TRADE talks will begin in earnest on Wednesday with more than half of the 18 clubs set to meet for their annual pre-trade catch up.
The unofficial start to the trade period will see list and recruiting bosses from clubs gather in Melbourne for a 'speed dating' exercise of short trade discussions ahead of the end of the finals campaign.
The day of meetings is arranged by the clubs themselves, with all bar five clubs attending last year as they met in the lead-up to last year's semi-final.
The meetings are used to give updates on the contract status of players, available list spots, predicted draft selections being used and any other initial discussions ahead of the Continental Tyres Trade Period.
A staple of the lead-in to the trade and free agency window, the catch-ups are seen as a chance for clubs to get a feel of what other's plans are and how other clubs could get involved in proposed deals.
The addition of Tasmania at the end of 2027 means this season will be the last uncompromised draft until 2030, making for extra importance on this year's intake.
The free agency period opens on Friday, October 2 and runs through to Friday, October 9, while the trade period starts on Monday, October 5 and ends on Wednesday, October 14 with the now traditional deadline night.
Top free agents Zak Butters and Ben King have already told their clubs they will be exploring free agency, with AFL.com.au revealing last week Butters' decision was set to come down to Geelong or the Western Bulldogs, while King wants to join Hawthorn.
