THE WESTERN Bulldogs face a tough task in meeting Essendon's demands as they try to secure a trade for key forward Stewart Crameri.

Crameri has informed Essendon he wants to join former Bombers assistant coach Brendan McCartney at Whitten Oval but the club has dug in its heels, not satisfied with the pick 22 on offer from the Dogs.

The Bombers think Crameri is worth more than what the Bulldogs are offering and claim other clubs would be prepared to pay a higher price for the 25-year-old who has played 57 games for Essendon.

Crameri is uncontracted so he could still get to the Bulldogs if a trade is not done. 

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On a day when the only official developments were Shaun Hampson's move from Carlton to Richmond and the Blues' formal free agency offer to Collingwood star Dale Thomas, clubs were more interested in sounding one another out than brokering deals.

Negotiations surrounding Heath Shaw aren't expected to start in earnest until he nominates his preferred destination.

Greater Western Sydney remains a real possibility and has the bargaining chips to get a deal done with Collingwood while Geelong, Carlton and Essendon remain interested. Essendon is unlikely to have the draft picks available to satisfy the Pies while Melbourne, Hawthorn and Gold Coast have ruled a line through Shaw.

The Bombers have not ruled out chasing delisted Cat Paul Chapman, but like many other clubs, are working through their trade positions before dealing with the veteran who will be 32 next season.

Chapman will be able to go to the club of his choice as a delisted free agent.

Carlton did not rule him out but North Melbourne and Richmond made it clear Chapman was not the type of player they were after. The Blues however made it clear they were not interested in delisted Magpie Alan Didak.

Negotiations are likely to be hard fought, too, between North Melbourne and St Kilda as the clubs begin to discuss Nick Dal Santo (who seems destined for the Kangaroos) and Luke Delaney (who hopes to join the Saints).

North is waiting for St Kilda and Dal Santo to sort out the direction they want to head.

Young Brisbane Lions ruckman Billy Longer wants to head to Hawthorn. The Hawks need a replacement for retired premiership ruckman Max Bailey and appear to be the only club negotiating with the Lions.

Longer, 20, has played nine games since joining Brisbane as pick No.8 in the 2011 draft.

Other Lions wishing to be traded include Jared Polec, Sam Docherty and Elliot Yeo.

Both Adelaide and Port Adelaide are battling for Polec with Port Adelaide seemingly in the box seat.

However, the fifth selection in the 2010 draft has played just 16 games in three seasons, so there is haggling taking place over whether he is worth a first or second-round pick.

Docherty's trade might become a slow burn with the Blues and Essendon waiting to see what unfolds. The Blues are prepared to trade players if the right circumstances arise this month and their attitude may help grease the wheels.

Gaining Yeo is a priority for West Coast during this trade period. The Eagles have offered the 20-year-old a three-year contract but have only entered into preliminary discussions with the Lions.

Contracted Hawk Shane Savage remains on the trade table with Hawthorn open to trading him for the right price.

Savage has attracted interest from Carlton and Melbourne but the Eagles told AFL.com.au they have ruled him out as they would be unlikely to find a suitable trade.

Adelaide's Ricky Henderson is contracted but is open to the possibility of returning to Victoria. He has attracted the interest of at least two Victorian clubs but there still remains some distance to bridge before any deal can be made there.

Melbourne was not overwhelmed with offers for pick No.2 but remains hopeful of attracting quality midfielders.

Essendon and Greater Western Sydney have both ruled out trading David Myers and Dylan Shiel, respectively, but Melbourne's Josh Mahoney said they remain players of interest for the club.

Josh Mellington has declared he wants to leave Fremantle in the hope of gaining more opportunities. Mellington is in contract with the Dockers but he has attracted interest from several Victorian clubs.

Most recruiters AFL.com.au contacted declared it a slow day's trading as clubs prepared for three weeks of discussions.