KNEE injuries to West Coast's Nic Naitanui and Hawthorn's Jonathan Ceglar have added fizz to what was already shaping as a busy market for ruckmen in this year's trade period.
The duo's potential absence for most of the 2017 season removes two senior ruckmen from the scene as clubs scramble to ensure their ruck stocks run deep next season.
Gold Coast is confident of retaining Tom Nicholls and Richmond recently re-signed Shaun Hampson, but several other ruckmen remain unsigned heading into the trade period.
Geelong's Nathan Vardy has been linked with Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, with the Bulldogs yet to re-sign Tom Campbell. They also have former All Australian Will Minson, who is a free agent, on their list.
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Greater Western Sydney is waiting to see whether Tom Downie wants to re-commit to the club, with interest for the talented Victorian high, particularly as a potential back-up ruckman who will grow into the senior role.
Contracted GWS big man Rory Lobb has also attracted interest from clubs in his home state of Western Australia while Richmond's Tyrone Vickery has been linked with Hawthorn and looks set to depart the Tigers.
Melbourne's Max Gawn was named All Australian on Thursday night but the Demons are keen to secure another developing ruckman to ensure their list has the right balance.
They re-signed Jake Spencer as insurance for Gawn but AFL.com.au understands they would like to add a promising young ruckman to the list.
The Sydney Swans' Toby Nankervis has been a good performer when called upon but appears to be behind Kurt Tippett, Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith in the pecking order as finals loom.
Collingwood's Jarrod Witts is likely to be traded with Brodie Grundy having assumed the No.1 ruck position after an excellent season.
Witts, who joined Collingwood as a NSW scholarship holder, has been in outstanding form in the VFL and will be a key player for the Magpies in the VFL finals.
The Brisbane Lions have been linked with Witts as Stefan Martin enters the twilight of his career. Trent West also retired this season.
Richmond will also need to add a ruckman to the list to support Hampson, with Ivan Maric ageing.
Fremantle's Zac Clarke will make a decision before the trade period as to whether he sticks with the Dockers. Interest is high in the athletic big man, both inside and outside Victoria.
St Kilda's Tom Hickey was outstanding in 2016 and with Billy Longer and Lewis Pierce contracted, Jason Holmes will come under discussion at rival clubs.
With the top four clubs all taking ruckmen from other clubs into the finals as their No.1 big men, the revolving door is sure to continue in the 2016 trade period.
Stay, go, or wait and see?
AFL.com.au predicts:
Tom Nicholls (Gold Coast) – stay
Jarrod Witts (Collingwood) – go
Toby Nankervis (Sydney Swans) – wait and see
Will Minson (Western Bulldogs) – go
Nathan Vardy (Geelong) – go
Rory Lobb (GWS) – wait and see
Tom Downie (GWS) - wait and see
Zac Clarke (Fremantle) – wait and see
Tyrone Vickery (Richmond) – go
