months after joining the Lions as an agent free. Foxfooty.com.au canalso reveal that the 32-year-old’s management has yet to consider discussions with other Victorian clubs, although there are pending discussions with Hawthorn, which could still come to fruition in the coming days. The Hawks confirmed on Friday they would “evaluate” a possible move for Gunston, who is currently on holiday in the United States with a host of current Lions and former Hawthorn teammates, but are prioritizing their other targets. This includes bringing in Mabior Chol and Massimo D’Ambrosio and facilitating Jacob Koschitzke’s move to Richmond. Young Hawks big man Brandon Ryan has emerged as a player of interest to Brisbane, but Hawthorn reportedly has no plans to trade the 25-year-old.

What does: Hawthorn drops Pick 54